HOME Travel Guide Common Sense Travel
decorative font style

Polaroid of the Week: Exploring Austin, Texas – TravelCon and Top City Highlights

Polaroid of the Week: Exploring Austin, Texas – TravelCon and Top City HighlightsLast week, I returned to one of my favorite U.S. cities: Austin. This marked my second visit this year, following a delightful long weekend in February that offered a welcome escape from the East Coast winter. The primary draw was the inaugural TravelCon, a standout conference featuring 80 speakers and 600 attendees. It exceeded expectations, and I'll be attending the next one in Boston in June 2019. To fully immerse myself, I scheduled three days before and after the event to revisit beloved food spots and attractions.

I'm thrilled I arrived early. Once TravelCon began, my schedule filled with workshops, keynotes, meetups, and parties, coinciding with overcast, rainy weather despite the lingering heat and humidity. A highly anticipated post-conference day trip to Hamilton Pool was canceled due to elevated bacteria levels in the water—a perfect excuse for another Texas adventure, alongside my unfinished Big Bend plans from 2016.

TravelCon felt like a high school reunion. I reunited with blogging peers like Shannon of A Little Adrift, Dalene and Pete of Hecktic Travels, Laurence of Finding The Universe, and Jeremy of TravelFreak. I also met long-time favorites in person, including Kiersten of The Blonde Abroad, AngieAway, and Kristin of Be My Travel Muse. Catch-ups with Wandering Earl, Audrey and Dan of Uncornered Market, Cailin of TravelYourself, Alex In Wanderland, Amanda of A Dangerous Business, and Matt of Expert Vagabond were highlights. I drew inspiration from peers' workshops and success stories, reflecting on the travel blogging industry's growth since launching Globetrottergirls in 2010. Regrettably, I missed Pat Flynn's talk—the internet marketer who kickstarted my blogging income—due to my own session on LGBT Travel Blogging with close friend Adam.

Pre-conference, I explored fresh street art at Hope Outdoor Gallery, swam in the natural springs of Barton Springs Pool, witnessed thousands of bats emerge from Congress Avenue Bridge at sunset, tested Austin's dockless bike-sharing and scooters (bikes won for me), and indulged in top tacos at Veracruz All Natural and Pueblo Viejo, plus Gourdough's Doughnuts. To balance the indulgence, I paddleboarded and ran along the Colorado River and Lady Bird Lake, capping it with a 28K (17-mile) training run for the New York Marathon.

Austinites' active lifestyle—kayaking, paddleboarding, running, cycling, often with dogs—never ceases to amaze me along the river and lake. It tempts me to adopt a puppy and relocate, but New York's fall colors call me back before my next trip.

If you go:

Here’s my guide for 48 Hours In Austin


Tourist Attraction
  • Polaroid of the Week: Meeting Miguel de San Miguel on Lake Petén Itzá

    We had just arrived in Guatemala and spent a couple of days in Flores, a picturesque island town on Lake Petén Itzá. One sunny afternoon, lounging on the dock, a friendly Guatemalan anciano (elderly gentleman) approached to chat. He introduced himself as Miguel de San Miguel from the village of San Miguel across the lake. At 85 years old, Miguel had lived his entire life by the lake, dedicating most of it to extracting chicle from sapodilla trees in the nearby jungles. His warmth captivated us,

  • Polaroid of the Week: The Unmatched Beauty of Caribbean Beaches

    After nearly two months back in Mexico, weve reaffirmed our love for this paradise—not just Mexico, but the Caribbean itself. Having explored beaches worldwide, nothing rivals the Caribbeans crystal-clear waters, wave-free calm, and powdery white sands. We cherish spots like Koh Rong in Cambodia or Samara in Costa Rica, yet the Caribbean delivers an unparalleled mix of stunning beauty and total relaxation. Though were leaving this idyllic Mexican playa next week, a return to the Caribbean Sea i

  • Polaroid of the Week: Exploring Austin s Wonderfully Weird Charm

    Austin captured my heart from the moment I arrived. Friends had long recommended it as my kind of city, sparking my curiosity—and they were spot on. What defines this vibrant destination? A lush, green urban oasis with a booming food truck scene. Craft beer havens boasting over 100 taps. Countless live music venues. Dog-friendly spots, including private river beaches. Unique festivals like Eeyores Birthday, a hippie gathering on the last Saturday in April. Riverside apartment communities with ka