Old West Austin Neighborhood Guide

Residential · Upscale · Architecture · Friendly

Ask any recent Austin resident about Old West Austin, and they might respond, “Do you mean the area with all the hospitals?” While this neighborhood, located in the shadow of the sprawling Ascension Seton Medical Center, certainly keeps a fair share of MDs at its beck and call, it functions as far more than just a waiting room for those seeking treatment.

Old West Austin, if you can’t tell from the name, is one of the city’s oldest neighborhoods, and the drool-worthy houses here, with their grand Colonial-style columns and brick facades, echo that fact. Two examples of that historical influence in the neighborhood include the Pease Mansion, a pre-Civil war, Greek Revival-style house registered today as an historic landmark, and the castle-like mansion made famous in the 90s kids’ movie classic, Blank Check.

Old West Austin may not be the go-to area for Austinities to spend a night on the town, but they do offer charming cafes and boutiques that make for pleasant Sunday strolls.

Neighborhood Life

From the moment you enter this area west of Downtown, you’ll see beautiful estates that would easily make it onto your Pinterest board of “dream homes.” Everyday, the neighborhood’s residents walk their great danes and chocolate labradors past stately-looking Southern mansions with centuries-old oak trees in the front lawn.

One of the most underrated parks in the entire city is located in Old West Austin — the Pease District Park, with volleyball and tennis courts, feels like a pleasant retreat from the buzz of the city.

Local Hangouts

Old West Austin is far from a “happening” spot for trendy restaurants and nightlife in the city; however, you can still find gems within the neighborhood’s radius. For example, residents recognize the original Kerbey Lane cafe, Austin’s well-known, diner-like establishment, for its famous, fluffy buttermilk pancakes. Spread & Co., where you can build the charcuterie board of your dreams while sipping on a glass of their draft rosé, stands out as well.

For floral aficionados, the neighborhood boasts the best flower shop in the city, Austin Flower Co., where you can literally stop and smell the roses to your heart’s content.

Things to know

The more residential areas of Old West Austin should pose no problem when it comes to parking — although the winding, curvy streets might require some getting used to when driving. As you get closer to the commercial center of the neighborhood, however, parking becomes a real hassle.

You’ll devote extra time to looking for that perfect parallel-parking spot there, especially on weekends, when the brunch traffic coursing through the area will make you wonder where all the residents have been hiding during the workweek.