Tell me what you know about visiting Austin

In My Humble Opinion
1

The family and I were thinking of visiting Austin the last week of the year (December), and I’m open to suggestions. We would be flying in, staying at a hotel, and probably NOT renting a car (if that would be possible–would it?). This would be our first visit to the area.

Can anyone suggest where to stay, or the best location in town to park ourselves for a few days? Is downtown best? Outskirts of town? Where’s the best place to stay that would be within walking distance to a variety of activities/sights? Any places to avoid?

So, tell me what you know about Austin.

2

Where to stay probably depends on how much you want to spend. If it was within my price range I would stay downtown, maybe close-ish to Town Lake if possible (Town Lake isn’t really a lake, of course, it’s the part of the Colorado River that runs through town). What sort of activities do you want to do, and what age ranges does your family fall in?

3

Do not miss Esther’s Follies.

4

Do not miss The Salt Lick. It is without a doubt the best bar-b-que I have ever had.
MMmmmmm. Bar-b-que.

5

Too bad you’re going in the winter… There are 750,000 bats that live under the Congress St. bridge that fly out at sunset every night. There’s a big hill you can sit on and watch them fly over you, or there are restaurants on the river that have seating on the dock.

There’s also a place… I can’t remember the name (I lived there years ago)… it’s supposed to have the best sunset viewing in Austin… I remember it was kind of far out there, though.

So, uh… I guess I didn’t help you at all. :smiley:

6

That’s the Oasis, on a hill overlooking Lake Travis, right near the dam. Simply amazing decks, and decent (if slightly overpriced) food. Check to see if they’re open, however- they had a big fire last year, and I don’t know if they’ve completely rebuilt. Definitely go at sunset if you do go.

The best Tex-Mex I found was La Margarita, up in Round Rock on IH-35. Best fajitas I’ve ever tasted, and you can watch them make the tortillas by hand. I used to go there every week.

Take a look at the Austin Greenbelt. It’s along Barton Creek, and runs through a good section of town. Start at Zilker Park and head upstream from Barton Springs. Speaking of Barton Springs, you could probably swim there if you really want to- the water temperature is a constant 72 degrees. I’ve never done it, but I know a lot of people have.

7

For food, Art’s Rib House (BBQ), and Matt’s El Rancho (Mexican food), both on south Lamar.

As Lightnin’ said, Zilker Park is an awesome place.

If ypu want to see the local wildlife, just walk up and down sixth street Friday or Saturday night! The view from Mt. Bonnell is nice too.

Sneezy

8

Another thing I should add about La Margarita… If you like spicy food, ask for the Green Sauce. You have to ask for it, as it’s not on the menu anywhere. It’s incredibly hot, and tastes great in the queso. I’ve got a container of it in my freezer right now- I break it out for special occasions.

9

aw snap, we’re gonna have a “which barbeque is best” and “best Tex-Mex” conversation… it’s on, y’all!

Re: places to stay… you are really going to struggle to get around town without a car. Capital Metro buses do take you most places but if you’re used to being in a public transportation city like NYC or Boston, you’ll be sorely disappointed.

There’s been a spate of construction for hotels and long-stay apartments at Ben White (Hwy 71) & IH-35. It’s on the south side of town, but once you figure out how to get downtown it might be more economical. Downtown has the bad-assed expensive hotels - you should check out the Driskill, just to see an old-time Texas hotel. Be careful, it’s haunted…

My Austin eatery list:

Tex-Mex:
[ul]
[li]Cisco’s (E 6th)[/li][li]Jaime’s (8th & Red River)[/li][li]Chuy’s (Barton Springs Rd.)[/li][/ul]

BBQ:
[ul]
[li]Salt Lick in Driftwood (you’ll need a car to get out here, it’s in BFE. Also a dry county so BYOB.)[/li][li]Iron Works (Chavez & Red River, I think)[/li][li]Ruby’s (29th & Guadalupe)[/li][li]Rudy’s (there are a couple in town I think)[/li][/ul]

Burgers:
[ul]
[li]Hut’s (W 6th)[/li][li]Waterloo Ice House (6th & Lamar) - Amy’s Ice Cream is nearby so that’s a bonus![/li][li]Fran’s/Dan’s (several throughout town)[/li][/ul]

Chains you should visit, 'cuz you’re in Texas:
[ul]
[li]Taco Cabana[/li][li]Schlotzsky’s[/li][li]Whataburger[/li][/ul]

Spend time around the Capitol (11th & Congress) - tons of cool stuff to see. The Bob Bullock Museum is on MLK, right across from UT, and is definitely worth spending time in. Go to the UT campus and check out the Harry Ransom Center - it is the most low-key, bad-ass museum you will ever see. No-one ever goes there - but it has cool stuff like J. Frank Dobie’s personal papers, and a Gutenberg bible - one of only 4 in the world. The LBJ Library/Museum is on East Campus and another sight to behold.

Do Sixth Street, but if you have young 'uns do it in the day. Nighttime can be a little out of control, especially on weekends. Great bars, music, clubs, and people watching.

I’m from Southeast Austin and I recommend you venture out to the East Side, people disparage it but it is not crime-ridden, and you’ll get a sense of the ethnic mix of the city (which you won’t see if you stick around the downtown/UT/West Austin area). If you go down Chavez street eastbound you can check out the barrio, really cool eateries and sights to behold.

There’s a cool state cemetary on East 7th, right near Huston-Tillotson University. Worth checking out, lots of Texas luminaries buried there.

During December the Trail of Lights should be set up in Zilker Park - that should be fun for the kids. Also, if you check out the news, they’ll alert you to the cool neighborhood holiday light displays all around town.

Downtown you can find the light towers which are the only turn-of-the century municipal light fixtures still in use. A lot of people just look right past 'em but they are significant.

So much more to share about my hometown, but I’ll let others chime in with their ideas. But I think you want to get a car, even if for a few days, because you’ll probably stick to the downtown/UT area and that’s only a part of what Austin has to offer…

10

I went to Austin the first time last May. I loved it but it isn’t some quaint little coastal city. It is big and sprawling and quite suburban in most parts. There aren’t any good sidewalks over much of it and hardly anybody else will be walking. You need a car badly unless you are trying to do some stunt. They have cabs but if you want to explore at all, a car would be far preferable. Traffic can be bad and distances are often very far so be warned.

11

My favorite hotel in Austin is the Austin Motel. It’s kitchy, it’s hip, it’s right across the street from The Continental Club (one of my very favorites when I lived in Austin.) You can check out all of their differently decorated rooms, and it’s moderately priced. Very close to 6th Street, if that’s your thing. Close-ish to the Capitol, close to interesting South Congress Ave. I had my whole frickin’ family stay there when I graduated (all 14 of them) and they loved it.

Yeah, you’re gonna need a car. Besides the distance and the not-real tourist friendly public transportation, it well could be raining a lot in December.

12

Isn’t that the place on S. Congress with the phallic symbol marquee? Close but not quite across the street from the main entrance to St. Edwards?

(clicking on link)

Yup. That’s it.

13

Whatsoever do you mean???

:wink:

14

Heh…I was sitting at the little outdoor coffee place next to the Austin Motel one day, and noticed a man with a long beard walking slowly around this 1951-ish Mercury “lead sled” with a matte black finish and gloss black flametrick, inspecting it carefully and taking Polaroids. It was Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top. :smiley:

15

Don’t forget to save room in your belly (after feasting on all the good Mexican and BBQ places listed here) for Sunday brunch at the Hyde Park Grill. Seriously, THE BEST FRENCH FRIES EVER!!! Plus, the fried egg sandwich sends me into throes of ecstacy each and every time.

Damn, I miss Austin :frowning: