When that time after New Years arrives, and it seems rather gloomy outside, it’s a sign… it’s time to travel!

January is a great month to travel as it’s low or shoulder season in many destinations. I found great prices to Austin, Texas in January, so I booked a getaway with a friend to the ‘live music capital of the world‘.

We booked ourselves on United Airlines routed via Denver (a great airport by the way with lots of shops and dining options), and it was seamless. After half a day of travel, we arrived in time to get out for a happy hour and begin the weekend.

Our hotel for this getaway was the Fairmont Austin, conveniently located on the edge of Central and East Austin, making it the perfect spot to enjoy the city. Make sure to a room with a SW view of the city and the Colorado River. The hotel offers an outdoor pool, hot tub, outdoor bar and area to enjoy the sunshine (more Spring and Summer seasons to show off your swimsuit) plus many restaurants and cool bars. They provided us with bottled water in the room along with cozy slippers for our turndown service. The hotel is modern and colourful, and the staff were welcoming and extremely knowledgeable about the city.

Walking distance from the hotel is Stubb’s BBQ – where delicious Bar-B-Q and live music merge in a historic building with a reputation that precedes itself. This was a highlight of the trip, I recommend making reservations and lining up early so you can get a good seat to see the stage. Read more about the history here.

If you venture out in the evening, check out all the live music along Sixth Street – with old bars, cool nightclubs, funky speakeasies and live music venues. Find more information about all the music happenings in the city from Visit Austin.

As you wonder the city in the daytime, be sure to cross over the river to the South Congress area, affectionately known as ‘SoCo’ and venture up the hill to discover cool shops and restaurants in this trendy neighborhood. Or, wander the pathways in the park along the river where you’ll find the Stevie Ray Vaughan Statue. Check out the many building murals and street art along the way, including the very popular “I love you so much” mural at Jo’s Coffee (also a great spot to stop).

As you venture East from the Fairmont Austin, you’ll get out of the tourist areas and into more local neighborhoods, and that’s how we discovered Cenote for breakfast or an afternoon bite and glass of vino in the calm outdoor patio. With a quaint wine list, good coffee and tea, this was a warm little haven away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Further east in the Holly Neighborhood we made reservations at Laundrette – a delicious restaurant with creative cocktails and wine list. The building looks like it was a former 50’s laundromat with a drive thru service – revamped into a fresh, modern restaurant.

We discovered Wanderlust Wine Co. – a wine bar with an enomatic machine which enables you to try wines from around the world. Whether a small pour or a full glass, it was a fun space with an outdoor patio and live music to sit and sip.

From street art to the eclectic shops and many outdoor patios, this city was such a pleasure to wander in the January sunshine.

Just a few blocks away from the Fairmont Austin is the Rainey Street District, an avenue lined with bars and restaurants with live music. If you’re looking for a day bar or an array of trendy nightclubs, this is your spot.

After your evening out, be sure to pop into the local Voodoo Doughnuts for a treat (only found in the USA); and get a spot under the South Congress bridge in hopes of spotting the bats take flight at sunset.

Whether you go for a music festival or a weekend getaway with friends, this city will charm you. January was cooler compared to the rest of the year, however, it’s a comfortable temperature for touring around the city. But do find your way to Austin, Texas.

Y’all take care, until next time – keep travelling and exploring!

Cheers, Donita