How Austin Are You?

By BrainFall Staff - Updated: April 1, 2024

Ah, Austin. The city where breakfast tacos are an essential food group and you might find yourself in a heated debate about which music festival is the quintessential Austin experience. You've heard whispers of this magical land of live music, tech startups, and a bat population that could rival Gotham City. But beyond the stereotypes and the slogan imploring the city to stay weird, how deep does your Austin-ness really run? Are you all about Barton Springs and the latest gallery opening, or does the mere mention of South by Southwest send you running for the quieter Texas hills?

It's time to roll up your vintage flannel sleeves and test your true connection to this oasis in the Lone Star State. Let's find out if your heart beats in time with the drum circles at Zilker Park or if the thought of queso pump through your veins. From your reaction to the words "I-35 traffic" to whether you've got a collection of reusable tote bags from local markets, this quiz will be the ultimate determination of your Austin authenticity. So, grab your locally brewed kombucha, and let's get this quiz started!

Exploring the Heart of Texas

So, you think you've got the Austin vibe down, huh? Well, let’s take a stroll through the heart of Texas and see if you can keep up with the locals. Lady Bird Lake is your starting line, where kayaks glide past like slow-moving, colorful roadrunners on water. Here, you might be lapped by joggers on the trail, all competing in the unspoken "fittest city in Texas" marathon.

Moving west, Zilker Park is an urban oasis that throws an arm around festivals and beloved four-legged furballs. It’s pretty much an outdoor living room where the dress code ranges from designer dog collars to the only pair of shorts you’ve owned since college.

Craving something to taco 'bout? Tacos in Austin are like a religion, and the altars are the food trucks parked on every corner. Your pilgrimage isn't complete without offering your taste buds to these divine wraps.

Now, let’s talk shop on South Congress Avenue. It’s where cowboy boots meet quirky boutiques, and you can't swing a guitar without hitting a live music venue. It’s eclectic, it's electric, and it'll have you pulling out your phone to snap a selfie at the 'Greetings from Austin' mural.

Ready for some height? Mount Bonnell awaits with its panoramic views. It’s the perfect spot to practice the ancient art of "humble bragging" with a "casual" photo overlooking the Colorado River.

Then there’s the waltz down Sixth Street - it's what happens when Texas charm gets a sip of something strong. If the walls here could talk, they'd slur stories of legendary nights and tunes.

Don't forget to pay homage to silver-domed Texas State Capitol, where laws are made, and tours are taken. Just a stone's throw away, sneak a peek at the Texas Governor’s Mansion, which might have you pondering, "Should I run for office, or just run to the next barbecue joint?"

Your ultimate 'How Austin Are You?' test is whether you, too, can feel the pulse of Downtown Austin, a rhythm set by live music, international eats, and the occasional guitar strumming street artist. Can you keep beat? Go ahead, take the quiz and proclaim your Austin-ness to the world. Or at least to your social media followers.

Austin's Culture: Music, Eats, and Arts

If you're eager to score highly on the "How Austin Are You?" quiz, you'll need to attune yourself to the heart and soul of the city—the pulsating live music, the mouth-watering eats, and the eclectic arts scene that make Austin unmistakably unique.

Tune Into the Live Music Capital

Austin doesn't wear the title of the Live Music Capital of the World lightly. With iconic festivals like Austin City Limits and South by Southwest, this city pulses with melodies. You've probably caught a show or two at the revered Continental Club, or maybe you've shuffled through the storied doors of some dimly-lit downtown live music venue on a whim.

Culinary Delights and Liquid Diets

Let's taco 'bout how you can't call yourself an Austinite without a love affair with breakfast tacos from Veracruz All Natural. And if you haven't stood in line for Franklin Barbecue's brisket or gotten a greasy smile from La Barbecue's eats, are you even trying? But the food scene isn't all meat and spice; Austin's also your go-to spot for innovative Tex-Mex without the textbook feel.

Artsy Fartsy Austin

You can't miss the iconic "I love you so much" mural on South Congress as you waltz through the city's visual diary. Galleries like The Contemporary Austin and the Mexic-Arte Museum reveal canvases and sculptures that'll make your cultured heart skip a beat. Oh, and let's not forget the fancy footwork on display at Heritage Boot Co., where cowboy boots are the art.

Shop 'Til You Bats Drop

Shopping in Austin is as much a spectacle as it is a spree. Saunter down South Congress and dip into boutiques like Allens Boots or get a sugar rush at Big Top Candy Shop. Load up on local gems so everyone knows you didn't just catch a Bat-watching tour at the Congress Avenue Bridge—you lived the Austin experience.

Frolic in the City's Natural and Weird Wonders

Swimming? Check. Kayaking? Naturally. But have you mingled with the peacocks at Mayfield Park or discovered the serenity of Sculpture Falls at Barton Creek Greenbelt? Austin's not just urban—weirdly wonderful nature is part of the quiz you're acing.

Get Festive with Austinites

From the high-octane energy of South by Southwest to the laid-back vibes at local street fairs, Austin's festivals are the perfect place to let your freak flag fly. Revel in the creativity, music, and food that influx with each event, and, honestly, if you haven't selfie'd with the bat colony during festival twilight, do you even Instagram?

Time to see where you stand, or should we say dance, on the scale of Austin authenticity!