Texas trek questions
 

I'm trying to plan a last minute trip for next week (Labor Day week.)

My wife and I enjoy visiting parks and cities we've never seen.

So far I've been considering driving to Tennessee or flying to Dallas, Denver or New Orleans.

What do you think of this 7 day itinerary?

Flying into Dallas and out of New Orleans; visit Dallas, Austin, Houston, New Orleans with a one or two nights in each. If I should drop one of them, which one?

Thanks

I live in Houston . . Hard to offer advice without knowing what you like to see/do, but If I was a first time visitor to Texas, San Antonio would be my first pick . . you can see the city and tour the Hill Country easily.

Houston is not such a great place for first time visitors, unless you are into the Space Center . . We do have a very nice City park and Zoo but otherwise, it's just sorta big and business like. If you live here, there is plenty to see and do, but not so easy for a first time visit. WE do have a baseball and football team if either is of interest.

I've never enjoyed Dallas as a tourist destination. They do have a lot to see and do, but one or two days would be better spent in the Hill Country for me!

New Orleans deserves at least three days . .

I'm not sure how you can do all those, considering the travel time involved.

I am from New Orleans but live in Houston (at least for the next few weeks).

If you are set on starting with Dallas, then I would do as Rich suggested and visit San Antonio and the Hill Country for a couple of days. Then drive to New Orleans for a few days.

That's too many destinations for one week. I'd skip both Dallas and Houston and fly straight into Austin and spend at least 2 nights each in Austin, San Antonio and New Orleans (with an extra night in whichever place interests you most.)

It's really HOT here right now. Not sure if the weather is conducive to enjoying the outdoors. Here's a link to opinions on FW v. Dallas:

http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...fort-worth.cfm

Down in the San Antonio to Houston area, there is a town called Brenham. It's where they make Blue Bell Homemade Ice Cream.

Also in that area, there's also some "Painted Churches". I haven't been, but hope to go some day.

http://schulenburgchamber.org/tours/churches/

http://www.klru.org/paintedchurches/

Talk about impulsive. Based on your posts, I just booked flying into Austin out of New Orleans. 7 nights total.

Now I need help with things to do :)

Thanks

Hot Hot Hot right now. New Orleans would be hot too. Dallas isn't really touristy, but does have great food. San Antonio and Schlitterbahn Waterpark is great. I love Big Bend, Quadalupe Mountains, and Carlsbad Caverns National Parks(carlsbad is in NM, but is only 45 minutes from Guadalupe).

You're quick!!!!!

As for things to do - try doing a search for Austin, San Antonio, and New Orleans to see what others have done.

I think you made a good decision to limit your trip. Austin and New Orleans can easily fill a week.
There are lots of archived posts about Austin that should be helpful! Enter your search terms in the search the forums box at the upper fright hand side of this page.

Also helpful: http://www.austin360.com/this-is-austin/

If you have specific questions, there are many Austin posters here who would be happy to respond. If you can tell us what you're looking for, it makes it easier to respond with helpful information.

I just saw this and was going to say Austin and NO. Good choice. In Austin, music - just tell us your preferences. Swimming at Barton Springs, checking out SoCo pizza at Homeslice, Blanton museum. Give some ideas on wat u lime to do and foods to eat.

Things to do -

Upon arrival at the Austin airport, listen for music. If you hear live music, pull up a chair, order something to eat and drink and enjoy some REALLY GOOD free music in the airport.

Spend the night in Austin and go listen to some good music.

If the bats are flying, go to the bridge to watch them at dusk.

If you like quaint towns, go to Fredricksburg.

Check the schedule at the Greune dance hall. Go see a live band if someone good is playing. Visit New Braunfels while you are at it. Spend the night in the area.

Drive toward NOLA.

Go to Avery Island, LA and visit the Tabasco factory. Amazing.

Stop at one of the plantations on the way to NOLA. Maybe Oak Alley.

Spend the night in the French Quarter. www.dauphineorleans.com is a favorite.

Stop at Cafe du Monde as soon as you arrive and enjoy some beignets and cafe au lait.

Walk around or take a carriage ride around the Quarter. Shop, eat, drink, enjoy.

Take a streetcar out through the Garden District. Get off at the riverbend and eat a po'boy at Cooter Brown's or at another restaurant nearby.

Take the streetcar back and get off. Walk towards Magazine Street. Stroll, look, shop.

Stroll back by the cemetery, catch the streetcar and go back to the French Quarter.

Eat somewhere great. Take a tour. Spend a block or two on Bourbon Street but spend the rest of the time elsewhere. Pretend you are in Paris. It's easy to do.

Have fun! Good choice ;)

That should read "...what you like to do..."

"Swimming at Barton Springs"
I agree.

http://www.gruenehall.com/sept2011.html

Gruene Hall = GO!!!!

I'm going to spend 4 nights doing Austin, SA and Hill country.

I'm having a heck of a time getting a hotel for this Saturday night in Austin.

Do you think it's a good idea to base myself in one central location between Austin and SA and go everywhere from there?

My other idea is to stay out of town on Sat then relocate in town for Sun and Mon.

Any ideas?

EVERYTHING starrs said! Spend some time on 6th Street in Austin: http://www.6street.com/

Things we like in no particular order:

Art museums, architecture, history, interesting neighborhoods, ethnic and regional foods, music, nature walks, beautiful nature scenery, swimming, taking pictures and videos.

You are going to areas that are hellishly hot this time of year - 100 is fairly frequent - so unless yo plan on doing mostly indoor things I would pick a different time/different places.

That said - even though I am not fan of either Dallas or Houston - you are leaving yourself next to no time to actually do/see anything - way too many destinations for so few days

San Antonio and New Orleans are legitimate vacation destinations but the fomer deserves 2 days (3 nights) and the latter at lest 3 days (4 nights).

Re: getting a hotel room in Austin this Saturday - this is the first UT game of the season, and i'm sure the hotels have been booked downtown for a year.

NyTraveler,

Unfortunately I didn't know that area was undergoing a heat wave. My wife is from a hot country so we'll deal with it.

Re legit vacation destination, is Austin not??

Thanks

UT has its season opener football game this weeked - they play Rice in Austin Saturday night - probably why you're having a hard time getting a hotel room. If you like college football, it's hard to beat a UT game - the atmosphere is tons of fun. It will be hot though, even at 7pm.

If you don't like football, or the college scene, I would stay away from Austin Saturday night. Maybe San Antonio two nights? Then Austin for two? Both are great places, lots of great food to eat.

Based on your intersts, I suggest The Blanton museum, Barton Springs pool, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, south Congress Ave for : a few unique shops, trailer food, music at Gueros outside or the Continental club, pizza at Homeslice.

Take a walk up to Mt. bonnell and take a ride around that neighborhood.

Texas is in the midst of the hottest summer ever and the worst drought ever. However, this weekend we have a cool front and we just might only make it to 99

Yes, it's hot in Texas right now. Cars, restaurants, malls and any other indoor venues are air conditioned. You'll be fine coming to Texas as a tourist. We live here and we are not melting! There are also lots of places to stay outside Austin on Saturday that are still within driving distance of major attractions. Don't let the UT game keep you from enjoying a visit to Austin.

By the way, if you go to Gruene - it is pronounced Green.

It's always hot in that part of the country this time of year - that's the weather that it has.

Austin is a legitimate place to visit - but it sounds like the fottball game - like religion in Texas - will mean the town is already full.