by Kerstan Szczepanski, Exhibit City News
What do you do when there’s no breakout meeting or the panels are done for the day? Where do you go when you need a little time away from the hubbub of convention chaos? Exhibit City News’ 5 in 15 offers five places to go to eat, relax, or simply stay that are a fifteen minute or less walk from the convention center. In Austin, the Live Music Capital of the World, that means enjoying the hip 6th Street District and the sun-soaked Lady Bird Lake waterfront, all conveniently close to the Austin Convention Center.
You can’t get much closer to the convention center than the Fairmont Austin (101 Red River Street). The 37-story hotel is directly connected to the Austin Convention Center via skyway, with over 1,000 rooms and suites with picturesque views of the Austin cityscape, Lady Bird Lake and more. Within the four-star hotel are five restaurants, including the acclaimed Garrison restaurant.
Located within the Fairmont Austin, Garrison (101 Red River Street) is a modern American grill specializing in open-flame cooking, a refined dining experience with a focus on local ingredients. For appetizers you have the Texas Vegetables Crudités with herb miso dip and vegetable ash, and the Garrison Reserve Caviar Brioche made with egg yolk and cultured cream. Entrees include Grilled Lamb Loin – grilled peperonata, tomato, charred cucumber, Vadouvan yogurt, or the whopping 26oz Rib Eye – bordelaise, horseradish, béarnaise sauces and grilled farm peppers. All fare enhanced by post oak live fire to create a Forbes Four Star, AAA Four Diamond experience.
Chi’Lantro’s Congress Trailer (you read that right) (823 Congress Ave) offers some of the popular restaurant’s renowned Korean Tex Mex cuisine, particularly its famed kimchi fries and Korean BBQ inspired dishes. It’s only open from 10:30am – 2:00pm, so if you want some K-Pop Chicken or Chi’Lantro’s B’Bimbap for dinner, you’ll have to visit one of the nine permanent locations around town.
Just a short walk from the convention center, the Sixth Street District is famous for its vibrant nightlife, live music venues, and eclectic bars, offering a quintessential Austin experience. Try Crawl Austin, the VIP Bar and Pub crawl, covering four Austin bars and 6th St nightclubs in one night. Make time to visit the Museum of the Weird (412 E 6th St) or take in live entertainment at the speakeasy Firehouse Lounge (605 Brazos St).
Sometimes the hustle and bustle of the convention scene needs a little relaxing breather. Accessible via the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail, the scenic Lady Bird Lake Walk offers picturesque views of the city skyline and a tranquil escape from the bustling downtown area.
A luxurious stay, local inspired dining, and the fun and relaxing Austin experience await you in Texas historic capital city.
