Exploring Congressional Avenue in Austin: Boots, Bats, Bloc, Blanton

Exploring Congressional Avenue in Austin: Boots, Bats, Bloc, Blanton

June 18, 2025

Me, Andrea, and I love you so much Noel of the murals

When visitors come from afar to experience your city, it gives you the opportunity to explore it like a tourist. In Austin, it means that the cowboy meat hippies and everyone leaning on myths more than ever. And why? In an age of unruly departments, you need a good atmosphere and a happy after-sales everywhere.

So, last weekend, when I threw my friend Andrea Whitey at me from Noel Johnson of Australia, Australia, Phoenix, I dumped my boots (OK, sandals) and took them to the most fun and touristy thing I could think of: I went shopping at Southern Council, had brisket tacos in the Gloet, became a garden bird blown by the Garden Bird Birds of Hotel San Joe’s. As always, Austin was seduced by the friendly, laid back charm that everyone was invited to the party, and once again reminded me of how much I love this town.

South Congress Avenue Boot Shopping

South Congress Avenue has been a boot shopping destination since my last visit. It was perfect as Andrea was hunting. I checked out the tecbus, which was the young couple’s boots shining.

Behind the counter, a stained 25-foot mural evokes the romance and grandeur of West Texas. The creator is local artist Landry McMeans.

He also joined the Heritage Boot Co. and was welcomed by the skeleton cowboy in the window.

Of course, we visited Venerable Allens Boots, where Andrea tried out the pair with a colorful Otomi design.

Upon further down the street, Noel gained his wings.

Hotel San Jose Bar

We took a look into the garden in the courtyard of Hotel San Jose. This is something you can do when heading to the gift shop and courtyard lounge.

The Slipper Plant (Pedilanthus bracteatus) was blooming in a board-style concrete planter.

The red flowers at the tips of the stems, like noodles, are eye-catching. But it’s only tough on the mid-20s F, so if you’re craving my fellow Austinian, remember that.

Kendra Scott Mural

On the other side of the street, Kendra Scott’s jewelry store features a cute new mural (with the agave) to declare. You are my Ho Yi. Engagement photo, someone?

Batwatching on the Congress Avenue Bridge

We lined up on the Congress Avenue Bridge, shoulder to shoulder with other bat tourists and locals as the sun slid behind the hill.

Looking east, I saw kayakers and paddle borders gather under the bridge. I’m waiting, I’m waiting…

It was almost dark, but I was still hopeful.

And they appeared. Hundreds – no, thousands of bats came out of the gap under the bridge and began to swirl under us. With the black ribbon that changed shape, they drove east with a murmur cloud.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c68fsh3z_tu

It’s always amazing to see. (For better bat watching, check out Bracken Cave’s larger bat colony.)

Block Texas History Museum

Another day, I took the visitors further up Congress Avenue and took them to the Block Texas History Museum.

We praised the big star…

…and the story of the Texas floor murals and the floors of several exhibitions.

Petals at the Blanton Museum

Across the street, petals from the Blanton Museum beckoned us, and we walked over.

The petals are structures and sculptures with holes in colour, and are fun during the day, like when lit up at night.

Overall, there was a great time. Austin appeared to my visitors. And most importantly, the boots were purchased and brought back to Australia.

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Dig deeper

My new book, Gardens: Lone Star State, by Texas, can be pre-ordered on Amazon and other online book sellers. It will be released on October 14th, but a few months away, but pre-orders will be extremely helpful in making readers and reviewers aware of my book. If you want to read this fall, consider pre-ordering. For more information, please click here. Thank you for your support!

Learn about gardening and design at Garden Sparks! I organize face-to-face talks in Austin several times a year, inspire designers, landscape architects, authors and gardeners to inspire and inspire designers, landscape architects. These are events with limited attendance that sold out quickly, so join our Garden Spark Mealment List and notify us in advance. Simply click on this link and ask them to add it. Find out all about the Season 8 lineup here!

All Materials ©2025 by Pam Penick for Digging. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.

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