Austin, Texas story
Keeping Austin Weird
An exploration of Austin's delightfully eccentric identity, from quirky museums to beloved local traditions.
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If you've ever heard the phrase "Keep Austin Weird," you might wonder where that quirky pride comes from. Look no further than historic Sixth Street, where the Museum of the Weird keeps the classic American dime museum tradition alive. Opened in 2005 by Steve and Veronica Busti, this delightfully strange attraction began simply because the owners realized some of their store's oddities were just too unusual to sell.
But Austin’s love for the bizarre doesn't stop there. Since the 1970s, locals have gathered at Pease Park—the city's very first public park—to celebrate Eeyore's Birthday Party, a whimsical, day-long festival of music and joy. And if you head north to the Little Longhorn Saloon, a honky-tonk staple for over forty years, you can participate in their legendary Sunday tradition: Chicken Shit Bingo.
Yes, it is exactly what it sounds like, drawing thousands of curious visitors from around the globe. In Austin, being eccentric isn't just accepted; it is celebrated.
Updated June 2026