The Driskill has been a creepy fixture in Downtown Austin since 1886. | Photo provided by The Driskill
Scary season is upon us, and at the end of a cooler day, Austin’s ghosts come out to play.
Lovers of creepy nights and frights will be pleased to know that the Capital City boasts a host of stories that will send chills down your spine, so we rounded up five to know about our scary city.
It’s worth noting that many of these claims have been refuted, but they make for the perfect creepy tales to tell around the campfire or at a Halloween party.
The Driskill
Famously named the most haunted place in Texas, The Driskill is rumored to be home to a plethora of ghosts.
Guests have reported seeing the spirits of former President Lyndon B. Johnson, who frequented the hotel; owner Colonel Jesse Driskill watching over 6th and Brazos streets; the ghosts of room 525; and a little girl named Samantha Houston, who tragically met her end in the hotel. If you’re interested in learning more about the hotel’s history — you can take a tour with the hotel’s staff.
If you want to get the creeps, Hairy Man Road is best driven at night.
Graphic by ATXtoday
Hairy Man Road
Round Rock is haunted by the “Hairy Man,” a legend that tells of a boy who was separated from his family after a flash flood through Brushy Creek in the 1800s. Though he survived the flood waters, he became a hermit and grew his hair and beard long while living in the woods, scaring passersby. These days, residents say they can feel his presence while driving along Hairy Man Road — named for him — and at the Hairy Man Festival.
Are you scared yet?Let us know if you have any other spine-chilling stories about Austin to share.
Fall Native Plant Sale | Friday, Oct. 25-Sunday, Oct. 27 | 9 a.m. | Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center | Free with admission | Shop for native plants including flowering perennials, vines, shrubs, and trees.
“Hocus Pocus” Sip and Paint | 5:30-8 p.m. | The Art Garage | $32 | Gather your witches to paint a canvas worthy of the Sanderson sisters’ approval.
RnB & Afrobeats Party | 8 p.m.-1 a.m. | Swim Club | $10 | Take a dip in the pool and dance the night away to beats by DJ Jamie Dred, English Dom, and DJ Roadwarrior.
Saturday, Oct. 26
Yoga with Black Swan | 9-10 a.m. | Cabana Club | Free | Kick off your Saturday with a free yoga session to unwind and relax before conquering the rest of the weekend.
Monster Smash Pickleball Tournament | Saturday, Oct. 26-Sunday, Oct. 27 | 9 a.m.-5 p.m. | Austin Pickle Ranch | $50+ | Show off your Halloween costume and pickleball skills at this competition.
Sunday, Oct. 27
Halloween Carnival | 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | Neill-Cochran House Museum | Free | Grab the kiddos for a trunk-or-treat, scavenger hunts, and crafts.
Get in, Austinites, we’re going to vote. Rides using CapMetro services and bike share will be free on Election Day, or Tuesday, Nov. 5. Simultaneously, Lyft and Uber announced they will run 50% off rides the same day to get folks to the polls. (KXAN)
Trending
Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager of the TODAY show met at the Long Center to broadcast live — complete with a visit from Matthew McConaughey and the UT band — on Thursday morning. While in town, the pair also paid a visit to El Arroyo, Donn’s Depot, and Lamberts. (KXAN)
Number
$33 million. That’s how much funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will go toward the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport concourse project, officials announced yesterday. The funding will primarily support Concourse B, which will connect to the Barbara Jordan Terminal.
Closing
All-pink-everything cafe Revival Coffee will shut its doors on Sunday, Oct. 27, due to an inability to secure a long-term lease renewal. The business, which falls under the Gabriela’s Group umbrella, announced the news on Instagram.
Festival
Get ready to giggle — Moontower Comedy Festival’s first-wave lineup just dropped. Big names like Brad Williams, Atsuko Okatsuka, Joey “Coco” Diaz, and Josh Johnson are slated to perform in April. See the full first drop + get tickets.
Opening
The folks behind Cover 2 and Cover 3 are expanding with a new concept called Whiskey Ridge in the Driftwood and Kyle area. The menu will focus on creating dishes + drinks made with ingredients sourced from within the state, with an emphasis on creating a Texan atmosphere. (Austin Business Journal)
Sports
The broadcast schedule is out for the Spurs, airing on FanDuel Sports Network, KVUE, and KBVO. Get the biggest stories every day from the local experts of the San Antonio Spurs with Locked On’s daily podcasts.
Finance
Rates just dropped — now could be the time to tap into your home equity. Calculate your payment.*
Category
Culture
🎃 Dress to impress
We suggest adding to your Willie look with a cowboy hat and some red, white, and blue. | Photo by ATXtoday
Halloween is just days away and there’s still time to apply that unique Austin spirit to this year’s get-up.
In order of effort, here are Austin-themed Halloween costumes to try this year.
ACL attendee
If you attended the festival this year, congratulations: you already have your costume. If you didn’t go, fake it ‘til you make it with some festival fashion inspiration.
Peter Pan from Peter Pan Mini-Golf
Honor the 70-year-old Austin staple by recreating his original look. It’s as simple as cutting up a green tee and pairing it with tan pants + a brown belt — top off the ‘fit with a crown of leaves.
An emergency roadside kit. The 90-piece set comes with a LED headlamp, tire repair kit, jumper cables, window breaker and seat belt cutter, first aid kit, and more.
