SXSW Guide to Austin: Navigating the City During the Fest

If you head to Austin in March, a SXSW guide is a must. When the fest began back in 1987, a crowd of less than 1,000 showed up. In 2016, more than 30,000 people attended the Interactive portion alone and there was a keynote speech by then-president Barack Obama. Those with passes aren't just bouncing from film to film and show to show, they're trying to cram in the best of the city while they're there, and that means long waits for everyone, whether you're in town for the fest or not. So how do you survive the insanity? That's where our SXSW guide can help.

How to Get Around

Titans of the ride-sharing world Uber and Lyft made headlines in May 2016 when they left the city for good over disagreements surrounding city regulations, but that doesn't mean you'll be left on the curb. Newer, smaller companies have sprouted up to take its place such as Fasten, which has no surge pricing, and Fare, which allows you to schedule rides in advance. That said, if you're heading into the heart of the fest, competition will still be stiff. Making the most of the sunny Texas weather and focusing on attractions you can walk to or hitching a ride with friends are your best bets to minimize hassle.

Where to Eat

Any other time of year, and a trip to some of the best restaurants in Austin seems like a no-brainer with breakfast tacos, tex-mex, and barbecue high on every visitor's list. You might even brave the line at famous local barbecue joint Franklin's, but the line can reach up to three hours long on a normal day. Add tens of thousands of visiting festival-goers to the mix? That line balloons to astronomical levels that have chefs cooking 24 hours a day. Think outside the box unless you want to waste your entire day or resort to apps like Task Rabbit were you actually have to pay someone to wait in line for you (though they still can't get you that barbecue any faster). Instead, plan your meals as far from downtown and Sixth Street as you can. Skipping the stereotypically Texan staples and vying for international cuisine will also save you some time, but we can't in good conscience recommend forgoing a slab of quality ribs. It is Austin, after all.

Pro tip: Head to Freedman's or Ruby's BBQ for quality Texas barbecue with shorter lines.

What to Do

Photo courtesy of flickr user Randall Chancellor.

There are plenty of things to do in Austin, regardless of whether you want to get in on some of the craziness or stay as far from it as possible. The city's great outdoors become all the more inviting if you're looking to find a little space to yourself, so you can easily start the day with a hike up Mount Bonnell followed by a dip in Barton Springs Pool whose shallow ends are totally kid-friendly. Take a drive just over an hour outside the city and you'll find Longhorn Caverns, where guided tours let you explore the nooks and crannies once occupied by Native Americans, soldiers, and even outlaws. Alternately, stay put in the heart of Austin to get a taste of the fest through myriad free events the pop up all over town from concerts to presentations with free food and drink.

Pro tip: Use services like RSVPster to quickly RSVP to all the free unofficial events during the event.