South Congress before the crowds

Local tipGrab a coffee taco and sit on the patio early, before the tour groups show up to photograph the "I love you so much" wall on the building's side.

5 min walk to the next stop

Local tipIt's the hidden courtyard bakery tucked inside the South Congress Hotel, a regular's favorite secret coffee shop on the strip.

5 min drive to the next stop

Local tipWalk the Butler Trail loop along Lady Bird Lake to the Stevie Ray Vaughan statue, an easy, flat stretch locals use for a morning walk with a downtown skyline backdrop.