Top 10 Weirdest Things In Austin

Everyone says 'Keep Austin Weird" but what does that really mean? Is it still the vibe there? Here are 10 things that others might find odd, but are just part of the counterculture in Austin, Texas.

Animatronic Lyndon Baines Johnson

public domain / Via LBJ Library

No- we aren't kidding! Just like the real 36th president of the United States, this animatronic LBJ amuses visitors with jokes and stories. President Johnson, from Stonewall, Texas was known for using very colorful language. But the audio selections in the new exhibit are neither bleeped out nor censored. Still, it's a presidential library, so it's a family friendly attraction you won't find anywhere else.

Chicken Sh!t Bingo

COURTNEY GOFORTH / Via instagram.com, Lisa M / Via yelp.com

Talk about Sunday Funday! Swing by Ginny's Little Longhorn Saloon on Sundays for Chicken Shit Bingo. It is what it sounds like it is: if you have a passing familiarity with the concepts of bingo and chickens pooping everywhere, you're already pretty close to unlocking the mystery. Patrons buy randomly selected numbers from the person in charge of the bingo board, and then you wait to see which number the chicken does his business on. The lucky winner wins a nice little nest egg of cash.

Cathedral of Junk

Via Austin Monthly, Mylissa R / Via tripadvisor.com

This is only a portion of the massive and every expanding cathedral of junk located in Austin, Texas. Wrapped in decades of lush Austin vegetation, the Cathedral is a hollow framework of improvised trusses, around and within which Vince Hannemann (the owner and artist) has wired and packed all manner of mass-production cast-offs: lawn mower parts, car parts, household machines, ladders, cables, bottles, old computers, bicycle and motorcycle parts, and lots of stuff that is completely unidentifiable. Want to take part in this unique living art piece? Vince happily takes fun and quirky items as tribute (donations accepted). Call in advance! 512-299-7413.

Jurassic Car Wash

South SoCo Gem and hidden gem has gotta be the Jurassic Carwash.

There’s a self-serve wash which is fine but use the drive-through for peak fun. It all begins with a dinosaur spraying on you from above while a Jurassic Park theme knockoff plays. There is an animatronic show every 90 minutes and you can also pay to have the dinosaurs in the back to life. This is a great activity in the summer with the kids, or a fun date idea.

Skyspace

"Landmarks, the public art program of The University of Texas at Austin, is pleased to present The Color Inside, a Skyspace by artist James Turrell. All members of the campus community and public are welcome to visit. The optimal viewing times to experience Turrell’s art are at sunrise and sunset, during light sequences that last about an hour. The Skyspace offers a quiet, contemplative space during other times of the day. Landmarks can accommodate standbys on a first-come-first-served basis. Standby visitors are encouraged to arrive at the Skyspace thirty minutes before sunset to join the list. Once the light sequence begins, no-show reservations will be released and standby guests will be accommodated as space permits". Skyspace is closed for evening viewings for the summer of 2022.

William C. Powers, Jr. Student Activity Center

Third floor, Rooftop Garden

2201 Speedway at 22nd Street

Austin, Texas 78712

THOSE Vending Machines

THOSE Vending Machines / Via thosevendingmachines.blogspot.com

Austin's WEIRDEST vending machines! THOSE vending machines is packed with vintage items, novelties and local art. The machines can be found at local events and at select venues. Swing by Last Stand Brewing on South Congress to find souvenirs, craft beer, fun games and some pizza too. Items range in price from $1-$15. Apple pay/Google pay, Credit, Coin.

Moontowers

Austin is now the only city in the world with moonlight towers, with 13 of the original 31 still standing and another four currently being restored.Unlike an old building or an old streetcar, the moon towers are a rare example of something still functioning but essentially serving no purpose – the technology was already becoming obsolete a century ago as light posts were built and city skylines grew, obstructing the light cast by the towers. Before the construction of the moon towers, the city of Austin was shaken by a string of brutal axe murders. The perpetrator, nicknamed “The Servant Girl Annihilator,” was never identified or captured, leading to plenty of theories, including that the killer was the same man dubbed “Jack the Ripper” in London.

Museum of the Weird

If you love weird this museum is for you!! They've got some great exhibits with a wide variety from cryptozoology, sci-fi, movies or oddities and curiosities. Staff if super friendly and knowledgable. Try to go on non-peak hours to take your time and be less cramped.

'Hi- How Are You' Mural

Art by Daniel Johnson / Via Pic by atlasobscura.com

In a city full of murals and art you might wonder why this weird frog is one of the most beloved in Austin circles. In1993 Sound Exchange, a record store located at the corner of 21st street and Guadalupe street, paid musician and Artist Daniel Johnson for a large mural. Johnson recreated this frog he had made for an album cover the year before. Through the years the owners of the location have changed hands, but each continue to maintain the mural as a tribute to Johnson, who struggled with mental health. In 2018, Austin’s Mayor Steve Adler declared January 22 to be “Hi, How Are You” Day in an effort to celebrate mental wellness. Johnston died in September 2019, and the mural became an impromptu memorial where fans came to pay their respects. You may have seen Johnson's work before: a photograph of Kurt Cobain wearing a shirt with this image as been circulating for decades.

Cute Nail Studio

Cute Nail Studio actively encourages you to come to see their bright LGBTQ+ salon! Photo opportunities abound, even if you don't make it inside. I suggest going inside anyway, they've got a fun sticker machine and staff is super friendly. They have 2 locations but the rainbow house is located on E 7th Street. From their site:

"We're a mermaid-owned, anarcho-socialist feminist pastel LGBTQIA+ rainbow cult, but we are also a nail art & skin care salon that legit loves you."