Travel and Outdoors

Austin vs. Kansas City: A Showdown

KCtoday City Editor Travis visited us in Austin last month. | Photo by KCtoday

Here’s a question for you: which is better, Austin or Kansas City?

We recently had a visit from our friend Travis, Senior City Editor at KCtoday, and we found ourselves comparing the two metropolises. After a healthy debate about which town has the better sports fans, green spaces, and barbecue, we decided to put this rivalry to the test.

Alright, alright, alright, Austinites — are you ready to rumble?

Outdoors

Kansas City has an extensive parks system, with 221 parks in the metro area alone. Swope Park is more than 1,800 acres — twice the size of Central Park.

However, you can’t beat Austin’s 10-mile Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail, or the other 130+ miles of trails + greenbelt that weave through our city.

Top that off with our almost perpetually sunny weather and the fact that the world’s largest urban bat population lives right in our downtown, and I think we can hand this one to ATX.

(London Gibson, ATXtoday)

The Congress Avenue Bridge as seen from the hike and bike trail along the water. — We may be biased, but we think Austin’s downtown is one of the most beautiful in the US.

Sports

Texas is known for its football (ever heard of “Friday Night Lights?”), and Austin bleeds orange for their Longhorns. However, fans are seldom as hype (and never as loud) as they are for the Chiefs at Arrowhead.

On the soccer front, Austin FC has a brand-new stadium and has performed well both seasons. Yet in comparison, Sporting KC has been around since 1995 + hoists two championships. The KC Current also just broke ground on the world’s first pro women’s stadium. Score one, Kansas City.

(Travis Meier, KCtoday)

A group of fans downtown during the Super Bowl win in Kansas City, — If this crowd of Chiefs fans watching their team win the Super Bowl in 2020 is any indication, we’re going to bet Kansas City has a pretty strong sports scene.

Barbecue

Sure, Kansas City has good barbecue — we’ll even say great barbecue — but can it hold a candle to Aaron Franklin’s signature marbled brisket, or a smoky sausage from Terry Black’s?

Okay, okay, we hear the ribs from Gates BBQ are pretty life-changing, but we’re not willing to budge on this one. We’d take Texas’ delectable dry rubs over KC’s saucy staples any day.

(London Gibson, ATXtoday)

🏆 So, who takes the title? Click the button below to see who won our City Showdown.

CROWNING THE WINNER

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Today

Austin Fall Festival | Mon., Oct. 10 | 10 a.m. | Barton Hill Farms, 1115 Farm to Market 969, Bastrop | $21.95 | Pick pumpkins, explore a corn maze, and take fall photos on the expansive property at this festival. 🎃

Tuesday

Lou Ann Barton with The Moeller Brothers | Tue., Oct. 11 | 8 p.m. | Antone’s Nightclub, 305 E. 5th St., Austin | $10+ | Sarah Barlow will also perform at this show featuring the Austin-based blues singer. 🎸
Top Shelf Comedy at Alamo Drafthouse | Tue., Oct. 11 | 7:30-9 p.m. | The Highball, 1120 S. Lamar Blvd., Austin | Free | You’ll be cracking up at this free comedy show — the lineup changes every week.

Wednesday

Party For The Parks | Wed., Oct. 12 | 7-10 p.m. | Austin City Limits Music Festival, 2100 Barton Springs Rd., Austin | $175+ | Munch on bites, sip cocktails, and dance to a performance by Spoon, all for a good cause. 💚
Skip Marley | Wed., Oct. 12 | 8 p.m. | 3TEN at ACL Live, 310 W. Willie Nelson Blvd., Austin | $20+ | Watch the grandson of Skip Marley perform on his “Change Tour.” 🎶

Thursday

“The Lady From The Sea” by Henrik Ibsen | Thu., Oct. 13 - Sun., Oct. 23 | 8 p.m. | Neill-Cochran House Museum, 2310 San Gabriel St., Austin | $25+ | This play tells the story of a woman choosing between her husband and the thrill of the ocean’s deep. 🌊
Vacations “Return to the Wild West” Tour | Thu., Oct. 13 | 8 p.m. | Historic Scoot Inn, 1308 E. 4th St., Austin | $22+ | Tune into the Australian rock band’s set at this official ACL Nights show.

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.

100+ MORE EVENTS

Weather

89º | Mostly sunny | 4% chance of rain

Today Is

Indigenous Peoples’ Day — and the start of Indigenous Peoples’ Week — in Texas. Proclaimed in 2021 by Gov. Greg Abbott, this holiday honors the past, present, and future of Native people in the state.

Sports

Texas football defeated the Oklahoma Sooners 49-0 in the Red River Showdown on Saturday, bringing the Longhorns back into the AP Top 25 at No. 22. Missed the game? Read a recap here. 🏈 (Austin American-Statesman)

Announced

Fort Hood will soon be renamed after Richard Cavazos, Texas’ first Hispanic four-star general. The military base, which is about one hour outside of Austin, is the largest of its kind in the US. (The Texas Tribune)

Biz

Austin-based software company Improving was ranked the No.1 large employer to work for in the state by the Texas Association of Business. Therapy Staff, Charles Schwab, and other local companies were also represented in the ranking — see the full list here. 💻

Civic

Ahead of this year’s mayoral election, hear from all six candidates themselves during the mayoral debate on Tues., Oct. 18. Here’s how to tune in + submit a question. 🗳 (KVUE)

Development

Pasadena-based Alexandria Real Estate Equities has purchased a 3.8-acre site downtown for $108 million. The 199,000-sqft building at 1000 Red River St. is currently the headquarters for the Teacher Retirement System of Texas. (Austin Business Journal)

Festival

The first-ever Lucktoberfest cut back its planned 10 days of programming to just three days due to challenges facing touring musicians. The event at Willie Nelson’s Luck Ranch will now take place from Fri., Oct. 28-Sun., Oct. 30. 🎶 (Austin Chronicle)

Edu

Dr. Claudia Lucchinetti will be the new dean of the Dell Medical School starting Thurs., Dec. 1. The renowned neuroscience researcher was also named UT’s senior vice president of medical affairs, and has produced award-winning research on multiple sclerosis. 🩺 (Austin Business Journal)

Closing

South Austin bar Indian Roller will close permanently on Sat., Oct. 22. Help them go out with a bang at its last day party + eighth anniversary celebration featuring live music, an arts market, and a photo booth. (Eater Austin)

Plan Ahead

Comedian Jerry Seinfeld is headed to Bass Concert Hall on Fri., March 10 to regale Austinites with his newest standup set. Pre-sale tickets will be available starting Tues., Oct. 11 — get yours here. 🎙

Read

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Food

Inside Second Bar + Kitchen’s new East Austin location

Second Bar + Kitchen’s new East Austin location offers old menu favorites + new plates. | Gif by ATXtoday

Second Bar + Kitchen has some new digs.

The decade-old restaurant’s newest location is now open in the East Austin Hotel after its downtown spot shuttered in 2020. We stopped by the new space last week to take a peek inside — here’s what it was like.

🪑 Interior | The restaurant is modern + eclectic, with warm colors, mixed patterns, and lush, natural textures. The space also offers window-front table seating, perfect for people-watching on East Sixth Street.

🍽 Food | The menu offers many of the same dishes as Second Bar + Kitchen’s Domain location, with some new bites such as baked brie + a grilled eggplant B.E.L.T. Our favorite plates were the grilled peach caprese, seared faroe island salmon, and creme brulee.

🥂 Drinks | One of the most enticing aspects of the new location is an indoor-outdoor rooftop bar that overlooks East Sixth. Not a bad place for a cocktail — or two.

Don’t take our word for it: try the new spot yourself at 1108 E. 6th St.

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by London.

Editor’s pick: Nice work, y’all. Joe T. earned the highest score on our September news quiz, with 7 out of 10 correct answers. Another special shoutout to our second-place winners, Kate D., Cindy C., and Michelle C.

Missed Monday’s newsletter? Here’s everything you need to know before ACL. ⛳️

Connect with us.

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

Sales: Camille McLeod | Advertise with us.

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