Stuff to do in Austin,TX

sciwizam

Golden Member
Oct 22, 2004
1,953
0
0
I'm in Austin for a week visiting family. Said family also recently moved to Austin, so they are not up on what is there in and around Austin.

I enjoy natural things more than buildings or museums, so if there are any hiking trails, gorges, canyons, rivers etc please let me know. But, if there is anything that must be seen or experienced in Austin, tell me that as well.

Also, by around Austin, I mean anything with in 2hrs drive.

Thanks

:)
 

Muse

Lifer
Jul 11, 2001
41,018
10,274
136
I haven't been in TX for decades, but based on what I hear here and there Austin is for sure the best place to be in TX in terms of a city. The music scene is legendary and I'm sure there's tons of stuff you can do. Don't mess this up.
 

ElFenix

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Mar 20, 2000
102,402
8,574
126
jogging around and kayaking in town lake
sunset at mt. bonnell
bbq at salt lick or either county line (salt lick is byob and served family style by the head)
lake travis

 

fatpat268

Diamond Member
Jan 14, 2006
5,853
0
71
There's the Enchanted Rock about a 60mile drive to the west of austin if you like hiking.
 

Svnla

Lifer
Nov 10, 2003
17,986
1,388
126
Barton Spring is a good outdoor place.

Congres Avenue bat watching.
 

HendrixFan

Diamond Member
Oct 18, 2001
4,646
0
71
Hamilton Pool out in Bee Caves just west of Austin. You have to call ahead to see if they allow swimming on whatever day you choose, but there is plenty of hiking around the park.

To eat I would suggest Polvo's on South First. They have the very best fajitas and pretty good queso and drinks. They put guajillo peppers in the fajitas and gives it a very unique and wonderful taste.

Magnolia Cafe and Kirbey Lane Cafe are two late night (open 24 hrs) Austin traditions. If you go to Magnolia, hit the south location on Congress.
 

sciwizam

Golden Member
Oct 22, 2004
1,953
0
0
Thanks for all the suggestions. Looks like the Salt Lick is a good place to eat, too bad I'm a vegetarian. :)

Enchanted Rock and Pedernales Falls are looking good right now.
 

MrPickins

Diamond Member
May 24, 2003
9,125
792
126
Go take a swim at Barton Springs pool. The water comes straight from aquifer springs at ~68F.
 

DingDingDao

Diamond Member
Jun 9, 2004
3,044
0
71
Salt Lick. Bring a case of Shiner Bock with you.

EDIT: Crap. Didn't read your response about being a vegetarian. So my other suggestion is:

Salt Lick. Bring a case of Shiner Bock with you.

:p
 

Crusty

Lifer
Sep 30, 2001
12,684
2
81
The greenbelt, Lake Travis, Town Lake, Lake Austin, hike and bike trail, mt. bonnell.. plenty of outside stuff to do in Austin. Just make sure you have a beer with you :)
 

Aztech

Golden Member
Jan 19, 2002
1,922
0
0
I'm reviving this thread, since I'm going to Austin for a few days at the end of this here July...I especially LOVE great restaurants. I'll be staying in the Arboretum area, but I'll drive to whatever is worth doing or eating...

Oh yeah, it's me and a male coworker going there for training, no wives. IAO I don't have to/want to dine at romantic expensive places :D

I want a good Mexican place - I noticed Abuelo's is there, and # 1 on consumer reports for chains, FWIW...

a good BBQ - I guess Salt Lick from what I've read here...

a good...I guess bar and grill and entertainment place - any suggestions, preferably in the Arboretum area, since traffic sounds nightmarish...

Thanks!
 

LS21

Banned
Nov 27, 2007
3,745
1
0
Originally posted by: Aztech
I'm reviving this thread, since I'm going to Austin for a few days at the end of this here July...I especially LOVE great restaurants. I'll be staying in the Arboretum area, but I'll drive to whatever is worth doing or eating...

Oh yeah, it's me and a male coworker going there for training, no wives. IAO I don't have to/want to dine at romantic expensive places :D

I want a good Mexican place - I noticed Abuelo's is there, and # 1 on consumer reports for chains, FWIW... NO

a good BBQ - I guess Salt Lick from what I've read here...there are better

a good...I guess bar and grill and entertainment place - any suggestions, preferably in the Arboretum area, since traffic sounds nightmarish...

Thanks!

 

Special K

Diamond Member
Jun 18, 2000
7,098
0
76
Originally posted by: Aztech
I'm reviving this thread, since I'm going to Austin for a few days at the end of this here July...I especially LOVE great restaurants. I'll be staying in the Arboretum area, but I'll drive to whatever is worth doing or eating...

Oh yeah, it's me and a male coworker going there for training, no wives. IAO I don't have to/want to dine at romantic expensive places :D

I want a good Mexican place - I noticed Abuelo's is there, and # 1 on consumer reports for chains, FWIW...

a good BBQ - I guess Salt Lick from what I've read here...

a good...I guess bar and grill and entertainment place - any suggestions, preferably in the Arboretum area, since traffic sounds nightmarish...

Thanks!

For Mexican you have the Iron Cactus, which is in the Arboretum Area. It's a regional chain IIRC but I thought it was pretty good.

There's also a Chuy's nearby, which is another regional chain.

 

Denithor

Diamond Member
Apr 11, 2004
6,298
23
81
Sixth Street for bar scene. Really cool.

Lake Travis if you can find a way onto a boat. Devils Cove if you get lucky.

Tubing down the Guadalupe River = awesomeness just don't forget the beer + water.

God I want to go back there. :brokenheart:
 

microAmp

Diamond Member
Jul 5, 2000
5,988
110
106
San Marcos has some caverns.
Schilterbahn.
Austin Ice Bats if they're still around.
Round Rock Express Baseball.
Wildflowers Center, south of Slaughter on Mo-Pac.
Tubing in San Marcos.
 

MrPickins

Diamond Member
May 24, 2003
9,125
792
126
Originally posted by: Aztech
I'm reviving this thread, since I'm going to Austin for a few days at the end of this here July...I especially LOVE great restaurants. I'll be staying in the Arboretum area, but I'll drive to whatever is worth doing or eating...

Oh yeah, it's me and a male coworker going there for training, no wives. IAO I don't have to/want to dine at romantic expensive places :D

I want a good Mexican place - I noticed Abuelo's is there, and # 1 on consumer reports for chains, FWIW...

a good BBQ - I guess Salt Lick from what I've read here...

a good...I guess bar and grill and entertainment place - any suggestions, preferably in the Arboretum area, since traffic sounds nightmarish...

Thanks!

Keep in mind the fact that it will be damn hot. This summer has been brutal so far, with no sign of relenting.

Tubing in San Marcos is always good (I'm going sunday :)), as is Barton Springs Pool.

Personally, I like to rent a canoe next to Barton Springs and paddle around Town Lake for awhile, then take a dip in the pool.