Fall in Love with Austin on a Budget: Hyde Park

Austin, The City that I Love, has found itself on several "Top 10 Best..." lists over the past several years. Some are for good reason:  we're a wonderful, diverse, fun, creative-focused, largely welcoming community. However, I am one of those people (Those People) who believe the influx of development is changing the city--in some ways for the worse.  That doesn't change my love for this city.  Nothing you love is ever perfect. That said, I feel it is fair to note--before you start packing your bags and loading your U-Haul--that we don't have the jobs some articles claim; or, those several jobs have salaries that don't match the rapidly increasing cost of living. Several friends and neighbors have already moved or are planning to move out of the city due to the cost. Traffic is also a mess. Blah.

Good news: I have spilled my negative guts and will not focus no more on the negatives here!  Instead, I'll periodically highlight some places and activities that are fun and free or cheap.  I believe that this city has a ton to offer and my sincere hope is that you experience as much of it as possible.  So, dear blog readers, embrace these ideas with an explorer's heart.  Follow them with the sense that, if you choose to see wonder in the small and great, then you will see the wonder in the small and great.

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Our first adventure will take us to one of my absolute favorite neighborhoods:  Hyde Park.  This north-central neighborhood is listed with the National Register of Historic Places. Get your quaint and gorgeous community mindset ready. I suggest simply wandering the streets to discover unique and sometimes historic homes, shops, and sites.  Here are just a few spots:

The Avenue B Grocery Store:

Stop in for emergency groceries, a tasty sandwich (the pimento cheese is particularly delicious), or some fine leather goods!

The Elisabet Ney Museum:

That flag is calling out to you, isn't it?  Texas Forevs.

And have I mentioned beautiful houses and unique sites like vintage cars?

There are several wonderful restaurants there. I highly recommend stopping by Quack's Bakery for a vanilla cupcake with cream cheese/coconut frosting, a mega eclair, or...

 ...an octopus cookie!

This is just the briefest of glimpses at Hyde Park that barely scratches its surface.

More food/coffee:

• Mrs. Johnson's Bakery (this might be classified as Hancock/Highland area but I'll still note it here.)
• Flightpath Coffee
• Sweet Ritual Ice Cream which is right next to...
• Juiceland

More fun:

• Shipe Park & Pool with its well-known mural (which I couldn't get a picture of without looking creepy.)
• Antonelli's Cheese Shop They sell cheese and offer cheese classes! That sounds like heaven to me.

What Hyde Park recommendations do you have?