lelkins

I am travelling to Austin this week for three, quick days. With such a short trip, what are the sites and eats that should not be missed? Thanks.

Branv

Well: canoe on Town Lake, swim in Barton Creek, tube down Guadalupe (around New Braunfels), see the bats at sunset from the Congress bridge, see some bands at the many venues around town, if you like history and historical sites, there's the Capital and Bob Bullock Museum. It's generic, but the new Nordstroms just opened last weekend at Barton Springs Mall...Nordstroms is ALWAYS worthy of a visit For restaurants, it would depend on your budget. For tourists, one visit to Threadgills for home cooking is important...I'm partial to their original site on Lamar, but it's hard for non-locals to spot, so go to the newer one on Riverside, near downtown. In the Warehouse District (one of the places for bars and clubs for the 25 and over set), I like Milagro for tapas, and Saba Blue Water for fusion funky...next door to each other. You'll get alot of uproar over the best Tex Mex, but for fun and decent food, I like Trudy's near the UT campus in Hyde Park. Just sound chicken enchiladas, and highly potent Mexican Martinis. I adore Austin, but to be honest, if I have friends come in town, I prefer to drive them around the Hill Country (since most people outside of the area are never aware that Texas has hills ) If you want to see some of that, try to get to The Oasis on Lake Travis for sunset...the food is NOT the attraction, it's the view, second to none...even if you can't get out there for sunset, go during the day. SO worth it.

designmr

I'm not a native Austinite (or whatever they call themselves), but I love the town. I would check out the bats underneath the Congress bridge, admire the majestic Texas State Capitol, and go music club-hopping on Sixth Street.

If want to pack more into it, I'd take advantage of Hill Country and visit one of its amenities -- Mt. Bonnell, always 68-degree Barton Springs Pool, etc. I'd also see the attractions of the U of Texas -- the LBJ Library/Museum, the Clock Tower, and the Harry Ransom Humanities Center (which includes among its collections Woodward and Bernstein's Watergate papers).

There's much more, but that's enough for a first time visitor's three days.

Austin

Tells us what kinds of things you like to do and maybe I can help. Don't know your age or musical tastes, (therefore not sure to reccommend 6th st. or 4th street...)

Also, whether or not you have a car (trip to the Salt Lick in Driftwood or the Oasis on Lake Travis)

I CAN tell you this - Mid 90's and humid all week.

So, what are your interests?

lelkins

Thanks for all the good advice...To Austin, we are mid-30's-ish couple who enjoy trying new and different things. Definitely prefer more active outings but worried about the heat!. A few bands and the Congress bats seem like a must! Budget wise we are not limitless but can afford to do most. We are staying at the Hotel San Jose. When it comes to food, we like one "nice" dinner out and then just like to hit real "local" joints.

Thanks again for all the help.

Gekko

DEFINITELY have drinks and/or dinner at Oasis overlooking Lake Travis. The view is amazing and it's a festive atmosphere.

Austin

Great hotel choice!!! The San Jose is tres cool.

You will be directly across the street from the Continental Club. You might like that for music. One of the oldest venues in town. (Go to www.auschron.com) and look for who's playing. (Click on Music Listings)

Just up the street about a block or so is Guerros. Great mexican food. If you are here on a Sunday, stop by about 3 PM for music and a cool (aging hipster type) crowd. Lots of fun.

My favorite "nice" local restaurant is the Castle Hill. It wins "readers' favorites" awards all the time.

Might try some of the places someone previously mentioned on 4th St. or the Warehouse District - Malaga, Saba.

Personally, I grew out of 6th St. when I neared my 30's.

Another "nice" option is Vespaio, Italian, also on South Congress Ave.

Best bet is to peruse the www.auschron site for music and restaruant reviews.

Oh, and breakfast (also nearby. You picked a great location) I'd suggest the Magnolia Cafe on S. Congress. I like the #8 with queso please....

BTilke

The highlight of our first visit to Austin was the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center (www.wildflower.org). Exceeded our expectations; a total delight. The bats were interesting (we stayed at the Four Seasons, so had a great viewing spot) but the wildflower center was far and away our favorite sight.

Statia

Hamilton Pool is a place we always loved to relax and swim years ago. I'm not sure, however, if it's still open.

It was a natural pool with waterfall, surrounded by tons of wonderful foliage and natural rock formations.

I also agree that you have to spend an evening on 6th Street.

jor

Downtown Austin is the best place in Texas for bar room live music. Also short drive to New Braunsfels for tubing on the Guadelupe River, fantastic good time.

Austin

I might agree that you should walk up and down 6th street, but you may not want to spend the entire evening there. There are tons of music venues and bars. Since it's this week, you may have the college crowd there, since UT starts next week I think. But on a typical Fri or Sat night the average age there is 21.

austinite

I agree 100% with Austin. He is right on. I would also recommend Fonda San Miguel for excellent authentic Mexican food. It's a little out of the way, but definitely worth it if you have a car. Or, Maudie's for great cheap eats and ritas.

lelkins

Thanks so much for the good advice, I know it will be a great success!

Garrison

You definitely want to go to some of the live music venues on 6th Street. The State Capitol is also a nice place to tour. Downtown Austin is very clean and walkable. If you like Tex-Mex food, Austin is the place for you.

Jim

Visit Hill Country. Go to Fredrickburg and visit the Admiral Nimitz museum. Just a fantastic place.

Pumpy

No particular order (by an ex Austinite)1. Swim at Barton Springs (great spot & spring fed/68 degrees year round)-very close to your hotel
2. Call the school (UT) and get reservations to go to the top of the tower. They have recently re-opened the observation deck. In case you did not know, it was closed for nearly 25 yrs after Charles Whitman shot & killed approximately 12 people from there
3. Threadgills is a legend but the food is truly only so-so. I still go but..
4. Magnolias and/or Kirby lane for breakfast/brunch. Both are funky and very good (besides it's cheap eats)
5 Bats at dusk (Congress St. bridge)
6. At night either Sixth St. or a few blks over is the Warehouse district. FYI-6th St. area is more college oriented.
7. LBJ Presidential library on UT campus (free)
8. Oasis or Hula Hut for sunset cocktails
9. That should be enough to keep you busy for 3 days-Enjoy!

TioGringo

So much cool stuff in Austin it's hard to know where to begin...

Of course the bridge bats at dusk are a must (see my article about this at: http://www.epinions.com/content_109218008708)

The duck tours are kind of fun, if a bit hokey and pricey. I liked the state capitol tour too. I thought the new Bob Bullock museum was big and impressive, but too oriented towards selling IMAX tickets, IMHO. Wildflower center is cool, but far out from downtown and better to visit in the spring than on a hot August day. The Childrens Museum is fun for the kids and pretty darn nice.

Lots of good eating and drinking too...I like the barbecue at Stubbs. Locals might have other opinions...

Have fun!
Mark
www.tiogringo.com

Ally

I live here in Austin and you've got some great advice here!
*San Jose is a good location (and they have a nice happy hour around the pool on Fridays)
*Barton Springs is a must, especially at this time of year!
*Guerros for great Tex-Mex and very close
*Continental Club (across from your hotel)
*For your 'expensive dinner', either Vespaio, Castle Hill or Fonda San Miguel. All excellent. I also like Eddie V's for excellent seared tuna.
*bar hopping on 6th. (yes it may be a somewhat younger crowd for the most part, but it's a must for a first time visitor IMO, even if just a couple hours
*Saba Blue Water cafe, beautiful and yummy, and a great martini bar next door with an older crowd and bands on some nights.
*Sunset at the Oasis. (I'm lucky enough to live nearby. I can see the Oasis from my house at the lake, and it IS 'The Sunset Capital of Texas'. Just don't expect much from the food. Go for the happy hour sunset, then head back to one of the other places for dinner.
*the bats, of course!

margeaux

Another cool thing to do that really helps you scope out the entire town... There's this audio tour of Austin called Hit the Road Austin. It's a Cd you put in your car stereo, follow the map and it's like having a great tour guide but without the hassles of a tour bus. It's really a lot of fun.

Austin

Since lelkins took that trip a week or so ago, I'm curious if we can get a trip report???