Spring in Austin means wildflowers along the Barton Creek greenbelt, longer evenings on the patio, and — if you know the rhythm of this city — the return of the Austin Chronicle's beloved "Best of Austin" reader poll. And just like the first bluebonnets popping up along MoPac, it's back right on schedule.
This year's ballot is packed with more than 800 finalists spanning everything Austin holds dear: the taco spots that fuel our early morning trail runs, the live music venues where the night air carries a hint of cedar, the local shops and hidden-gem restaurants that make this city feel like home no matter how many people move here.
For longtime Austinites and newcomers alike, the poll is a kind of civic ritual — a chance to shout out the places and people who make life here feel worth celebrating. Whether your loyalty lies with a lakeside paddle outfitter, a South Congress boutique, or the food truck that keeps you going after a long bike ride on the veloway, there's likely a category just waiting for your two cents.
Voting is open now through the Chronicle's website, and with hundreds of categories on the table, you might want to grab an iced coffee from your favorite local roaster before you sit down to work through the ballot. The results will be published in a special issue later this year, serving as a springtime snapshot of what Austinites truly love about their city.
So lace up your boots, head to the Chronicle's site, and make your voice heard — because in a city growing as fast as ours, the spots worth protecting deserve a little extra love.