I love live music, and going to a music festival is hands-down one of my favorite things to do. I recently went to Austin City Limits, which also happened to be my first time in Austin, the Live Music Capital of the World, and as I found out, it’s so much more.

When I wasn’t at the Festival, eating festival food (from Frito pie in a bag to ramen), I got to check out some pretty cool areas and eat at a handful of delicious restaurants.

The night I arrived, I ate at Garrison in the Fairmont Hotel, and it was an unexpected, delicious kick-off to a weekend of spectacular dining.

My favorite area was South Congress, a.k.a as SoCo, which is a vibrant stretch of pure energy, Austin original eateries, and hip boutiques, like ByGeorge, and Aviator Nation. I had a delicious brunch at Perlas, where we ordered the New Orleans style BBQ shrimp & stone-ground grits, fried oysters, their flat-top cheeseburger, the steak-ranchero and of course, Bloody Marys. I could have spent the entire day wandering in SoCo and even stayed through the evening to hit up the legendary Continental Club for some live music and then catch the world’s largest urban bat colony underneath the Congress Avenue Bridge.

Downtown Austin has a totally different vibe and is known as the beating heart of Austin. It has equally great restaurants, high energy bars, and a thriving entertainment scene. ByGeorge also has a downtown location on Lamar. If you go, ask for Bethanny, who will help fill your dressing room with great pieces from Ganni, Ulla Johnson, and Celine. When you’re shopped out, walk across the street to Clark’s Oyster Bar (they also have an Aspen location). Even though it was a windy, chilly day, sitting outside under a heat lamp drinking rosé and eating oysters at Clark’s was perfection.

Also notable and highly recommended is Sunday brunch at Fixe Southern House for biscuits, hush puppies & fried chicken, or if you're in the mood for craft Italian fare, check out Red Ash Italia - we were there late night, and it was buzzing with a great crowd.

Because the weather took a surprise turn while I was on the plane, what I wore was not what I packed and planned to wear. I packed for temps in the ’80s when it ended up being in the ’50s, I was happy that I threw some jeans and a jacket in my bag last minute. Here were some of the things I packed, though few made it out of the suitcase.

All I have to say is Austin…