AboutJKC Expertise I am not a native Austinite, but lived in Austin since 1989. I certainly can not answer everything there is to know about Austin, but can give you a candid answer/opinion based on first-hand experience. I decided to volunteer (or pretend to be an expert) since there is no Austin "expert" in this site.
Question Hello,
My husband and I will be in Austin from Sept. 22-26 as my husband has a business conference there. Neither of us have ever been in Texas and would like some suggestions of what to see and do while we are there.We would like to know info about other areas in the region, such as San Antonio. Thank you.
Answer THINGS TO DO IN AUSTIN
- Go to the 6th Street on Friday or Saturday night.
Think of a smaller version of New Orleans' Bourbon St.
- Find out on the web where your potential employers are.
Do you mind telling what fields y'all are in?
Check out the neighborhoods where you might reside.
In Austin, Keller Williams is the largest realtor. http://www.kw.com/kw/
Though anyone can show you the homes in any neighborhood,
you are better served by the "area/neighborhood expert."
- Check out Austin-grown Alamo Draft House. http://www.drafthouse.com/
They show first-run movies in an somewhat eclectic setting.
They even have a hint of an art house.
They serve food/wine/beer while you watch the movie.
They have a wait staff who takes your oder in the theater.
Each row has a long counter or "table" to put food/beer.
It is very popular with young crowd.
If you are lucky, you can see their own version of the
Mystery Science Theater 3000 where a couple of comedians
poke fun at familiar movies like Karate Kid, etc.
It's unique to Austin. (So we are told.)
- Check out the UT Austin near downtown.
Park somewhere (which can be challenging) and walk around.
- Visit the Capitol. Go inside.
- Visit the Zilker Park. "THE" park in Austin.
Lots of joggers and athlets after work and weekends. http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/zilker/
Don't let the picture of kids fool you.
It's not just for kids.
Bring your swim suit and swim in the Barton Spring pool. http://www.texasoutside.com/bartonpool.htm
It's a true Austin experience.
You swim in it, and you get automatic Austin cred.
No matter how hot it is, this natural spring pool icy cold.
- Get ready to hear Texan phrases like "y'all" & "fixing to"
"fixing to" = "about to" or "going to"
"I am fixing to leave." :-)
- Check out some good local BBQ.
Rudy is a very popular chain.
There are other non-chain BBQ pits.
- Pick up the Austin American Statesman (locan paper)
entertainment special called XLent on Thursday.
Good source for food/entertainment/cafe/etc. http://www.austin360.com/xl/content/xl/index.html
- Best of all, pick up a FREE copy of the Austin Chronicle
at 7-11, HEB, or almost any other convenient stores. http://www.austinchronicle.com/
It is a VERY liberal weekly paper for the young & the hip,
not to mention, shall I say, socially adventurous. :-)
Check out everyone's favorite personal section in the back,
especially under "Various." Told you it's liberal. :-)
It's an older and more independent version of XLent.
If you are young and hip, you must read it.
- Check out Oasis. http://www.oasis-austin.com/
Told you about great view and so-so food.
You will be here long enough that you have to visit it.
On you way to/from Oasis, visit the Mount Bonnell. http://austin.about.com/cs/photogallery/l/bl_wherebonnell.htm
- Visit the Arboretum shopping mall/center.
It is a premere shopping mall (outdoor) in Austin.
No where near the upscale malls in big cities, though.
There are lots of restaurants there, too, but if you go
there, drive a mile or so to the Z Tejas Grill.
A bit upscale and very popular.
Hard to park. Use vallet parking. Good food.
Look for it on Google or Austin Chronicle web site.
- Remember. Do NOT go to the East Austin area.
I drove through it few times with no trouble,
but some folks will tell you not to go there.
As a visitor, you should have no reason to go there.
THINGS TO DO OUTSIDE OF AUSTIN
- Visit the River Walk in San Antonio on evening/night.
It is 100 yards or less from the Alamo.
Remember the Alamo?
S.A. is about 70 miles (south) from Austin.
- Visit the very best waterpark in the nation.
Rated #1 by the Travel TV and many other magazines. http://www.schlitterbahn.com/
"Schlitter Bahn" means "slippery road" in German.
Area's must-do for summer.
During summer (when school is out), it will take 2-3 days
to do everything they have.
It's in New Braunfels, half way between Austin & S.A.
- Between Austin and New Braunfels, there is a factory
outlet mall in San Marcos. It was one of the top 10 malls
in the nation in terms of sales few years ago.
- If time allows, visit Fredericksburg (a German town).
It's a nice small art/craft/antique/wine/tourism town.
- Dallas and Houston are about 200 miles away.
Visit them some other time.
Hope this helps.
Hope you won't find Austin boring. :-)
