Best Ways to Navigate EAST 2019
How to travel from one stop to the next with ease.
Words by Sam Lauron Photo by Almost Real Things
With more than 500 artists showcasing their work across East Austin during the 18th annual East Austin Studio Tour, there are countless areas to visit. In order to smoothly navigate your way to all of the studios, events, and exhibitions, it pays to plan ahead.
Art Bus
Travel to EAST in style on the Art Bus. Hosted by the nonprofit magazine, Almost Real Things, the Art Bus offers tour-goers a curated, not to mention fun, way to explore East Austin’s art scene. The bus will run two tours a day and will include four different stops during each day of EAST, making it easy to visit several studios. Tickets are available for $30 and include a guided tour and drinks and snacks on the bus.
Walking and Biking
The easiest and least expensive way to navigate the self-guided tour is to hop on a bike or make your way on foot. If you’re walking or biking to different stops or events, consider taking the scenic route by using one of East Austin’s hike and bike trails. The trails are an uncomplicated way to get from one neighborhood to the next.
Scooter
Whether you love or hate them, scooters aren’t going away anytime soon. If you’re looking for a quick and breezy way to get from one stop to another, then hopping on a scooter may be your best bet. This zippy form of transportation is especially convenient if you’re exploring stops in a contained area or neighborhood. They aren’t recommended for traveling across major thoroughfares. Scooters can easily be found on most street corners—just download one of the many scooter apps, locate the nearest scooter, and you’ll be on your way in no time.
Where to Park
If you’re driving to different stops throughout the weekend, there are several places to park on the Eastside. Keep in mind that these areas may have limited availability due to the popularity of the tour. But this guide gives an idea of which areas typically have parking spaces available.
Accessibility
Accessibility plays a major role in navigating the tour with ease. To determine the most accessible stops to visit, pick up an EAST catalog. The catalog lists the accessibility of each stop, including disabled parking availability, entryways with ramps, restrooms, and more.
