Austin: Give me everything you've got

[emilycat]

With all this talk about traveling and quick long weekend trips, and all the lovely things I've heard about Austin, I've developed a mad case of wanderlust.
So in all the glorious detail, I'd love it if the acquainted among you could give me the low-down on the place -- namely, I'm mostly interested in can't-miss outdoor activities, the best in music venues and festivals, and any great quasi-healthy, innovative restaurants on the dining scene.
I'd also love any suggestions you may have for quaint, relatively inexpensive places to stay. Thanks, y'all! :)

[kwormann]

Since Ive only been there 2x, I cant give you LOTS of info, but I can tell you there are beautiful hills and great natural springs to soak in. Also we enjoyed Hula Hut for the beautiful hills in the sunset, altho those from Austin might know swankier places with the same view.

You could definately check out http://www.austin.citysearch.com or http://www.austin360.com/acvb/

Austin is known for great live music and clubs on 6th street. We ate at a great tappas bar there! You will love Austin. The air is clean and it is a very cool place!

[Kerri]

Hey Emily,

A good "totally Texas" day trip to take from Austin is tubing in New Branfauls. You rent a intertube (with a bottom!) and float down a river for about 4 hours. The river is spring fed so it is COLD, but with the outside temp of 90+, it feels nice. You can also rent tubes with coolers and typically you fill it with your favorite beer (here we drink Shiner Bock) in cans and just drink and relax. We take this tubing trip annually in the summer and always stay in Austin afterwards.

That is about my extent of actual Austin experience. I do know that many of the best state parks are in that area with good hiking. You won't fine the same mountains and trees you have in the southeast, but the hill country definately has its own beauty. I have also heard that Austin is great for runners with many nice city parks. Have fun!

Kerri

[lindrusso]

I must confess that most of my time spent in Austin was spent shopping. When we moved to Texas, I was pregnant with my first, so we didn't get to do much in the way of outdoor activities or dining out at fancy restaurants. But if you need to know about any malls or antique shopping.... ;) .

However, I'm sure you know from reading this board that Central Markets is worth visiting. On the same street, there is a great Whole Foods. I mention Whole Foods because they have a café upstairs with wonderful lunch-type food - and it all has a very heavy vegetarian influence (plus a great juice bar). I remember having great Pad Thai there and a wonderful roasted veggie sandwich with melted Fontina cheese on homemade rosemary bread - yum!!! But, I guess this wouldn't be such a big deal if you have a similar set up at a Whole Foods near you!

I know I am totally forgetting many things, but I'll pick my husband's brain (he's got a much better memory than me!) and see what else we can come up with!

[m4star]

Austin is WONDERFUL...but then again, I am biased.

Here are some things you can not miss:

Barton Springs- natural spring, fed by the Edwards Aquifer, that runs right through town and is always a wonderful 68º Fahrenheit, year-round!!

the Town Lake bats- America's largest urban bat colony (1.5 million bats) emerge each night at dusk from mid-April to September

Mt. Bonnell- A beautiful view, not to be missed at sunset

Greenbelt/Hike and Bike Trails- Miles and miles of hiking, biking, rock climbing, etc...

6th Street- lined with bars, and usually drunken college kids (but I think the bars/clubs on 4th are much better)

These are just some of the outdoors things I think you might find fun. As for cheaper (but nice) places to stay, I recommend the Austin Motel on South Congress (it's a kitsch institution here). And there are more restaurants in Austin (per capita) then any other town. Just some quick recommendations:

Mexican-
Manuel's
Guero's
Arturo's
Curra's
Polvo's

Healthy Cusine (vegetarian and vegan)-
Mother's
Mr. Natural
West Lynn Cafe
Casa de Luz
Veggie Heaven

Austin Institutions (as in you can't miss them)
Threadgill's
the Salt Lick (not actually in Austin, but worth the drive)
Tamale House #3
Hoovers
Magnolia Cafe
Kerby Lane Cafe
Stubb's

Places I highly recommend-
Eastside Cafe
Saba
Vespaio
Mars
Louie 106

Seriously, I could go on and on. If you have any more questions, or need any more information, please email me.

melinda_regul@hotmail.com

[emilycat]

Thanks so much! All these responses are great!
m4star, what a list! I'm exceedingly grateful. :)

Kim, I'll definitely check out those web sites, too.

Any more ideas are welcome; I can't have too much information!

[SusieO]

It's been years since I last visited Austin, but one place I really enjoyed visiting was the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. It's a really cool place, especially if you're at all interested in native landscaping. Here's a link to more info:

http://www.wildflower.org/

I would also second the recommendation to see the bats. I've never seen anything quite like it.

Enjoy!

[Liz K]

Emily, if you decide to come to Austin, I'd love to meet you. I always enjoy reading all your posts.

The list posted above is excellent. Just this afternoon, I went to Barton Springs for the first time. Fabulous on a hot day!

[ama47369]

Just to add to the list, we loved to go to Ester's Follies (a musical comedy show). They will have you rolling on the floor and they stay up to date with the current events. Also, LaZona Rosa has a great gospel/folk band on Sundays for brunch. The band that we used to see was all accustical and completely amazing! The food was really good, too. Both places are downtown, and take reservations. I think Stubb's(mentioned above) also has a Sunday brunch that's supposed to be great.

[NydiaC]

emilycat,

Since you love to run, here is a link to Runtex, the local running event sponsor, and to the local trail maps.

http://www.runtex.com/

http://www.runtex.com/townlake.htm

[SusanMac]

Emilycat -- RunTex is a running institution and HQ's in Austin. They sponsor lots of runs, contribute to RW magazine and have a pretty good website. Be sure to check them out.

Another Austin institution (there are lots, mainly just because Texans are so darned proud of themselves :-) is the Oasis. It's a mexican restaurant near Mt. Bonnell and overlooking Lake Austin. The food is mediocre, but...the margs are out of this world and they're mainly known for the views of the lake and hills. They have 24 decks built into the side of the hill. Most popular time to go is for sunset any day of the week.

For non-food related things to do....Lady Bird Johnson has a museum and garden that is absolutely beautiful. And, just last year, the UT tower was reopened, so you can go to the top and catch some wonderful views. A new Texas History museum also just opened and is supposed to be great.

[kwormann]

When are you coming?

[luv2cook]

We go hiking in Austin. We usually have the dogs with us, but the last place we stayed sans dogs is Embassy Suites. It's really close to Whole Foods...

[luv2cook]

Can someone tell me why my [i] things are showing up? I checked the directions, so I thought...

[SoCal]

luv2cook,

Maybe it doesn't work on the section (is it your 'signature' or 'quote'?) you are typing. I know it doesn't work to bold or italicize in the subject when you post a new thread. Sorry, I'm no help!