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  • San Francisco Quick Guide

    Where To Stay: Chancellor Hotel-Boutique Hotel in Central Downtown right by Union Square Travelodge by Wyndham Presidio San Francisco-Budget hotel right across from Presidio What To Do: Walk, Bike or Drive Across the Golden Gate Bridge Presidio-Hike/Bike Trails, Museums, Monuments, Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Center Cable Car Ride Lombard Street Fisherman's Wharf Take in a Baseball Game at Oracle Stadium Alcatraz Tour Painted Ladies on Alamo Square (for those Full House fans!) Haight Ashbury Land's End for hiking trails with incredible views of the Golden Gate Bridge! Bike or Cruise to Sausalito Day Trip to Yosemite Muir Woods National Monument to see the Redwoods Where To Eat: Boudin Bakery Chinatown-Any where! Ghiradelli Historic Square Copita Restaurant (in Sausalito) In-N-Out Burger

  • Washington DC Quick Guide

    Where To Stay: Four Seasons Hotel Washington D.C.- Located in Georgetown Hamilton Hotel What To Do: Smithsonian Museums International Spy Museum Bus Tour of the Monuments (especially cool to do this at night when monuments are lit up!) Walk around Georgetown Go Down to Georgetown Waterfront (to shop, eat or catch a party boat!) Grab a Drink at a Speakeasy. There are several, but I went to a cool one called The Mirror! Dip Your Toes in the Fountain at the Washington Monument Where To Eat: Capital Burger Via Sophia (in the Hamilton Hotel) Nick's Riverside Grill (on Georgetown Waterfront) Angolo Ristorante Italiano (in Georgetown) Georgetown Cupcake

  • Gruene Historic District-A Texas Must See!

    About half way between Austin and San Antonio (or approximately a 45 minute drive from each) is the Gruene Historic District located in the city of New Braunfels. You will know you have arrived when you see the historic landmark water tower. Gruene (pronounced "green") is a charming rustic Texas town with a unique history. It is most famously known for Gruene Hall, built in 1878, which is the oldest continuously operating dance hall in Texas. Gruene Dance Hall: The historic dance hall is 6,000 square feet and maintains its original layout and structure. Gruene Hall has live music every day so check the schedule and try and catch a show in this historic venue! Many country music stars have played in Gruene Hall over the years, including Willie Nelson, The Chicks, Lyle Lovett and George Straight. You never know if the musicians you see here will make it big in the future! Gruene Shopping: While waiting for the show to start, spend some time shopping at one of the many specialty boutiques or antique stores lining Hunter Road that runs through the middle of the town. Two of my favorites were The Dancing Bear and The Gruene General Store. The Dancing Bear was a cute gift store with unique collectibles, home decor, specialty foods and garden accessories in its outdoor garden area. The Gruene General Store hasn't changed much since it opened in 1925 and was selected as one of the 40.best places to visit in Texas! It has a soda fountain, homemade fudge and souvenirs all in an enchanting nostalgic setting. The Gristmill River Restaurant and Bar: Be sure to make time to grab a bite to eat at the Gristmill River Restaurant and Bar before you head out of town. The Gristmill is included on the National Register of Historic Places and is located beneath the Gruene landmark water tower in the ruins of a 1878 Cotton Gin overlooking the Guadalupe River. There are multiple levels of dining and an outdoor beer garden. We sat on an open air patio nestled in a grove of trees overlooking the River. It felt like we were eating in a tree house! The food was delicious and the setting was beautiful. Gruene Mansion Inn: If you are having so much fun in Gruene that you want to spend the night, your only option with be the Gruene Mansion Inn. I did not personally stay here, but it looks charming. It is a unique boutique hotel with 30 rooms and a "Pantry" that is stocked with delicious, locally curated grab-and-go items. It is located in the former home of one of the original Gruene family members so you can really feel a connection to the town! Although it is small, there is so much to see in Gruene Historic District. You can catch a show in the oldest dance hall in Texas and shop in a General Store that is on the list of the 40 best places to visit in Texas. That is pretty amazing! So make a quick side trip on the drive between Austin and San Antonio...you won't regret it.

  • Napa and Sonoma Valley Quick Guide

    Where To Stay: Sonoma-El Pueblo Inn Napa What To Do: Wine Tasting/Tours-Of Course! Hiking Shopping at Sonoma Plaza, downtown Napa or Main Street in St. Helena Drive Around and Take In the Amazing Scenery Where To Drink: (Note: There are literally HUNDREDS of wineries and vineyards in Sonoma and Napa Valley. The ones listed below are just ones that I personally visited and enjoyed.) Beringer Schramsberg Vineyards Domaine Carneros Inglenook Charles Krug Winery What To Eat: El Molina Central Gott's Roadside Charles Krug Winery-Wood-fired pizza served May-Early November the girl & the fig (this is a recommendation from a friend)

  • Where to Stay in Nashville...Downtown or The Gulch? That is the Question!

    Where should you make your home base when you visit Nashville? This is the first but most important question you must answer when planning your trip. Ask yourself what you plan to spend most of your time doing and then pick a location closest to most of the sights you want to see. Downtown: Usually the main focus of a visit to Nashville is bar crawling the honky tonks on Broadway. If this is your plan, or if you are attending a concert or sporting event at Bridgestone Arena or Nissan Stadium, you will want to stay in the central downtown area. There are many hotel choices downtown, but the prices tend to be a bit higher due to the prime location. The trade off is being able to walk a block or two to many of Nashville's attractions. This convenience will come in handy after a full day of sightseeing or bar hopping to listen to all the great music. I highly recommend the Drury Plaza Hotel Nashville Downtown. The location is fantastic and an added bonus is the incredible free hot breakfast as well as the free snacks and drinks at the 5:30 Kickback every day. The breakfast is more substantial than the usual free breakfast offered in hotels. They provide fresh scrambled eggs, sausage, biscuits and gravy, oatmeal, a waffle station and a cook making pancakes in adorable Music City shapes! The afternoon "snacks" include a full on dinner buffet with alfredo pasta, grilled chicken, garden salad and soup. You also get a punch card for three free drinks every day during your stay (cocktails, wine or beer!). Unfortunately we were usually out and about around 5:30 every day so only took advantage of the Kickback on the first day, but it was there if we wanted it. It can be a good way to keep your spending down as you can potentially cover two meals and drinks everyday! The Gulch: The first time I visited Nashville I stayed in an Airbnb in The Gulch. The Gulch is a newer upscale area with chic boutiques and trend-setting restaurants. It is a great place to stay, especially if you don't plan to spend a majority of your time on Broadway. Broadway is only a quick 15 minute walk away, but The Gulch is definitely removed from the craziness of the main downtown area if you prefer a more low key vibe. The Gulch is where the famous "What Lifts You Up" Wings mural is located for that perfect Nashville Insta moment. There are only a few hotels in this area, so you will most likely be staying in an Airbnb if you want to stay in The Gulch. The Airbnb I stayed in was spacious and had a well-equipped kitchen where I made breakfast and could keep leftovers to eat the next day. It was a comfortable space to decompress after days jam packed with sightseeing and bar hopping. Either location is a great place to stay. You will be able to easily get back and forth between each area, so you really can't go wrong. Basically, if you would prefer a hotel Downtown has more options. If you like spreading out in a more homey space with a kitchen, an Airbnb in The Gulch will be perfect for you! No matter what, I guarantee you will have an amazing time in Nashville!

  • Best Places to Shop in Nashville

    There is so much to do in Nashville, you might think that you will not have any time for shopping. But that would be a mistake! There are several places you will want to check out in order to pick up those special gifts for family or friends left at home or that special something that will always remind you of your incredible trip to Nashville! The Gulch: You can find some of the usual chain stores like Urban Outfitters and Lululemon in The Gulch, but you can also find chic boutiques that have unique vibes with trendy clothing and home decor items. One store in particular that I loved was Kittenish, a very pink and very girly boutique owned by Jesse James Decker. The branding in the store was on-point and the prices were reasonable. Not to mention the confidence-building wall mural that says "You're like, really pretty!" It is just fun to shop there! There is also a store in The Gulch called Paddywax Candle Bar where you can sip mimosas and make your own candle with a variety of fragrances to choose from. Also make note that the Insta-famous Nashville wings photo spot is located in The Gulch so make time to snap that shot and include the hashtags #WhatLiftsYou #NashvilleGulch when you post it on Instagram. Marathon Village: Marathon Village is a stop on the Old Town Trolley route. Marathon Motor Works is an old automobile factory that has been transformed into a unique retail complex. Stores here include Antique Archaeology (owned by American Picker's star Mike Wolfe), Jack Daniels and Harley Davidson stores that sell licensed merchandise, souvenir shops, an olive oil shop and a distillery and winery that offer tastings. In addition to the stores, there are artifacts from the auto manufacturing history that line the halls giving the location a unique and interesting feel. The half an hour time between Trolleys gives you just enough time to check out this area and hop back on to continue your Trolley tour. Broadway: Mixed in along the honky tonks on Broadway are stores that sell authentic cowboy apparel like boots and hats. They are ready to outfit you so you can fit in with the crowd. There is also upscale shopping right outside the Assembly Food Hall on 5th and Broadway with stores like Free People, Sephora, the Apple Store, Ariat and the Nash Collection (where I found my really cute NASH sweatshirt to remember my trip!). Let me know if you know of any other cute stores to check out on my next visit to Nashville. I always make time to fit in a little retail therapy!

  • Most Popular Places to Eat in Nashville

    You will most definitely be doing a lot of drinking in Nashville, so it is important to make sure you are eating enough to absorb that alcohol (or nurse that hangover). Most of the honky tonks on Broadway also serve food so that is your easiest solution. But you may want a break from the honky tonk craziness so you will want to find somewhere else to grab a bite. Here are some of the best-known food establishments in Nashville that you will want to check out: Prince's Hot Chicken or Hattie B's: Nashville is known for its' hot chicken, so you have to try it at least once while you are here. Prince's Hot Chicken is the original hot chicken restaurant. Hattie B's appears to be the most popular. At every Hattie B location there is a long line of customer's waiting to get a taste of the local favorite. Hattie B's has levels of hotness so you don't have to feel left out if your palate doesn't appreciate spicy. Their levels are described as Southern (No Heat), Mild (A Touch of Heat), Medium (Warming Up), Hot! (Feel the Heat), Damn Hot!! (Fire Starter), and Shut the Cluck Up!!! (Burn Notice). How brave are you? Hattie B's also has several other traditional southern foods on their menu so there is something for everyone. Assembly Food Hall: Assembly Food Hall is located on 5th and Broadway so it is a perfect place to grab a bite to eat while cruising up and down Broadway at the honky tonks. Assembly Food Hall has over 30 different eateries (including locations for Hattie B's and Prince's Hot Chicken), bars and three stages so you don't have to miss any live music while you eat. My friend got sushi and I got a wood fired pizza, so you can see the extent of the choices available. It is a great place to go if you are with a group because you can avoid the prolonged discussion about where you should eat when everyone is in the mood for something different. All the different options can be found here. .Biscuit Love: Biscuit Love is located in The Gulch and unfortunately I have never been because there is always a SUPER long line! I have included it in this blog because the consistent long lines are a sign that it must be pretty good. Biscuit Love is a local family-owned business that serves biscuits and breakfast. They started in 2012 with food trucks and now have three brick and mortar restaurants. Their location in The Gulch is open daily from 7:00 am to 3:00 pm. My recommendation if you really want to try one of their award winning biscuits is to get up early and hopefully beat the line. Good luck! Milk and Honey: Milk and Honey is another breakfast place in The Gulch. I got one of the best chocolate croissants in my life from Milk and Honey on my first visit. This time I tried the almond croissant and it was just as spectacular. They have sit down restaurant with a substantial menu, but again long lines have foiled my plans to check out the sit down options. I was "forced" to stick with the walk-up bakery options. Can't say I was disappointed. Goo Goo Chocolate Co.: Goo Goo Clusters are Nashville's Official Candy. The store is located across from the Johnny Cash Museum and Bar. You can buy a variety of premade Goo Goo Clusters or you can design your own personal Goo Goo Cluster that will be made while you wait. The personalized Goo Goo can be made with a variety of sweets and add ins to satisfy your own unique sweet tooth. Click here to start planning what you want to include in the *Insert Your Name Here* Goo Goo Cluster. We bought a few of the premade and each one was delicious! We tried the classic Pecan Goo Goo Cluster (pecans, caramel, and marshmellow nougat covered in milk chocolate), Lil Goos (peanuts, caramel and nougat covered in milk chocolate) and the PB&P Premium Goo Goo Cluster (peanut butter, caramel, and pretzels covered in dark chocolate). Another Nashville original you don't want to miss! Yee Haw Brewery/Ole Smoky Distillery: While tasting moonshine or a flight of Yee Haw craft beers, you can order from a unique variety of tacos from White Duck Taco Shop. Check out the various options here. Helpful hint: My daughters told me that that went to grab some food at Ole Smoky a little later in the day and many tacos options weren't available because they had run out. Apparently daily quantities are limited so if you want to eat here, you may want to consider going earlier in the day. I had a Thai chicken taco with mango salsa and it was delcious! My friend opted for a fish taco and was happy with her choice. Daddy's Dogs also has space at this location in case a Tennessee famous hot dog is what you are in the mood for. Check out the menu options for Daddy's Dogs here. FGL House: As I noted above, many of the honky tonks also serve food. I have eaten at the FGL House (partly owned by the country music duo Florida Georgia Line) a couple of times and it was delicious both times. FGL House also has a great rooftop with live music (of course!) which makes a great location to have dinner. Check out the FGL House menu here. There are many other options for delicious food in Nashville, but this list should get you started while trying to scout the area for restaurants that tickle your fancy! Let me know if you discover any other restaurant gems that should be included on this short list! Bon appetit!

  • Ole Smoky...Smooth Like Tennessee Whiskey

    When you are in Tennessee you have to do like the natives do and drink some Tennessee Moonshine. My friend was looking to try some of the local craft beers as well, so we asked around to find our best options. A local suggested we check out the the Ole Smoky Distillery and it was a great recommendation! The Ole Smoky Distillery in Nashville has partnered with Yee Haw Brewing Company (one of Tennessee's top craft beer breweries) to occupy a great space on 6th and Peabody, just a short walk from lower Broadway. This fortunate partnership allowed us to taste moonshine and get craft beer at the same place! And there is so much more to do at this location. It has a huge beer garden area with rows of corn hole games and lots of seating. There are several large screen TV's for sports viewing and stages for live music. When you first walk into the Ole Smoky Distillery you are struck by the ceiling to wall display of all of the variety of flavors of Ole Smoky Moonshine and Whiskey. It is quite the sight! In addition to the traditional Moonshine made from a centuries old recipe developed when Moonshine was illegal, they have many other creative Moonshine flavors to tickle your taste buds...including Strawberry, Butter Pecan, Mountain Java, Apple Pie and White Chocolate Strawberry Cream. They also have Moonshine soaked Pickles, Cherries and Pineapples to add to your drink or food recipes to give them that extra kick! Flavored Whiskeys include Salted Carmel, Peanut Butter and Strawberry Lemonade. Ole Smoky Distillery offers a behind the scenes guided tour of the distillery and brewery operations. Tours are offered Monday through Thursday at 2:00, 3:00 and 4:00 (excluding holidays and weekends). You must book a reservation on-line for the guided tours and you have to be 21+ with a valid ID to participate in the included tastings. Find out more information and book your tour here. The cost is currently $44.95 for adults and $10 for children (must be at least 13 years old). The guided tour includes the following: Approximately one hour tour of on-side distillery and brewery along with a private 13 sample tasting of moonshine, whiskey and craft beer; Exclusive Tour T-Shirt (not available any where else!); $10 off Behind the Scenes Coupon to use on site in the store; 10% off coupon to use for on-site retail and merchandise (cannot be used for on-site food, cocktails or beer). If you aren't interested in the history of moonshine or how they make it and just want to get to the drinking part, you can do a walk in tasting. Tastings are available daily and no reservation is required. Just sidle up to the big bar in the middle of the room and start sipping! The cost for this "short tour" is $10. For that price you get a drink (either a Yee Haw craft beer or a seltzer) and several tastings of the flavored Ole Smoky Moonshine (flavors available for tasting may vary from day to day). After you complete the tasting you get a $10 coupon that you can use in the bar area for another drink or you can put it towards a purchase in the gift store (maybe some moonshine to take home?). So basically the tasting ends up being free...not to mention fun! We chose the "short tour" and sampled Blue Flame Moonshine (128 proof and basically tasted like Everclear-yuck!), Sour Cherry, Butter Pecan, Peanut Butter, and pickles and pineapples soaked in moonshine. After we did our tasting, we made our way over to the bar so my friend Christina could sample the Yee Haw craft beer. She bought a flight of brews to try and enjoyed trying the various styles of beer. After all this drinking you will want to grab something to eat. You are in luck as the Ole Smoky Distillery offers several different types of tacos from White Duck Taco that are reasonably priced. The location also provides other snacks and Nashville's famous Daddy's Dogs for purchase. One note, I told my daughters they should grab a quick bite here before heading to the honky tonks but when they got there a little later in the day there were limited taco selections available. It appears that there is a limited quantity and once it is gone, it will be unavailable. Based on this, if you want to plan to grab something to eat at Ole Smoky you should go earlier in the day. I would definitely recommend carving out some time when you are in Nashville to check this place out. It was fun trying different flavors of moonshine/whiskey and my friend got her craft beer experience at the same time. The tacos were delicious and the vibe was fun. Maybe next time I will do the full tour for a more in depth experience! If you have done the tour, please leave a comment and let me know what you thought about it.

  • Best Places to Shop in San Antonio

    Historic Market Square: The Historic Market Square is an area "where the culture of San Antonio comes alive". There are over 100 locally owned businesses located in the Historic Market Square that allow you to enjoy the sights and flavors of old Mexico. You can find authentic Mexican curios and artifacts, hand-crafted leather goods and hand-woven Mexican blankets for $10. After shopping you can enjoy authentic Mexican or Tex-Mex cuisine at one of the several restaurants in the Square. Or you can just enjoy an authentic Mexican churro with your choice of dipping sauce! Yum! A trip to San Antonio is not complete without a visit to the Historic Market Square (and it is a designated stop on the Hop On/Hop Off tour bus). Find more information on the Historic Market Square here. La Villita Historic Art Village: La Villita Historic Art Village is located on the southern bank of the River Walk and is easy to get to while strolling on the River Walk or after your tour of the Alamo. The "Little Village" is an artisan village that has been listed on the U.S. Government's National Register of Historic Places. The cobblestone streets are lined by historic architecture opening up into spacious outdoor plazas. La Villita has a storied history, but these days serves as a mecca for artisans and entrepreneurs selling their wares in over 25 boutiques and performers entertaining visitors at cultural events throughout the year. La Villita is the perfect place to find specialty gifts and unique mementos to remember your San Antonio experience. I bought a beautiful hand embroidered kaftan at Villa Tesoros that caught my eye and I get numerous compliments every time I wear it! Pearl Shopping District: Another stop on the Hop On/Hop Off Tour Bus is the Pearl Shopping District. It is a little out of the way, so if you don't do the Tour Bus you will have to have transportation to get here if you don't want to hike all the way over from the River Walk area. If you do choose to go, you will find a lovely open shopping and dining plaza anchored by Pearl Brewery and the Culinary Institute of America. There are several different retailers located around the plaza that sell an eclectic mix of items from books, kitchen wares, free trade artisan crafts, home decor and clothing. There are also a number of different restaurants to choose from aside from the Brewery. On the weekends they have a large Farmer's Market with Saturdays dedicated to local farmers and ranchers and Sundays featuring local artisans. Definitely check out all that the Pearl Shopping District has to offer and plan to make a stop during your stay. Of course there are also larger chain stores around San Antonio, but since I can get to most of these places where I live I always seek out the local stores where I can pick up that perfect thing to remind me of my trip. You will certainly find that special memento at one of the places listed in this blog. Happy shopping!

  • The Breakfast Spot You Must Try In San Antonio!

    If you find yourself in downtown San Antonio, you must take yourself to La Panaderia Bakery and Cafe. La Panaderia is owned by two brothers who grew up baking bread and pan dulce with their mother in Mexico. They decided to share their Mexican heritage and love of baking with their San Antonio community by opening the cafe in 2014. They had so many delicious choices it was hard to choose! Madison and I went with our sweet tooths and ordered a Chocolate Croissant and a Tequila Almond Croissant to share. That was a good decision because they were both incredible! I would have been disappointed to miss out on either. They were so fresh and flaky and had the perfect amount of filling. Yum! There are many other selections on the menu and they have several savory choices as well if sugar in the morning is not your thing. They have avacado toast, egg sandwiches (on flaky homemade croissants), eggs benedictine and other brunch items. They also have desserts if you want to pick up something for a sweet treat after a day of sightseeing! Link to the menu here so you can peruse your choices beforehand and not feel the pressure when you are standing in line and have to make a quick choice when its your turn. Believe me, the choice is not easy with all of the delicious optons. I know you will not be disappointed with a trip to La Panaderia! Let me know what you tried...it will help me make my choice next time I am in town.

  • The Perfect Place for Dinner in San Antonio

    Domingo is an open-air restaurant located beneath the Canopy by Hilton San Antonio Riverwalk where I stayed. The vibe is cool and relaxed, enhanced by the open air concept. The patio of Domingo is right on the River Walk so you can watch the boats float up and down the river and the people strolling along the River Walk. Domingo serves breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner and is the perfect spot for a romantic dinner, a family gathering or drinks with friends. I was there for a lovely mother-daughter dinner with Madison. Going to Domingo for dinner enhances the cozy ambiance with the lights of the Riverwalk creating a great atmosphere. Domingo serves Mexican dishes with South Texas flavors. Check out the menu here. Madison had the Grilled Adobo Chicken Tacos and said they were delicious. I had a basic Caesar salad and it was great...perfect ratio of dressing to lettuce! We split the Skillet Cornbread made with cheddar, zucchini, and green chiles and served with honey butter. It was AMAZING! While the food is definitely noteworthy, it is the drinks that add to the experience and create a memorable experience. The drinks are "agave forward beverages" that are styled with edible flowers creating a drink almost too pretty to drink...notice I said almost. I thoroughly enjoyed my dinner experience at Domingo. From the location to the beautiful drinks and the delicious food it was wonderful evening. Check it out!

  • Stay in a Haunted Hotel in Austin!

    When you visit Austin, it can be confusing looking for a place to stay. There are several different "Districts" in downtown Austin that each have their own distinct vibe. You should pick a hotel or Air Bnb that is located in the District that is closest to the Austin sights you are most interested in. Here is a brief summary of some of the more popular entertainment Districts: Congress Ave Historical District: Congress Avenue runs through the center of downtown Austin from Lady Bird Lake to the Texas State Capitol. Hotels in this area will be close to the Texas State Capitol and government offices as well as Austin's central business district. South Congress Avenue (or "SoCo" as the locals call it) will probably be on your Austin To Do List because of its unique shops and restaurants. Sixth Street Entertainment District: This is the hub of Austin nightlife and has been dubbed "Dirty Sixth" by locals. There are many bars and restaurants and lots of nightly activity. Sixth Street is closed off to traffic from Thursday through Saturday night to accommodate crowds. Rainey Street District: Rainey Street is a trendy party area with colorful historic homes that have been converted to restaurants and bars. Red River Cultural District: Apparently this is the live music hub and where I should have stayed to check out why Austin is called "The Live Music Capital of the World"! Second Street District: This area is known as downtown Austin's shopping hub and is filled with local boutiques and trendy fashion shops. If you are looking for a retail fix, this is your spot! There are several other distinct Districts within the downtown area. I have just highlighted a few of the more popular ones. Check out Austin's Tourism site for a more complete description of all of the areas so you can determine which location is right for you! I was visiting with my daughter and we stayed at the Driskill Hotel. The Driskill Hotel was built in 1886 and is the oldest operating hotel in Austin. Just like the Biltmore in Providence which I talked about here, the Driskill is rumored to be haunted. The incident that is responsible for one of the hauntings apparently happened in a room right down the hall from where we were staying! Alas (or thankfully, depending on your perspective), we did not experience any paranormal activity during our stay. If I keep staying in old, haunted hotels, I am bound to have a ghostly visitor someday! In any event, the Driskill Hotel is a beautiful building with a prime location right on Sixth Street so it is only a few short steps to rowdy nightlife if that's on your agenda. It is also easy walking distance to Congress Street and the Texas State Capitol. There are two great on-site dining locations to visit if you stay at the Driskill. The 1886 Cafe and Bakery is a quaint Victorian-style cafe attached to the Driskill Hotel. They are open until 2 pm every day for brunch. They serve traditional Texas comfort food made with time-honored recipes like Helen Corbitt's Cheese Soup, a Texas-shaped pecan waffle, and of course fried chicken, a Texas classic. The 1886 Cafe uses locally sourced ingredients for all its recipes. Check out their menu here. We had a delicious breakfast there one morning before heading out to explore Austin. The Driskill Bar is located right off the lobby up a grand staircase. A past winner of Southern Living's "Best Bar in Texas" award, this richly decorated space has live music nightly. It opens at 2 pm daily and serves cocktails, appetizers and dinner entrees. Check out the menu and live music schedule here. We were only in town for a couple of days and had a jam-packed schedule so I didn't get a chance to check out this award-winning bar. I want to go back to Austin to check out the live music scene I missed, so I will definitely stay at the Driskill again and make sure to check out the Driskill Bar. Maybe I will have a ghostly visitor next time!

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