East Austin

Art, culture... and tiny houses
Noteworthy for: Small galleries, coffee shops and cafes create an artsy enclave within a neighborhood that still feels homey and unpretentious.

Historically, I-35 served as Austin's racial dividing line, with whites on the west side and blacks and Hispanics on the east side. While that boundary is still discernible in northeast and southeast Austin, the area east of downtown is now home to a vibrant mix of young professionals and artists.
The gentrification has been gradual enough to allow East Austin to retain much of its original character. Shiny new art studios stand next to decades-old Mexican restaurants and barbecue joints. Along Manor Road's restaurant row, you can enjoy an organic salad from Eastside Cafe, Tex-Mex fare at Vivo's, or soul food at Hoover's Cooking.

Within walking distance of the restaurants, many of the area's modest homes have been transformed into artists' studios. The artists produce everything from paintings to jewelry, and are often available to chat about their work - or the human condition - over a beer or two.