After dinner, we headed to the hotel where I used a combination of hotel points and cash for our stay as a Hyatt rewards member where we checked in for the night. We were very pleased with the hotel, staying at the Hyatt Regency. Be aware of any special events in any city when you visit; in particular Austin is one of those cities where there can be a very big spike in room rates depending on whether there are festivites or conventions going on around the dates you want to book. Our hotel was just across the river from downtown Austin with an incredible view of the river and the city skyline.
DATE NIGHT
Fortunately one of our kids is legally old enough to stay back with the younger kids, so Mama and Daddy got to go on a date!! We decided to go to Mezcalería Tobalá on East 6th Street. It was nice cozy hidden bar in the upstairs above another nice bar called Whisler’s. After a very brief Uber ride we were arrived and quickly found our way to the Mezcalería.
The Mezcalería Tobalá doesn’t serve any cocktails, they only serve mezcal. The bartender was very knowledgeable and helpful too. We aren’t exactly mezcal connosieurs (though ask my husband anything about Bourbon or Scotch and he’ll know what to look for), so we turned to the bartender for help. He asked us whether we wanted something to sip or shoot, and asked what price we were looking to spend. We told him our preferences (sipping, $10-15 each) and he set us up with some delicious sipping Mezcal served in shallow clay cups. This is a rustic and intimate bar with tiny little tables and benches against the wall for seatings. There are several religious (Catholic) candles lit and placed throught out the room giving it a quirky feel but at the same time a very chill vibe. Austin has several of these awesome hidden bars and you should check out some listed here:
• Thrillist.com – How to Get Into Austin’s ‘Secret’ Bars
Austin’s Murals
The next day we got up early and headed out toward Congress street to snap a few pictures of the various murals around Austin. Congress street just south of the downtown area has several photogenic murals. You will see these colorful murals all over the city and my favorite is this, “Greeetings from Austin,” which has been here and revived several times over the years.
CHECK OUT THIS WEBSITE FOR MORE MURALS:
• A TASTE OF KOKO (24 MOST INSTAGRAMABLE MURALS)