📍 Your guide to Allandale

Neighborhood Guide: Allandale

The pond at Beverly S. Sheffield Northwest District Park in Allandale, with a bench set to the right side.

Beverly S. Sheffield Northwest District Park contains multiple playgrounds, a baseball diamond, swimming pool, and peaceful scenes by the pond. | Photo by ATXtoday

Take a left off of Burnet Road past 45th Street, and you’ll find yourself in a charming row of streets blanketed in trees and bordered in quiet, shady sidewalks.

The secluded hamlet you now find yourself in is Allandale, a mostly residential neighborhood in north-central Austin. Although it’s a quiet area of town, Allandale has quite a bit going on. Let’s take a closer look at the neighborhood so many people — maybe even you — love to call home.

A gif of trees as you drive through streets in Allandale. — Between tree-laden streets and Shoal Creek running throughout the neighborhood, there’s plenty of nature to see in Allandale.

The early days

The area now known as Allandale was granted to Texas Revolution fighter George Washington Davis by Republic of Texas President Mirabeau Lamar in 1841, as thanks for his service in the Battle of San Jacinto.

For several decades, the area played host to a collection of small farms — that is, until W. Murray Graham stepped on the scene. Graham helped develop Allandale in the late 1940s, and it quickly became a boon for residential properties.

By the 1950s, the neighborhood became a pioneer for one of the most beloved inventions in Texas: air conditioning.

At the time, AC was still primarily used to cool businesses, but the National Association of Home Builders wanted to start bringing the product into homes. Allandale was chosen as a test neighborhood for the association’s research and promotion, earning it the moniker “Air Conditioned Village.”

Several tables of plants at Shoal Creek Nursery — Shoal Creek Nursery has been named a Top 100 Independent Garden Center.

Can’t miss

Running low on time? A trip to Allandale isn’t complete without picking up a couple of delicious bites on Burnet Road.

May we suggest scooping lunch from T-Loc’s Sonoran Style Hot Dogs or Hat Creek Burger Co.? If you have a sweet tooth, be sure to also factor in a stop at Upper Crust Bakery — you can thank us later.

If you have a bit more time to spare, try taking your treats to Beverly S. Sheffield Park for a picnic near the pond.

Between shopping, food, drinks, and a slew of homes for sale, there’s more to explore in Allandale. Click the button below to read more.

18 MORE ALLANDALE GEMS

Graphic with the question: Would you ever consider changing neighborhoods?

Use the buttons below to share our guide and plan your trip to Allandale with friends and family.

Click here to have your event featured.

Today

Heart to Gold | Mon., Sept. 26 | 7 p.m. | Mohawk Austin | $15+ | Start your week with this show also featuring Clarence James and Midnight Butterfly.
Bluegrass Night | Mon., Sept. 26 | 7-10 p.m. | Radio Coffee and Beer | Free | This award-winning regular residency features world-class string players. 🪕

Tuesday

Florence + the Machine | Tues., Sept. 27 | 7:45 p.m. | Moody Center | $40+ | If “You’ve Got the Love” for this rock artist, head downtown for her “Dance Fever” tour. 🎶
Cherrywood Comedy Showcase | Tues., Sept. 27 | 8 p.m. | Cherrywood Coffehouse | Free | Laugh all night at this stand-up show hosted by local comedians.

Wednesday

Oktoberfest at Jester King Brewery | Wed., Sept. 28-Sun., Oct. 2 | Times vary | Jester King Brewery | Free | Compete in keg rolling, stein holding, and Drag Bingo at this five-day beer fest. 🍺
ATXplained LIVE | Wed., Sept. 28 | 7 p.m. | The Paramount Theatre | $23+ | Bolster your Austin knowledge with this event featuring stories based on Austinites’ questions. 🎙

Thursday

Jake LaBotz: Tattoo Across America Tour | Thurs., Sept. 29 | 7 p.m. | The Austin Tattoo Co. | Free | The guitarist is performing his acoustic works in tattoo shops across the country.
A Completely Mad Garden Party | Thurs., Sept. 29 | 6-8 p.m. | Zilker Botanical Garden | Free with membership | This members-only sip and stroll features craft drinks, a garden tour, sweet treats, and a costume contest. 🎩

Last Minute Deal

Harry Styles | Mon., Sept. 26 | 8 p.m. | Moody Center | Prices vary*

We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

For tickets to local and regional events, check out our 6AM Tickets resale marketplace.*

100+ MORE EVENTS

Grind your coffee, not your teeth

When customers join the Remi Club, they receive brand new replacement night guards every 6 months for just $49. | Photo provided by Remi

Calling all anxious teeth grinders: Stress is really bad for your sleep. If you’re grinding + clenching your teeth at night, it might be time to take an additional step in protecting your physical and mental health.

To help, these custom night guards are:

80% less expensive than the dentist
Delivered right to your door
Made of 100% BPA-free plastic
Comfy (read: most folks forget they’re wearing it)

Get yours below — and keep the grind in the kitchen. ☕ *

STOP GRINDIN’

Weather

93º | Partly cloudy | 0% chance of rain ☀️

Development

A mixed-use development featuring condos, a hotel, and retail space is headed to 4302 S. Congress Ave. The St. Elmo-area project is in its early stages, and no further details have been announced. 🏗 (Austin American-Statesman)

Cause

The HAAM Day fundraiser earlier this month drew in more than $800,000 to help provide local musicians with healthcare. The total is the highest ever raised by the event, which features a day’s worth of free concerts around the city. 🎶 (Austin American-Statesman)

Environment

The Trail Foundation is now the Trail Conservancy. The nonprofit dedicated to preserving the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail announced the rebrand last week to coincide with its new City of Austin partnership, which places the Butler Trail under its stewardship. 🌳 (CultureMap Austin)

Edu

UT’s housing and dining department will serve more plant-based foods in dining halls in hopes of reducing its carbon emissions by 25% by 2030. The effort is part of the Cool Food Pledge, a nationwide sustainability initiative. (Austin American-Statesman)

Sports

Longhorn football lost to Texas Tech 37-34 on Saturday. The game made it to overtime, but Texas fell short when the Red Raiders kicked a game-winning field goal. (KVUE) (edited)

Ranked

Austin’s taco scene is getting the recognition it deserves. The Capital City was ranked No. 1 best taco city in the country in a recent study, due in part to its taco places per capita + those spots’ average Yelp rating. 🌮

Plan Ahead

Country musician Maren Morris will star in a Halloween day taping of ACL Live this fall. Stay tuned for information on how to win free tickets to the show, which are distributed via an email lottery.

Real Estate

Does your inner child dream of a house with an in-ground trampoline? Now’s your chance. This $5.5 million home for sale in Brentwood promises the bouncy feature, plus a pool, two-car garage, and custom audio system. 🏠 (CultureMap Austin)

Austinite

Nathan Elias, a senior at LASA High School, developed an app called Invasive AI to help locals find + eliminate invasive plants, bugs, or animals. The app also allows users to learn about the species and report invasive sightings. 🌱 (CBS Austin)

State

It’s time, y’all: Big Tex is back, with a new ‘fit. The iconic statue was resurrected for the 70th time on Friday ahead of the State Fair of Texas’ return this week. His outfit for the year? A dapper red and blue Western number, size 200. (KXAN)

Health

Did you know? Our allergy triggers change and evolve over time as we age. Read: You might have new allergies you don’t even know about. Curious about yours? Take this quiz and find out.*

Content marked with an * is brought to you by our advertising partners and helps make this newsletter free.

Swing your partner ‘round and ‘round

Where to go square dancing in Austin, TX

Test out your square dancing moves at one of Austin’s most famous honky tonks. | Photo by @sunshine.standards

September is National Square Dance Month, and in a state like Texas, we felt we ought to commemorate the occasion.

Although something about square dancing feels uniquely southern, the practice actually originates from the English Morris Dance and the French quadrille. Even so, it’s a common pastime in a honky tonk town like Austin, and it’s even considered the state dance of Texas.

Are you looking to learn your steps? The Austin Square and Round Dance Association is hosting multiple square dancing workshops this fall across Central Texas. Find a list of lessons here — classes are open to families, couples, and solo dancers.

Once you’ve got your moves down, it’s time to show them off. Shine your belt buckle and dust your boots off before heading to these Austin honky tonks:

Giddy Ups | 12010 Menchaca Rd.
Broken Spoke | 3201 S. Lamar Blvd.
Mercer Dancehall | 23490 Ranch Rd. 12, Driftwood
The White Horse | 500 Comal St.

THE WRAP

	Today’s issue was written by London. Editor’s pick: In preparation for today’s neighborhood guide to Allandale, your ATXtoday team spent some time in the area last week. I thoroughly enjoyed the oat milk latte I sipped at Monkey Nest, the stroll I took through Beverly S. Sheffield park, and positively drooled over the Sonora hot dog I got from T-Loc’s for lunch. Missed Friday’s newsletter? Treat yo’ shelf to these books by local authors.
Read More

Connect with us.

Editorial: Laura Figi, London Gibson, Dayten Rose, Ashlea Hearn, Emily Shea, Josh Kranzberg | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Julie Brown | Advertise with us.

Content marked with an * was created in partnership with 6AM City’s advertising partners. Paid content helps keep this newsletter free. 6AM City may also receive a commission on purchases made through affiliate links in this newsletter.

ADVERTISE | SHOP | CAREERS | ETHICS

Did a friend forward this free newsletter to you?