A Local’s Guide to the Best Long Weekend in Austin, Texas

July 5, 2021

Jeff Jenkins is the creator of ChubbyDiaries.com, an online community for plus-size travelers who are passionate about seeing the world, experiencing new foods, and learning clever hacks along the way. Though he travels all over the world, he calls the Live Music Capital of the World home.

Here’s Jeff’s Guide to Austin, Texas.

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How long have you lived in Austin? Why did you move there?
I’ve lived in Austin now for nine years. I’ve moved here because I wanted to get out of Florida and just wanted something new.

Three words to describe Austin.
FUN, Friendly, and Unique

Austin is an incredible food city—especially when it comes to tacos and barbecue. What are your favorite places for both?
Stiles Switch BBQ is my go to for BBQ and Rosita’s Al Pastor has some of the best tacos in the world in my opinion!

Aside from tacos and bbq, what are some other favorite restaurants?
Charm Korean BBQ is one of my favorite restaurants, it is an all you can eat Korean BBQ joint. Also love Smokin Beauty a Vietnamese/barbecue fusion restaurant.

Where would you go for a special occasion meal?
Perry’s Steakhouse is one of my favorite places for special occasions

Austin is known for its live music scene. What’s your favorite place to see it?
At the Moody Theater downtown.

Austinites love their great outdoors. What your favorite place to get fresh air?
I love Auditorium Shores because you can see the skyline from the park.

We often don’t get to stay in hotels in our hometown, but let’s pretend: where would you stay in Austin?
The Fairmont is my go to hotel here in Austin the bar downstairs is incredible and the rooms and pool are just amazing!

Where’s your favorite place to shop?
The Domain. It’s our high-end/average Joe kind of outdoor shopping area. I also love it because there’s a lot of great restaurants and bars.

Best day trip?
Head out to Texas Wine country in Fredrickburg, TX just two hours west of Austin! The vineyards are incredible and the town is an old German town so get some schnitzel.

[Watch Places to Love: Texas Hill Country here!]

Austin is growing at a rapid pace. What’s great about that? Negative?
The variety of people that are moving in is amazing. The negative is there are a lot of people moving in so the price of living has gone out and housing has become an issue.

jeff jenkins - chubby diaries - austin texas

We’ve all seen the slogan “Keep Austin Weird.” What’s your favorite weird thing in town?
To be honest I don’t feel that Austin is weird that much these days, but know I just feel like it is a motto when you are in town to just enjoy yourself and just be you!

Describe the perfect long weekend in Austin for a first-time visitor.
Get in on a Friday check grab dinner at 1618 Asian Fusion then make your way to East 6th for drinks and a possible bar hop. Wake up early catch the views at Mount Bonnell. Then grab lunch at Stiles Switch BBQ. After scroll through South Congress to check out the shops, get some pics in front of some cool Austin murals, and grab some Amy’s Ice Cream. As the sun is setting walk down to the Bridge to see the Bats (sounds strange but trust me it’s worth it). Dinner at the Domain and then hangout for the night. Sunday you can go to Barton Springs pool and do a Sunday funday on Rainy street, while grabbing tacos and living your best life.