clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile
Oakwood Cemetery
Oakwood Cemetery
WikiCommons

SXSW 2017: places for locals to hide

By Cindy Widner Updated
2 comments / new
View as Map
Oakwood Cemetery
| WikiCommons
By Cindy Widner Updated
2 comments / new

The stat is staggering, no matter how many times it's said: 200,000 more people per day. That's the influx downtown Austin gets during SXSW. That's like, what, a quarter of the city proper's total population?

It's fun, exhilarating—and sometimes overwhelming. When that's the case, our map of 10 places where you can get away from it all is something you can probably use.

Read More
Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process.

Mayfield Park and Nature Preserve

Copy Link

A photo posted by Rianne Ricarte (@riiiianne) on

It's all about the peacocks at Mayfield Park. Stroll around there and the nearby, lakeside Contemporary Austin—Laguna Gloria grounds, and you'll peace out, despite (because of?) the squawking.
3801 W. 35th St., Austin, TX 78703
(512) 974-6797
(512) 974-6797

Pinballz Arcade

Copy Link
If overstimulation is actually your thing but you want to escape SXSW crowds specifically, check out Pinballz arcade. It's full of pinball machines, of course, as well as old-school video games and a bunch of other fun stuff. It's a local fave.
8940 Research Blvd Ste 100, Austin, TX 78758
(512) 420-8458
(512) 420-8458

Cactus Cafe

Copy Link
Yes, it's a club, and a legendary one. But the Cactus Cafe is known for developing and showcasing singer-songwriters, and it's a listening room. It has some great shows during the conferences, but no SXSW showcases. Go, be entranced, be restored. (It's also UT's spring break right now.)
2247 Guadalupe St, Austin, TX 78705
(512) 475-6515
(512) 475-6515

Room Service Vintage

Copy Link
Room Service will probably be a little crowded, because it always is, but probably not crazy. And even if it is, you really need to experience the delightful, affordable furnishings, housewares, knickknacks, geegaws, and vintage clothing this long-beloved Austin landmark has to offer.
107 West Northloop blvd, Austin, TX 78751-1226
(512) 451-1057
(512) 451-1057

Zhi Tea

Copy Link
Due to its location on the eastern fringes of Austin's new-ish art-studio/gallery district, Zhi might have a few visitors and activities more than usual during SXSW, especially during Music. It's still hard to imagine it being anything but peaceful and blissful, though, due to the staff's dedication to its featured product, associated philosophies, and the leafy backyard patio.
4607 Bolm Rd, Austin, TX 78702
(512) 539-0717
(512) 539-0717

Oakwood Cemetery

Copy Link
It's Austin's oldest cemetery, and it's a big, rambling place that takes up two big Eastside blocks. It's full of Austin and Texas history—you will see the names of its residents on some of the surrounding streets, as well as in accounts of the Battle of the Alamo—big trees, and lovely monuments.

A photo posted by Angelita (@100lb_giant) on

1701 Navasota St, Austin, TX 78702

Alamo Drafthouse Cinema – Lakeline

Copy Link
Without a badge, you won't get into most of the movie theaters in the central city during SXSW Film. You can still experience the wonders of the local Alamo Drafthouse chain at its Lakeline mall location, which is showing first-run movies far from the fest and is as genuine as the rest.
14028 N Highway 183 Bldg F, Austin, TX 78717
(512) 861-7070
(512) 861-7070

Playland Skate Center

Copy Link
Since opening in 1973, Playland Skate Center has been the place to get your roller-skate on. (At 27,500 square feet, it's also the largest in Austin.) In addition to keeping the rink in great shape, it features a light show, fog machine and state-of-the-art sound system.
8822 McCann Dr, Austin, TX 78757
(512) 452-1901
(512) 452-1901

Umlauf Sculpture Garden

Copy Link
In 1991, four forgotten acres tucked in the woods near Barton Springs were turned into an art garden after 20th-century American sculptor Charles Umlauf donated dozens of stone and bronze works to the city. The garden has evolved since then, with xeriscaping, winding paths, benches, and a small pavilion being added. Now it's like a walk in the park. With art.

A post shared by Nida Ventura (@miagison) on

605 Robert E Lee Rd, Austin, TX 78704
(512) 445-5582
(512) 445-5582

Also featured in:

Dart Bowl

Copy Link
For almost 60 years, Dart Bowl has been there for Austin bowlers young and old, enthusiastic amateurs and wizened experts who are no strangers to the perfect game. Be sure to try the enchiladas in the snack bar.
5700 Grover Ave, Austin, TX 78756
(512) 452-2518
(512) 452-2518

Also featured in:

Loading comments...

© 2023 Vox Media, Inc. All rights reserved.
Link copied to the clipboard.

Mayfield Park and Nature Preserve

3801 W. 35th St., Austin, TX 78703

A photo posted by Rianne Ricarte (@riiiianne) on

It's all about the peacocks at Mayfield Park. Stroll around there and the nearby, lakeside Contemporary Austin—Laguna Gloria grounds, and you'll peace out, despite (because of?) the squawking.
3801 W. 35th St., Austin, TX 78703
(512) 974-6797
(512) 974-6797

Pinballz Arcade

8940 Research Blvd Ste 100, Austin, TX 78758
If overstimulation is actually your thing but you want to escape SXSW crowds specifically, check out Pinballz arcade. It's full of pinball machines, of course, as well as old-school video games and a bunch of other fun stuff. It's a local fave.
8940 Research Blvd Ste 100, Austin, TX 78758
(512) 420-8458
(512) 420-8458

Cactus Cafe

2247 Guadalupe St, Austin, TX 78705
Yes, it's a club, and a legendary one. But the Cactus Cafe is known for developing and showcasing singer-songwriters, and it's a listening room. It has some great shows during the conferences, but no SXSW showcases. Go, be entranced, be restored. (It's also UT's spring break right now.)
2247 Guadalupe St, Austin, TX 78705
(512) 475-6515
(512) 475-6515

Room Service Vintage

107 West Northloop blvd, Austin, TX 78751-1226
Room Service will probably be a little crowded, because it always is, but probably not crazy. And even if it is, you really need to experience the delightful, affordable furnishings, housewares, knickknacks, geegaws, and vintage clothing this long-beloved Austin landmark has to offer.
107 West Northloop blvd, Austin, TX 78751-1226
(512) 451-1057
(512) 451-1057

Zhi Tea

4607 Bolm Rd, Austin, TX 78702
Due to its location on the eastern fringes of Austin's new-ish art-studio/gallery district, Zhi might have a few visitors and activities more than usual during SXSW, especially during Music. It's still hard to imagine it being anything but peaceful and blissful, though, due to the staff's dedication to its featured product, associated philosophies, and the leafy backyard patio.
4607 Bolm Rd, Austin, TX 78702
(512) 539-0717
(512) 539-0717

Oakwood Cemetery

1701 Navasota St, Austin, TX 78702
It's Austin's oldest cemetery, and it's a big, rambling place that takes up two big Eastside blocks. It's full of Austin and Texas history—you will see the names of its residents on some of the surrounding streets, as well as in accounts of the Battle of the Alamo—big trees, and lovely monuments.

A photo posted by Angelita (@100lb_giant) on

1701 Navasota St, Austin, TX 78702

Alamo Drafthouse Cinema – Lakeline

14028 N Highway 183 Bldg F, Austin, TX 78717
Without a badge, you won't get into most of the movie theaters in the central city during SXSW Film. You can still experience the wonders of the local Alamo Drafthouse chain at its Lakeline mall location, which is showing first-run movies far from the fest and is as genuine as the rest.
14028 N Highway 183 Bldg F, Austin, TX 78717
(512) 861-7070
(512) 861-7070

Playland Skate Center

8822 McCann Dr, Austin, TX 78757
Since opening in 1973, Playland Skate Center has been the place to get your roller-skate on. (At 27,500 square feet, it's also the largest in Austin.) In addition to keeping the rink in great shape, it features a light show, fog machine and state-of-the-art sound system.
8822 McCann Dr, Austin, TX 78757
(512) 452-1901
(512) 452-1901

Umlauf Sculpture Garden

605 Robert E Lee Rd, Austin, TX 78704
In 1991, four forgotten acres tucked in the woods near Barton Springs were turned into an art garden after 20th-century American sculptor Charles Umlauf donated dozens of stone and bronze works to the city. The garden has evolved since then, with xeriscaping, winding paths, benches, and a small pavilion being added. Now it's like a walk in the park. With art.

A post shared by Nida Ventura (@miagison) on

605 Robert E Lee Rd, Austin, TX 78704
(512) 445-5582
(512) 445-5582

Dart Bowl

5700 Grover Ave, Austin, TX 78756
For almost 60 years, Dart Bowl has been there for Austin bowlers young and old, enthusiastic amateurs and wizened experts who are no strangers to the perfect game. Be sure to try the enchiladas in the snack bar.
5700 Grover Ave, Austin, TX 78756
(512) 452-2518
(512) 452-2518