Well, I'm working on it, P_M. July 1 is a holiday here. It's a Tuesday and I get Monday off as well, so we could come on Saturday and leave on Tuesday.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed!

\/ YAY! We're coming to Austin in July!

My SO was a little concerned about the heat but I've promised that every time he gets too hot, I'll buy him a tall, cool drink in an air-conditioned bar. And we'll stay in a hotel with a pool. Actually, the idea was originally his -- he's a big music fan.

I can get a really good rate at the Hilton Garden Inn downtown -- is that OK?

And yes, I definitely want to meet the Texas Fodorites! Lunch, dinner -- whatever works for you.

I'm going to start pulling ideas off these threads. Can you recommend:

- best music venues (blues, rock)
- best Texas bbq
- any places to dance
- best bargain shopping
- anything else you can think of

I'm SO excited! \/

YAY indeed, I'm so excited about your visit!!

The Hilton Garden Inn is in an OK location but if you can get a little closer to Congress Ave that would be best. Needless to say that will cost more, but hey, the Canadian $ is kicking the US $'s butt so you can splurge!! But seriously, that hotel will be OK if the others won't work for you.

I will put on my thinking cap C and try to answer some of your other questions. I'm not much of a shopper and I'm not a fan of BBQ but you'll have plenty of ideas before your trip.

I'm doing lunch with goddesstogo!! YEEEEHAWWWW!!!! <)

Wait! I wanna say it too...YEEEEHAWWWW!!!!

How far is the Hilton Garden Inn from Congress Avenue? I'll keep looking for a bit before I make a commitment.

try the hilton on 4th or the hampton on 2nd and san jacinto.

best shopping? san marcus outlets - best in texas is only 40 min away on i-35!!!\\not a big bbq fan either - sorry.

Those look like possibilities, as does the other Hilton (on 4th). What do you think about the location of the Hyatt Regency (on Barton Springs, which I think is the lake) for location?

that's a nice hotel - but i still like hilton best. perhaps it's beause i like to be within walking distance to all the nightlife...

What would you consider 'walking distance' (in time, for example)? We often take a walk from our house, down the main street to a main intersection. Walking, chatting, window shopping, it might take 20 to 30 minutes. Walking fast it might take 15.

Is it longer than that? Is it a nice walk with shops, etc. and through a good neighbourhood?

I'm still considering the Hilton on 4th but the price there for me is just under $200. At the Hyatt it's about $160 and at the Hilton Garden Inn it's $116. I can't remember the Hampton but I think it's fine there.

It's so hard to judge distances in a city you don't know. I remember asking someone directions in a small town in England. The fellow told us where the theatre was and when I asked if it was a walkable distance he said, oh no, it's way on the other side of town. We decided to walk anyway and it turned out to be about 20 minutes' walk!

it's less than 20 min. the walk from hilton or hampton you would pass restaurants and bars - not really alot of shops but it's a pleasant walk. Less with Hyatt but still a nice walk. If you can get the hampton cheaper, to me that's a better location. Hyatt is right by town lake (lady bird)and should make for a nice atmosphere.

Thanks so much, maria. That's exactly what I wanted to know. A 20-minute walk from anywhere is just fine and it gives me a wider choice of hotels. It will probably be a decision based on a combination of price and nice-ness of swimming pool, since I've promised my SO a pool.

I stayed at the Hilton last year and it was great. I didn't have a car and I walked everywhere, no problem.

Cheryl,
Was that the Hilton on 4th or the Hilton Garden Inn?

I'm hoping to do without a car, so I'm glad to hear you did it, too.

Sorry, it was the Hilton on 4th. It was very well located, and a short (less than 10 minutes) to everything I wanted to see. I walked to bars, the Driskill (love the cowhide seats in the bar!), you name it.

I had some friends who were staying at the Embassy Suites on the other side of Town Lake, and although it wasn't far, I was happy to be staying closer to the sights.

Uh, I meant that it was a short "walk" to everything. Within 10-20 minutes, I could walk anywhere downtown. I paid a little more than my friends did at the Embassy Suites, but I thought it was worth it for the convenience of the location. And I liked the hotel, the staff was super helpful.

yeah, that hilton is very nice. the hampton is as well located too but the hotel is not as nice (but still nice, i mean, just not as nice as hilton). hyatt is on the other side (closer) than embassy but i agree, i prefer to stay at hilton or hampton for that matter. hilton has a nice high floor pool and spa area. hampton has a pool too.

i would rent a car for a day and go to san marcos outlets for shopping (there's 2 side by side why it is huge prime: http://www.primeoutlets.com/cntrdefault.asp?cntrid=1042 and tanger: http://www.tangeroutlet.com/sanmarcos ) or visit lake travis (oasis restaurtant for lunch - nice treetop views of lake travis http://www.oasis-austin.com/gallery.html ) and go up mount bonell and take a peek at the amazing houses by the lake http://austin.citysearch.com/profile/11353900

Here's Thin's thread on his possible Austin visit:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threadselect.jsp?fid=1

yk and bettyk might be talking me out of coming at the beginning of July. Is the heat really going to be horrible? Yes, we'll have a hotel with a pool and plenty of cold margaritas but I can get those at my sister's house five minutes away. I want to do Austin stuff.

Will it really be bad hot end of June/beginning of July?

I can't speak for Austin, but I've lived in Dallas for couple of years, and it is HOT. Dallas is drier than Austin, and it's still unbearable. Basically, everyone just goes from a/c to a/c; nobody goes outside.

That's why I say it's hard to visit Texas in the summer if one actually wants to walk around outside.

DH & I went to Fredericksburg last August. It was so hot I felt like I was melting. In fact, the sidewalk was so hot that I think the soles of my shoes were melting.

The heat is so oppressive that one just wants to stay inside and take a long afternoon nap.

And it's just as hot in June/July...

BTW, I'm someone who gets cold easily and I don't mind temp in the mid 80s. But when the temp hits high 90s to 100s, even I can't tolerate it.

Wusses . .