Trip Report on Austin, Texas Trip
 

Trip from Baltimore to Austin was fine. Line of Taxis available and the Cost to the Hilton near the Convention Center was 21.00 plus tip. The Hilton is a beautiful hotel. The pool is nice and free. The spa and workout center were not free. We were able to walk anywhere we wanted to go. We arrived late and went to Manuela's for dinner. Excellent food. We walked down sixth street. Lots of interesting people watching, great music. Sunday my husband went to his conference and I went walking. Breakfast is not easy to find within walking. Champions at the Marriott was 10.95 for buffet. Last day we ate at the Hotel Driscoll and it was great and reasonable. Too bad it was out last morning. Sunday we walked to Congress Street Bridge to watch bats. They tols us the best view was across the bridge. We waited with hundreds of people. It was pretty amazing that all these people were watching bats. We went way to early but it was pleasant sitting there. At about 8:45 some bats flew out, not like we expected but still interesting. We later learned that not every night is the huge bat fly out but when it does happen it is really cool. We saw a bunch more as we walked back across the bridge. We walked to PF Changs for dinner. Excellent. Both nights we saw lots of bachelorette parties and they wore interesting head gear and seemed to be having lots of fun. Glad I didn't have to explain the head gear to a young child but we sure had some good laughs.
Monday was relax by the pool, lunch at the Ironworks. Good food.
Dinner was McCormick and Schmick for seafood and it was good. We then walked to Second Street to window shop and a band was playing outside along the street so we sat and listened to them.
Tuesday was Iron Cactus on Sixth Street for lunch then a walk to Congress to get the Dillo for a ride to the LBJ museum. What a nice free bus ride. Clean, drivers were nice and helpful. The museum is free and very interesting, especially if you lived through that history. On the ride back we hopped off at the state capitol. Amazing building, free tours about every ten minutes. Good information for adults and kids. Back on the dillo to the shops on South Congress. Interesting shops but the day was very hot, 99 so we didn't shop much. Saw the pink cupcake but again too hot to eat. Dinner was back at Manuela's, can you tell we liked it. Went to the rio theater right on sixth to see Indiana Jones, good movie. Would you believe they had table service for food and drink during the movie. We don't have that where we live and thought it was novel. Wednesday morning was check out. We ate breakfast at the Driscoll. The hotel was happy to hold our bags. You must walk through the Driscoll it is history alive. LBJ asked Lady Bird to marry him there and his election headquarters was there. I am sure we sat in the same booth that they did. HAHA. We rode the Duck for a tour of the city and the lake. Be sure to make reservations. The guide was great and the tour through parts of the city that we had not gone to because we didn't have a car was very informative. Saw Sandra Bullock's restaurant, Bess. The tour on the lake was one big circle and forgettable. We walked back to the Iron Cactus for lunch bought a few t shirts at the visitors center and left for the airport early. It is a good thing we did. We knew our layover in Nashville was only a half hour and when we arrived at 4:30 for our 6:30 flight the flight was already delayed till 7:00. By the time we walked to find something to eat it was delayed till 7:30. We immediately walked up to the southwest counter and the young lady helped us get on a 4:50 to Houston and then straight to Baltimore and only 45 minutes later than our original. Sounded good and was till thunderstorms kept us in the air. then they kept us on the ground and finally arrived at 1:30 AM. Tired but believe it or not our luggage was there. Highly recommend PreFlight as long term park. We had a good time but don't envy you texans during August. Thanks for all your help. MY dh is always amazed what I know about a new place and I owe it all to you fodorites. Have a good summer.

Nice trip report. Glad you liked Austin!

I have a question about your favorite restaurant, Manuela's, cause I've never heard of it. Where is it and are you sure that's the name? Also, the theater where you saw the Indiana Jones, could it have been the Alamo, not the Rio?

August can definitely be a challenge weather-wise but I'm glad you made the most of it.

I just thought of the restaurant, is it Manuel's on Congress right around 2nd Street? If so, it's one of my favorites.

poolqueen, can I make a suggestion for next time you post? It would be much easier to read your trip reports if you break it up into more paragraphs. And if it's easier to read, more people will read it and comment. Thanks!

Great report! Thanks for sharing.

Sorry about the typing and no paragraphs. The fingers move faster than the brain. (Don't tell anyone I am a teacher and should know better.) HAHA It is Manuel's.

The theater is Rios I think but it is on Sixth Street very near the Iron Cactus and Coyote Ugly.

I'll be thinking of you in August.

You are referring to the Alamo Draft House, a local chain of movie theatres that serve food and drink (beer and wine too) during the movie. They have removed every other or every two rows of seats and you have a table in front of you. I like their wine but their food is pretty bad. They are very popular and often sell out of first run shows if you don't get there early.

As for the bats - the bats dont' really come out till later in July and August after they have their babies and need to find food (bugs) for them.