I'd like to start planning a trip to Austin TX and environs. I'm interested in the music scene (Eric Johnson, Malford Milligan, Kim Wilson are all favorites of mine), eating some good TexMex, and shopping for Western boots. I'd also like to do a little driving in the countryside.
Any advice on what time of year is most comfortable (don't like heat/humidity)?
Suggestions on places to stay, restaurants?
Many thanks for any info - this would be my first trip to Texas and I'd like it to be as enjoyable as possible.
Austinites - advice for first-time visitor to your city
Recent Activity
View all United States activity »
- 1 Pine Barrens- where to stay ?
- 2
6 nights go in a blink of an eye! A quick trip to Waikiki
- 3 Disneyworld Stay January 2014
- 4 3 week Holiday Late December/January
- 5 Priceline, WARNING
- 6 Less commercial beach?
- 7 Trip Itinerary Advice Needed - 1wk Yellowstone & Tetons
- 8 French Broad Market in Ashville, NC
- 9 Rehoboth to Wilmington to Cape May - scenic route suggestions please
- 10 J-ville airport ground transportation
- 11 Manzanita Or restaurants
- 12 Hudson Valley to Stockbridge, MA/Berkshires
- 13 Carmel, California where to stay??
- 14 East coast tour - Part3: Florida
- 15 Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park opens today
- 16 stay near newark or nyc
- 17 New York City Parking
- 18 JFK to Upper West Side by subway
- 19 Can You Typically See Mt St Helens on the train from Seattle to Portland?
- 20 South Tahoe around July 4 - GTG?
- 21 Maine - July 5th to July 14
- 22 Washington Wineries
- 23 Buy now or wait . . . airfare to Santa Barbara in late July?
- 24 Best place for rafting: Moab, Taos or Durango?
- 25 Driving from Seattle to San Fran
My favorite months in Austin are April and October. April it's not tooo hot yet, and the flowers are starting to bloom. October it starts to cool down after a long hot summer. But can still be in the 80s during the day.
There is no doubt that no matter when you visit, you will find good music. Check out www.auschron.com for music listings, and sometimes upcoming road shows and concerts. The folks you mention play here regularly.
There are dozens of good restaurants in Austin and vicinity. Chuy's, Gueros (go there on a Sunday afternoon from 3 to 6. House band, old hippie types dancing around. Sometimes overflows to the sidewalk!) Curras, many many more.
Stay at the San Jose or Austin Motel, both within a block of each other on S. Congress. Across the street from the Continental Club - a great music venue. Both of these motels are NOT filled with amenities, but instead charm. Both have websites. If you have a budget in mind and want more amenities, post it or email me privately at lisahhh@hotmail.com
For a drive - head out towards Lake Travis and have a drink at the Oasis and watch the sunset. Have dinner at the best restuarant around - Hudson's on the Bend - and have some rattlesnake cakes, followed by crunchy trout or buffalo... Stop at one of the marinas on the lake and have a drink on their deck or dock.
Take a drive to Gruene ("green") do some looking, shopping and then stop at Gruene Hall and hear some great music.
Just some ideas. You'll love austin!
Lisa -
Thanks for your very detailed reply!
Do you, or anyone else out there, have suggestions on where to shop for Western boots? I'm not interested in fancy exotic-skin type footgear - Western boots are just comfortable for me and I'd like to shop somewhere with a good selection. Thank you.
To get an idea of what clubs are like, try this link:
http://www.austinchronicle.com/issues/vol18/issue25/xtra.live_music_guide/nightclubs1.html
Mandy, beleive it or not, I've been here 20 years and don't own a pair! I think one of the best places to go is Cavendars Boot City. C&W clothing and boots.
Not an "Austinite", but was in Austin for a long weekend in the Spring. Go early spring if you don't like the heat/humidity.
We stayed at the Austin Motel and loved it. The larger rooms were a great bargain, wasn't thrilled with our first room, a basic double. Decent restaurant next door as well as Joe's coffee. It was a great central location for several musical venues.
Magnolia Cafe is great for a late night bite after a show, and up and down S. Congress is great funky/trendy shops.
We went to Artz Ribs and saw the Studebakers, country swing and good BBQ.
If you like roots rock 'n roll, check out the Resentments on Sunday nights at the Saxon Pub!
It's a great town! Enjoy