Well the the time has come. It’s my last week as an official Austin mom, but you had better believe I will consider myself a Baustin mom instead of a Boston mom. Okay, that sounds weird. Well, just know that I’m sad.

To make myself feel better, I decided to focus on some of my favorite things about Austin. I’m hoping it will help me say goodbye to this incredible, vibrant, energetic city, and that it might also give you some new ideas for enjoying it in my place!

Best Austin breakfast: I would say Magnolia but will instead go with Waterloo Ice House. Surprising, right? Some friends turned us onto it just in the last year or so. They have great breakfast and a playscape (at least at their south locations) to entertain your little ones while you finish your coffee.

Best Austin lunch: One Happy taco and one Cowboy taco from TacoDeli, the *BEST* tacos in Austin and possibly anywhere. I like to call it the “happy cowboy.” I just know I walk out a happy mama.

Best Austin dinner: With kids? Salt Lick BBQ. You had better believe I will be taking bottles of the BBQ sauce with me! Without kids? Tapas (the albondigas are ridic) and a pitcher of sangria at Malaga.

Best Austin drink: My husband would say the avocado margarita from Cueros but I will go with the classic Mexican Martini from Trudy’s. So cold and delicious! Especially when paired with a stuffed avocado smothered in cheese. Stop it!!

Best Austin kids classes: As I have reviewed before, I loved the kids yoga at Yoga Yoga. A little bit of asana for me, a little bit for her, some songs and relaxation . . . I just don’t know what V is going to do when we go to yoga in Boston and they don’t serve Yogi Tea after class!

Best Austin park: I am just a huge fan of Zilker which I wrote about here. I haven’t branched out enough I guess but I love that there is a running trail for me, a leash-free area for my dog to play and swim (Auditorium Shores), and a fun playscape for V that is usually full of other kids. It’s a win for the whole family.

 

Best kids shop: Baby Bugaloo in South Austin. Wish I could say I had found some great consignment shop I loved, but I just never did (do any of you have suggestions? I was disappointed by Pumpkin Patch). Baby Bugaloo is definitely a baby boutique with boutique prices, but they carry adorable, high-quality brands and have great sales as well. Plus, they are locally owned and obviously I love to support my South Austinites!

Best “me” time: Shakespeare Aloud, a Shakespeare reading group every Sunday evening put on by Austin Shakespeare. I haven’t been in quite a while but it will be one of my favorite Austin experiences to look back on. Austin Shakespeare also puts on super fun kid-friendly events like Shakespeare’s Birthday Party in April and Spooky Shakespeare in October!

And speaking of fun, Best Austin Website Aside From Austin Moms Blog (duh!): Free Fun in Austin. AMB co-founder Vanessa turned me on to this site and I absolutely love it for finding fun kid-friendly events in the Austin area! Shout out to Free Fun in Austin for keeping it budget-friendly as well.

And as a fitting ending to the list, Best Austin Sweet Treat: Its a toss-up between Bahama Freeze snow cones on Brodie (Good LORD!) or locally-owned Likkitys Frozen Custard on Manchaca. In the fall, Likkitys sometimes has pumpkin custard, and in winter be on the lookout for peppermint. RUN, don’t walk. The peppermint custard was so amazing that we took a cooler-full of it to a Christmas party all the way down in San Antonio and it was a total hit. Delicious!

 

 

 

Well now I go to bed surrounded by moving boxes but with visions of pumpkin and peppermint custard in my head which makes this all just a bit sweeter.

Thank you, Austin, for being an amazing city in which to become a mother. I am so grateful for the support I received on my journey toward natural childbirth and along every step of the way in my attempts to raise a happy, healthy, and holy child.

I’ll see you again as soon as I can!!

So what is YOUR Austin top ten??

 

 

 

 

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