2 nights in Austin
Oct 5th, 2006, 10:48 AM
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2 nights in Austin
I am going to be in Austin for a conference Nov 10-12. I've never been to Austin or Texas for that matter. The conference is on the north side of Austin. I will have a car, but I think I'd like to stay downtown, as I've heard Austin is a great city. However, my agency won't pay for luxury accommodations. Also, I'll be alone. So, any hotel ideas that are well located? Is it safe (taking the usual precautions, of course) and is everything easily drive-able. Thanks for any suggestions..
Oct 5th, 2006, 10:56 AM
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Luckily that is an away football game so it shouldn't be difficult getting a room. What is the price range that your company will pay for? What kind of things are you interested in doing and seeing?
Austin is actually quite safe. If you go to 6th street on Friday or Saturday, just be careful walking back to your car. If you stay at a local hotel, you can walk. Just be careful if it's after 1 AM, and if you have been drinking heavily...
Driving isn't so bad as long as you avoid the rush hours (7 AM - ( AM) and on Friday, 4PM - 7 PM) Otherwise, not a big problem. Parking IS a problem downtown. Where is your conference?
Austin is actually quite safe. If you go to 6th street on Friday or Saturday, just be careful walking back to your car. If you stay at a local hotel, you can walk. Just be careful if it's after 1 AM, and if you have been drinking heavily...
Driving isn't so bad as long as you avoid the rush hours (7 AM - ( AM) and on Friday, 4PM - 7 PM) Otherwise, not a big problem. Parking IS a problem downtown. Where is your conference?
Oct 5th, 2006, 11:33 AM
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Thanks for your reply! I think I could get away with $120, maybe $130/nt.
My conference is at 8322 Mesa at Steck, a church across from Anderson High School. Mapquest showed it as outside Austin proper to the north.
My conference is at 8322 Mesa at Steck, a church across from Anderson High School. Mapquest showed it as outside Austin proper to the north.
Oct 5th, 2006, 12:34 PM
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I'd stay on Town Lake if you can find a hotel in your price range. Try the Holiday Inn Town Lake. Especially if you're a jogger, it's a great place. There is a trail all the way around the lake, plus you'd be close to Sixth Street, restaurants, etc.
Oct 5th, 2006, 12:49 PM
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carwahl, I would recommend that you search for a hotel downtown and see if anything comes back in that price range and then we can comment on location, etc.
What time will you need to be at your conference in the morning? You will be traveling from downtown on Mopac (aka Loop 1 but everyone calls it Mopac) and it is busy in both directions during commute hours.
I know exactly where the location of the conference is and I know a couple of good restaurants nearby if you're interested. Just let me know!
What time will you need to be at your conference in the morning? You will be traveling from downtown on Mopac (aka Loop 1 but everyone calls it Mopac) and it is busy in both directions during commute hours.
I know exactly where the location of the conference is and I know a couple of good restaurants nearby if you're interested. Just let me know!
Oct 5th, 2006, 01:41 PM
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AustinTraveler:
Yes, I would love to know about those restaurants near my conference! The conference is on Saturday, so I don't think I'll have to worry about rush hour (I hope!)
On what website can you search by "downtown". Whenever I try the usual online agencies (travelocity, etc.) they come up with about 147 hits and I don't know which ones are downtown or not.
I will start by looking at the Holiday Inn and the Extended Stay. Thanks again.
Yes, I would love to know about those restaurants near my conference! The conference is on Saturday, so I don't think I'll have to worry about rush hour (I hope!)
On what website can you search by "downtown". Whenever I try the usual online agencies (travelocity, etc.) they come up with about 147 hits and I don't know which ones are downtown or not.
I will start by looking at the Holiday Inn and the Extended Stay. Thanks again.
Oct 5th, 2006, 02:14 PM
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Great news that your conference is on a Saturday! Traffic should be no problem and it's very easy to get from the conference location downtown.
Here is a downtown site that lists a lot of hotels. I would avoid the ones right on I-35 and just in my opinion, the Holiday Inn is not my favorite location.
http://www.downtownaustin.com/fun/hotels/
If you think you might want to stay in a B&B, check out Brava House. It's in a good location downtown and should be in your price range.
http://www.bravahouse.com/
Here are three restaurants very close to your conference site:
Las Colinas (Tex Mex) located at 8127 Mesa.
Mirabella located in the same shopping center on Mesa. They have all kinds of food but are more expensive than Las Colinas.
Musashino (sushi) located at 3407 Greystone Dr. If you like sushi, this is the place to go.
There's a lot to do and see downtown so if I can be of help there, just let me know or just click on my name and read previous posts.
Here is a downtown site that lists a lot of hotels. I would avoid the ones right on I-35 and just in my opinion, the Holiday Inn is not my favorite location.
http://www.downtownaustin.com/fun/hotels/
If you think you might want to stay in a B&B, check out Brava House. It's in a good location downtown and should be in your price range.
http://www.bravahouse.com/
Here are three restaurants very close to your conference site:
Las Colinas (Tex Mex) located at 8127 Mesa.
Mirabella located in the same shopping center on Mesa. They have all kinds of food but are more expensive than Las Colinas.
Musashino (sushi) located at 3407 Greystone Dr. If you like sushi, this is the place to go.
There's a lot to do and see downtown so if I can be of help there, just let me know or just click on my name and read previous posts.
Oct 6th, 2006, 02:03 PM
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Hi carwahl,
I've never stayed there but I've heard good things about the Austin Motel. It's on South Congress just across the river from downtown. You'll enjoy the area. It's very eclectic (sp?) which you'll see right away from the shops there. LOL!
Here are some good restaurants close to the motel:
Guero's (Tex Mex) - very popular.
El Sol Y Luna (Mexican) - not as lively as Guero's but the food is good.
Vespaio (Italian) - this place is awesome but somewhat pricey. They have a newer, more casual restaurant right next door but I can't remember the name.
If you're interested in walking, go to the Hike and Bike trail that goes along the river. It's a great place to see people, dogs, swans, etc.
Lastly, if you're into food at all, make sure you go to Whole Foods on N. Lamar and Fifth/Sixth Street. There's a parking garage under the store. This is not your ordinary grocery store. Trust me on that one! If you're into books, The Book People is right across the street. Biggest book store in Texas.
Oh, I mentioned Las Colinas in an earlier post. If I remember correctly, they are not open for lunch on Saturdays.
I've never stayed there but I've heard good things about the Austin Motel. It's on South Congress just across the river from downtown. You'll enjoy the area. It's very eclectic (sp?) which you'll see right away from the shops there. LOL!
Here are some good restaurants close to the motel:
Guero's (Tex Mex) - very popular.
El Sol Y Luna (Mexican) - not as lively as Guero's but the food is good.
Vespaio (Italian) - this place is awesome but somewhat pricey. They have a newer, more casual restaurant right next door but I can't remember the name.
If you're interested in walking, go to the Hike and Bike trail that goes along the river. It's a great place to see people, dogs, swans, etc.
Lastly, if you're into food at all, make sure you go to Whole Foods on N. Lamar and Fifth/Sixth Street. There's a parking garage under the store. This is not your ordinary grocery store. Trust me on that one! If you're into books, The Book People is right across the street. Biggest book store in Texas.
Oh, I mentioned Las Colinas in an earlier post. If I remember correctly, they are not open for lunch on Saturdays.
Oct 6th, 2006, 03:45 PM
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Definitely the Austin Motel! Very cool. Excellent location. Can't be beat IMHO.
Austin Traveler gave you great ideas. Also, across the street is a wonder club - The Continental Club. Always great music.
Austin Traveler gave you great ideas. Also, across the street is a wonder club - The Continental Club. Always great music.
Oct 22nd, 2006, 07:35 PM
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There are a few musts to visit in Austin for a first-timer.
First, you *must* go up and down 6th Street and do that (even if it's not your thing). It's like a cleaned up version of Bourbon Street.
Second, you must go down to Town Lake and experience Austin as a local. You can either walk or jog the trails (excellent), rent a kayak and kayak on the river, or just hand out in Zilker Park. If the weather is hot enough (can get to 85 in November - did last year), you could take a dip in Barton Springs, a spring-fed natural pool at a constant 68 degrees. However, most likely the weather will be a bit cool to do so. In that case, jogging the trail from the Congress St. bridge down to MoPac and then crossing over the pedestrian bridge, looping back to the next pedestrian bridge is your best bet. You will see Austinites doing what they do best - exercising.
Third, you *must* take a trip out to Lake Travis and eat at "The Oasis" restaurant. If the weather is nice (November averages 72 degrees so that's a good bet), sit outside and take in the view. Not everything on the menu is good, but the crawfish enchiladas are great, the sangaritas are fantastic, and the frozen mango dessert is refreshingly delicious. But the view is stunning. My mom said it reminded her of Italy.
A place close to your conference in North Austin would be around the shops at "The Arboretum". There are some nice stores including a Barnes and Nobles and Cheesecake Factory.
First, you *must* go up and down 6th Street and do that (even if it's not your thing). It's like a cleaned up version of Bourbon Street.
Second, you must go down to Town Lake and experience Austin as a local. You can either walk or jog the trails (excellent), rent a kayak and kayak on the river, or just hand out in Zilker Park. If the weather is hot enough (can get to 85 in November - did last year), you could take a dip in Barton Springs, a spring-fed natural pool at a constant 68 degrees. However, most likely the weather will be a bit cool to do so. In that case, jogging the trail from the Congress St. bridge down to MoPac and then crossing over the pedestrian bridge, looping back to the next pedestrian bridge is your best bet. You will see Austinites doing what they do best - exercising.
Third, you *must* take a trip out to Lake Travis and eat at "The Oasis" restaurant. If the weather is nice (November averages 72 degrees so that's a good bet), sit outside and take in the view. Not everything on the menu is good, but the crawfish enchiladas are great, the sangaritas are fantastic, and the frozen mango dessert is refreshingly delicious. But the view is stunning. My mom said it reminded her of Italy.
A place close to your conference in North Austin would be around the shops at "The Arboretum". There are some nice stores including a Barnes and Nobles and Cheesecake Factory.
Nov 1st, 2006, 01:24 PM
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You have gotten some great suggestions. A couple of other restaurants close to your conference are Mesa Ranch and Mangia Pizza. Mangia Pizza is very good deep dish pizza. A place close to the hotel is Doc’s Motor Works – it is a very casual with lots of TV for all the games, a fun crowd and good burgers.
E. 6th Street is mostly bars and clubs, but across Congress on 4th Street and W. 6th Street is the Warehouse District which has more restaurants mixed in with the clubs (http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/downtown/ware_map.htm). I think the Warehouse District gets more of a professional/older crowd and E. 6th gets more of the University students.
Have Fun.
E. 6th Street is mostly bars and clubs, but across Congress on 4th Street and W. 6th Street is the Warehouse District which has more restaurants mixed in with the clubs (http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/downtown/ware_map.htm). I think the Warehouse District gets more of a professional/older crowd and E. 6th gets more of the University students.
Have Fun.
Nov 1st, 2006, 04:44 PM
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Check out the St. Anthony hotel. It is a historic hotel, and I was very impressed with my stay and the history.
http://www.wyndham.com/hotels/SATST/main.wnt
I had great food while I stayed in Austin but honestly cannot remember a single name. The hotel steared me to a couple of "local" restaurants that you would not normally here about unless you talk to locals. They were TexMex and Mexican, and DELICIOUS.
Honestly and all due respect to others, I was not too impressed with riverwalk....reminded me too much of Vegas...ie artificial. The shops are non descript, and the restaurants are chain food types...unless a lot has changed in 2 years.
I was more impressed with the general architecture, the downtown and a tour of the Alamo.
Beware.....I was caught completely off guard my fist night....things shut down early!!!!
http://www.wyndham.com/hotels/SATST/main.wnt
I had great food while I stayed in Austin but honestly cannot remember a single name. The hotel steared me to a couple of "local" restaurants that you would not normally here about unless you talk to locals. They were TexMex and Mexican, and DELICIOUS.
Honestly and all due respect to others, I was not too impressed with riverwalk....reminded me too much of Vegas...ie artificial. The shops are non descript, and the restaurants are chain food types...unless a lot has changed in 2 years.
I was more impressed with the general architecture, the downtown and a tour of the Alamo.
Beware.....I was caught completely off guard my fist night....things shut down early!!!!
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