AUSTIN, TEXAS anything to see?
 

I'll be in San Antonio and since Austin is so close I thought it be nice to see it also.<BR>I realise Austin is a great place to live and half of Texas has moved there, but is it really a tourist destination? Thanks

The Austin scene is more of the club and music ilk. There is the massive bat colony under the bridge near downtown. If you're into history there's the State capitol. Good food, too.

A couple of things worthy of visiting: the LBJ Library at the Univ. of Texas and the Bob Bullock Museum of Texas History between the UT campus and downtown. The latter recently opened and has beautiful architecture, plus good exhibits and an IMAX.

The original Schlotsky's.

What time of year? Much depends on when you'll be there.

I'm a fan of visiting state capital buildings, and I think Austin's is about as grand as they get.

What are you interested in? If you enjoy nature and hikes I can give you a couple of good ones. A trail has been established leading away from the pool in Zilker Park. It follows the stream with limestone bluffs rising from it. There are pools along the way fit for swimming, rock climbers use the bluffs and the hike in general is easy and enjoyable.<BR><BR>A second favorite was the short hike to Hamilton Pool. It is speculated that it's the remains of an old cave over an underground river and ceiling collapsed thousands of years ago forming waterfalls and swimming grotto, with water falling from the remaining rim to the emerald green pool below. You are able to walk behind the waterfall--really beautiful. The directions are fairly complicated, though once you have them, its easy to find. If you are interested, respond back and I'll post them.<BR><BR>We've also enjoyed driving out to the Oasis which sits high above Lake Travis, getting an outside table and watching the sunset while enjoying a margarita. It was a tradition while our daughter was at school at UT and one we enjoyed too. Be prepared to clap along with the crowd for the setting sun.<BR><BR>Our personal favorite restaurant was the Salt Lick. It's a BYO restaurant, they provide set-ups to go along with the best ribs/barbeque you'll ever have. It's a bit of a drive but well worth it both for the food and atmosphere.

I second the motion to see the state capitol building - very impressive, and the guides were quite knowledgeable.<BR><BR>My favorite part of my visit to Austin, though, was the bat colony. Every day at sunset (or at least over the summer?), a colony of thousands of bats flies out from under the bridge over the river. It is an awesome and weird thing to see.<BR><BR>