Hi, my son (27) and I will be in Austin for three nights in late February. We'll be staying at the downtown Fairmont Hotel on Red River Street. We are looking to enjoy good BBQ, bars with live music, local shopping, and some history. We are flying into Austin and will not have a car, but are open to taking Uber.

Some activities I have considered: seeing Capitol Building, LBJ Library, and Zilker Botanical Garden. Is the Downtown Farmers Market open year-round?

Need restaurant recommendations for around $25 a person (or less) for BBQ, Mexican or Tex Mex, pizza, and burgers. Not interested in high-end restaurants as son lives in Chicago and has access to great eats.

Good bars for Happy Hour and live music?

Recommendations for local shopping?

Appreciate your help! This will be my first time in Austin!

Us too! We will be traveling the week prior and need same info. We have a wedding at Driskill. From our research, the wedding site and folks that have been to Austin before these are the less pricey suggestions Downtown: Lamberts BBQ, Uchiko (less expensive than Uchi), Enoteca Vespacio, Polvos Mexican and for Brunch South Congress Cafe. Unfortunately I am not able to speak from experience and don't know locations! Hopefully more people will chime in.

The Driskill has a cafe that isn't hugely pricey.

South of the river, there are places as well. I'm going to find my Austin TR -- good suggestions from others in it.

Thanks, Marelwynne! The restaurants you listed look good and I appreciate the information. I hope Tdudette hears from IB tech about the search problem. I didn't have much luck searching the Texas forum.

OK, here's the link:

Austin Getaway

Moderator has been in touch but I still couldn't find it with the new system. I went back to settings and my profile. The TRs were listed there. Hope this works.

Is Franklin BBQ back open yet? If so, that's where I'd check out--have only heard amazing things!

Thanks, TDudette. I will read your trip report now!
stephensp--I just looked at Franklin BBQ on Twitter and it says the restaurant reopened in November after a fire in late summer. The place gets great reviews.

Hope it gives you some ideas.

Yes TDudette, your trip report is very helpful! We will definitely go to the Driskill to look around and frequent the bar and restaurant. And thank you for the great information about all to see and do at U of T, as I had only thought about visiting the library.

Hi, Sunbabe, we were briefly in Austin this summer--spent more time in San Antonio.

Would give a high recommendation to Hopdoddy Burger Bar on South Congress. They grind their own meat--do their own shakes etc. Very good food. Nice ambiance. Reasonable prices.

Afterward we went to see the bats fly out of the South Congress bridge. Not sure if there are many in late February, ask your hotel. It was a really cool thing to see.

We really liked South Congress.

Morning 5alive! Thanks for the Hopdoddy burger joint recommendation--looks great! Glad to hear you enjoyed the South Congress area, as we'll definitely do some shopping. I looked online and appears best bat viewing is from March to October, but maybe we'll be lucky enough to see them in late February. Appreciate the info!

Chuy's is good for Mexican food and margaritas. It's where the Bush girls were busted for underage drinking back in the day. We always like to go to the Oasis - fun for drinks and has beautiful views of Lake Travis; sometimes they have live music as well. Salt Lick BBQ is amazing in nearby Driftwood, TX - it's cash only, super famous with good brisket. Hula Hut is fun and right on the water.

Not sure how nice the gardens will look; we just had a big freeze so things won't look their best. Seeing the bats is amazing if they're in season. You can also go to Mt. Bonnell for pretty views.

Just the kind of recommendations I am looking for, Volcanogirl! Might have to skip the botanical gardens. I do hope the bats make a showing, as it sounds fascinating. Thanks!

Oh good, hope you have a great time. Kerbey Lane is a popular spot for breakfast. Snooze is pretty good too.

And I really like Torchy's Tacos - lots of weird tasty combinations. Not sure if it's still around, but we used to like Eastside Cafe back in the day - very fresh, with their own garden, etc.

Thanks again, volcanogirl!!

I had already noted Torchy's Tacos--saw that recommendation in TDudette's trip report! I can't wait to see Austin and really appreciate everyone's contributions. Wish we were there more than three nights.

Yes, they have yummy queso too. One I forgot - Shady Grove - fun to sit out on the patio if the weather is nice. February can go either way. Could be 80, could be 30!

Boy do I hope the weather is good, but I know all too well how it can be. In Illinois we can experience all four seasons in just two days!