Austin! What, where, etc.

[EvilYoda]

So I got added to a show today and told my travel agent that I'd like to fly to Austin afterward so I'll be there from 3/18-3/?? (middle of the week, but oh well). Austin is one of the few "big" US cities left on my list so I'm really looking forward to it. I've used airbnb my last few solo trips and am looking to do the same here.

My questions are: is there a defined "downtown" where everything is? (This will help determine where I stay) Do I need to rent a car? Will bike do? Is 3 days enough to see the city? for example, get in Monday afternoon, fly out Thursday.

In terms of where to eat, what to see, where to drink...that can all come later. I need to my room and ticket home first. I think I'll be there right after SXSW so hopefully I can still catch a few good shows...but I'm sure there's always something worthwhile going on.

Thanks!

 

[highland145]

So I got added to a show today

What does that mean?

You'll be there on my B day...party like it's 1999.

 

[WhoBeDaPlaya]

Definitely visit The Saltlick.

 

[KMc]

Yes there is a main downtown area and it's a good place to stay. 6th street and Congress areas are popular night spots downtown. They actually close 6th street to vehicle traffic on weekend nights, but it's a huge college town (U of T), so there will still be lots of activity even during the week. Lot's of bars, restaurants, live music, etc.

If you just want to hang downtown, you don't need a car. It's only a 15 minute taxi ride from the airport if your hotel doesn't have a shuttle. However, if you want to get to the suburbs, or visit the Salt Lick (which I also highly recommend you do) you'll want one.

 

[Red Storm]

What does that mean?

Yes details needed.

 

[EvilYoda]

It's nothing special...I've mentioned it here before. I work and travel for the auto show circuit and the client I work for just got the green light to add a small show to the schedule. Hence, my free trip to Austin.

I'll have friends visiting so I should have access to a car...but otherwise I'm not concerned about taking a taxi. In terms of what I'd like to do, it probably doesn't line up too much with the college scene. I'll definitely try to see what I can during the day and have a few meals planned out. Other than that, for my first trip to a city, I always enjoy spending some time just wandering around.

Aside from downtown, are there any other big neighborhoods worth looking into?

 

[EvilYoda]

Halp!

 

[Gibsons]

March is about the best time to visit.

Yes, there's a downtown, with a lot of stuff going on. There's a big bar scene downtown, both 6th street and warehouse district and surrounding areas. You can walk from one to the other, no big deal. 6th is more of a college crowd, Warehouse is a little older plus some gay bars.

Any weekend night, South Congress (Congress Ave, just south of the river) is probably busy. If you're into blues/rock/country or such, there's probably music you'd like.

Many different food options as well.

What do you like?

 

[EvilYoda]

Music-wise, blues/rock/indie would be great, country/hip-hop not so much.

As for eating, I'm just looking for places that are either special because they're unique or because they just do things really well. I'll probably have one or two nicer dinners, but I'll also wait in line for Franklin BBQ. Other than that, my preference in bars hits both ends of the spectrum: I either want a really nice bar where they have a great selection and bartenders ("mixologists") that know their shit. Or, a bar with great local atmosphere, cheap drinks, and an entertaining time.

I might have a girl visiting so that would change things a bit, but no by too much...her tastes seem to run pretty closely with mine.

Other than that, I'll just be sight-seeing throughout the day. Probably rent a bike and wander around.

 

[Gibsons]

Austin's pretty bike friendly, so you're okay there.

Sullivans has a decent upscale bar scene, but there are a lot of places right in that area that would probably do just as well. Just look up and down Congress from about 10th or so, down to the river. Or go south of the river a half mile for the SoCo scene (more casual/hippie).

Music will obviously depend on who happens to be playing that night, but: Saxon pub, Ego's, Continental Club, Shady Grove for smaller/local bluesier stuff (tons of other places too). Emo's, Stubb's and the Red River area for more indie/metal/punk/rock stuff. Just depends on who's booked.

 

[Crusty]

Definitely visit The Saltlick.

No don't, there are LOTS of great BBQ places in/near the city and Saltlick is NOT one of them. It's a novelty, and their BBQ sucks in comparison to the likes of John Mueller or Aaron Franklin, both of which can be had in within the city limits.

If you want to venture out of town for BBQ then I would goto Lockhart, about an hour south on 183. There are 3 places to choose from, Blacks, Smittys, and Kreuzs and all are amazing. Each one has a specialty cut they have so don't afraid to try them all.

 

[EvilYoda]

Thanks, I appreciate it. I'm usually the one my friends ask about what to do and where to eat in the big cities but I know nothing about Austin.

Should be a good trip, I'm looking forward to it. Except for the high hotel rates post-SXSW...bah.

 

[Danielluther]

There are many online option to have book your needs. For staying one of my friend (Idylwood Towers, Falls Church)may help you. I will ask him about your requirements.

 

[WhoBeDaPlaya]

No don't, there are LOTS of great BBQ places in/near the city and Saltlick is NOT one of them. It's a novelty, and their BBQ sucks in comparison to the likes of John Mueller or Aaron Franklin, both of which can be had in within the city limits.

If you want to venture out of town for BBQ then I would goto Lockhart, about an hour south on 183. There are 3 places to choose from, Blacks, Smittys, and Kreuzs and all are amazing. Each one has a specialty cut they have so don't afraid to try them all.

Huh, gotta check out those places the next time I'm done there, most likely for this year's AMD Fan Day

 

[EvilYoda]

No don't, there are LOTS of great BBQ places in/near the city and Saltlick is NOT one of them. It's a novelty, and their BBQ sucks in comparison to the likes of John Mueller or Aaron Franklin, both of which can be had in within the city limits.

If you want to venture out of town for BBQ then I would goto Lockhart, about an hour south on 183. There are 3 places to choose from, Blacks, Smittys, and Kreuzs and all are amazing. Each one has a specialty cut they have so don't afraid to try them all.

Those are the two I keep hearing about from my foodie friends - what's the typical wait like on a Monday or Tuesday, any idea?

 

[dr150]

Watch Anthony Bourdain's kinda recent show on Austin.

He gives great tips where to go for food.

Apparently there's AMAZING "religious experience" BBQ joints in that town (rated by some experts as the best in the country). They did look extremely mouth watering!

 

[Crusty]

Those are the two I keep hearing about from my foodie friends - what's the typical wait like on a Monday or Tuesday, any idea?

Well Franklin's you're going to spend 3-4hrs there no matter what day, bring beer to drink in line. I would recommend getting there before 10AM if you want a chance at eating.

The thing about John is that well... he's a raging alcoholic that makes the best damn BBQ in the world. Because of this his businesses usually aren't that stable, he was just fired from his own BBQ trailer back in October.

Now he's got a new B&M place in town and I haven't been there yet, so I don't know how the lines are like. I would expect the lines to be better here than at Franklin's thought, I usually never had to wait longer than an hour at John's old place.

FWIW Aaron Franklin worked for John Mueller, pretty much learned what he knows now from him.

 

[CountZero]

Watch Anthony Bourdain's kinda recent show on Austin.

He gives great tips where to go for food.

Apparently there's AMAZING "religious experience" BBQ joints in that town (rated by some experts as the best in the country). They did look extremely mouth watering!

I wouldn't be at all surprised if that was Franklin's. Probably the most mind blowingly delicious BBQ I have ever had.

Salt Lick is decent but I found it to be more interesting for the experience (feels very Texas) than the food. If I was only in Austin a couple days I'd probably recommend skipping it and doing Franklin's.

If you like Japanese food there is Uchi and Uchiko. Went to the Houston one (which has items from both menus) and it rates as one of the best meals I've ever had. Can get expensive pretty quickly. One of my regrets is moving out of state before trying the original location.

 

[ElFenix]

Definitely visit The Saltlick.

the saltlick has horrible bbq*, what it has going for it is that you BYOB with about 10 other people at least.


if you want bbq check out John Mueller's new place or Franklin's. be prepared to get there by 10 am and wait.

I wouldn't be at all surprised if that was Franklin's. Probably the most mind blowingly delicious BBQ I have ever had.

that was j. mueller's.





*by texas standards, still kicks the crap out of anything outside of this state.

 

[Fiat1]

(THIS) Franklin's. be prepared to get there by 10 am and wait.

 

[WhoBeDaPlaya]

Cool, I'm getting an education in BBQ
Only been in TX for a little while, and only places I've been are Salt Lick, Dickies, Spring Creek and Red, Hot 'n Blues. Well, that and Bone Daddy's.

 

[EvilYoda]

Alright, that works for me. I don't really drink before noon anymore these days unless there's football on, but I'll work something out.

Thanks for the BBQ tips...everything else will fall into place, I'm sure. I'm in Rochester, NY this weekend so I'll have plenty of time to plan.

 

[darthsidious]

Alright, that works for me. I don't really drink before noon anymore these days unless there's football on, but I'll work something out.

Thanks for the BBQ tips...everything else will fall into place, I'm sure. I'm in Rochester, NY this weekend so I'll have plenty of time to plan.

Franklin's and John Muller's new place are solid recommendations. If you don't want to wait for hours in line, John muller's previous trailer (now renamed LA BBQ), is very good as well, and has pretty short waits, especially if you get there at 11 am during the week. I highly recommend the txeas hot guts sausage and the beef short ribs in addition to the brisket.

 

[EvilYoda]

I don't mind a wait...just have to make sure I'm well prepared with reading materials, booze, a video to watch on a tablet, whatever.

 

[EvilYoda]

Alright, so I'm here - can any locals sugest where to go for music if I want blues or indie? I don't know any of the band names listed so having a good place to start would be awesome.