Your Guide To South Congress, Austin | International Traveller

Charming yet contemporary, this compact neighbourhood offers visitors a truly Austin experience.

You know a district has worked its way into the hearts of locals when it is assigned a portmanteau nickname. And so it is with SoCo, or South Congress for long. A vibrant cultural hub in Austin, Texas, South Congress offers some of the US city’s best shopping, dining and nightlife and it’s all packed into one eminently walkable strip.

a colourful illustration of Austin, Texas, South Congress — Explore the vibrant cultural hub in Austin, Texas, South Congress. (Illustration: Mike Rossi)

This section of South Congress Avenue, with its unmatched view of the Texas Capitol, has seen numerous incarnations. More recently, its tenure as the city’s main conduit, connecting downtown to the city’s south side over the Colorado River, came to an end when Interstate 35 opened in 1962, leading traffic elsewhere. As a result, SoCo fell deep into its crime era, becoming a no-go zone complete with shuttered storefronts, until the 1980s when enterprising folk saw low rent and opportunities.

Small, unique businesses started to populate the drag, making way for the characterful neighbourhood that buzzes today. While modern architecture and ideas are now part of the fabric and the shopping includes some familiar and not-so-bohemian faces (hello Hermès), the colour and quirk endure, helping SoCo stay true to the city’s unofficial mantra, ‘Keep Austin Weird’.

a person holding boxes of pizza outside Home Slice pizzeria, South Congress Avenue — Home Slice pizzeria is one of the buzzy spots on South Congress Avenue. (Image: Giant Noise and Julia Keim)

Where to eat and drink in South Congress

Out on the patio

Perla’s is the kind of place to while away the afternoon. Despite its position in landlocked Austin, the seafood here is fresh, abundant and an absolute must, and the frozen margaritas add a little extra zest to proceedings. Grab a table on the patio for a front-row seat to the South Congress action.

Cup of Jo

Jo’s Coffee is an Austin institution and the South Congress location is arguably the most renowned, if only for the Insta-famous street art on the external wall. The I love you so much mural is the work of the cafe owner’s then-partner in what was intended as a public declaration after a lovers’ tiff, so the story goes.

i love you so much mural on the wall of Jo’s Coffee, Austin — Jo’s Coffee is an Austin institution. (Image: Alison Marlborough)

Moreish Med

When Chicago restaurant Aba landed in Austin in 2020, it came with great expectations. And those expectations are still being met four years on. Mezze-style dining dominates the extensive menu and the setting is just as inviting, in particular the greenery-filled patio.

Handy find

An Australian in America on the hunt for a decent flat white. A cliché, to be sure. But the fact remains, I really need that flat white.

brunch plates on the table at Two Hands cafe — The cafe makes savoury brunch meals and a mean flat white, to the delight of Aussie travellers. (Image: Jon Scotty)

Mercifully, Two Hands has itself a South Congress outpost. Via its original Nolita locale, Two Hands was a pioneer of the Aussie-inspired cafe scene in New York City.

the Two Hands cafe in Austin — Two Hands is an Australian-owned cafe in Austin. (Image: Soleil Roth)

A day out in South Congress

Morning

South Congress is mighty but small, so the perfect day out becomes a choose-your-own-adventure as you duck in and out of shopfronts that catch your eye. Since my day will always start with a flat white, you’ll find me at Two Hands. Café No Sé, Magnolia Café and The Meteor are worthy breakfast alternatives. Then, take a wander past SoCo’s always bright, often quirky murals.

You’re the Yee to My Haw, Willie for President (Nelson, that is) and Love from Austin are among those that illustrate the city’s creative chops.

the dining interior of Café No Sé at South Congress Hotel — Nab a spot in Café No Sé at South Congress Hotel.

Afternoon

For those keen to spend some hard-earned cash, Music Lane is a mixed-use precinct fit for retail therapy. Elsewhere, vintage and antique shoppers are particularly well catered for. See ‘shopping there’ for a note on SoCo’s commitment to western wear. When in Texas!

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Evening

Austin is revered as the live music capital of the world so it would be remiss to leave the City of the Violet Crown without taking in a performance of some ilk. Enter Güero’s Taco Bar, where live music, hand-shaken margs and lunch in the form of interior Mexican favourites are served. Kick on at the award-winning Continental Club, a historic dive bar hosting live gigs nightly, ranging from country, jazz and swing to rock ’n’ roll and R&B.

Try these tacos from Güero’s Taco Bar. (Image: Richard Casteel)

More ways to explore

For a spectacular sunset, head north towards South Congress Bridge to catch the dramatic night flight of Austin’s beloved Mexican free-tailed bats. From late March to around October, the record-breaking colony (there are an estimated 1.5 million of the little critters right here) puts on a show each evening, first trickling and then pouring out from under the bridge they call home.

The sight is free if you can snare a position on the bridge or a vantage point on the banks of Lady Bird Lake. To elevate the experience, just add water… and a kayak. Rowing Dock offers a three-hour (give or take) Guided Bat Paddle tour, which comprises a six-kilometre round trip on the calm, clear waters of the Colorado River.

Where to stay in South Congress

Locally designed, owned and operated, South Congress Hotel is an ever-so-stylish nod to its surrounds. The poolside views of Austin’s skyline don’t hurt either. For something a little more playful, check into the beloved Austin Motel, a revamped 1930s motor lodge with character to burn.

the outdoor pool at South Congress Hotel — Chill out around South Congress Hotel’s pool.

Where to shop in South Congress

Well, howdy, visitors. It just wouldn’t be a trip to Texas without embracing western wear and South Congress will fit you out good and proper. Allens Boots is a Texan classic. Aisle after aisle, the leather sea of footwear lures tourists and bona fide cowboys and cowgirls alike. Want more boot for your buck? Pop next door and try Tecovas on for size.

leather boots on display at Tecovas — Leather boots are on sale at Tecovas.

Wellbeing means different things to different travellers. Here’s how to pick a hotel that gets it right for you.

The best wellness holidays aren’t necessarily spent wrapped in a spa robe. Sometimes they’re found around a dinner table in Cambodia, on a hiking trail in New Zealand or after finally beating jet lag on the other side of the world. The hotel you choose is what makes them happen.

1. Easy access to good food

meals from Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20 — Taste delicious meals at Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20.

One of the quickest ways to derail healthy habits on holiday is to spend half of it working out where to eat instead of digging into the culture around you. Thankfully, Novotel has done much of the hard work already, with chefs building menus that lean into the flavours, ingredients and traditions of each destination.

In Sihanoukville, Cambodia, Korkor soup – often dubbed ‘Cambodian ratatouille’ – sits alongside raw blue crab dressed with lime and chilli, best enjoyed with views across the Gulf of Thailand.

In the lovingly chaotic city of Bangkok, the presence of food cranks up the sociability. At Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20, you can settle in with mango sticky rice and stranger-turned-friends beside the pool at Sky on 20 rooftop bar, or bring them along to tackle river prawns and stir-fried crab with holy basil at the buzzing Crab Paradise Dinner Buffet.

Then Novotel Dubai Al Barsha welcomes you with a laidback twist on the level of indulgence the Middle Eastern city is best known for up on Deck Se7en. Looking towards Burj Al Arab, the rooftop lounge has everything from Mediterranean-style dishes like seabass ceviche to Italian prosecco sundowners.

At the other end of the scale, in the hills that surround the Novotel Bali Ubud Resort, calm comes from nature. At Siralada restaurant, Balinese traditions shape the menu while thunder rumbles over the surrounding jungle – proving the setting is as nourishing as the food itself.

While at Novotel Nha Trang, chef Kieu Thi My Hanh and her team showcase Vietnam’s knack for balancing freshness, texture and fragrant herbs. Pho remains a favourite, while seafood salad with pomelo and mango brings those flavours together in one bright dish.

It’s all an approach backed by partnerships with expert food creators such as Alfie Steiner, whose plant-forward recipes prove healthy food should never taste plain.

2. Better sleep options

Novotel Bali Ubud Resort room — Sleep deeply with Novotel.

There are few travel experiences more disappointing than arriving in a new country, determined to seize the day, only to fall asleep fully clothed by 3pm.

For Australian travellers, jet lag is often an unavoidable part of the journey. That’s one reason Novotel runs sleep-focused initiatives that help guests adjust quickly without compromising on health. We’re talking partnerships with Sydney-based sleep specialist Olivia Arezzolo, known for her advice on everything from better sleep habits to beating jet lag, alongside features like pillow menus, in-room yoga content and tailored sleep guidance.

The sooner you’re operating on local time, the sooner you can get back to more pressing matters – like deciding which spa treatment to book.

3. More ways to move

woman hiking around queenstown new zealand — Stay at Novotel Queenstown Lakeside and explore local hiking trails. (Credit: GettyI mages/ naruedom)

Every place in the world has its own way of getting you moving: whether that’s hiking up ice-bitten mountains before a sauna or gentle stretching by the pool before a facial. From fitness centres to spas, Novotel recognises that wellbeing rarely looks the same.

At Novotel Queenstown Lakeside, activity is inescapable. Here, hiking trails, ski fields, bungee jumps, and white-water rafting have made the region famous. The hotel’s location on the shores of Lake Wakatipu means less time spent organising yourself and more time out there experiencing them. To top it all off, you can book a private hot tub for the evening before heading back into the wilderness tomorrow.

Bali, of course, takes a softer approach. At Novotel Bali Ubud Resort or Novotel Bali Nusa Dua, movement is less about conquering a mountain and more about a dance class between the tropical gardens and lagoon pools. Afterwards, the spa takes over, with traditional treatments like a Lulur body scrub: a combination of rice, turmeric, sandalwood, ginger and jasmine that’ll soothe muscles already relaxed by the Balinese heat.

4. Better connections

Kids will love a stay at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh.

One of the best things about travel is that it gives your family stories you’ll be telling for years. Novotel helps create them with activities that bring everyone together, whether that’s trying something new, learning a local skill, or simply spending more time together.

Go for a distinctly Thai twist at Novotel Phuket Vintage Park, where many of the family activities draw on local culture. Kids can try everything from beginner Thai boxing and language lessons to umbrella painting and – a pastime beloved by children the world over – pool foam parties. Everyone is welcome to join in, whether that’s getting splashed, covered in paint, or simply watching their children discover a new side of Thailand during the dedicated Family & Kids Day.

A different adventure awaits at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh. Kids could be perfectly content with discos, drawing classes and new holiday friends, but the Red Sea has other ideas. Sitting on the edge of Naama Bay, days here might involve snorkelling colourful reefs, taking a boat trip to Ras Mohammed National Park or heading into the desert by quad bike or camel for a Bedouin-style dinner beneath the stars.

5. Location is everything

Surin Beach, Choeng Thale, Thalang District, Phuket, Thaiföld — Explore Phuket’s gorgeous beaches. (Credit: Bence Biczo)

Everyone’s idea of wellness looks a little different. With more than 600 hotels across 65 countries, Novotel gives guests the freedom to choose the destination that suits them best. Whether that’s a beachside escape in Phuket, an alpine expedition in Queenstown or a city break in Bangkok, there’s a good chance a Novotel isn’t far away.

All that’s left? Choosing your version of wellbeing.

Discover stays to inspire your everyday at novotel.accor.com.

Your neighbourhood guide to South Congress in Austin, Texas