We are visiting Austin for 3 full days and 4 nights. My husband and I are traveling with our two kids (4 and 2) and my parents. Our main reason for the trip is for a wedding and rehearsal dinner. Some things we are hoping to see/do are Zilker Park (Barton Springs, train ride, canoe ride, Dino dig, science center), Thinkery, Congress Bridge Bats, ApWelcome to Austin mural, Whole Foods, plus just walk around Congress street etc...

What's the best place to stay? We will have a rental so driving isn't too much of a problem, but I'd like to walk with our stroller as much as possible, safe kid friendly area. The wedding is at Mecury Hall.

Thoughts?

I would rent a house in the SoCo or Travis Heights area. Check out VRBO.com.

If you want to stay in a hotel, I would pick one that is right on the hike and bike trail (LadyBird Lake, more commonly referred to as Town Lake), and on or close to Congress Street. The Radisson or Hyatt Regency would be examples of good location.

The Embassy Suites Hotel is in a good location near the hike and bike trail. It's got a lot of good ameneties for families. (And it's just a couple of blocks from Sandy's where you can treat yourselves and the kids to a soft-serve ice cream cone. Sandy's has been in South Austin forever.)

When are you going? Bat flights and dusk only sync up at certain times of the year.

Are you trying to jam everyone into one lodging or multiple hotel rooms - a suite hotel would probably make you take a 2BR suite if it accepts 4 full people and 2 halves.

Guessing you don't have Whole Foods in your area? Just note, it has reached the point of fiscal mockery - just as we call Neiman Marcus, "Needless Markup," we also call Whole Foods "Whole Paycheck" (less poetic but still accurate).

Totally agree about Whole Foods. There's one not far from me in Arlington, VA but I never shop there. I guess a visitor to Austin might get a kick out of walking through Whole Foods if only to laugh at the ridiculous prices people will pay for food.

Probably just jam us all together.

We have a few Whole Foods near us actually. It is more to see the first whole foods rather than actually shop. I also read they have activities for kids. We used to shop there until I found out he was a Conservative Libertarian. But, they are the only place that carries some stuff my family eats/uses so in addition to other stores we shop for a few items.

While I am not a fan of shopping at Whole Foods, the flagship store in Austin is pretty amazing and worthy of a stop for tourists. It is not your regular Whole Foods. Make sure you park in the parking garage (under the store) as parking elsewhere is pretty tough.

I'd suggest you try VRBO, Flipkey, Airb&b, etc., for a house or condo. Austin has lots of them and they appear to be reasonably priced (as long as there are no big festivals going on) and mostly legal.

Anywhere around First and South Congress on the south side of the river should be good. there are lots of great places to eat and shop around there. Sounds like you've chosen some fun kid spots too.

JnJSanDiego,

I quite liked Brava House B&B when I stayed in Austin in the residential Clarksville neighborhood just west of downtown; you can look on Trip Advisor to see if it appeals. I walked most everywhere from there (with the exception of one bus which ran very close to the LBJ Museum).

I didn't realize the flagship Whole Foods store (down the hill from my B&B) until I visited Austin. I've seen some big Whole Foods, but this one was gi-normous and agree with AustinTraveler that going was an experience in itself!

Best wishes, Daniel

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This makes sense because "he" is the only person who benefits from Whole Foods or its stock, employment opportunities, works in the community, benefit plans, food sourcing, food variety, fair trade policies, etc. . . .