Likely the most well-known street in Austin,maybe even in all of Texas, is Sixth Street. The portion that extends from the grand and historic Driskill Hotel at Brazos Street and continues six city blocks to Interstate 35 makes up the heart of Austin’s live music and exciting urban nightlife scenes. What many people do not realize is that Sixth Street is a part of one of the most historic districts in Austin.

Before Sixth Street became the bustling urban center that it is now, it was once called Pecan Street. Edwin Waller, elected as the city’s first mayor in 1840, engineered a grid plan for the streets of the city; most of this grid plan is still in-tact as modern downtown Austin. The original grid designated all north-south streets to be named after the rivers of Texas (with the one exception being Congress Avenue). All east-west streets were named after trees native to the region; Pecan Street was the major thoroughfare into town for the farmland communities to the east, and soon became a major commerce district. Before the Civil War, Sixth Street was already bustling with stores, saloons and hotels. The Missouri House, still standing at Brazos and Sixth and rumored to be haunted, was erected in1861 as Austin’s first boarding home for travelers on their way to the Wild West.

Austin commemorates this history with the free bi-annual Pecan Street Festival every first weekend in May and last weekend in September. The festival features hundreds of artisan vendors, various stages for live music, dozens of food vendors, a petting zoo, workshops and so much more. Austinites come out in droves for this one.

Austin is full of beautiful historic buildings and examples of breathtaking architecture. One of the best places to begin a tour of these sites is between Congress Avenue and Red River Street on Sixth Street. Sixth Street is alive and bustling during the day, and the perfect corner on which to begin is the historic Littlefield Mall at the base of the handsome Littlefield Building, at the northeast corner of Sixth and Congress. This building was built in 1910 and is exemplary of the beautiful architecture style known as Beaux Arts. In the days of the Wild West, the Littlefield Building was boasted as being the tallest skyscraper between New Orleans and San Francisco. Just east of that corner is where Brazos Street and Sixth Street connect.

Fabulous stores can be found right at this spectacular corner. Hatbox, a haberdashery that combines old-world charm with contemporary style, is well-recognized for being “every man and woman’s” hat store. Visiting Hatbox is an exclusive experience and their generous collection of hats range from whimsical fascinators to practical caps. Hatbox represents old-world hatters that are completely rare and worth the visit, while also vending new, local designers. The store’s cocktail hats division exhibits the “after five” collection, which is a must for your next evening event. Additionally, this shop carries a coveted Kentucky Derby line, where a hat can be made to match your outfit!

Right next door is the beloved Wild About Music store, the world’s first, and arguably only, art and gift gallery dedicated entirely to music. This unique retail treasure represents over 100 local, national and international artists and carries thousands of items all entirely dedicated to music. In a city whose heart pulses to the rhythm of live music, this is a shop that is entirely at home. Their items include, but are never limited to, art, decor, instruments both big and small, jewelry, children’s interests, holiday-themed items and so much more. You will see music-inspired art on everything from chairs to clocks to all articles of clothing imaginable.

Within easy walking distance, just east of Trinity Street on Sixth Street, is Lucky Lizard Curios & Gifts® and Museum of the Weird™, a beloved Austin favorite that cannot be missed! The museum features mummies, unexplained phenomena and self-proclaimed “freaks of nature,” as well as a clever curio and gift shop on the street front, which carries a large inventory of local artisans’ products and unique imported souvenirs. Once you’ve explored the mysteries of our favorite local show-of-oddities, cross the street and visit Bobalu Cigar Company to watch live cigar rollers in the ancient and beautiful art form that is cigar rolling. You can watch through a window from the street as trained professionals make custom cigars for a waiting line of locals and visitors. This renowned shop also carries a fantastic selection of unique and imported cases and accessories, as well as a liberally stocked humidor.

One of the prides of historic Sixth Street is the recently renovated Ritz Theatre. Originally built in the 1920s, it is everything you would expect from that era and has been faithfully restored by local favorite movie chain Alamo Drafthouse. On a hot summer afternoon, the crisp air-conditioned interior of The Ritz will have you sighing in bliss. Enjoy current, classic and indy films while you enjoy a snack, a lunch or a cocktail served to you dining style. The food is delicious, the atmosphere is fun and refreshing and you’ll be amazed at the authentic and original old movie interior.

After all this shopping, touring and dining the sun, while glorious in Austin, is sure to eventually set. Once it does don’t forget to stop at any of the world-famous bars or restaurants that line Sixth Street. The oldest bar on Sixth Street is Maggie Mae’s, which has stood proud for 35 years, and is a local institution. It is located in a beautifully restored building erected in the 1850s. Maggie Mae's features an authentic New Orleans-style courtyard with a staircase that extends to a rooftop that allows for a gorgeous view of downtown Austin. Also nestled inside is an authentic English pub with Guinness on draft, a sports bar, gallery art by locals, a 26-foot jumbo screen on the rooftop, the Gibson Guitar Room featuring unique shows and the Les Paul Lounge for an exclusive get-away.

Right across the street is Iron Cactus Restaurant and Margarita Bar, which stays open late to accommodate hungry locals and tourists after a long day of exploring. Located in an enchanting turn-of-the-century building that was remodeled to maintain the authentic, historical aspects of its construction, it occupies several levels and has a rooftop of its own on which to dine beneath the moon. A must-order appetizer is the guacamole, which is made fresh tableside and to taste, which makes it a rare delight.

There are countless hidden treasures along this wonderful corridor that make up the heart of Austin. Don’t miss the daytime opportunities that abound in the form of shopping, retail and, for the historically inclined, the beautiful monuments that stretch from the legendary Driskill Hotel next to the Littlefield Building and on toward I-35.

Fun Sixth Street Videos: