Austin TX

kaos16

Anyone have any must sees in Austin Texas?  Anything we should do on a road trip from Austin to Houston?  We are planning to go next month.  Thanks!

beachyone15

Are you staying overnight? I'd try to catch some live music, pretty much anywhere. Kayaking on town lake is fun too.
Eat at Home Slice, Hopdoddy's, or The Salt Lick. I've heard Franklin's bbq is the best but I've never been able to wait for hours in line just to eat.

TheCheeseWench

We got married at Jester King Brewery last Thursday (and go down several times a year). Great craft beer. They are open to the public Fri-Sunday and have a great gourmet pizza place (Stanley's, who catered or reception) on site.

We like to stay next door at Tipping T. Cool cabins, and Emily the owner is delightful. Nearby are some other breweries as well as wineries. Other restaurant favs include Verde's Mexican Parilla (they did an incredible job on or RD), Pieous (fantastical pastrami), Proof & Cooper, and Homespun Kitchen and Bar.
There is a Salt Lick nearby, but I've never been all that impressed. Franklin's is definitely superior, but be prepared to wait in line for hours. Opie's isn't too far out and it is also better than Salt Lick.

We prefer the outskirts in Hill Country to the in-town craziness, so all of this is off of HWY 290 near Dripping Springs. Far enough outside of downtown Austin that you avoid the crowds, but close enough (20 mins) to go into town for music etc...

CSunshine76

As a native Texan (though have only visited many times, never lived in Austin) some of my favorites are: Texas State Capitol, Bob Bullock TX State History museum (admittedly, may be boring to non-Texans), Salt Lick BBQ - the original in Driftwood. Pack a cooler, hang out, hear some live music, eat some fantastic TX bbq; Sixth Street - drinking, live music, people watching...its a blast; Congress Ave Bridge - the bats! (Hard to see by Nov); Zilker Park - beautiful park, always something going on. I love Austin. Great laid back town that lives up to it's motto "Keep Austin Weird". Dammit TK eating my spacing/paragraphs.

AddieCake

I always loved watching the bats come out of the bridge. And bar hopping on 6th street, of course.

AprilH81

Eat at Hula Hut!!!!!!!!

I've been to Austin twice for work and a local took us to Hula Hut and it was great!  It is an unusual mix of Mexican and Hawaiian/Polynesian food.  I usually get the enchiladas but I would go there for their Jalapeno Ranch Dip (not spicy at all) and Tortilla Chips.

They are opening up a Chuy's up here in a few weeks (same parent company) and they also have the chips and dip and I'm super pumped!!!!

southernbelle0915

Blacks BBQ is good. Chuy's has good texmex. If the weather cooperates, Barton Springs is fun. There's a really great walking trail that goes around the lakes and through Zilker park. Ditto to kayaking town lake. And ditto to watching the bats come out from under Congress. You can actually rent kayaks and time it so you can watch the bats from the water.

6th Street is fun but kind of college kid crazy. Rainey Street has some really fun, newish themed bars, too.

futurecptkirk

kaos16 said:

Anyone have any must sees in Austin Texas?  Anything we should do on a road trip from Austin to Houston?  We are planning to go next month.  Thanks!

Since no one has addressed the road trip portion: get through it quickly. It's a boring drive IMHO. But also- what are you doing in Houston? Need any advice? 

kaos16

futurecptkirk said:

kaos16 said:

Anyone have any must sees in Austin Texas?  Anything we should do on a road trip from Austin to Houston?  We are planning to go next month.  Thanks!

Since no one has addressed the road trip portion: get through it quickly. It's a boring drive IMHO. But also- what are you doing in Houston? Need any advice? 

visiting my awesome FIL.  We don't get to see him to often.  He lives right outside of Houston.  Any recommendations that would be good for us as a group?  He's a bit older and not in the best of health.