Known as the "live music capital of the world" and home to some
of the country's best barbecue, Austin is a creative and culinary
feast amid the conservative south and, despite rapid growth, it
maintains a small-town
charm. Yet this artist's paradise is expanding in new
directions as a boom of health-conscious businesses are
capitalising on Austin's wellness-savvy residents and seemingly
endless natural offerings. With over 300 parks, 30 miles of urban
trails (with 50 more to come) and countless yoga studios, Austin is
a dream for fitness enthusiasts. It's no wonder the city has been
ranked one of the healthiest and most yoga-friendly in the United
States.
As the birthplace of Whole Foods and annual host of the Paleo
f(x) conference, Austin's culinary repertoire extends far beyond
barbecue; it is teeming with plant-based restaurants. Given that
new vegetarian restaurants are considered a classic symbol of
neighbourhood change, it seems fitting that this so-called "Silicon
Valley of Wellness" is also one of the country's most rapidly
gentrifying cities. Nevertheless, gentrification is not the
explanation here - some of the city's most beloved vegetarian
restaurants have been around for decades and businesses, new and
old, maintain collegial and supportive relationships. Led by
enthusiastic entrepreneurs motivated by their own experiences with
holistic healing, Austin's
wellness community appears to be more than a trend; it's rooted
in a genuine commitment to healthy living.
Locals have long known Austin's best-kept secret. Beyond the
pulse of live music, Austinites can be found kayaking the peaceful
waters of Lady Bird Lake, hiking and biking the Greenbelt, or
recovering from the Texan sun with an exfoliation at one of several
posh spas. The time is now to join them. Whether in need of revival
from last night's beer and barbecue, running the festival circuit
or simply spending too much time in the heat, these are the best
spots for you to relax, refuel, and recharge.
