Deep in the Heart of Texas: A Guide to Exploring the Texas Capitol

Written by Sidnee Bell

Modus omnibus in rebus.

At the risk of sounding pretentious, I evoke these words to reiterate a timeless truth: moderation in all things. This pervasive ideal serves as a reminder of the importance of balance in life, pursuing ambitions while also ensuring time for fun and fulfillment through meaningful relationships. This timeless truth is all too easily forgotten, especially among pre-health students and CNS students as a whole.

So, I decided to build a perfect day that balances studying with exploration. And there is no better way to do so than by soaking up the culture of the city we study in. So read on for the perfect day of studying and fun!

8:00 AM

Our day starts early with a morning stroll to the bus station. Visit CapMetro to view specific routes depending on your starting point, or simply use your favorite GPS map and filter for bus routes. One quick bus ride later, we arrive at our first stop: Houndstooth Cafe. A bright and modern café known for its minimalist aesthetic and quality espresso, it’s easy to see why this cafe has become a favorite study spot among UT students. Amidst coffee and camaraderie, we study for hours, working productively through the morning. We pour over lab reports and assignments until stomachs begin grumbling and can no longer be ignored.

1:00 PM

For lunch, we venture down a few blocks to Hokkaisan Japanese Deli Sushi. This cute shop offers freshly made sushi for a budget sensitive lunch. This shop opened just a couple months ago, and is already drawing attention for its fresh sushi and rare Japanese snacks. The shop owners, who moved from Japan a few years ago, curated their menu to “...bring a taste of Japan to the Austin community through both our offerings and in-store experience.”

2:30 PM

After lunch, we took a slow walk toward the Old Bakery and Emporium, one of Austin’s hidden historical gems. Founded by Swedish immigrant Charles Lundberg in the 1870s, the bakery once filled the area with the smell of baked goods. Although it no longer operates as a bakery, it still stands as a space for local artists and craftspeople to display handmade work.This shop is closed on Sundays, so be sure to plan accordingly!

3:00

For the rest of the afternoon, we wandered the halls of the Texas Capitol, absorbing Texas' past and present. We joined one of the free guided tours, which told the story behind every painting, architectural decision, and legislation. Tours are available from 9:30 AM-3:30 PM on Monday-Friday and 12:30 PM- 3:30 PM on Saturday and Sunday. But if you miss these time slots, do not fear! You can also take a self-guided tour and roam freely. We concluded our visit by wandering the expansive front lawn. Relaxing on such a breathtaking lawn was truly such a glorious end to the afternoon.

5:00

The bus ride home was defined by a sense of fulfillment and satisfaction. After completing all our assignments and studying, we rode back feeling complete after such an intentional day. Time spent studying was well complemented by time spent wandering the streets of Austin. So next

weekend grab your UT ID and homework and have some fun exploring the city we now call home.