Old West Austin - Austin, TX Area Guide

In Old West Austin, remnants of the past blend effortlessly with the present. Woodlawn, a stunning pre-Civil War mansion, sits unpretentiously among the many modest homes on Niles Road. The Fisher-Gordon House, the masterpiece of Gothic stone and climbing ivy affectionately known as Pemberton Castle, does not seem out of place on quiet, suburban Woodbridge Street. Governor's Mansion, a columned Greek Revival estate, houses current Texas Governor Rick Perry, serving the very function it was built for in 1845.

With more than 1,000 historic properties tucked between restaurants and houses, nearly every street between Mopac Expressway and Lamar Boulevard is significant enough to be a state landmark. Many properties such as The Neill-Cochran House now double as museums. Despite having preserved so much history, Old West Austin never shies away from change that leads to progress. Residents work closely with lawmakers to protect the integrity of this living time capsule.

Stepping into Nau’s Enfield Drug feels like entering a time machine. Austin’s first full-service drug store, soda fountain and diner completely transports you. The malts are extra thick, the stools are heart-back, the booths are made of wood, and the walls are covered in aluminum Coca-Cola memorabilia, just like they were the day the establishment opened its doors in 1951.

Vintage isn’t everyone’s style. Neophiles looking for adventurous ice cream flavors should try Teo, an espresso and gelato joint in the 26 Doors Shopping Center off 38th Street. A cup of creamy salted caramel or goat cheese and cherry gelato is an exciting break from the vanilla-cone norm.

Galaxy Cafe does American cuisine right with classic recipes made from the freshest ingredients. The wide-open, brightly painted interior and breezy outdoor seating area are roomy enough for families, big groups and people with laptops looking to kick back and knock some work out on a weekday afternoon. The breakfast menu, available until 4 p.m. on weekends, gives patrons plenty to choose from. The lunch and dinner menus mix light fare, such as the grilled-salmon salad, with heartier picks, such as the grilled skirt steak in chimichurri sauce.

Some of Austin’s most famous (or infamous) bars and clubs are located on 6th Street. The Jackalope and Easy Tiger are two favorites. Easy Tiger, a relaxed German beer garden and sausage house, draws locals in with draft beer and keeps them with soft pretzels and ping pong. Burgers, bacon-wrapped franks and oversized drinks are the Jackalope’s forte, although you can order pizza and other snacks. If you want to stay within the neighborhood, be sure to check out 34th Street Cafe for great happy hour specials.

The narrow residential streets of Old West Austin, cushioned between a major boulevard and a major highway, have survived since the days of carts and buggies. Many residents bike, since parking can be scarce. Hartford Road and Winsted Lane are very bike friendly, and Lamar Boulevard has dedicated bike lanes. The Capital MetroBus and University of Texas at Austin buses shuttle students to and from campus. Folks from out of town can take advantage of Uber drivers in the area.

West Austin Park on 10th Street has all the amenities of a regular neighborhood park, including a playground, multipurpose field, tennis court and pool, along with a few fun extras. Widely regarded as the best dog park in the city, this favored plot of land features a fenced-off space where your four-legged friend can enjoy a few moments off the leash. Big dogs share water bowls with small dogs, and big-dog owners share benches with small-dog owners, giving the place a true community feel.

Pease District Park sits on 42 acres at the southern end of the gorgeous Shoal Creek Greenbelt. The trails are frequented by hikers and bikers, and the barbecue pits and surplus of picnic tables make Pease a fantastic venue for birthday parties and reunions.

Holidays are big in Old West Austin. The neighborhood comes together for potlucks, home tours and Christmas caroling. Historic Clarksville hosts an annual Family Fun Fest. Residents come to the Pauline Brown Clarksville Neighborhood Center in droves every April for the silent auction, pet parade, artisan fair and entertainment by local musicians. The festival is free to enter and the food, atmosphere and activities are enjoyable for people of all ages.

The cost of living in Old West Austin, typically ranked the third-richest neighborhood in Austin, is 26 percent higher than the city average. A coffee or a beer sets you back about $3, while a ride on the Capital MetroBus costs $1. Rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the area averages 1,457.

Old West Austin benefits from being a stone’s throw from multiple major retail centers. It only takes about 5 minutes to drive to the boutique clothing shops that line The Drag on Guadalupe Street, and Loop 1 Highway South gets you to Barton Creek Square Mall in about 15 minutes.

While there’s no denying the popularity of large chain stores such as H-E-B and Randalls, many residents opt to make their purchases from an alternative, ecofriendly source. Wheatsville Co-Op has more than 16,000 members and owners invested in the quality of the products that hit the shelves. Most of the food at Wheatsville comes from a very long list of local vendors, so a big chunk of the money you spend at the register goes right back into the community.

Adelante, a small boutique in the 26 Doors Shopping Center, has been successful enough to stay in Austin for decades. The owner travels the country handpicking clothing, jewelry and home decor that fits the laid-back, Boho-chic feel of the American Southwest. The vintage and modern items are sure to provide a distinct shopping experience.

You can’t talk about shopping in Old West Austin without mentioning the legendary Waterloo Records. What began in the early 80s as a small, listen-before-you-buy music store has exploded into the internationally recognized definition of indie cool. A collector and music lover’s dream, this CD/record shop was rated one of the best in the world by Buzzfeed.