SXSW
SXSW concert crowd | Kitra Cahana/Getty Images News
SXSW concert crowd | Kitra Cahana/Getty Images News

The Biggest Mistakes People Make at SXSW

If you're even thinking of being in Austin, check out the rest of our DestiNATION: Austin guide. It's stacked with expert advice from locals on what to eat, where to drink, and what to do.
SXSW Austin street style
Sean Mathis/Getty Images Entertainment

Putting style ahead of comfort

Yes, SXSW is a place to show off your plumage, but you're going to be walking and standing in line for hours, so leave the house in your most comfortably worn-in shoes and breathable clothing. And don't be the poor bastard lugging a giant bag or backpack around all day. You (and your back, shoulder, neck) will be hating life after an hour of that. Simplify, simplify. Wear a fanny pack (it's hip and ironic!) Get creative with pockets. If you have a badge, keep your ID in it. Trust me, you look better when you wear less anyway.

Assuming Texas weather will be week-long sunshine

March weather here is a mad dog on a long leash. You'll want to bring an umbrella or poncho in case of rain, a light jacket in case of nights when you can see your breath, a 30-plus-SPF sunscreen, and a hat. This might seem excessive until you watch three seasons happen in the course of one week at SXSW. You'll probably want to invest in some Benadryl or Claritin (or, for the two weeks before arriving, a daily Flonase dose). March is one of the cruelest months of allergy season, and Austin allergies are crueler than almost anywhere else in America.

SXSW
Andy Sheppard/Redferns/Getty Images

Just winging the whole day

It's a romantic notion to just throw yourself into the chaos at SXSW, but you'll want to spend part of your morning sketching out your day if you're going to do more than just loiter in lines and wander too far between venues. If you don't have a badge or wristband, Showlist Austin is a thorough resource for free parties, day shows, and RSVP events. RSVPster will do the heavy lifting for you, or follow @rsvpster on Twitter for newly announced shows. Hit up @FreeShitGuide for updates on open bars, free tacos, and parties. The #SXLines hashtag is often a good barometer of how long (or short) a line is at a certain venue or event.

SXSW
Peter Tsai Photography/Moment/Getty Images

Paying for food and drink

Locals know the best part of SouthBy ain't the music; it's the free food. If you plan accordingly, you can potentially eat three meals without opening your wallet. Follow @thefreenoms or #SXnoms on Twitter for updates on free food and cool parties.

Austin traffic
Trey Ratcliff/Flickr

Driving, in any form

Don't drive downtown. Just don't. There's construction nearly everywhere in Austin, and during SXSW major roads are closed down. Uber and Lyft have been back in Austin for nearly two years at this point, giving rideshare alternatives like Ride Austin cause for concern, and while you'll still have to contend with fare spikes at peak hours, there's really no reason to get behind the wheel yourself. We're also up to our ears in electric scooters these days, and while they're definitely not the safest option, their ubiquity means you'll probably end up relying on them at some point: download all the major apps (LimeBird, Uber, Lyft), and use whichever scooter's closest to you. Alternatively, ride a bike; you can rent one easily enough from Austin B-cycle. CapMetro service is pretty cheap and extended during SXSW, plus it offers late-night hours. Download the CapMetro app for real-time updates.

Walking (or driving, or scooting) around with booze

If you do catch the Tito's bus, you'll probably want to dash off it with your drink, because you won't believe this is real life. But Austin isn't one of those cities where you can openly carry your booze (guns, don't you know, are another story). Even more important, Austin police don't mess around with DUIs, so don't think about driving while even a little intoxicated. There are rideshares, Yellow Cab, or designated driver services like Safeway Drivers -- stay away from the electric scooters, though, especially if you're planning to rob a bank.

SXSW lines
Jordan Naylor/WireImage/Getty Images

Waiting in line at big-name events

If you have a badge, the big film events in particular require you to get in line at least an hour ahead of time; you can't really get around that. However, SXSW is all about discovery. You could wait in line for two hours to maybe get into Rachael Ray's party… or you could spend that time rolling the dice on smaller events. Some of the best shows I've seen at SXSW have been ones where I walked into a bar I'd never go to otherwise and saw a band I'd never heard of. One time, I caught an obscure metal band at a 6th St dive that was playing so loud, a painting fell off the wall and onto the man in front of me. (He was fine.) When I think of SXSW good times, I remember that moment, not whether Drake actually showed at FADER FORT.

austin greenbelt
The Greenbelt | Trong Nguyen/Shutterstock

Doing only SXSW stuff

Downtown Austin needs only a couple of days to begin feeling claustrophobic. Day three, get out of the rut and help yourself to some of our kick-ass nature. Even if you're car-less, you can walk around Lady Bird Lake, which is a few blocks from the main thoroughfare of 6th St. A bit further south is Barton Springs Pool, but that'll be closed for the bulk of SXSW (from March 4-15) for a spring cleaning -- head to Deep Eddy Pool if you'd like a dip despite the sub-sweltering weather. The Barton Creek Greenbelt offers beautiful hiking and biking trails, as well, if you're looking to be alone with your thoughts for a minute: check out our comprehensive Greenbelt guide to find the best access points.

Trusting that AUS won't be a disaster movie

Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is close to Downtown, that is true. It's also a fairly small airport, compared to Dallas or Houston. CapMetro, airport shuttles, and rideshares can all get you there, but give yourself an extra hour and a half to two hours before boarding time. Otherwise, you're liable to be stuck in a TSA bottleneck when your flight doors close. Additionally, Austin-Bergstrom recently relocated all rideshare/taxi pickups to a separate parking structure, which means you'll have to do some walking to get to your car -- it's a minor inconvenience, but one worth factoring into your travel plans.

Franklin Barbecue line
Joshua Bousel/Flickr

Waiting in line at Franklin Barbecue

The renowned barbecue spot has topped national best-of and critics lists, and waiting in line for hours for brisket has become something of a pastime here. But that line is an exercise in masochism during SXSW, especially when Austin's myriad other great barbecue joints await. Try Micklethwait, which is just down the road from Franklin, or La Barbecue on Cesar Chavez.

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Audra Schroeder is a writer and editor living in Austin, Texas. Her work can be found at The Daily Dot, the Austin Chronicle, and the Dallas Observer. On Twitter, she’s @yeahsolike.