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  • Cultural Exploration

Cafe 605

Morning & Midday

Start your day with a light bite in Hotel Van Zandt’s Café 605 in the lobby to grab a coffee + pastry to go.

Take a self-guided downtown mural walk. Take photos, explore alley art, and discover hidden gems. Stroll through the East Cesar Chavez and Red River Cultural District to find colorful, iconic Austin murals like:

“I Love You So Much” (Jo’s Coffee)

“You’re My Butter Half”

“Greetings from Austin”postcard mural

Visit the Mexic-Arte Museum located on Congress Ave, this museum highlights Mexican, Latinx, and Chicano art with bold exhibitions and rotating contemporary shows.

Library Break, Taco Lunch & Historic Roots

Explore the Austin Central Library. This award-winning architectural gem is more than a library — it has an art gallery, rooftop garden, and rotating cultural installations. Bonus: great views of Lady Bird Lake.

Enjoy inventive tacos and heirloom corn tortillas at Nixta Taqueria, a vibrant, James Beard–recognized taqueria that reflects Austin’s Latinx culinary creativity.

The Texas Music Museum celebrates the rich legacy of local artists from gospel and blues to Tejano. This museum collects and preserves artifacts, documents and reference material surrounding the diverse traditions of Texas music, and utilizes these collections in the presentation of exhibits, educational programs, and performances.

Explore Rainey Street & Nightcap

Settle in for dinner at Emmer & Rye, a modern take on Southern food with seasonal small plates and a dim sum–style cart service. Located right near Hotel Van Zandt.

Head back to Hotel Van Zandt for an elegant nightcap at Brass Poppy, where timeless elegance and modern sophistication meet. After a busy learning day, sip on your favorite cocktail and share your favorite learnings with the friendly staff and strangers at the bar.