[Dork.]

It looks like I'll be taking a last-minute business-related trip to Austin next week. My days, I have been assured, will be filled to capacity with stuff that would likely bore you all to tears. But I may have a night or two available to take in the place.

I will be staying near Town Lake, wherever that is.

Any thoughts on how I can occupy my time? I hear there might be a good band or two there. I've been in the mood for bluesy stuff lately. How is transportation there? Will I need a car for much at all? Any good places to eat? (Not too expensive. I may be on an expense account but the budget for it is small). Perhaps someplace where I might be able to catch the Met game....

[black bear theory]

Originally Posted by Dork.

It looks like I'll be taking a last-minute business-related trip to Austin next week. My days, I have been assured, will be filled to capacity with stuff that would likely bore you all to tears. But I may have a night or two available to take in the place.

I will be staying near Town Lake, wherever that is.

Any thoughts on how I can occupy my time? I hear there might be a good band or two there. I've been in the mood for bluesy stuff lately. How is transportation there? Will I need a car for much at all? Any good places to eat? (Not too expensive. I may be on an expense account but the budget for it is small). Perhaps someplace where I might be able to catch the Met game....

town lake is the "lake" that passes through the center of town. if you feel comfortable walking, it is an very easy town to get around in on foot or bike - lots of trails around town lake. but it's probably deathly hot there now, so having A/C might be nice.

sixth street is the main drag for bars and music though there are plenty of other venues around too. you'll find lots of music - my suggestion is to walk around and listen to see if you hear anything you like. also can look through a free 'austin chronicle' (they're available everywhere) for ideas - they come out on thursday and list the week's entertainment.

the atmosphere may be intimidating but casion el camino (on sixth) has the best burgers in town. south of the "lake", there are lots of good texmex restaurants- guero's, chuy's, cura's, trudy's, etc, most walking-distance from downtown.

that's just a general idea. ask if you have anything more specific.

[volcano]

Black Bear recommended some good places to eat - Guero's Taco Bar (on South Congress, aka "SoCo," directly south of Town Lake) is my favorite Tex-Mex eatery in town. They have amazing tamales - and their shrimp tacos are to die for. Chuy's has great Tex-Mex as well, and they have various locations around town (South location is right near Town Lake, North, and Round Rock). Both restaurants are casual places and their prices are very reasonable.

If you become sick of Tex-Mex (which I never do), I would highly recommend Kerbey Lane Cafe. They have 4 locations in town, and they have a very ecletic menu selection. The prices are reasonable too. Another "hot spot" is Magnolia Cafe over on Lake Austin Blvd. - it's quite similar to Kerbey (both are open 24 hours and have that "Keep Austin Weird" feeling) but the atmosphere is quite different and the menu differs as well.

As for entertainment - as suggested above - just walk around 6th street any night, and you'll find something to do. If you want to do some traditional sightseeing, Austin has some amazing views and scenery out the Hill Country - on the west side of town. I would recommend going to Mount Bonnell, the highest point in Austin. You'll see some amazing scenery. Also, drive anywhere on Capital of Texas Highway (also known as Highway 360) and you'll see some great views of Austin - and you'll be able to drive across the 360 bridge. If you're looking for water-related entertainment, just do a search on "Lake Travis" and you'll find an abundance of resources and venues to check out - including Windy Pointe and Volente Beach (which is starting to open up again). Plus, you'll have to eat at the Oasis - they're situated on a hill overlooking the lake, and the views are fantastic!

Hopefully that helps. If you have any questions, PM me.

[olePigeon]

I would recommend taking a detour to the state of California. Good food here.

[Dork.]

Originally Posted by black bear theory

town lake is the "lake" that passes through the center of town. if you feel comfortable walking, it is an very easy town to get around in on foot or bike - lots of trails around town lake. but it's probably deathly hot there now, so having A/C might be nice.

Oh, I see. You call that a "lake". Back East, we'd call that a River!

I think a pilgrimage to Stevie is in order.

and I've heard a lot about the 6th street area in what little research I've done. I think at least one night will be spent wandering around there. I'll have two nights available, assuming no late work nights.

Lots of good suggestions here. Keep 'em coming!

[willed]

Austin!

[chris v]

Originally Posted by Dork.

Oh, I see. You call that a "lake". Back East, we'd call that a River!

Well, it's dammed up, so technically, it's a man-made lake.

El Azteca on E. 7th is better Tex-Mex than Guero's. Not to diss Guero's -- I like it -- but El Azteca is the best.

[ghporter]

East Side Cafe. It's out Manor Rd and a bit of a ways from the Town Lake area, but you'll be glad you went there!

But do NOT write off the restaurants in the hotels on Town Lake. One of the places that made fajitas a trendy dish in the early 1980s was the Hyat on Town Lake; these hotels often have some wonderful food.

Old Pecan Street Cafe on Sixth Street is wonderful. History, great food, great view of the street as the "interesting characters" move past. Highly recommended for weekends, but get there early.

Remember that Katz's never closes; they're on Sixth at Rio Grande. Yum.

Try the Draughthorse Pub and Brewery on Medical Parkway near W.41st has a special place in my heart. Try the Porterhorse (if they have any left). More yum!

And before you go, check out the Austin Chronicle online. Look for eateries, drinkeries and music; it's all there.

Damn, I wish I could afford to still live in Austin! <sad>

[Dork.]

It's been getting down into the low 30's here at night lately. I think my area had a frost last night.

Austin will be just a teensy bit warmer, right?

[ghporter]

Highs in the upper 80s, lows in the upper 60s next week. Possible rain and/or thunder storms late in the week.

Nice and toasty 'round these parts.

[black bear theory]

Originally Posted by ghporter

Try the Draughthorse Pub and Brewery on Medical Parkway near W.41st has a special place in my heart. Try the Porterhorse (if they have any left). More yum!

yes! this place is awesome! you can tailgate in their parking lot. very chill. i used to drink there all night and the bartender would hand me a bill for $7. ymmv.

if you like microbrews, check this place out. also, on sixth street, there is a bar called 'lovejoys' which makes some decent beer. b-sides is on 4th street, another good microbrewery.

late night munchies? starseeds at 31st and IH-35

this thread is making me sad too. *sniff*

[Monique]

Is it true Austin is known for its bats?

[chris v]

Originally Posted by Monique

Is it true Austin is known for its bats?

A couple million Mexican Freetails occupy the cracks under a bridge from about June to about September.

Favorite new restaurant: La Michoacana @ 6th & Chicon.

[Dork.]

I got in safely last night (more accurately early this morning), in spite of O'Hare's best efforts to get me to stay the night. What a slut!

Ready to walk around some, in spite of the threatening weather.

The place I'm working at is south of Town Lake, in that curious area where every road is named "Barton". I ate at a lovely Sushi place for lunch.

Don't worry, I'm not going to turn this thread into a blog, but felt like posting again to bump! it....

[alex_kac]

Yeah, downtown has some streets that curve around in strange ways. Another place you may want to try is Katz's Deli - a really nice place with a rooftop dance bar.

[ghporter]

Gee I miss driving around Town Lake...

Can you be more specific about where you're working? East or west of Lamar Blvd? Go very far west, and you're in Zilker Park-worth the trip!

[chris v]

Originally Posted by Dork.

The place I'm working at is south of Town Lake, in that curious area where every road is named "Barton".

Family name of early settlers of that part of town. There were just a few ranch houses, & St. Edwards University, south of the river until the 1920's or so. S. Austin is still "the boonies" to the upper-crust society-types. It's considered "bubbaland." Me, I've got strong South Austin roots.

[volcano]

Originally Posted by black bear theory

late night munchies? starseeds at 31st and IH-35

Love that place. Even at 3AM the waitress still has a smile on her face.

Also, if you were on Barton Springs Road and you need free wireless, Austin Java is a great place to go - and their food is excellent. If you happen to be roaming around though, most of downtown Austin has free wireless, thanks to that World Congress on Information Technology convention that is starting this week - their "gift" to Austin was a massive and free WiFi network that includes areas from Lamar Blvd. to IH-35, and Town Lake to 6th street. Granted, the speeds can be shifty, but it's free and it works, so who can complain?

Hope you're enjoying our 90 degree weather today

[Dork.]

Originally Posted by ghporter

Try the Draughthorse Pub and Brewery on Medical Parkway near W.41st has a special place in my heart. Try the Porterhorse (if they have any left). More yum!

A great place! I took a drive up there intending to try a quick pint or two and move on to see more of the city. Before I knew it, I was in the parking lot greeting dogs, talking with some interesting people, and staying up way past my bedtime. I guess this means I need to take another trip back here someday.

By the way, it's the Draught House. A Google search on "Draughthorse Pub" yields an interesting result....

[Dork.]

Originally Posted by volcano

Hope you're enjoying our 90 degree weather today

I'm enjoying it, make no mistake about it. But I'll have no problem whatsoever leaving it here.

[jamil5454]

Hmm wish I would have seen this thread earlier. I live right on the south side of Town Lake, by the Congress bridge.

Next time you come, head west on 6th street, go under Mopac Expressway (highway 1), and continue for about a mile or two. Look for a group of restaurants/cafes on your left. Hula Hut is one of my favorites (Grilled Hawaiian Chicken is scrumptious), and for coffee, Mozart's is nice. Both are on the water, great for summer.

Barton Springs is also a nice place to go on a hot day.

Oh well, hope you had fun.