What is South Congress and why is it so famous?

If you’re visiting Austin, Texas, you’ll find that it’s home to a number of great attractions and destinations, but many feel that none of them compare to South Congress. South Congress is known far and wide as one of the trendiest pieces of Austin, and it has become so popular that it is often referred to as SoCo. It is a must-visit destination for all throughout the state, the country, and even around the world.

So what makes South Congress so special? Let’s take a look at all that South Congress offers, and why so many flock to it on a regular basis.

History of South Congress

South Congress isn’t just one of Austin’s most popular attractions – it is home to a number of historical buildings in addition to many trendy stores and restaurants. It was founded in 1839 and was the first capital of the Republic of Texas. At this time it was known as Waterloo, but eventually, its name was changed to Austin.

In 1860, the Seventh United States Congress agreed to move the state’s capital back to Austin, allowing the city to thrive. Around this point in time, South Congress (known then as the SoCo Shopping District) began to be developed and eventually, it became one of Austin’s brightest hot spots.

What to See on South Congress Avenue?

If you decide to take a stroll down South Congress Avenue, you’ll find tons of shops and restaurants along with more historical sights. Two great landmarks you have to check out include the Continental Club and Doctor Harry’s Monkey Museum.

The Continental Club has become famous for being one of the longest running stages in Austin – it started hosting music in 1957 and keeps it up today. It is known for hosting many of the city’s (and indeed country’s) best acts, and it even offers free live music on Tuesday nights.

Doctor Harry’s Monkey Museum has been open since 2010 and takes visitors through a unique tour showcasing hundreds of unique items from all over the world. As its name suggests, many of these items involve monkeys, but there are mementos from Africa, India, and beyond scattered throughout.

When it comes to shopping, you could spend a full day or week just traveling around the many stores on South Congress. Stroll around vintage stores like New Bohemia and two-time consecutive winner of Best Vintage Clothing Store in Austin, San Francisco Rose. There are also consignment stores that carry some of the top designer labels including Frivolous and Skivvies, just to name a couple. Plus, if you love local imports from specialty stores around Texas and the world, grab anything from jewelry to handmade crafts from Uncommon Objects.

Of course one can’t forget about all the great food you can find on South Austin as well! It’s seen as the perfect place for grabbing a bite on any budget; you can snack on tacos from Gueros for cheap or go for more upscale options at local favorites like Wink for some great seafood dishes. Don’t forget about Home Slice Pizza either – you don’t want to miss their iconic New York-style pies!

Activities and Events In South Congress

But South Congress isn’t just a place for good food, shopping, and fun – they’ve got plenty of activities and events to check out as well. From live music events at Stubb’s BBQ every Thursday night during their Hot Summer Nights concert series to pub crawls put on by local businesses like SoCo Crawl , there are plenty of ways to experience South Congress.

South Congress also offers many paid tours that can really help uncover the special secrets that this hot-spot holds. Take a walk with Austin Eats Food Tours and taste test some of the city’s best eats in one afternoon or embark on a South Congress Shopping Walking Tour with Drinks and Discounts with GetYourGuide. These guided walking tours offer up-close experiences with some of Austin’s hip restaurants, unique boutiques, eclectic shops, graffiti displays and cool street art which can be found throughout the area. Plus they get you exclusive deals like discounts at stores throughout the alleyways!

Why is South Congress so Popular?

There’s no denying that South Congress is popular among locals and tourist alike (It was even the set for Richard Linklater’s ‘Boyhood’). From its early days as an area of friendly competition between merchants to laying out festivals like the Austin Ice Cream Festival and Pecan Street Festival for locals to enjoy, there are an enormous number of reasons that South Congress has become such a hit with both old-time Austonians and newer generations alike.

The success of South Congress is largely due to its ability to remain current with modern trends while still keeping its historical landmarks intact for tourists to visit. It has managed to both respect its historical roots without becoming stuck in traditional expectations – making it an ever-evolving hot-spot where everyone can find something to enjoy!

No matter if you’re looking for live music or great food, or just like exploring unique areas with plenty of history behind them, you owe it to yourself to visit South Congress while you’re in Austin! If you want an insider look at this trendy spot , be sure to book one of GetYourGuide’s South Congress Shopping Walking Tour with Drinks and Discounts – you won’t believe all the cool places you can find in this funky little part of town!