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Things to do in Austin, Tx
Zoolander
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
I'm headed to Austin for two weeks in September and trying to figure out what things I can do during those two weeks. I'll be working during the day (except for the weekends), but I'd like to do at least some small thing most nights, even if it's just a nice walk or something.
I'll be staying in the Arboretum area. I haven't rented a car as of now, and I'm debating whether or not to. Is it necessary to rent a car there? I figure I'd like to go downtown at least a few times, and the bus ride seems like it will take more than 1 hour each way.
Anyway, please let me know what are the must-see places and things in Austin!
I'll be staying in the Arboretum area. I haven't rented a car as of now, and I'm debating whether or not to. Is it necessary to rent a car there? I figure I'd like to go downtown at least a few times, and the bus ride seems like it will take more than 1 hour each way.
Anyway, please let me know what are the must-see places and things in Austin!
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Draft house is super and also 6th street downtown is worth checking out if you're into bars and the like.
EDIT: Also it occurs to me that you will probably be there right around the start of football season, which could be cool if you like football. All the more reason to avoid the Metro, too, because that place becomes a fucking zoo during game weekends.
If there's any time you'd like to kill downtown, I always enjoyed spending a few hours kicking around Bookpeople, Waterloo Records, Amy's Ice Cream, and Whole Foods (all Austin standbys, all clustered around the same intersection).
If there isn't one by you, Fry's is always fun for geeky window shopping. (If there is one by you, the one in Austin isn't super exciting from a decoration perspective, aside from the entrance being shaped like a piano.)
If you have time on the weekend, you could always hit up Schlitterbahn or check out some of the gorgeous scenery in the surrounding area (no specific recommendations, but I've always admired the landscape when going to/from Austin from various directions).
While Austin is a pain to drive in, and there is okay transit, I personally would probably rent a car for getting around.
http://www.arcadeufo.com/
Go see the Cathedral of Junk, it's free(donations accepted) and really cool.
Hey guys!
Do it.
The Alamo Drafthouse is probably my favorite place, ever.
Speaking of, I currently have two tickets to District 9 at the Alamo Drafthouse on South Lamar at 7:45
I'm so excited.
I looked into the car rental situation and realized that being under 25 really sucks for that sort of thing. I will probably stick to public transit supplemented by taxis, which will unfortunately curtail my movement somewhat.
So far, I'm definitely going to check out the 6th street/downtown area. A lot of the suggestions seem to be within a walkable radius of that, so I'll probably spend at least a day there, rounded off with checking out the live music. It seems like a lot for one day, so downtown Austin might be two days.
Between football and baseball, I prefer football, so checking out the Longhorns would be great. I notice they are playing Texas Tech on Saturday, Sept. 19 at 7pm. How doable would it be to see that game? I imagine that the place will be insanely packed. I'd like to check out the LBJ museum, University of Texas - Austin and catch the game also.
Another day I'm thinking of relaxing at Barton Springs, Zilker Park and Zilker Botanical Gardens.
Shopping around and ice cream in the Arboretum area is also in the plans, especially on weeknights when I might be too tired to go very far.
Some rough plans for now, thanks for all the help so far! If you have any more suggestions, please keep them coming.
If you like bats, there is this giant bat colony that lives under one of the bridges in town, and they fly out every night to feed, so that it something kind of interesting to see.
I have only been here for about a year, but I have kick ass suggestions for any type of food you would want to be eating, so if there is something particular you want, I can probably tell you a great place to get it. Got to second the vote for the Salt Lick, very amazing BBQ, their pork ribs are phenomenal, however if you have no transport, the original location is probably not going to be very possible.
Yeah, good luck with that. That game will be sold out, and probably already is.
In case you're not familiar, the Express are the Astros' minor league team, for what it's worth.
You could also check out an Ice Bats game (hockey) if they're playing. I've seen them a few times and it was pretty awesome.
Enterprise Rent-A-Car rents to folks under 25. For two weeks, it should be about $600 or so.
And you said you'll be working - is your company sending you out to Austin or something? If so, you should lobby them to pay for your rental car, imo.
Yeah, we did this when we took a road trip to Austin and it's a really cool experience.
As for places to eat I only recently moved here and can only personally attest to Dirty Martin's Kumbak Burgers. Best greasedive ever.
They're pretty good. I also like Thai Noodle behind the 7 Eleven at 26 and Guadalupe and any Freebird's you can find is a good investment in a burrito.
Also thanks for the state capitol mentions, I will add that to my day of checking out the LBJ museum and U of T - Austin.
Sir Carcass, I checked out the Austin Ice Bats, but looks like their season doesn't start till October. It would have been cool to check out a hockey game in Texas!
So far I have roughly:
A friday night at the Alamo Drafthouse, followed by Hideout Theatre, Antone's or any other place that catches my eye for entertainment.
A full Saturday downtown visiting the Texas State Capitol, Bob Bullock Texas History Museum, University of Texas at Austin campus, the LBJ Library and catch the college football game vs. Texas Tech. I've always wanted to see an American college football game (I'm from Canada), and I figure what better place. Is the Bob Bullock Texas History Museum any good? I added it in there because I read about it, but that day is already packed, so I might skip it if it's not great.
A full Sunday visiting Zilker Park, Zilker Botanical Gardens, and a swim at the Barton Springs pool. It's ok if this doesn't fill a whole day, I gotta rest at some point.
About a half-day checking out the stores in downtown Austin.
That basically covers the free days I would have, not including weekdays. I tried to plan it so that there is as little travel by public transit or taxi as possible. Not quite sure what I'll do on weekdays, but probably visiting the Arboretum shopping mall and going to food places. As for food, any suggestions would be great, keep them coming please. It sucks that The Salt Lick BBQ is far away, a taxi ride there would cost a lot, plus the meal.
Is there anything I'm missing or should know? Thanks for all the help so far!
The Bob Bullock Museum is pretty cool, worth checking out. They have an IMAX theatre there, as well.
If you want to shop, in addition to the Arboretum, go to the Domain mall, it's a really nice outdoor mall, much more upscale. It also has a huge Apple store.
Other food places that are good and are within 3 miles of the Arboretum:
Potbelly's - best toasted sandwiches I have ever had
Chipotle - good burrito's, I like it more than Freebirds, but Freebirds is good too
Mighty Fine Burgers - best burgers I have ever had
Jimmy John's - best non toasted sandwiches I have ever had
the first 3 are all in the same shopping center called the Arbor Walk.
and I second Chuy's, great Tex-Mex, it's like 1/4 mile north of Rudy's
and just in case you are into magic cards, D&D, boardgames, etc, I passed by this place called Battleforge Games, it sells all kinds of card and board games, and they have open play areas, there were like 5 pairs of people playing cards and 4 groups of 2-3 people playing board games. It's in the same center as this Alamo Draft House, right next to it is Madam Mam's, the Thai food place someone mentioned earlier (different store location), and a Korean food place called Korea House which is really good also.
Yes, public transportation suuucks in Austin, at least if you don't live very centrally and want to hang out centrally, which you're not.
Thunderbird might be my favorite coffee place there, and it's not far from the Arboretum. If you don't mind a longer wait for the coffee, there's also Mozart's which is a nice coffee shop on Lake Austin.
The airport is basically on the opposite side of town from where you will be (far southeast). So renting from somewhere else is a much better plan. First off: you do the same thing as my (Canadian) husband -- it's "UT" Austin, not "U of T". You're going to have to retrain yourself for the time you're there or you're going to get some strange looks. ;-)
I've heard the Texas History Museum was pretty neat, but my family tends to be big on museums in general. Honestly, I'm not sure you'll have time. I would definitely make sure to budget some extra time on campus at UT to enjoy the pre-game atmosphere, especially if you've never been to an American college game. And hey, you may be able to score some BBQ from the tailgaters.
Be aware that traffic will be horrible both before and after. You should be okay if you're heading downtown early to sightsee, but take your time heading home so you don't have to stand the whole way back.
Also, don't wear red that day. :P
Hah thanks, these kinds of tips that will enhance my personal safety are always welcome