Um, it's "UT" in Texas or "TU" to A&M stalwarts who claim A&M was the first public university of Texas.

What's "moderate" in actual dollars? Generally, in downtown Austin within walking distance of the Congress Avenue bridge, "moderate" should be shooting-fish-in-a-barrel easy. Take the kid to Sixth Street for the vibe.

Sorry big Russ not a Texas gal - I will learn
moderate is about 20.00 per person before tax and tip
Thanks!

My sister and I were in Austin in April and ate at Chuy's (Mexican). The location we went to was in the suburbs, but there is one on Barton Springs Road (perhaps it is the original?), just past Shady Grove (also a cool place). We loved it, but sis loves Mexican food in general so she is not known to be that picky. Still, it was pretty tasty and a fun atmosphere, and it was packed on a Sunday night which is saying something.

Thanks Musicfan! We have a Chuy's up here in Dallas and love it!!

Yes, please UT not UTA.
Chuy's for Tex-Mex and Shady Grove for burgers and real milkshakes are both very casual with good food at moderate prices. We like Eastside Cafe for lunches that are prepared with fresh seasonal ingredients and vegetables grown in the on site garden. Brick Oven has several locations for good pizza, pasta and salads. Also, for an old fashioned really good and inexpensive burger and fries close to campus we like the Crown and Anchor. It's always packed on game days with UT students and alums. If you have other food preferences,post again.

Hook 'em Horns!

Disagree on taking the kid to 6th. It's a hole these days. Take her to west 2nd, 4th, and in between.

Moonshine on Red River is cool, and meets the $20 budget. Perfect if u are at the Maroitt downtown.

Anything on SoCo= south congress ave, south of the River. Homeslice pizza , south Congress Cafe.

For your campus tour, you might like to include a tour of the UT Tower for a different perspective. The Tower was closed during the entire time I was at UT, so I didn't get up there until a couple years ago. It was pretty cool. Here's some info on the tours: http://www.utexas.edu/universityunions/texas-union/scene/tower-tours

It might be a "splurge", but a Segway tour of Austin is a lot of fun. Even though I lived there for several years (and return regularly to visit family), I took a Segway tour with some of my relatives. Not only did we have a blast riding the Segways, but we saw some really cool things in Austin and learned some things about the city we never knew. Here's the company we used: http://www.segwaynationinc.com/austin/

Since you have a Chuy's, I would do something else. We have relatives who love Hyde Park Cafe, it's good; we like Trudy's although some do not. I will try to think of some more.

Something else uniquely Austin - trailer food. Big lot on South Congres. Try Mighty Cone then cupcKe for dessert

Hyde Park Grill is a good neighborhood type restaurant choice. I love their lentil soup. Hyde Park fries are famous locally. Mother's across the street is vegetarian and done well. Trudy's has multiple locations and is good for its breakfast buffet,or for drinks and quesadillas. They make a great Mexican Martini, but I'm not sure that's what you want to introduce your college student to. Kerby Lane Cafe is a well known place with large portions and reasonable prices for everything from gingerbread pancakes to full dinners. It is very likely a place your student will come to know well if she ends up at UT.

Not one barbecue suggestion? Well, here's mine - Salt Lick!

Thanks everyone!!
Saige - my daughter and I eat basically vegetarian so that is great about Mother's! Thank you. I love good organic food and in Dallas it is not as easy to find places that specialize in that - it was much easier in California.
Austin - 6th was pretty gross during SXSW but I thought that have been the event..
Wish we were staying at the Four Seasons but alas - not in my budget. (Marriott points is funding the trip)

One question -
Would you stay two nights in Austin (Thursday night & Friday night) and head out to Horseshoe Bay on Sat am and drive home Sunday... or keep plans as is? (One night Austin - two nights Horseshoe bay)?

Mom, you really should go to Eastside Cafe! They have a huge wonderful on site organic garden and the food is great. They will also take reservations at lunch which is rare in Austin.

The main purpose of your trip being a college visit, I'd do two nights in Austin and one at Horseshoe Bay. Give yourselves more time to explore the city your daughter may call home for the next 4 years.

Saige - I think you are right and I will 100% go to Eastside Cafe - our tour is later in the day on Friday so I will make lunch reservations there for Friday
Hope she loves the school!!!

Momddtravel2, what's not to love about UT?

Definitely 2 nights in Austin!

I'm going to break my rule about not suggesting places I haven't been and mention Olivia:

http://olivia-austin.com/

It's more than your price range too but you may decide it's worth it. I've been wanting to go and it's been featured on a couple of food network shows.

As for UT, if your daughter decides she likes it, I have one son going into 2nd year there and my youngest will be going in Fall of 2013, if everything goes as planned. So feel free to ask any questions.

Eastside Cafe is great! Definitely 2 nights in Austin.

I hope that she loves it! It is so competitive -so hopefully if she does like it - she can get in~ She won't be going till fall of 2015 - We figure it is a good idea to bring her down and let her get inspired

We switched to two nights in Austin.

That place looks awesome FYB! I will call and see if we can get a reservation. I am not sure what time we will get in the first day - so we have Friday am - Friday afternoon is from 2-4 at UT (I learned -

Not sure what else we are going to do...

This might sound boring, and I don't know if you are "museum people" but the Texas State History Museum is near the capitol and the campus and it is quite impressive...now that you are Texans and all, you might enjoy it. We went in April specifically to see the current special exhibit, "Texas Music Roadtrip" because, well, music is kind of my thing, and it was very well done and fun.

And I agree to avoid 6th Street, but the food trucks (and shops) on South Congress are definitely worth some time. Austin is a great city--I was lucky enough to be there twice this spring and already have a November trip planned.

Mom, on your tour, keep in mind that it's summer and the campus and surrounding area are not as crowded and energetic as they will be when the students come back in the fall. The vibe is different during the full semesters. That said, UT is a great school and I hope she loves it.

Pick up a Daily Texan on campus to take back to the hotel, and look at Austin360.com before your trip. Think about spending some time on SoCo and Barton Springs Road/Zilker Park just to get more of a feel for Austin.

Mom, I wish I could offer to show you guys around but we are celebrating my son's birthday in San Antonio that day.

If you have any questions, ask here or on fb. The Segway tour sounds cool, but you'd want to do that early. Barton Springs pool is a great way to cool off.

Thanks everyone - we decided to stay in Austin the entire time and pass on the lake fir this trip -
Want to check out Barton springs
Music - I am a museum person - not so much my dh and dd

Greetings! We are here and loving it - today is the tour - last night we had dinner @ Second bar + kitchen - the food was excellent (better than the last time I went) - service top notch as well and stayed well within our budget.
Saw the bats on congress street bridge - had a great walk.
This morning took a lovely brisk walk along Lady Bird Lake -
Going for out in a bit for lunch and the college tour!
We LOVE Austin!

I love Austin too! Glad you are having a good time.

And you came when it's actually cooler than usual. No where near 100°, actually upper 80's.

We had THE BEST time - I wish we lived in Austin! I feel completely at home there - closer to a Southern California. Love the active life style, easy access to vegan/organic food - great people - the entire weekend was fabulous. I will try do a trip report soon.
I would move there tomorrow from Dallas if I could.

Mom, did your daughter love UT? Did you do a prospective student tour? It's never too early to start planning if you want to get admitted to UT. (My son will be a senior next year and he's had the best time there!)

Austin is wonderful and I'm glad you're enjoying your visit! Looking forward to your trip report!

Longhorn - she loved it! yes, we did the tour - we even got a sweatshirt and tshirt - she will only be in the 10th grade next year - but it is SO competitive to get in at this point (right now moved to the top 8% of the class for guaranteed admission. I would move there as I said tomorrow... I LOVE that city.

With our older daughter at Baylor - I can see me making many weekend trips this coming year!