Visiting Austin... looking for advice.

[Danny White]

I'm heading out to Austin next weekend for a little business trip.

I'll be in Saturday and Sunday night and am looking for suggestions on where to go in the evenings and maybe where to stay while I'm there.

Any good central area I could stay in? I'd like to get a good feel for the flavor of the city without having to travel around a ton.

Is a rental car a necessity, or is there a walkable downtown area or good public transport?

There will probably be some good college basketball games on Saturday, so maybe a suggestion of a good place to catch a beer and a game.

Thanks in advance!

 

[baj1dallas]

I'd stay downtown at the Omni or Hilton. Absolute priority is to get to Franklin BBQ Saturday morning around 10:45, place opens at 11 and line gets up to 1 hour by 11:30. Possibly the best BBQ in the state, and that is saying something. Get the fatty brisket. No sauce, sit outside on a picnic table, feel free to eat with your hands. At night, just go out to 6th street but if you want a drink there are good places on 7th street too. Maybe check out the flagship whole foods for lunch Sunday, either that or get some greasy tex-mex or Mexican food (I like Arandas #3). For beer, either Alamo Draft House, Gingerman, or Flying Saucer, that is if you like real beer and not just Bud light or whatever.

 

[Danny White]

Thanks!

Is there something going on there that weekend? I'm finding zero hotel availability that weekend.

 

[danielofthesaints]

Thanks!

Is there something going on there that weekend? I'm finding zero hotel availability that weekend.

SXSW. If not the largest music festival, it definitely makes the top 5 in the world. Good luck finding a place to stay.

 

[CF74]

Simply the best glazed donuts around, that's about all I got for A town....

http://www.roundrockdonuts.com/

 

[DallasCowpoke]

Thanks!

Is there something going on there that weekend? I'm finding zero hotel availability that weekend.

No, they just discovered your poor judgment concerning collegiate sports. :

 

[joseephuss]

What is "public transportation"? We haven't heard of that term down here.

 

[Danny White]

Yeah, I stumbled across this little festival you're having. I guess that explains things.

I found a hotel between downtown and the airport and decided to rent a car.

Will downtown be a zoo?

Sounds like it could be a lot of fun.

 

[joseephuss]

Yes, it will be a zoo, but it can be fun.

http://sxsw.com/

 

[ScipioCowboy]

You're definitely going to need a rental car to get around. Texas suffers from a terminal case of the urban sprawls.

 

[baj1dallas]

Yeah, I stumbled across this little festival you're having. I guess that explains things.

I found a hotel between downtown and the airport and decided to rent a car.

Will downtown be a zoo?

Sounds like it could be a lot of fun.

oh I didn't even realize it was SXSW already. The whole town is going to be a zoo. You won't be able to go anywhere or do anything. Whoever is sending you there (if that's what happened) is a clueless idiot. It's like going to New Orleans for work during Mardi Gras. Sorry man. If you're done working and just staying for the weekend you could have a good time, especially if you're into music.

 

[reddyuta]

You could also go to lockhart(best barbeque in texas),i always try to make some time when i visit.

 

[Danny White]

oh I didn't even realize it was SXSW already. The whole town is going to be a zoo. You won't be able to go anywhere or do anything. Whoever is sending you there (if that's what happened) is a clueless idiot. It's like going to New Orleans for work during Mardi Gras. Sorry man. If you're done working and just staying for the weekend you could have a good time, especially if you're into music.

I've been trying to set up this particular meeting for months now, and it just worked out that the guy is available to meet on Sunday. So I'm flying out Saturday, hanging out Saturday night, meeting for lunch on Sunday and then flying back home Monday.

So I'll have Saturday night and most of Sunday free.

Let me know if y'all have any other suggestions of what to do with my spare time.

 

[yimyammer]

Simply the best glazed donuts around, that's about all I got for A town....

http://www.roundrockdonuts.com/

Ever been to http://www.gourdoughs.com/ ? its in a cool old Airstream off Lamar. I had a maple glazed donut with bacon on top, crazy combo but good

 

[yimyammer]

I'm heading out to Austin next weekend for a little business trip.

I'll be in Saturday and Sunday night and am looking for suggestions on where to go in the evenings and maybe where to stay while I'm there.

Any good central area I could stay in? I'd like to get a good feel for the flavor of the city without having to travel around a ton.

Is a rental car a necessity, or is there a walkable downtown area or good public transport?

There will probably be some good college basketball games on Saturday, so maybe a suggestion of a good place to catch a beer and a game.

Thanks in advance!

its probably already booked, but here's where you should stay if you can get a room https://www.sanjosehotel.com/index2.php its on Congress next to Joes Coffee, really cool place. There's a couple of food truck parks within walking distance that serve good food and are fun to hang out at.

There are some cool places to hike that look out over Lake Travis and some great trails in Barton Creek.

6th street is always fun

Also, check out the original Whole Foods off Lamar, its huge and awesome!

I love Austin, went there last weekend and had a blast

 

[yimyammer]

If you cant find anything in downtown, try the Westin at the Domain. Its a bit of a drive to the cooler areas off south congress and Lamar but the rate was about $220 for two nights. Really new hotel and rooms were nice, They have a special where your 2nd nights rate is the year of your birthday. Ex: I was born in 1965, so the 2nd night was $65.00

http://deals.westin.com/Westin-Aust...oogle_BD_westin_in_austin_Exact_101410_NAD_FM

 

[MetalHead]

Get a rental car,drive to San Antonio.

 

[arglebargle]

Here's a link to last year's Best of Austin Awards from the local entertainment weekly, the Austin Chronicle. While their political stance is different, they have a strong grasp of what's of local interest, and some serious restaurant and activity reviews.

There should also be a new local guide out for the combined software/movie/SXSW convention activities, which you can check online when it comes out, or snag a Chronicle once you are in town.



http://www.austinchronicle.com/Awards/BestOfAustin/