Two Days In Austin - first time here!

[rgvfirm]

Background: I went to law school in Austin, and thus did typical law school things. I went to a ton of great restaurants, but I never really felt like I got plugged in to all of the fabulous things that make Austin, Austin. A fit a few generic sports bars, but I never really did much beyond that. I went to a ton of shows at the Paramount and sporting events, but my experience with all downtown, and the city in general, has to offer is pretty limited.

Situation: I will be bringing up my current lady for her VERY FIRST VISIT EVER to Austin from May 23-25. She's young, 22, and has spent most of her time in deep South Texas. She wants to do a lot of basic tourist stuff, like go to the capital, but I want to make sure she gets the real Austin experience.

Other info:
1. We'll be staying at the Hilton downtown;
2. We get in Thursday night and will be leaving Sunday afternoon;
3. She loves jazz and music in general, but I don't know if she'd be into country music that much;
4. She loves food and doesn't need the fancy stuff in town;

Basically, I need a fabulous two day itinerary for Austin for someone who has never set foot in the city. I figure we can do some tourist stuff during the day and hit downtown at night.

I know HornFans is the place to go for great info, so thanks so much in advance.

 

[Stuck_At_Work]

Take her on a downtown stroll through the 4th/6th street area, but settle down at the Elephant Room for some music.

Go to 'Gospel Brunch' on Sunday morning at Maria's Taco Express.

I would suggest Mt Bonnell for any first time visitor. Stop at Mayfield park on the way down and visit the Peacocks. Have lunch at Hula Hut.

 

[ThrowittoRoy]

My friends and I are having a Keg Ball tourney that weekend. That's a can't miss!

On a more serious note:
-A few hours or full afternoon at Barton Springs
-Beers at any outdoor place (pick your style)
-Everyone on here is going to argue which restaurant is best, so as we don't know your style, good luck! personally, i'd pick an austin original and not a national chain. Chuys, Gueros, Polvos, Maudie's, South Congress Cafe, Sazon, Hula Hut are a few of many choices.
-Bar hop 4th thru 6th till you find something you like.
- My number 1 suggestion: Pick up an Austin Chronicle upon your arrival and see what's hapenning that weekend. (view online tooThe Link )
- Are you outdoors type? A greenbelt hike before Barton Springs, or rent a Kayak for townlake then Barton Springs to cool off.

There's a ton to do, even just strolling along South Congress in between margaritas at Gueros, beers at Docs or a nice meal at Mars.

Enjoy yourself.

 

[CaptainEd]

i agree with all the suggestions for finding a porch for some good downtown area day drinking after you are done moving around and seeing the city:

doc's or san jose hotel bar on s. congress
cedar door
woodrow's
key bar

there are plenty of other great bars in the area but if you are looking for a patio, then those are a good starting point.

if she likes jazz, consider getting a few drinks at elephant room on congress between 2nd & 3rd.

 

[avgatx]

Second San Jose Hotel. No place cooler in Austin for drinks IMHO.

When we have out of town friends come in we typically have dinner at Gueros, drinks at the San Jose, then a show at the Continental Club. All close walking distance on S. Congress and all very "Austin."

Also recommend Freddie's on S. 1st for the Austin feel.

 

[Jellydonuts]

I would throw in Club de Ville for porch drinks and Moonshine for food. They are quite close to the Hilton. Of course if you want something real Austin, I would recommend a burger at Casino El Camino which is very close too.

 

[crash_davis]

after living in austin, dallas and houston, the thing that seals the deal for my out of town texas guest is the outdoors stuff. no other texas city can boast the plethora of outdoor activities that austin has to offer.

take her for a nice morning or late afternoon walk around town lake from 1st street bridge down to lamar or mopac.
take her for hikes along the barton greenbelt. take her to sunset drinks at the oasis. show her the lake travis that most people don't get to experience. take her to barton springs or deep eddy.

then take her around 4th and west 6th for nightlife.

if she doesn't dig austin after a trip like that, then she's a closest aggy at heart and it's best that you dump her now than to find out months/years later.

 

[DRAG69]

Check back here the week of your visit for band listings.

I would highly recommend The Oasis for drinks and music on one of those nights. I don't eat there but I think it is pretty good food. The good thing is the music is 7 PM to around 10 PM. Plenty of time to head downtown after that.

 

[mynametaken]

I think Crash nailed it. This would be my itinerary:

Thursday night: check in. Walk up Red River. If you're int town for dinner go to Moonshine. Then walk up to Club de Ville for a beer outside. Walk 6th street. Check the Chronicle for music listings.

Friday: morning walk along Town Lake. Breakfast at Las Manitas. Hit the Capitol, Bullock and Blanton if she's into that. Lunch at Texas Chile Parlor. Maybe walk through campus. Hit Barton Springs and walk a little in the greenbelt. Drinks at Shady Grove. Head to hotel and clean up. Dinner at Roaring Fork or Eddie Vs or Jezebel or Sullivans. Catch some jazz at Elephant Room. Bar hop in the Warehouse Dist. or 2nd street if she's into that.

Saturday: Breakfast at Magnolia Cafe. Gingerbread pancakes. Mount Bonnell in the morning. Then a ride through Tarrytown to Hula Hut for lunch. Take Red Bud lane to Bee Caves Rd. Drive to 620 for the views. Drinks at Oasis. Maybe dinner at Hudson Bend. Drive back via 2222 to Mopac. Look for some good music in town.

Sunday: Sunday gospel brunch at Maria's is a good choice. The Moonshine brunch is good, too.

 

[mynametaken]

I should clarify: Saturday breakfast at Magnolia Cafe South. That or South Congress Cafe. Walk South Congress afterward and before heading to Mount Bonnell.

 

[DRAG69]

One of the best lunches I ever ate in Austin was at the South Congress Avenue Cafe. Nice atmosphere too.
I heard they have a great brunch as well. The french toast made from carrot cake sounds really interesting.

 

[CaptainEd]

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[crash_davis]

yes stay away from old 6th street. hit up west 6th. and yes, i forgot mt bonnell. it's cliche but still a must do. amazing view of lake austin, westlake hills, the city and pennybacker bridge. oh and the million dollar mansions w/ the venetian gardens are bad either.

 

[achooloco]

go to real sixth street, dont be scared. it is a younger, fratty crowd with more minorities but there is a vibe of sheer exuberance that the other tamer areas lack. if you dont like it, dont grab more than a beer and keep going west. but to miss it would be missing out, is the original drunk young austin. otherwise all great suggestions above.

 

[BigLeonard]

mynameistaken has quite the pricey itinerary planned.

 

[CaptainEd]

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[notreally]

Here is what I do when I visit a couple times a year.

I also stay the Hilton Austin.

-Casino El Camino because it is about 200 yards from your hotel.
-Cocina el Luna (not sure of the spelling) next to the Austin Motel on South Congress.
-Barton Springs, and if you are into a fitness a run through the greenbelt is completely awesome for a city of this size
-Hula Hut only because my daughter loves it. good touristy place.
-South Congress Cafe for brunch the last couple of times.

Other than that, I play it by ear. BTW, all these ideas came from hornfans in one form or another. i've tried about a dozen restaurants based on the recommendations of this board. There have definitely been some OVER RATED suggestions (i call it "the whataburger effect"), but for the most part, Austin has the best variety of locally owned restaurants than any city in this region.

 

[notreally]

Also, the Capitol Triathlon is in town that weekend, so you there will be a lot going on downtown during the day. Not sure of the routes, but it should be pretty busy.

 

[1990txgirl]

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[SAChick]

I probably wouldn't take a girl from deep south Texas to any Mexican restaurants in Austin. She can get that everywhere down there.

 

[preznick555]

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[mrjefft]

Guero's or Matt's El Rancho, followed by The Continental Club is an excellant choice for dinner and live music. I still like to hit sixth street, and you probably will too, but only if you like big crowds!

There is usually some kind of concert or festival going on in Austin, so, pick up a newspaper, and hit the one that is going on your weekend. If you get lucky, it will be the Spamarama, or Eyore's Birthday!! Don't miss the festivals in Austin, they are a riot!!!