What Is South Congress All About?

South Congress, more properly known as South Congress Avenue, is a vibrant, exciting street situated within the South Austin neighborhood of Texas. This area has been known as an entertainment district since before the 20th century and is regarded by most people today as the cornerstone of Austin’s culture, influencing both locals and visitors. South Congress is known for its lively music, diverse eating and shopping options, and array of leisure activities. This guide aims to answer the question “What is South Congress all about’ and can help any visitor to Austin who wants to experience this exciting avenue.

History of South Congress Avenue

South Congress Avenue first began developing commercially in the late 19th century, when businesses such as hardware stores and estate agents began to spring up along its length. The beginning of the 20th century saw the street become a hub for entertainment; radio and movie theatres began operating in South Congress and people from across Austin would flock to these venues for a evening of entertainment. Towards the middle of the 20th century, things began to change and the area started to decline; clubs and theatres began to close and South Congress became a forgotten part of Austin’s cultural landscape. The resurgence of South Congress as an entertainment district came in the form of revitalization campaigns in the 1990s when local businesses and artists invested heavily in their presence on the street. South Congress benefited greatly from this investment and its popularity as a destination soon grew. Visitors now flock to the street’s popular eateries, bars, music venues, art galleries and more.

Attractions on South Congress

Today, South Congress is a popular destination for tourists and locals alike. A wide variety of attractions are available on this dynamic avenue and visitors can easily spend an entire day exploring them all. To make the most of a visit to South Congress Avenue, it may be helpful to learn about some of the specific attractions available on this street. One of the first things that people visiting South Congress may notice is its newfound music scene; numerous live music venues are present on the avenue and they offer both regional and international music acts each night. Popular venues include Stubb’s Bar-BQ, The Parish and Empire Control Room. In addition, many restaurants, galleries and boutiques featuring local artisans and their wares are available on South Congress. Fancy restaurants such as Ogden’s Club de Courcey are available, as well as more casual eateries such as Home Slice Pizza or Dave’s Old School Italian. The famous bookstore Book People is also located on South Congress Avenue, which has been a cornerstone of Austin’s cultural landscape for over forty years. And for those travelling with kids, you’ll be glad to know that the South Congress Avenue Kids Circus is also present; this fun filled venue brings an array of family friendly entertainment and activities to visitors, such as a petting zoo, face painting, puppet shows and more. Finally, there are also several nightlife options on South Congress as well; visitors can enjoy bars such as The Continental Club or C-Boys Heart & Soul.

Experiencing “Keep Austin Weird’ on South Congress

South Congress is everywhere regarded by Austinites as the epitome of “Keep Austin Weird’ – an ongoing effort to promote and maintain diversity and local culture within the city – and it has become an important part of Austin’s identity. Although many of the boutiques and venues are carefully manicured today, visitors can still find the occasional quirky accommodation or odd attraction that continues to keep up with Austin’s image. In addition to weird attractions and independent arts venues, visitors may find themselves exposed to diverse, global cultures here; many restaurants offer dishes from various parts of the world as well as small stores that offer global import items from across the world. This makes South Congress a unique place where locals can mingle alongside diverse tourists who have come from various parts of the world.

Conclusion

To conclude, South Congress Avenue in Austin, Texas comprises a vibrant entertainment district that has existed for over a century. What first started out as a few local businesses has now turned into an important piece of Texas culture and remains one of the cities most popular destinations. With an array of attractions such as live music venues, bars, local art galleries, family friendly options and more, there is certainly something for everyone on South Congress Avenue. Considering this, it’s easy to see why so many people from the surrounding areas flock to this iconic street in search of entertainment and culture. Sources: Encyclopedia Britannica – Wikipedia – Travel Channel – Visit Austin