Ah, Austin.

The land of cowboy boots and tech startups, where the sun is always shining and the music never stops. A place that embodies both the quintessential Texan spirit and a youthful, progressive energy thats hard to find anywhere else.

To truly experience this eclectic city, you need to venture off the beaten path. Sure, downtown has its charms live music everywhere you turn (from honkytonk to indie rock), food trucks dishing out culinary delights from every corner of the globe, and craft breweries pouring pints of local brews that will make your taste buds sing but if you really want to get a feel for what Austins all about, you need to explore some of its lesserknown neighborhoods and institutions.

First on our list: East Cesar Chavez (1100 E Cesar Chavez St., Austin TX 78702). This vibrant area just east of downtown is home to an incredible mix of longtime residents (many with deep roots in MexicanAmerican culture) and young creatives drawn by its artsy vibe. Here youll find brightly painted murals covering entire buildings; street vendors selling everything from handmade tortillas to exotic fruits; coffee shops serving up some seriously artisanal java; boutiques stocking locally made jewelry and clothing; dive bars where the drinks are cheap but good vibes are high its a mishmash of cultures and styles that somehow works together perfectly.

Next stop: Canopy (916 Springdale Rd #101A1B ,Austin TX 78702). Tucked away in an unassuming industrial park on the east side is this hidden gem of an art complex. It houses galleries featuring emerging artists in a wide range of mediums including sculpture, painting installations or performance art pieces mixed with digital media from around Texas . But it isnt just about showing off their work they also host concerts & events regularly throughout year! And dont forget their lovely neighbor, Zilker Brewing (1701 E 6th St., Austin TX 78702), whose wide beer offerings will make any hophead want to stay all day!

Another mustvisit spot: the South Congress Hotel (1603 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704). This swanky hotel located in the heart of SoCo is a hub for young professionals. From their stunning rooftop pool where one can sip on some cold drinks while soaking up the sun and watching Austinite go about their business to their lobby bar where youll find locals relaxing after work with artisanal cocktails in hand it offers a taste of what makes this city such an impossibly cool place.

Looking for something even more offbeat? Try Floppy Disk Repair Co. (5510 N Lamar Blvd #A101A102, Austin TX 78751). Yes, you read that right floppy disks! In this shop hidden among strip malls and corporate chains just north of downtown youll find racks full of these old relics. But dont be fooled: they arent just selling vintage technology here they also offer repair services for those who still rely on outdated media systems like PacMan arcade game machines or old Macintosh computers! Talk about niche expertise.

And finally: The Cathedral of Junk (4422 Lareina Dr, Austin TX 78745) . Tucked away in a quiet residential neighborhood southwest of downtown is an almost indescribable monument to one mans quirky vision Vince Hannemanns creation called Cathedral Of Junk , composed entirely from things other people have thrown away bicycle parts welded together into towering archways; dolls heads staring out from walls made entirely out of CDs; antique typewriters hanging from trees like ornaments on some surreal Christmas tree...its an odd mixture between trash heap and art exhibit that has become an icon among local residents.

There are countless other hidden spots worth exploring in Austin, TX from the weird statue of Stevie Ray Vaughn along the Hike & Bike Trail to secret swimming holes like Barton Springs Pool (2201 Barton Springs Rd., Austin TX 78746) or Hamilton Pool Preserve (24300 Hamilton Rd., Dripping Springs, TX 78620).

But Ill leave you with this salient thought: Its not just about what you see and do when you visit a place its about how it makes you feel. And one thing is certain after exploring all that Austin has to offer, youll leave feeling inspired, energized... and maybe just a little bit weird yourself.

Websites:

East Cesar Chavez: https://www.eastaustinstudiotour.com/

Canopy: http://canopyaustin.com/

Zilker Brewing: https://zilkerbeer.com/

South Congress Hotel :https://southcongresshotel.com/

Floppy Disk Repair Co. :http://floppydiskrepairco.com/

The Cathedral of Junk :https://www.roadsideamerica.com/tip/3010

Twitter handles:

@EastAustinStudio

@ZilkerBrewing

@SoCoHotel