Austin & Nashville

The first time I visited Austin, I pretty much ate my way through the town. The second visit was when I first began working with Wanderlust yoga festival. Whether it’s good eats, live music or yoga that you’re seeking..Austin has got it.

Eat:

MAX’s Wine Dive. Their motto: “Fried chicken and champagne? …why the hell not?!?” Seriously, the best fried chicken and waffles I’ve EVER had. In addition to the regular maple syrup, you need to try their chipotle honey with this dish. When I first heard it, it sounded gross to me – but good thing I tried it cause it was: unreal. We got a carafe of grapefruit mimosa to top off this Texan breakfast.
Go to South Congress for a street lined with great cafes, restaurants and food trucks
Torchy’s Taco
Gourdough’s
Frank Restaurant. Hot dogs and cold beer. Get a side of the corn. YUMMM.
Amy’s Ice Creams
Lambert’s
Green Mesquite

After stuffing your face you will need to detox with some yoga. The Wanderlust yoga studio in Austin is one of the prettiest studios I have ever stepped into. And If you can make it in November, try to attend the Wanderlust festival.

Stay: The Four Seasons is in a great location – right on the river in between Downtown and South Congress.

I love Austin for their amazing food, great live music, friendly people and art. KEEP AUSTIN WEIRD by eating and shopping local.

The first time I was there back in 2012 I discovered Shakey Graves who was playing a free show in a tiny dive bar near UT. He was playing his guitar, harmonica, drum, tambourine and singing all at once. I bought his first CD for $10 which was sold in a brown paper bag – hand decorated by him and a pen. The next year when I went with Wanderlust, he was the musical artist for the festival. This year, 2015, he will be playing at Bonnaroo, one of my favorite festivals. You can see how his popularity has rapidly grown. Those are the types of artists you’ll find in Austin.

There are tons of fun shops on South Congress for souvenirs. You can spend a whole afternoon eating and shopping here. See the Capital building – you can walk inside and on the 4th of July it lights an amazing, patriotic firework show. And of course, I can’t leave out 6th Street. The street closes down and is lined with bars full of college kids. I can actually say that I’m too old for that.

Lastly, The Highball. Go there one night for bowling, live music, dancing and karaoke.

Nashville

I was in Nashville for about 2 days because the main event of that trip was to go to Bonnaroo. This festival is one of my all time favorites for its good vibes, great line ups and the full on festival, camping experience. Not to mention, they have daily yoga classes. Like most things, you just gotta go to believe.