Austin 2014 Racecation

We came to Austin this year to run the 1020, which was an awesome race and experience! While we were here, we made sure to venture around the different parts of the city – from the center to the north in Round Rock and around – to get our way around and see what there was to do! We’ve been here before and were ready to head back to some of our favorites while trying out some new local favorites!

Most people know that this trip was definitely a WORK OFF WHATCHA EAT kind of vacation. #SorrynotSorry. Austin is just KNOWN for awesome food so while I was on the 21 Day Fix, I made sure to extend that a week to enjoy our racecation. We did something different every day to make sure we took it all in! Here’s the low down –

Breweries: Saturday when we got in, we decided to tinker around town right after the expo and packet pickup for the 1020. We Googled Austin Breweries and each picked numbers between 1-20 to make it to 3 local ones in the area all within 10 minutes of each other. Our first stop was The Draught House. This place was a cute little German house, where the beer flowed plentifully and they even had a Biergarten out back to enjoy the weather – not to mention free sausages and brats until they were gone!

 Next was North by Northwest where we shared a flight of local brews:

We ended our tour for the evening with  Black Star Co-Op that happened to be less than a mile from where we were staying. This place just opened, and also served foods all made from their co-op partners and local farms. We squeezed in a brew to share and an appetizer – a.k.a. fuel for the race Sunday.

After Saturday a.k.a. Beer-Day we calmed down the drinking a smidge – that didn’t mean we didn’t eat our way through Austin! Before I jump into food, I just have to say how awesome it was to see so many Co-ops. Aside from Black Star, we found many as we walked through downtown and even in restaurants we ate at many were part of co-ops. SHOP AND EAT LOCAL – that’s what I’m talking about!

Food: We ventured ALL over Austin to get some of our favorite eats and try some new digs as well! In no particular order, we visited, Whole Foods, Gourdough’s (7), South Congress Cafe (8) , TRIO (6), Torchy’s Tacos (3), Hopdoddy, Cover 3, Round Rock Donuts (2) , Chuy’s, Bananarchy (1), Threadgill’s, Austin Juice (5), Hey Cupcake (9), Elizabeth St. Cafe (4) – and more I’m sure I’m forgetting!

My favorites? That’s so hard! Gordough’s is a favorite sweets stop, and this time I had their PBJ donut- whoa. Also, Torchy’s Tacos is an inexpensive favorite with multiple locations in Austin. We hare their Beef fajita taco and hubby loved their Trailor Park taco with fried chicken. My ABSOLUTE favorite restaurant so far in Austin has been the Elizabeth St. Cafe. I love how it truly stands for what Austin is all about – being weird and different and YUMMY. It blends Vietnamese cuisine with French pastries for a powerful punch! We’ve visited there before, and have never been disappointed – plus it’s 2 steps away from Gordough’s 😉

For breakfast each morning WE DID Stick to our Shakeology routine! ALL of our nutrients + protein + super foods + complex carbs and vitamins to kick off the day – Balance right? 😉

We were able to take advantage of the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema (awesome movie theatre), The Goodnight (bowling and games), The Texas Thrift Store (unique shopping on the cheap), Town Lake Trail (miles of Austin views), the Austin Nature & Science Center (free fun with nature and animals), and all of the fun shops throughout downtown and its surrounding areas. There is really never a dull moment in Austin, and I’ll miss it for sure until we go back 😉

We’ve both been in Florida all of our lives, so being here is fun to explore and sightsee while getting a feel for the local vibe!

Have you been to Austin before? What’s your favorite part?
What do you take in when visiting a new city away from home?