Hello,

I'm planning a trip to Austin, TX in May. I will be there for 4 days. Was just wondering if that ia a good month weather wise. Not too hot or cold. Is mid to late May good? Also wanted to know what is there to do in Austin (never been there), any events happening at that time that I must see.

thanks!

I live in Dallas and my son lives in Austin. We love it there. I suggest you check out a website call www.Austin360.com. That will give you the goings on while you are there. Click on the calendar for May.

As for the weather. . . well, this is Texas so it's a crap shoot. There is absolutely no way to predict what it will be. It's January and we just had a day that was 84!!! It could be 80 something one day and 40 something the next. BUT, generally speaking, that SHOULD be a good time to go. It shouldn't be too hot. Just check the weather web when it gets close, because anything could happen!

As for what to do, not sure your age group so not sure exactly what to recommend. Austin is a pretty hilly city if you get out and drive. Austin Lake and Lake Travis are really pretty. Some fun places to eat on Austin Lake. I suggest you give a little more info on your interests so we can help more.

Austin is known for it's music scene and also has a lot of great restaurants that are unique to Austin. Tell me more and I will help you more.

Thanks Kasperlie,

We are in our late 20s. we love the out doors. Love to explore and eat!!!. lol
we were thinking about renting a car and drive to other near by cities too. Don't exactly know where...maybe San Antonio.

You will definitely want to rent a car!! Where in Austin are you staying, or has that not been decided yet?

There are a lot of neat little towns around the Austin area, so you could eat up your whole trip doing those. San Antonio is a really cool place, but I would suggest spending the night. The riverwal is the place to see, and it really comes alive at night. You might not want to (although you could) drive back late at night (depending on if you drink!). And, of course the Alamo. There are also really beautiful, and full of history, Missions. It depends on how much Texas history you want.

As for Austin, you should definitely do 6th Street at night. Try to go to Esthers Follies. It's a show that is really fun and funny. Google it for more info. For live music, check out who will be at Antone's. Like I said before, Austin has a great music scene. If Guy Forsyth is playing anywhere while you are there, I would highly recommend seeing him.

There are so many great places to eat. I will talk to my son and get back with you with more specifics. I know there are some really great scenic outdoor places to go, so I will let you know, since you're not going until May.

By the way, where are you from?

May can be hot - I'd almost guarantee the 80's and possibly 90's. Check weather.com a week before you leave. Early or late, doesn't matter. Later in the month UT (HOOK EM!) will be out so 6th and 4th streets will be less crowded.

Not sure of what amenities you like, but I reccommend the Hotel San Jose on Congress ave. They have a website. Also second the austin360.com site as well as www.auschron.com for music, art info.

May is an OK month, but April will be much more pleasant and the wildflowers will be in full bloom. April is my favorite month to be in Austin. I second the vote for Esther's Follies, as well as 6th Street. I think you'll love Austin.

April is my favorite month too. So if it has to be May, early May might be prettier - depending on the weather we will have had up until then.

O.K., here are some restaurant suggestions. For the best BBQ anywhere, go to Salt Lick. It's a little south of Austin, but worth the drive. . . just ask anyone. You've got to go to Magnolia Cafe for breakfast. They have gingerbread pancakes that are out of this world. They also have wonderful egg dishes. It's a funky little Austin place with lots of character. On 6th St., Jazz is great for cajun. Also check out Pecan Street Cafe for a very nice meal. Here's some other suggestions: Ruta Maya, Saxon Pub, Pecan Grove, some of which have music and food.

When I'm in Austin, I ALWAYS go eat at the Hula Hut on Austin Lake. It's Mexican with a Hawaiian flare. Eat outside on the lake, or at least sit at the outside bar. It's always a fun time and great food. I don't know if the Oasis on Lake Travis is reopened (it burned), but, if it is, go there for drinks at sunset for the most beautiful sunset ever. This place cascades down the side of a big hill overlooking the lake and is a lot of fun. The food's not the best, but drinks and munchies are great. They also have a live band and dancing, so can make for a fun night.

For outdoor fun, try Enchanted Rock. I have not been, but I've heard it's really pretty. Also, the Lady Bird Wildflower center is supposed to be gorgeous. You may hit it at a perfect time for flowers ( or you may be a little early).

Also, be sure to check out South Congress. Lots of funky shops. You should also go to the Continental Club. It's an Austin institution. It's a very, very old bar that has great music (Rachael Ray went there on her $40 a day show while she was in Austin. She also went to the Salt Lick).

Hope this helps.

I agree with all of Kasperlies restaurant suggestions. Magnolia Cafe was so good for breakfast. They have 2 locations-one on South Congress, and another across from Town Lake-I think it was on Cesar Chavez. Both were equally as good, and the gingerbread pancakes were GREAT!

We made the drive out to Salt Lick, and it was definitely worth it. It was the best BBQ I've ever had.

Hula Hut also had great food, and the weather was so warm a couple of weeks ago, we were able to dine outside overlooking the lake.

Chuy's was also good for Tex-Mex. The Oasis Cafe on Lake Travis is open again, and is the one place I wanted to go that we just didn't have time for. I was told the same thing-just go for appetizers and drinks, as the food is just average. Wish I had seen that sunset!

Thank you all for all these great suggestions. We are from Los Angeles but not a USC fan at all. GO UCLA and thank you UT. I can't wait for this trip. I'm hungry already just reading about all these restaurants. YUM! More ideals are welcome.

Another vote for April.
My fav restaurants are Jeffrey's; Vespaio and Hudson's on the Bend.
M

Enchanted Rock is a wonderful day trip if you guys like the outdoors. Neat hikes, gorgeous scenery. The town of Fredericksburg is very cute. Depending on how much of history buff you are, you can visit LBJ's ranch/home out there.

Definitely check out South Congress. Lots of funky shops. Get brunch at Gueros while you're there.

I second (or third?) the Salt Lick. Last time I was there, the county it was in was dry, so BYOB (everyone does/did.) Beautiful drive out there.

The Oasis out at Lake Travis is lots of fun, be sure to be at your table by sunset. Really cool views. Though I did hear from a friend that they had a big fire--check to be sure it's been rebuilt.

One of the best Mexican food places IMO is El Chile near the university, just on the other side of I-35. You can sit out on the deck, drink great margaritas.

For in town adventures, walk or bike around Town Lake. Best in-town walking/running/hiking trail anywhere, and I've been to lots of cities. Take a dip in Barton Springs at Zilker Park--so refreshing, but so cold. Rent canoes and paddle around Town Lake. You can also take the very quick hike up Mt. Bonnell to get great views of the city and Lake Austin. The capitol building and grounds are pretty. You can walk from there to Las Manitas on Congress for brunch. (I'm clearly a fan of the tex-mex brunch, love those migas!)

Be sure to go to the Continental Club if you can. Grab a free copy of the Austin Chronicle newspaper, it will give you info on who is playing where, plus other in town activities. I skip 6th St. these days, kind of a scene, though Esther's Follies is really funny.

I hear there are plans to build a great new art museum there...don't know if it will be done by the time you are there.

Cheap-ish good eats: Amy's Ice Cream, ThunderCloud Subs, Kerbey Lane Cafe, Magnolia Cafe, Mother's Cafe (vegetarian), Trudy's (get a Lone Star beer with chicken fried steak & gravy), Waterloo (great burgers), Hut's (also great burgers).

Was there recently and went to the Whole Foods mothership, the brand new store on Lamar Blvd. Spectacular. See the chocolate fountain and walk-through beer refridgerator. It's near Town Lake/Zilker Park, so you could pick up stuff (organic, good, but pricey stuff) for a picnic.

Weather could really be anything from 50 to 95 (total crapshoot), but bring plenty of shorts, t-shirts, and layers just in case.

Have a great time!

Welcome to Austin! We're happy to have you!

I'm so glad that someone mentioned a swim in Barton Springs along with a canoe ride on the lake. It's a natural-fed springs that stays really cool and refreshing. The canoe ride is fun (tiring but fun--LOL!).

Here's a few other suggestions:

Hamilton Pool - short trail leading to beautiful refreshing grotto - west of town.

Mt. Bonnell - highest point within city limits for great view of downtown and lake.

Old Pecan Street Festival - first weekend in May - street fair on 6th Street

San Marcos Factory Outlet Mall - Exit 200 off the freeway - humongous!

Gruene - fun river rafting (great in May, especially if we get lots of spring rainfall); don't miss Gruene Hall (oldest dance hall in Texas)

And LOTS of BBQ places - Salt Lick is good but there are many many to taste, all yummy!

Come casual, stay long, have fun!

Hi,

If you only have 4 days, you will have plenty to do in Austin. I now live in the Pacific Northwest, but I lived there for years. I try to get back every couple of years to get my food fix. I am going mid march because I love it when the Texas Mountain Laurel are in bloom. Here are a few of my favorite things:
*Barton Springs Pool
*Mt Bonnell
*Harry Ransom Center (I could spend half a day here)
Lake Austin (Town Lake Walk)
Treaty Oak (Baylor St btwn 5th & 6th)
Austin Art Museum – Christo Exhibit
See what is new in Austin!

Food
*El Arroyo
*Kerby Lane Café
*Star of India (lunch or dinner buffet)
*Huts (2 for 1, yes!)
*Whole Foods (just shop)
*Sonic Drive-in (cherry-lime)
Zen
Ararat or Alborz (reasonable Middle Eastern restaurants) or Snow Pea has $1 sushi
Central Market (don’t have to eat here just check out and see if cp shades is still there)
Magnolia Café (prefer Kerby Lane after a late night out)
El Patio (It is so bad and good that I can give or take this one, probably not take)
Sweetish Hill
Taco Cabana (fast food)
Trudy’s
West Lynn Cafe

Coffee
Texas French Bread – Red River
Upper Crust Bakery
Spider House
Trudy’s


Nightlife

*One night downtown / 6th street etc.

Oops! I cut and pasted my personal itinerary and then accidentally hit the post button before I could edit it. I meant to crop quite a bit out. Oh well...a bit embarrassing, but I'll survive.

cosmos, my husband is going to Austin in 4 days for a conference and boy, is he excited! He lived there for 4 years and it has been over 20 years since he's been back. Do you have recommendations for Tex-Mex cuisine that I can pass on to him? Anyone?

Also, can someone tell me what kind of weather he can expect this coming week? He arrives Thursday for one week. He's taking a leather coat. Is that sufficient?

offlady, Austin has changed so much in 20 years, your husband is in for a major shock.

You asked if a leather coat will be sufficient. It might be too much, I hope he will also be bringing a light jacket. So far this year we've had very few days where a jacket was needed during the day, as highs have been generally in the 70's. However a cold front is coming through and they say we might go below freezing Wednesday night. But then Thrusday's high is forecasted at 74, and Friday s/b 75.

There are too many Tex-Mex places to name, but among my faves are Chuy's, El Arroyo, and Guera's. I'm sure our fellow Austinites will come through with several dozen more.

Hey offlady, we welcome your husband to Austin, home of the National Champion Longhorns, Bevo, and the best Tex-Mex this side of anywhere!

My favorite Tex-Mex restaurant is Hula Hut, right on the lake. Get a table on the "pier", which is actually right over the water. Pretty cool to eat there with the boats going by. I love to get their "Thai Nachos", served on 6 or 8 (can't remember) large homemade chips, piled with chicken, beef, cheese, beans, YUM YUM YUM! A meal in itself, tho it's called an appetizer. And if you're hungry for chile rellano (can never remember how to spell that), their chicken with sour cream sauce is delish!

El Arroyo has the best tortilla soup in town. There are several locations.

Chuy's is our standard "funky, weird" place, looks like it's in a trailer with hubcabs all over. Real popular with the students, so it can be busy. I must admit I've been disappointed the last few times with the filling in the chicken burritos - teeny little pieces of meat, mostly filled with beans and sauce.

It's lunchtime now. I'm hungry....

Happy travels y'all!

We like the Texas Martini (margarita) at Chuys

Although it's about 2 hours away, you might consider seeing the George Bush Presidential Library in College Station on the Texas A & M campus. Regardless of political affiliation, the part of presidential libraries open to the public aren't the libraries, but the comprehensive museums of not only the president but the era in which he served. They're all amazing attractions in their own way.