Austin is more fun than weird!
While Austin’s moniker is “Keep Austin Weird,” I have not found anything about this city that I would call weird. On the other hand, I have found lots of fun things, which in my mind is even better as “Fun” appeals to more people than “Weird.”
One of the first things we encountered as we headed out on the sidewalks was a neon sign “Wiggy’s Beer Wine” and thought “That’s Fun!” Then we came upon a giant gorilla on the next block, which was an obvious “Kodak Moment.” And from there it was some fun fruit sculptures on the top of a parkade. This was all within the first 30 minutes.
One of Brenda’s observations about Austin is that it is a bit like Vegas with lots of neon signs everywhere. While Austin’s neon signs are not big, bold and flashy like Vegas, they are fun and charming. And yes there are everywhere even in the ‘burbs. Neon is always fun.
For the first few days it seemed like it was just one fun thing after another. Here are our baker’s dozen “Austin is Fun” postcards.
Established in 1973, the Wiggly Beer Wine neon sign marks the entrance to a tiny liquor store at the gateway to downtown along 6th Street West.
Every city needs a good local fried chicken spot, Austin has many. Fresa's is take out only and is just a block from the Hope Outdoor Gallery, making it a popular spot with the picnickers.
I told you Austin had more than one fried chicken spot. This sign has is the most literal reference to Vegas.
The name says it all - WAHOO!
Found this on a bottom shelf at HalfPrice Books at 5555 N Lamar. Now that funny!
Found Lucy on the roof of a shop along South Congress. Lucy is fun and the play on the Beatles song is also fun.
I have not clue what these are doing on the roof of parkade. This you could call "weird."
Another fun name and sign of a business along South Congress in Austin.
Every city has painted utility boxes these days, but Austin's have a fun twist. Found these in the Clarksville community where we are staying in an apartment Airbnb. Love the cartoon narrative.
Even the thrift stores get into Austin'd spirit of fun. This is just one of dozens of chandeliers in the St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store on South Congress.
How fun is a bowling ball fence?
This was the best thrift store we found in Austin. Very good product, lovely displays and good prices. What is with the roof-top artworks?
Airstream trailers are everywhere in Austin. You can find them in backyards and front yards on Airbnb. You can find them downtown selling custom designed boots. You can find them selling Big. Fat. Donuts! I even found one at a construction site office.
West Austin Park pool looks lovely in winter but it only open in summer.
Last Word
We did find one weird thing about Austin and it is that the lovely neighbourhood pool in the West Austin Park near our Airbnb (aka Austin home) is only open for two or three months in the summer. What is weird is there is beautiful clean water in the pool year-round and it is +30 in March why wouldn't it be open now. We asked locals and they also thought it was weird.