A week or so in Texas - Possibly Austin & San Antonio
Feb 21st, 2016, 04:12 AM
#1
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A week or so in Texas - Possibly Austin & San Antonio
We live in South Florida. I'm looking for a destination for about a week.
I go on two types of trips. I've been to a fair number of national parks either with a friend, my adult daughter or my daughter and her now 9-year old daughter. We are all amateur photographers (even the granddaughter).
With my wife I've been to NY alone or together with Philadelphia, Boston and Washington (DC). We've also been to Europe quite a few times (Italy, France, Spain, Switzerland and Great Britain).
While we'll visit some of the major museums, we're not really museum goers. We enjoy spending the day walking the sights and to just get the feel of things.
This trip is intended to be for my wife and myself.
I was wondering if a combination of Austin, San Antonio and a day or so in between would be of interest?
I was in San Antonio about 25 years ago for a conference. I wonder if it's even the same city after this many years.
I remember the Riverwalk and the Alamo. I spent a couple of hours walking the King William District that at the time was several streets of very large homes that were somewhat in a state of disrepair. I went to a Japanese Garden. I also remember going to a fairly large outdoor market. I don't think I remember anything else other than eating at a restaurant where they brought you some pieces of beef and weighed the one you chose to determine the price.
That's all I remember.
I've never been to Austin.
For this area I looked at the weather averages and picked somewhere in the first half of April for a combination of good temperatures and lower chances of rain.
Any thoughts on these or other destinations would be appreciated. Thanks.
I go on two types of trips. I've been to a fair number of national parks either with a friend, my adult daughter or my daughter and her now 9-year old daughter. We are all amateur photographers (even the granddaughter).
With my wife I've been to NY alone or together with Philadelphia, Boston and Washington (DC). We've also been to Europe quite a few times (Italy, France, Spain, Switzerland and Great Britain).
While we'll visit some of the major museums, we're not really museum goers. We enjoy spending the day walking the sights and to just get the feel of things.
This trip is intended to be for my wife and myself.
I was wondering if a combination of Austin, San Antonio and a day or so in between would be of interest?
I was in San Antonio about 25 years ago for a conference. I wonder if it's even the same city after this many years.
I remember the Riverwalk and the Alamo. I spent a couple of hours walking the King William District that at the time was several streets of very large homes that were somewhat in a state of disrepair. I went to a Japanese Garden. I also remember going to a fairly large outdoor market. I don't think I remember anything else other than eating at a restaurant where they brought you some pieces of beef and weighed the one you chose to determine the price.
That's all I remember.
I've never been to Austin.
For this area I looked at the weather averages and picked somewhere in the first half of April for a combination of good temperatures and lower chances of rain.
Any thoughts on these or other destinations would be appreciated. Thanks.
Feb 21st, 2016, 05:45 AM
#3
Original Poster
Abdul,
Rather than write nothing and then have to answer many questions before people actually respond with some useful information, I write the full story about what we've done, what we like to do and when we'd go.
Since this appears to be your first post on Fodors, I'm not quite sure how to take it.
Rather than write nothing and then have to answer many questions before people actually respond with some useful information, I write the full story about what we've done, what we like to do and when we'd go.
Since this appears to be your first post on Fodors, I'm not quite sure how to take it.
Feb 21st, 2016, 10:07 AM
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I think you would have a great time in Austin and San Antonio for a week, but I suggest you add the Hill Country, specifically Fredericksburg, to your itinerary.
While much of San Antonio will look familiar even after 25 years, there will be some new things and some old places you didn't get to visit the first time around.
And the wildflowers should be in bloom then, making for some great photos. I'm sure you'll come back with lots of photos of fields of bluebonnets, the Texas state flower.
While much of San Antonio will look familiar even after 25 years, there will be some new things and some old places you didn't get to visit the first time around.
And the wildflowers should be in bloom then, making for some great photos. I'm sure you'll come back with lots of photos of fields of bluebonnets, the Texas state flower.
Feb 21st, 2016, 10:36 AM
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Here's a link to some wildflower viewing:
http://www.fredericksburgtexas-onlin...WillowCityLoop
I would not miss Enchanted Rock either.
Do a search on here for Austin and you'll find lots of good information. I think a week of Austin, San Antonio and Hill Country would be a great trip, and you picked a good time of year.
http://www.fredericksburgtexas-onlin...WillowCityLoop
I would not miss Enchanted Rock either.
Do a search on here for Austin and you'll find lots of good information. I think a week of Austin, San Antonio and Hill Country would be a great trip, and you picked a good time of year.
Feb 21st, 2016, 01:47 PM
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Myer,
Have been to Austin recently, and San Antonio a few times in recent years. I think your plan of a week in the region (2-3 days in each) would be perfect (combined with Hill Country, I would assume, although I haven't explored outside the cities, so can't speak about this with any first-hand experience). I like San Antonio more each time I go, although I've not been outside the Riverwalk/Alamo area.
While in Austin, I recommend strolling in Zilker Park by Town Lake (which really is a dammed portion of the Colorado River of Texas) and over toward Barton Springs Pool. Although you say you're not museum people per se, if you were to pick two, you might enjoy the well-presented Bob Bullock Museum of Texas History and a tour of State Capitol to give perspective on the state's history and politics.
Have a great trip whatever you decide! Daniel
Have been to Austin recently, and San Antonio a few times in recent years. I think your plan of a week in the region (2-3 days in each) would be perfect (combined with Hill Country, I would assume, although I haven't explored outside the cities, so can't speak about this with any first-hand experience). I like San Antonio more each time I go, although I've not been outside the Riverwalk/Alamo area.
While in Austin, I recommend strolling in Zilker Park by Town Lake (which really is a dammed portion of the Colorado River of Texas) and over toward Barton Springs Pool. Although you say you're not museum people per se, if you were to pick two, you might enjoy the well-presented Bob Bullock Museum of Texas History and a tour of State Capitol to give perspective on the state's history and politics.
Have a great trip whatever you decide! Daniel
Feb 21st, 2016, 04:01 PM
#7
Original Poster
My original idea was to stay in Austin and San Antonio and use the drive between the two for seeing whatever is between.
Do you suggest we actually sleep over in Fredericksburg? I'd really hate to add another sleepover location.
Do you suggest we actually sleep over in Fredericksburg? I'd really hate to add another sleepover location.
Feb 21st, 2016, 06:10 PM
#8
" I spent a couple of hours walking the King William District that at the time was several streets of very large homes that were somewhat in a state of disrepair."
I used to drive through King William when those homes were in disrepair. They have all been fixed up.
It would still be a very nice walk. And now there's Southtown. http://www.texasmonthly.com/travel/southtown-and-down/
Have fun!
I used to drive through King William when those homes were in disrepair. They have all been fixed up.
It would still be a very nice walk. And now there's Southtown. http://www.texasmonthly.com/travel/southtown-and-down/Have fun!
Feb 21st, 2016, 08:29 PM
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You mentioned that you often visit National Parks. Can I assume that you are interested in hikes and nature? My family really enjoy walking, hiking, nature and history. We liked San Antonio for the different walking/hiking opportunities and history. Feel free to visit my trip report for some ideas.
http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...rip-report.cfm
Have fun in Texas!
http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...rip-report.cfm
Have fun in Texas!
Feb 23rd, 2016, 08:00 AM
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Actually, if you look under Fodor's Destinations, you can type in San Antonio, and find a wealth of helpful info. I would also suggest the SA forum on Trip Advisor.
If you like wine and winery visits, Fredericksburg is a must-do. We loved our visit there last year. Very relaxing, great scenery and weather, and romantic.
If you like wine and winery visits, Fredericksburg is a must-do. We loved our visit there last year. Very relaxing, great scenery and weather, and romantic.
Feb 23rd, 2016, 09:00 AM
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Austin has really bad traffic so the best place to stay is downtown. I would recommend somewhere near the hike and bike trail (on LadyBird Lake, more commonly known as Town Lake). Congress Avenue runs north and south of the lake and is basically the main drag through town. South Congress has lots of funky shops and restaurants and is fun to walk around. North Congress is the heart of downtown and where you will find the Capitol Building. Do not miss visiting the Capitol.
You will hear/read about Sixth Street. It's worth a look but be aware that it's kind of Austin's Bourbon Street, so lots of college kids at night. If you like comedy, do not miss Esther's Follies, which is right on Sixth Street. You'll want to make reservations. If you're very conservative, skip it. LOL.
Better areas for the older-than-college crowd is the Warehouse District (around 4th Street) and West Sixth Street. There you will also find the flagship Whole Foods and its headquarters. I know it's a grocery store, but trust me, this one is a must-see. The University of Texas is close by and worth a visit, as is the funky area known as the Drag (Guadalupe Street in front of the University).
You will definitely want to stroll around the hike and bike trail and visit Zilker Park. There you will find a sculpture garden and a botanical garden. For great views of Lake Austin and the hills of west Austin, make sure you visit Mt. Bonnell.
http://austinparks.org/parks/Mount%20Bonnell/
About 30-40 minutes from downtown you will find Lake Travis. Be sure and visit the Oasis and have a drink while taking in the views.
In short, you will have a great time in Austin. It's vibrant and alive and a very "young" city, not just age, but young at heart. Make sure you hit up some food trailers while there!
You will hear/read about Sixth Street. It's worth a look but be aware that it's kind of Austin's Bourbon Street, so lots of college kids at night. If you like comedy, do not miss Esther's Follies, which is right on Sixth Street. You'll want to make reservations. If you're very conservative, skip it. LOL.
Better areas for the older-than-college crowd is the Warehouse District (around 4th Street) and West Sixth Street. There you will also find the flagship Whole Foods and its headquarters. I know it's a grocery store, but trust me, this one is a must-see. The University of Texas is close by and worth a visit, as is the funky area known as the Drag (Guadalupe Street in front of the University).
You will definitely want to stroll around the hike and bike trail and visit Zilker Park. There you will find a sculpture garden and a botanical garden. For great views of Lake Austin and the hills of west Austin, make sure you visit Mt. Bonnell.
http://austinparks.org/parks/Mount%20Bonnell/
About 30-40 minutes from downtown you will find Lake Travis. Be sure and visit the Oasis and have a drink while taking in the views.
In short, you will have a great time in Austin. It's vibrant and alive and a very "young" city, not just age, but young at heart. Make sure you hit up some food trailers while there!
Feb 23rd, 2016, 09:40 AM
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Nice overview of the city, AustinTraveler. I would also add that you can expect to find plenty of live music when you visit Austin, which has been called "Live Music Capital of the World" due to the number of live music venues per capita.
Mar 2nd, 2016, 03:30 PM
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Hi Myer -
As I live in San Antonio, I'm excited to be able to help someone else for a change! Here's some info for you; feel free to ask more questions:
April should be lovely, and hopefully you'll see wildflowers - we've had some good winter rains, but timing the season is always a little tricky. As for temperature, I recall one fluke weekend in April in 2015 or 2014 where we suddenly hit the 100s, but normally it's still in the 80s.
The two main areas that have changed in San Antonio since you were here 25years ago are Southtown (King William) and the exploding Pearl District. There are a lot of great restaurants in Southtown, and the old mansions you recall have been fixed up (many turned into B&B's). Southtown was my #1 recommendation for visitors to get good food UNTIL the Pearl exploded - now I send them down to the Pearl because there are a whole bunch of great restaurants AND it's on the new (i.e. nice, non-trashy) part of the Riverwalk for a nice stroll after dinner. You can even walk a mile or two down to one of the locks if you like that sort of thing.
As for other places to visit, the only places "between" Austin and San Antonio are New Braunfels/Gruene and San Marcos. The former is almost a suburb of San Antonio by now, but still has a little German flavor to it. You could check if there's anyone interesting playing at Gruene Hall while you're here, and April would be a nice time to visit the Grist Mill in Gruene (it's not air-conditioned, so it's not fun in the summer).
San Marcos is home to the biggest outlet mall complex I've ever seen; I think it would take days to go to all the stores. I usually just pick a few to visit and it takes all day. There are also some antiques stores in San Marcos, but the town itself isn't much to write home about.
One place you might want to check out is the Salt Lick in Driftwood (close to Austin). They have a new location around Round Rock but it doesn't have the same ambiance. http://saltlickbbq.com/
If you want to get out into the true Hill Country, Fredericksburg is only 1-1.5 hours west of San Antonio, so you wouldn't have to uproot - you could just visit for the day. Enchanted Rock would be nice that time of year (there's no shade so it's brutal in the summer). Main street is cute; there's a little German "settlers village/museum" type thing, and my husband loves all the free samples at Rustlin' Rob's (jams, sauces, butters, etc.). The wine route along 290 has exploded - you could easily spend the whole day just visiting wineries. Another place I like to visit is Wildseed Farms, if you're into gardening. The LBJ national park is also interesting if you like history - you can tour their house, look at his cattle breed and other exhibits from his presidency.
Let me know what other questions you have!
As I live in San Antonio, I'm excited to be able to help someone else for a change! Here's some info for you; feel free to ask more questions:
April should be lovely, and hopefully you'll see wildflowers - we've had some good winter rains, but timing the season is always a little tricky. As for temperature, I recall one fluke weekend in April in 2015 or 2014 where we suddenly hit the 100s, but normally it's still in the 80s.
The two main areas that have changed in San Antonio since you were here 25years ago are Southtown (King William) and the exploding Pearl District. There are a lot of great restaurants in Southtown, and the old mansions you recall have been fixed up (many turned into B&B's). Southtown was my #1 recommendation for visitors to get good food UNTIL the Pearl exploded - now I send them down to the Pearl because there are a whole bunch of great restaurants AND it's on the new (i.e. nice, non-trashy) part of the Riverwalk for a nice stroll after dinner. You can even walk a mile or two down to one of the locks if you like that sort of thing.
As for other places to visit, the only places "between" Austin and San Antonio are New Braunfels/Gruene and San Marcos. The former is almost a suburb of San Antonio by now, but still has a little German flavor to it. You could check if there's anyone interesting playing at Gruene Hall while you're here, and April would be a nice time to visit the Grist Mill in Gruene (it's not air-conditioned, so it's not fun in the summer).
San Marcos is home to the biggest outlet mall complex I've ever seen; I think it would take days to go to all the stores. I usually just pick a few to visit and it takes all day. There are also some antiques stores in San Marcos, but the town itself isn't much to write home about.
One place you might want to check out is the Salt Lick in Driftwood (close to Austin). They have a new location around Round Rock but it doesn't have the same ambiance. http://saltlickbbq.com/
If you want to get out into the true Hill Country, Fredericksburg is only 1-1.5 hours west of San Antonio, so you wouldn't have to uproot - you could just visit for the day. Enchanted Rock would be nice that time of year (there's no shade so it's brutal in the summer). Main street is cute; there's a little German "settlers village/museum" type thing, and my husband loves all the free samples at Rustlin' Rob's (jams, sauces, butters, etc.). The wine route along 290 has exploded - you could easily spend the whole day just visiting wineries. Another place I like to visit is Wildseed Farms, if you're into gardening. The LBJ national park is also interesting if you like history - you can tour their house, look at his cattle breed and other exhibits from his presidency.
Let me know what other questions you have!
Mar 2nd, 2016, 03:43 PM
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I forgot to add that if you're here on the first Friday of the month, Southtown will be overrun with revelers for First Friday (ostensibly the day when new art exhibits open at the galleries). It can be fun but also a little crazy. The Blue Star Arts Complex is a good place to start if you're interested.
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