An Insider’s Guide to Austin

"For travelers ready to dig right in, there’s a taco truck selling heaven inside a tortilla on nearly every corner. But for the best homemade breakfast tacos in the city? Ortuño heads to her favorite spot, Cisco’s, for a taste of old Austin in the East Side neighborhood."

"Travelers can find lots of eclectic, one-of-a-kind gifts and souvenirs at the shops along South Congress, including a westernwear store with more than 4,000 cowboy boots on display. But Ortuño recommends the small cluster of stores, including Room Service Vintage, Revival Vintage, and Blue Velvet Vintage, along North Loop Boulevard in North Austin for all your shopping needs."

"If you want to hear world music, reggae, Soul '45s, and international sound, visit Breakaway Records. "This is my go-to spot when I’m looking to add new vinyl to my collection or pick up a gift," says Ortuño. "When I want to hear stuff I’ve never heard before, I come to their listening station."

"When you're done at Breakaway Records, head over to Epoch Coffee to caffeinate and catch up on emails. The coffee shop has an outdoor patio filled with locals, and a wide selection of coffee and tea. Ortuño likes to go there and get creative work done in the afternoon, or just meet up with friends and play cards over an iced chai or vanilla latte."

"One of Austin's many highlights is the fact that you can immediately disappear into a stunning natural area any time you feel the call of the outdoors. Just South of Lady Bird Lake, a reservoir on the Colorado River that divides North from South Austin, is the city's recreational gem: Barton Springs Pool."

"To end the perfect day, head to Justine's, a French brasserie where they serve food until 1:30 a.m. It's Ortuño's favorite place to shut down the night and drink one of the bar's many specialty cocktails. The drinks and food are phenomenal, but she says the chill atmosphere and camaraderie is what keeps bringing her back."