bennnie

Hi All - the next leg of our college tour is the University of Texas Austin . We've got hotel reservations and have booked the campus tours, meetings with professor and student group. We'll be going to a varsity softball game one night.

So what I could use is help with dining options and a suggestion or two for places to hear live music - either country, folk or alternative. Will music venues allow an 18 year old in or are most "over 21"? Is the Broken Spoke a good choice or a tourist trap?

Any Longhorns out there that want to tell me how great their school is?

doug_stallings

I can recommend the Salt Lick for barbecue, but that's where my personal knowledge of Austin stops. I've only passed through. You should be able to find a LOT of information about Austin right now since SXSW is just ending and everyone is writing about it.

follow_your_bliss

Bennie, I'm sorry I missed this. How did your visit go? My kids love it but wouldn't be caught dead on Fodors.

bennnie

We had a great trip. So much so that DD will be attending! Next trip is in a few weeks for orientation. Would love to hear some ideas on what to do while DD is attending events. Treating myself to a stay at the 4S.

longhorn55

Hook 'em! Glad to hear about your future Longhorn. I don't know where your interests lie, but whatever you do, you'll want to stay indoors as much as possible. (If you come from Texas, you already know this, of course.)

Here are a few suggestions:
Museums--LBJ Presidential Library, Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum, Blanton Art Museum, Texas Memorial Museum

Historic Sites: Texas Capitol Building, O. Henry Home and Museum, Texas Legation and Museum

Shopping--SoCo's (South Congress) eclectic stores. Start at Allen's Boots at the corner of South Congress and West Monroe Street and just keep going toward the river. A really fun store that I love is Toy Joy at 403 W. 2nd Street. Check out their website!

Outdoor activities (if you can stand the heat): Lady Bird Johnson Wildlife Center, Zilker Park (where you can cool off in Barton Springs), Mount Bonnell for the views

Weird stuff (because it's Austin): Evening bat flying from Congress Avenue Bridge, Cathedral of Junk, Museum of Weird

bennnie

Thank you for the suggestions. Blanton is definitely on the itinerary and SoCo shopping. Not likely to do much more than that as I'll have just returned from a business trip to Istanbul and will likely be feeling super tired.

Momddtravel2

Bennie - enjoy - I LOVE Austin... it was a highlight for me of our four years of living in Texas. I think we might have considered staying if we lived there instead of N. Dallas!

longhorn55

Bennnie, you CAN'T miss the bats--it's such an Austin tradition and it only takes a half-hour or so out of one evening. http://www.batcon.org/index.php/get-...tegory/51.html

Ah, Istanbul! I was there last summer and absolutely loved it. Hopefully, you'll get some time for sightseeing there in addition to your business.

jill_h

hope the bats show up. we waited for over an hour and a few finally flew out. bit disappointed

Momddtravel2

It is funny, I was SO excited about the bats... I knew it was such a tradition but it was a bit of a let down over all

bennnie

We'll try to see the bats but if not on this trip then certainly before she graduates!

Thanks for the suggestions.

Austin

What do you like to do?

P_M

Momdd, I'm sorry the bats weren't good for you. What time of year were you here? They aren't here year round, maybe some of the bats were on vacation .

I am a Texas Ex and I think your DD will enjoy going to school there. I graduated from the School of Business many moons ago.

In addition to the great suggestions above I highly recommend Esther's Follies. It's a hysterically funny show on 6th St. You will laugh until your whole body hurts. Be sure to get there early as "Mr. Texas," does a show before the main show. He's a hoot too. Advanced reservations are recommended as shows often sell out on weekends.

https://www.esthersfollies.com/

bennnie

austin - good question. Art museums and shopping are usually on my agenda when visiting a new city. This trip will be a little different as I want to get to know the city my daughter will be living for the next 4 years. We did a little exploring when we visited the first time - went to Lake Travis, toured the university, went to a varsity softball game, had lunch a Juan in a Millions. Obviously there is much more to see and do.

Austin

Dinner at one of the many excellent restaurants in order. I suggest Lenoir (my personal fave), Uchiko, Foreign and Domestic. Also head to SoCo, (SOuth Congress Ave). Eat pizza at Homeslice, a drink outside at Guero's music venue (or a Sunday afternoon inside), Perlas, or one of the several shops on the street. Or, coffee at Jo's, the BEST Bloody Mary at Wahoo Tacos, and music any night at the Continental Club.

Barton springs/Zilker park a must as well.

Momddtravel2

I have had a couple of very good meals here:
http://congressaustin.com/second/about/hours-location/

I would not go out of my way to go there but if you are around there and looking for good place to eat we were very happy with it.

bennnie

Thanks so much for all the suggestions. Looking forward to the trip.

follow_your_bliss

A tip for your daughter, if you don't already know this. Have her consider joining one of the Freshman Interest GroupS (FIG) in her major. She will be automatically added to several classes which are required for her degree. Most classes are either full or reserved for the FIGS so it can be extremely difficult to get the classes you want. There are a number to choose from. Here's an example from liberal arts, scroll down to Freshman Interest Groups:

http://www.utexas.edu/cola/student-a...-List-2014.pdf

bennnie

follow-your-bliss - thanks for the tip on the FIGs. We were aware of them and their benefits but not the auto-add for classes part. Registration was a bit of a disaster for her and others. Apparently one advisor failed to give the students the right code for the FIG they wanted to join and so they were shut out temporarily. Still working to resolve.

Despite this issue, DD2 still loves the school and is excited to get back there. We met her roommate - an absolutely lovely young lady from a small town near Austin.

Here's a tip for anyone traveling to Austin. The Four Seasons has live music, $3 sliders and $3 beers on the back lawn every Tuesday. Very nice.

We did the bat thing. Kind of underwhelming to be honest. There were lots of bats but they were hard to see in the dark. If not for the lights being shone from the tourist boats, I don't think we would have seen a thing.

Thanks to all for the tips. I'll be saving them for subsequent trips.

longhorn55

Unfortunately, during our visit to Austin earlier this week we encountered the same problem you did with the bats. Because they have had a lot of rain lately in Austin, the bats do not have to spend as much time looking for food (mosquitos, etc.) as they do when it is dry. When the weather is drier, the bats head out from under the bridge earlier in the evening (before dark) and they are a sight to see as they fly down the river.

Since you'll have at least 4 years to return to see the bats while your daughter is at UT, don't give up on them yet. Just go back when Austin is dry (a more typical summer).

Also, a recommendation for the Hampton Inn on 17th and Lavaca. It was a nice hotel with friendly staff and it's easy walking distance to the University, so you don't have to bother with driving and parking when you visit your daughter.