Austin Tx just for a day
 

In Austin for a day and night first of August. What would you recommend to see and do? Salt Lick for dinner? Thanks!

Where will you be staying? What kind of things do you like to do?

Visit the Alamo. It's only worth an hour because there's only a tool shed or something that has been made into a museum. Nothing left of the actual mission, except the facade, which is good for a photo op.

Take the Hop on-Hop off bus tour of the city. The one we took on a past visit started and finished at the Alamo. This can take most of the day, depending on how many places you decide to visit and how long you spend at each.

Visit the Riverwalk. Take the boat ride. Walk around a bit and pick a place to eat and eat there.

Salt Lick is in Driftwood, not Austin, and, in my opinion, is not worth the drive. I would definitely check out Town Lake (nka Ladybird Lake) and walk the Hike and Bike Trail. Check out the Capitol Building and the Blanton Museum. There's also the Bob Bullock Museum across the street which features the history of Texas and an IMAX theater. You might want to see if there is a show in town, perhaps at the Paramount or the Long Center. Also see what's playing at the Zach Theater (great funny shows there). Esther's Follies is an absolute blast too. I have tried recommending inside things as it is going to be HOT.

It would be good to know where you are staying, if you'll have a car, and what you like to do/see.

db, Austin, not San Antonio.

I screwed up. I read San Antonio for Austin.

Thanks all. db, that's ok, we are going to San Antonio :-) We do not know where we are staying because we do not know exactly what date we will be there. Once we leave SA we are heading to New Braunfels/Gruene/Fedricksburg We just want to see some of Hill Country, walk the towns and stop and go as we want. After leaving these towns we will head to Austin on our way home. We can keep driving thru Austin or Stay...if we stay the night I was thinking of the Hyatt Regency with a Lakeview and walk to Congress St bridge to see the bats. I hope it is going to be ok to travel without reservations any place.

Seeing the bats is fun. We also like to go out to the lake and eat at The Oasis - fun place with lots of decks, drinks, and sometimes live music.

http://oasis-austin.com/

The botanical gardens are nice too, not sure what type of shape they're currently in given the heat, but we loved walking there.

We love Salt Lick, but with just one night I'd give it a pass since it's in Driftwood.

http://www.zilkergarden.org/gardens/gardens.html is the link for the botanical gardens.

The view from Mt. Bonnell is spectacular if you want to check it out.

http://www.mtbonnell.com/

In Gruene, the Gristmill is a fun place to eat, right on the river. Good homemade wine coolers and sometimes live music. Texas oldest dance hall is nearby.

http://gristmillrestaurant.com/
http://www.gruenehall.com/

volcanogirl, we had already planned on Gruene Hall and the Gristmill but thanks for the Oasis recommendation, even if we just drive thru Austin, that would be a great stop for lunch!

Yea, it's a fun spot. They've really added on to it over the years. And the views of the lake are wonderful. Hudson's on the Bend is neat spot for dinner if you like wild game.

If you don't have a spot to eat in New Braunfels, we like the Huisache Grill. Great for lunch. Glad you're going to make it to Gruene! It's a charmer.

I second Esther's Follies for an evening in Austin if you happen to be in town Thursday through Saturday. It's always hilarious, and you could take in the craziness of Sixth Street while you are there. There's always some great live music in the clubs.
www.esthersfollies.com.

Jayne, it does look crazy!

Remember the city's motto-- Keep Austin Weird!
:)