“We got these electric bikes we’re all excited about,” McConaughey said. “I even started to really explore different parts of Austin to see it in a different way on a bike than ever in a car.”
That is the organizing principle behind McConaughey’s ideal Austin day: movement without urgency. Family first, itinerary second. The city, according to him, is a place to drift through.
Biking through neighborhoods in the middle of the afternoon heat, he discovers pockets of shade and storefronts he never noticed behind a windshield. One stop stands out in particular: a tucked away backyard at one of the city’s most popular delis.
“The back porch off Riverside behind Thundercloud Subs,” he said. “What a great place to have a meeting. Look at that shady little spot.”
The image is so Austin: heat radiating off pavement, cold drinks sweating on outdoor tables, and the city’s favorite celebrity riding along with the rhythm of the city.
From there, the day unfolds casually. To escape the heat, they might ride to an afternoon movie at the Alamo Drafthouse. Maybe dinner downtown. McConaughey said he and his wife, Camila Alves, once biked to Uchi. Another night, they rode to Sammie’s.
“Outstanding,” he said.
And because no family outing is complete without a sweet treat, the ride home includes dessert at Sandy’s. McConaughey specifically mentions the frozen custard, “I love that ice cream,” he said.
For McConaughey, Austin’s best qualities are still found in the heart of the city.