Cynthia Smoot
Join A Dallasite’s Adventures South To Get A Sample Of Weird-Meets-Delightful In The Capital City
Photography courtesy of Cynthia Smoot, Thomson Austin Hotel
For seasoned Texan travelers, the I-35 pilgrimage from Dallas to Austin is more than a route; it’s a rite of passage. Generations have made the journey for tailgates outside DKR Stadium, late-night concerts in tucked-away venues, or sun-drenched festival weekends on the banks of Lady Bird Lake. Conversely, Austinites often jaunt to Dallas for the Texas-OU game, the State Fair of Texas, and shopping, among many other reasons. But somewhere between nostalgia and now, the kinship to Austin has evolved, and for the modern traveler, that’s precisely where its magic lies, according to our inveterate traveler, Cynthia Smoot.
The city’s long-standing pop cultural mantra, “Keep Austin Weird,” still pulses through roadside taco joints, offbeat bookstores, and graffiti-covered walls. Yet it now hums in harmony with sleek high-rises, James Beard-anchored kitchens, and hotels that pair luxury with just the right amount of edge. Nowhere captures that tension more effortlessly than Thompson Austin, where dive-bar grit meets designer polish in a truly intriguing way.
Anchoring the corner of 5th and San Jacinto, just steps from the music-fueled heartbeat of 6th Street, the Thompson delivers contemporary luxury with an irreverent Austin twist. Inside, 229 rooms and suites strike a balance between minimal and bold: think concrete walls softened by layered textures, and a front desk that glows like a gemstone beneath a charred wood ceiling.
With nightly turndown service, DS & DURGA amenities, STAYCAST streaming, and complimentary in-room coffee and tea, the experience is indulgent yet never fussy. Solo travelers might opt for the tommie, a tucked-away boutique micro-hotel with design-forward rooms, all king bed accommodations, and full access to the Thompson’s elevated amenities.
But perhaps the most incredible luxury at the Thompson is the option to stay in. Dining here is an experience in itself. Arriba Abajo, a rooftop cantina perched above the skyline, brings the coastal flavors of Oaxaca, Tulum, and Yucatán to the heart of downtown. The space also houses a sprawling outdoor bar and pool deck, a 3,200-square-foot event space, Bayberry Room, and a private mezcal tasting room, Tambien.
Below, The Royale Room sets a moodier tone with martini-focused cocktails and a raw oyster bar that feels more like NYC than Texas Hill Country. At street level, a coffee and wine bar fueled by Melbourne-born Proud Mary Coffee creates the perfect morning-to-evening transition space, equal parts social hub and stylish hideaway.
Still, Austin’s siren call is hard to resist. On a recent weekend escape, we found ourselves pulled out of plush banquettes and into the city’s swirl of contrasts. A divey mezcal bar with serious Oaxaca energy, El Cockfight, sits just a few steps from the Thompson’s front door. A speakeasy called Here Nor There requires a day-of code texted to your phone, revealing a subterranean cocktail lounge worth the cloak-and-dagger entry. And brunch at The Kitchen will rival anything you’d find in NYC or LA.
I’m still thinking about their Lemon Ricotta pancakes and Turkish eggs, which consist of poached eggs, labna, Urfa, herb salad, and zaatar-spiced naan. Then there’s Aba, an effortlessly Instagrammable Mediterranean escape on South Congress, shaded by a majestic Heritage Oak and lit like a scene from a summer in Mykonos. The multi-level patio is pure magic, and the whipped feta with honey is the stuff of sunlit dreams.
In Austin, the lines blur, in the best possible way. Highbrow meets honky tonk. Espresso leads to mezcal. Designer heels sidle up next to cowboy boots. And it’s in that mashup of contradiction where the city finds its soul. Because at the end of the day, Austin isn’t trying to impress you. It’s just being itself. And that’s what makes it unforgettable.
Want more ideas? Visit Austin is another excellent resource to plan your next Austin adventure.
