Austin Planning Help
 

Hi Everyone,

I'm hoping you can give me some help planning activities for my friend's bachelorette party in Austin, May 13th-15th.

We're staying at the Hilton on 4th street and would like everything to be walkable or within a 10 minute cab ride.

Friday we're going to dinner. We had liked the idea of Hula Hut but switched to Guero's when we found out Hula Hut didn't take resos.

Sat night we're planning on taking the bachelorette to the west 6th St bars.

I would love any suggestions you could give me for things to do during the day Saturday or Sunday that could give us a feel for the local culture....but again, low cost, and no more than a 10 minute cab ride from downtown.

I've heard about the Barton Springs and bat watching..let me know if you think these are a must-do, or anything else that would give us a good feel for Austin. We decided that boating, tubing and anything around Lake Traves are out due to logistics and cost. Also, my friends aren't museum people. Eating, music, outdoor activities if it's something uniquely Austin, maybe tours if they're really interesting and inexpensive would be more up their alley.

Would love any suggestions you have. Thanks in advance!

I had lunch at Guero's last Thursday during my visit to Austin. It is right on South Congress, which also has a bunch of funky shops, so plan on some time there.

Mine was a VERY quick trip, and my other activities involved museums so that's all I've got...hopefully others will be along soon who know more.

Stubbs' Gospel Brunch is pretty classic Austin:
http://stubbsaustin.com/gospel-brunch/

Nothing like a dip in the cool Barton Springs on a warm afternoon:
http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/parks/bartonsprings.htm

Don't forget Chuy's - the "original" location on Barton Springs Road.
http://www.chuys.com/#/regions

Whole Foods - it ain't your momma's grocery store:
http://wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/lamar/

Congress Avenue bat viewing is so unusual that we take all our spring visitors here:
http://austin.about.com/od/austinatt..._in_Austin.htm

Head down to South Congress Avenue on Saturday for lunch or Sunday brunch at Enoteca Vespaio:
http://www.austinvespaio.com/enoteca/enoteca.html
While there, South Congress (SoCo) is filled with funky shops.
Afterwards, walk across the street to Hey Cupcake:
http://www.heycupcake.com/locations.php

Happy travels!

Gueros food is okay (always crowded, so I may be the minority) but the location is perfect. Gueros has an outdoor music venue you can visit after dinner (outdoor bar as well) that is really nice. South Congress has cute shops as well. The Continetal Club has a blues happy hour on Fridays at 630. Music is always good at the Continental.

What is the age range of your group? I ask because there may be other places you can go to in addition to 6th street (younger, college aged crowd) such as the Warehouse District (4th, west of Congress), 2nd Street area, etc.

For brunch Sat or Sunday I suggest Taverna on 2nd Street. They have outdoor seating, good food, and those blocks of the 2nd street area are very cool with hip stores. There are wine bars, tapas bars, botiques, coffee, etc.

Check out the Town Lake Hike & Bike Trail (it has been renamed Ladybird Lake but everyone still calls it Town Lake). On the south side of the lake, by the First Street Bridge, is Auditorium Shores. You'll see lots of cute dogs here having a great time off leash. Walk down a little ways away from the bridge and you'll see a statue of Stevie Ray Vaughn (good photo op). Keep walking on the trail and cross over Riverside Drive. Walk up the big hill for another great photo op of the Austin skyline.

Check out a show at Esther's Follies on Sixth Street. It's a combination comedy/vaudeville/magic show and it's really, really funny.

Go have lunch at South Austin Trailer Park & Eatery. Lots of trailers to choose from and very cool!

See what's playing at Alamo Drafthouse. The original (Ritz) is downtown and there's another one close by on South First. Go bowling at The Highball. It's owned by the Alamo people and it's a vintage type bowling alley/karaoke place.

Definitely don't miss Chuy's or Shady Grove. Not the greatest food ever but great atmosphere. I'm not a fan of Hula Hut but people seem to enjoy sitting outside on the lake. You'll definitely have to cab it there.

Haven't been there, but there is a new restaurant/bar on Barton Springs Road called the Upper Decks. That would be a great place to hang out, have a few drinks, and a great view. It's across from Threadgill's which is pretty much an institution in Austin, although I'm not crazy about the "down home" style of food.

If you get tired of the Sixth Street bar scene, head over to the Warehouse District or West Sixth Street area.

Have a great time!!

Thanks everyone, that helps a lot! Austin, most of us are 27.

A few of you mentioned Chuy's...we had gotten recommendations for Guero's or Chuy's and went with Guero's for the outside area and music. Should we be going to Chuy's instead?

You can get some sun and cold water at Barton SPrings Pool in Ziler Park. Sit on the grass and people watch and dip in the constant 68 degree water. Chuy's is right outside the park. Barton Springs Pool and Zilker are definitely "Austin".

You can check out the bat tour but honestly, the bats aren't truly out en masse till later in the summer - june - aug.

I think you are better off with Gueros, mainly for the location. You can walk up and down Sout Congress, hear music, shop. Chuys will get you to zilker park. You may want to eat there some time but no, for a bachelorette dinner, Gueros is a much better idea.

Threadgills is a perfect music venue if you are south. Friday and Sat both have great music - the Gourds or Alejandro Escovedo.

Is there food or drink at Barton Springs Pool, or are we allowed to bring anything in?

There is a concession stand with the usual burgers and fries and stuff. You can't bring anything in except water, I believe.

Both the Gourds and Alejandro Escovedo are great! If you don't want to fight the crowds at Threadgill's you should be able to hear the music from the Upper Decks.

Since you're all older than the average college student, you'll probably be much happier anywhere than on East Sixth Street. But, definitely check it out and decide for yourselves.

I would stick with Guero's too, although it's not known for great food. Chuy's food is better and it's a fun atmosphere but the location of Guero's right on South Congress is really perfect for your group for Friday night dinner.

I just reread your original post and noticed that you said you are going to the bars on WEST Sixth. That's one of the areas I mentioned as an option to EAST Sixth, which is where all the college students hang out. Your hotel is on East Fourth so I'm thinking you really meant to say East Sixth. The East/West line downtown means east or west of Congress Street.

Hope I haven't confused you. Either way, downtown is easy to get around and you'll have no problems walking to most places, at least I don't and I'm a lot older than 27!

I would go to Guero's for the Friday night dinner, then check out Chuy's and Barton Springs on Sat!
A caution, Chuy's margaritas are deadly!Have fun!