If Downtown is Austin's living room, what does that make the rest of town?

Mayor Kirk Watson calls Downtown “Austin’s living room,” so we’re speculating on what that means for the rest of the city.

Downtown Austin from the east, featuring train tracks running through a busy street, lined with trees and vegetation in the foreground. Modern high-rise buildings with glass and steel facades dominate the skyline, interspersed with older, low-rise structures. Cars navigate the streets below, and traffic lights and street signs add to the busy, bustling atmosphere. Clear skies with light clouds above the city. — Would you agree that Downtown is Austin’s living room?

There’s never a dull moment in Downtown Austin, which is why Mayor Kirk Watson calls it “Austin’s living room.”

It wasn’t always the bustling city center that it is today — it’s been a goal of Watson’s to revitalize Downtown since he first took office in 1997. These days, Downtown is under constant development and ~139,000 people walk through Austin’s living room every day.

The nickname begs the question: If Downtown is Austin’s living room, what does that make the rest of the city? Here’s what we think.

Austin’s dining room: east Austin

What do Franklin Barbecue, Kemuri Tatsu-Ya, Birdie’s, and la Barbecue have in common? They’re all located in east Austin, along with a host of lauded restaurants in town. Don’t get us wrong, there’s plenty of good eating all over the city, but it’s particularly easy to find when you cross over into Austin’s dining room.

The MCM store as seen from the outside at dusk. The store name glows over a simple awning, and you can see brightly colored items inside the well-lit store. — MCM occupies a ~1,900 sqft space at the Domain.

Austin’s closet: The Domain

Austinites looking to refresh their wardrobes often flock to The Domain — home to classic mall shops and luxury purveyors alike — where you can find clothing, jewelry, and self-care goods that every closet needs. The Domain is definitely a walk-in closet.

Austin’s entryway: Austin-Bergstrom International Airport

When visitors from out of state come to town, chances are they pass through Austin’s airport. It is often the first and last impression visitors have of the city, so it’s a good thing it has so much local flair.

Austin’s balcony: Mount Bonnell

Once you make the short trek up to this time-honored lookout, you can survey the view of Lake Austin (and the homes along the river). You can even bring a picnic to really solidify Mount Bonnell as Austin’s balcony.

ATX_ACLAerial by Roger Ho for ACL Fest 2022 W1_205037.jpg — Many of Austin’s biggest festivals take place in Austin’s backyard.

Austin’s backyard: Zilker Park

Austinites deserve none other than the crown jewel of Austin’s park system for a backyard. It’s the home to many of the city’s beloved gatherings, including ABC Kite Fest and the annual ACL Festival.

Austin’s garage: The Cathedral of Junk

Let’s be honest, the garage is usually where all of our junk is cast, making the Cathedral of Junk an apt comparison. Austin’s Cathedral of Junk has its fair share of treasures — just like the typical Austinite’s garage.

What do you think? Send us your impression of Austin’s blueprint.

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If Downtown is Austin’s living room, what does that make the rest of town?