| Congress Avenue |
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by Carl Mamula
South of the bridge over Town Lake you’ll find South Congress, referred to by the locals as SoCo. SoCo is one of Austin’s most famous shopping districts, featuring loads of clothing stores and gift shops—as well as some other specialty shops. For example, go to the carnivalesque Lucy in Disguise with Diamonds to pick from an extensive selection of costumes, masks, and props for any occasion. Or, check out the novelties and kitschy items at Monkey See Monkey Do. Aside from shops, SoCo has a treasure trove of dining options. One signature Austin restaurant in the area is Magnolia Café. Magnolia Café is open 24/7 and serves sandwiches, enchiladas, and breakfast at all hours. For a bistro atmosphere, head to Enoteca Vespaio for wood-fired pizza, pastas, pastries, and wine and cocktails. If bars are more your thing, try Doc’s Motorworks for a wide drink selection as well as food from the grill. Additionally, SoCo is replete with food trailers lining the street from Milton to Monroe. Some of these include the Mighty Cone, which serves unique tortilla-wrapped entrees in paper cones, Hey Cupcake!, which sells superb cupcakes, and Mambo Berry, which serves healthy and delicious smoothies. If you need a quick bite to eat, this food trailer haven is sure to have something for your taste. North of the river, be sure to check out historic Congress. Here you’ll find the Capitol Building at 11th. This nationally renowned building, completed in 1888, is visible from many points in Austin and is one of Austin’s significant landmarks. The building stands about 15 feet higher than the national capitol building, and it is surrounded by beautiful grounds and a large underground network of offices. South of the Capitol, historic Congress has plenty of casual and fine dining options: get some burgers at Hickory Street Grill, Meditteranean food at Marakesh Café and Grill, Mexican food at Manuels, or seafood at McCormick and Schmick’s. Or, you could go to one of the many downtown bars and clubs, such as Light Bar, the Marq, or the Elephant Room (SoCo has some clubs and venues as well, such as Ego’s and the Continental Club). To get a further taste of Austin’s history, pay a visit to some local theatres such as the State Theatre or the Paramount Theatre between 7th and 8th Streets. Built in 1915, the Paramount Theatre is Austin’s oldest surviving theatre. The Paramount originally produced Vaudeville and variety shows, but today it hosts many different events for the screen and stage—stop by to watch a classic movie on the balcony theatre seats. North and South Congress both offer plenty of local attractions, but the bridge that connects them has a charm of its own: bats. This bridge is home to North America’s largest urban bat colony. Throughout the spring, summer, and fall, anywhere from 750,000 to 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats emerge for food every evening as the sun sets. Viewers line up en masse along the Congress Avenue bridge or find a spot to sit on the grassy hills below, as the bats fly overhead. While you’re in Austin, be sure not to miss this extraordinary natural wonder!
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Congress Avenue is one of Austin’s best-known streets: imbued with a rich history and diverse options for nightlife, shopping, and dining, Congress Avenue is a must-visit for any trip to Austin.