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This list of Fun Things To Do In Austin was originally compiled by Andreas Speigl in February/March of 1993. Andreas has since left Austin, and obsessive/compulsive that I am about keeping lists of stuff, I couldn't bear for this one to just disappear. So with Andreas' permission, I've taken over its care and feeding.
Andreas didn't summarize who all contributed to this list (according to him, there were 42 contributors), so (unlike the Austin food lists), there is no "Contributors:" section...sure hope no-one gets miffed if I add their suggestion to the list but their name doesn't get mentioned.
As always, this list is a "work in progress", so if you have any corrections, comments, updates, or especially new recommendations, please send them to me at jlpicard@austin.ibm.com or jlpicard@wixer.bga.com.
Without further ado:
Town Lake
Town Lake is the thickening of the river through downtown.
rent a canoe, canoe into Barton Springs to see all the wildlife.
Zilker Park and the Botanical Gardens there: Ride the little train, feed the ducks; also the Zilker Garden Center, which is a beautifully landscaped and terraced hillside with many points of interest and the rose garden at the bottom. Austin Nature Center: (??same as Bot.Gardens??) It has several indoor exhibits, several nature trials, and a live animal exhibit.
Hiking along the Barton Creek Greenbelt
Downtown bats
If you have guests visiting during the summer, you must show them
Austin's urbin bat colony under the Congress street bridge. The
bats all fly out together from the north side of the bridge around
dusk during the summer. It is really impressive. (but a bummer
during the winter)
Highway 360 is supposed to be one of the most scenic drives in Austin.
Barton Springs
Mount Bonnell:
A gentle climb up stone steps, to a knoll at the top with picnic
tables, from which you can see all of Austin. Pretty for picnic.
This is the place that was responsible for Austin being selected as the capital of Texas. It has a great view of Downtown Austin, Lake Austin, and the loop 360 bridge.
You just go out W. 35th St. all the way past Mo-Pac (2222 W) until you get to Mt. Bonnell Road. Then turn right, and you go up this really steep hill! The drive itself is an adventure. When you get to the top, there is a park where you can get out and look around. There is an excellent view of Lake Austin to the west, and the Austin skyline (including the UT Tower and the Capitol) back to the southeast.
The Oasis for a wonderful sunset
Don't try to eat dinner at the Oasis. The food is awful.
Also be warned that on a Saturday when the weather turns nice
around 6pm or so the line'll stretch for several hundred feet.
"But there is something nice about watching the sunset from the patio of The Oasis while a bit dizzy from Margaritas."
Alternative: Mt Bonnell, Barton Creek Mall(!)
Windy Point at Lake Travis
Good swimming and picnic area with lots of windsurfers. Windy
point is further down the same road that the Oasis is on.
Enchanted Rock State Park
About 30 minutes North of Fredricksburg is the second largest
outcropping of granite in the US. It rises about 500 ft in
1/8 mile. Nice park, trails, Beautiful view. Carry a water
jug up if you climb it. Lots of cactus, deer, and armadillos to
go with the scenery, and some excellent rock climbing for the
adventurous.
March is a good time to do this sort of thing -- all of the
roadside flowers (bluebonnets, indian paintbrushes) are starting
to bloom.
Sunsets: there's a westward-facing scenic overlook on the trail to
one of the primitive campgrounds that is perfect for watching
sunsets. It's almost worth timing your arrival.
Sunrise: "a few years back a friend & I timed an ER trip such that
we could get up on the rock for sunrise. I think that would have
to go down as my fave trip to ER..."
Some say ER is like the stereotypical `Texas'.
$5/car to park for the day.
Pedernales Falls State Park
It is about 1 hour from Austin and has some very nice hiking places.
It's about 50 miles from Austin and on the way to the enchanted
rock (about a 30-mile detour). There's a swimming area, though I
suspect it's pretty crowded on weekends, so you may want to
consider visiting it on during the week. The falls are very
impressive after a big rain, and there are some pretty nice hiking
trails that parallel the river.
A very serene place for a quite evening by the river.
McKinney Falls
This is rumoured to be a really nice place, and it's a lot closer
to Austin than Enchanted Rock.
Be aware that it is very close to a sewage treatment plant, and if
the wind is wrong it can be pretty unpleasant.
"McKinney Falls is nothing if you've ever been to Perdenales Falls."
LBJ Ranch (near Johnson City (see also: 6. Other Cities)) It is a pretty big ranch that is now a museum. Visitors might want to see a "real" Texas ranch. (buffalos, longhorns, etc.) Especially nice in the spring when the wildflowers are in bloom.
Wildflowers Blooming
In the Spring you should definitely drive up into the hill country
and see the wildflowers go ape. Just about everything from here
to Marble Falls, Burnett, and Llano is full of color, and it ain't
like being in Kansas anymore.
5 caves in Texas
Inner space, Natural bridge, Longhorn, ??)
Lost Maples State Natural Area
Wild Basin Nature Preserve (off Loop 360).
Guadalupe River State Park (south of Austin maybe 50 mi)
Inks Lake State Park (northwest maybe 30 mi)
Palmetto State Park
Buescher State Park (near Bastrop)
Hamilton Pool County Park (off Hwy. 71 toward Llano)
Bull Creek Park on 360 between 2222 and Spicewood Springs Road. It has some nice, but relatively small waterfalls.
Trip on the Hill Country Flyer
It leaves out of Cedar Park and goes to the city of Burnet and
back. It gives you a good view of the Hill country. It's a steam
locomotive and old restored train cars. You will need reservations,
and the sooner the better since they only make something
like one or two trips a week (on the weekend they borrow their
track from a real train and thus can't use it during the week).
Hippie Hollow
"Clothing Optional" bathing and sunworship. If you're a nudist, this
is the place to go (although there are a few too many overt gawkers
and perverts for my taste).
UT Campus: (Check with the Visitor Center for a self-guided walking tour)
LBJ Library (Lyndon B. Johnson)
often has interesting exhibits
HRC (Harry Ramson Center) (21st and Guadalupe) to see the/an original Gutenberg bible
Texas Memorial Museum(?)
Capitol
Laguna Gloria Art Museum (on the way to Mt Bonnell)
Austin is a relative newcomer in the wine business and there are several wineries in the vicinity that offer tours. The same goes for breweries. I doubt these will compare to those in Germany, but Hill country wines are supposed to be unique.
Austin is also known as a great music city with a lot of local talent. Often called "alternative music" until they become more nationally known, such bands can be found at the Continental Club, the Lizard Lounge, and several other places. Naturally, wandering 6th street is a good fall-back.
Don't miss an evening at the Split Rail on South Lamar, the original country western music place in town, where everyone who is anyone in country music once has played. don't eat the food there though ... prepare to dance the Texas Two-Step and the Cotton-Eyed Joe....
A weekend concert at Symphony Square, the Austin Opery, Captain Tom's, or Gruene Hall (take IH35 towards San Marcus)
Antone's tends to have the biggest names.
La Zona Rosa is supposedly the hip spot.
4. Other (fun) Stuff:
Iceskating: there is an icerink in Northcross Mall.
If your parents are into go-carts, they have a 60mph go-cart track between San Marcos and Austin. I forget the name, but it is just around Buda. Fun, but not for the faint of heart. [sorry, I've been informed that this place na longer exists -ed]
Esther's Follys comedy show on 6th (but it might be too locally and nationally oriented to be funny to folks from out of the country).
La Fonda de San Miguel, 51st and Shoal Creek: (a little pricey) The best way to sample GOOD Mexican cooking...the Sunday Brunch is said to be really good.
Botanitas on S. 1st
Nuevo Leon
El Azteca
Peso's
Seis Salsas
A La Carrera
BARBECUE/TEXAS-STYLE:
Kreuz Market in Lockhart
In Lockhard there is also a nice little store at the town center
were my German friends like to stock up on Levi`s jeans for some $16.
I think they are called Rosenblums or something similar.
The Salt Lick near Driftwood
It's an all-you-can-eat in a cowboy bunk house on a ranch. Famous
for decades among locals.
All you can eat BBQ ribs, brisket and sausage for $8.95 (bring your
own beer though). The best way is to go down Mopac southbound pass
Barton Creek Square mall, turning onto westbound 290. Keep going
until you come to a Y in the road (at Oak Hill) and take the left
fork (approximately 7 miles from leaving Mopac). Approximately 1-2
miles from the Y, you'll come across a traffic light for the RR
1826 T junction. Take a left at the light and go down 1826 for
about 11 miles to Driftwood (where you'll find The Salt Lick on the
right). They're closed Mon-Tue and you should go early (like 5.30
or so) to avoid long waits.
Threadgill's
Texas home-cooking style cooking at its best (meats & vegetables).
The Broken Spoke
THE authentic Texas chicken-fried steak experience; it's really more
a pool hall & country dancing place than restaurant.
Shoreline Grill in the Four Seasons Hotel ask for a table near the window so you can look out over Town Lake.
Mueller's in Taylor
Iron Works
The net considers it to be the best.
County Line (2222 @ 360)
Tres Amigos
Hudson's on the Bend (expensive but good, with Texas game dishes).
OTHERS:
Taj Palace for Indian food (lunch buffet is great),
(behind the Walmart close to the highland mall) Go for a buffet(lunch)
thru out the week from 11:00am - 2pm and on mondays dinner too from
6pm-9pm. It is reasonable for buffet- $5.00 (take your student id
for a discount) - they have around 15 dishes.
Satay (Thai/southeast Asian)
Castle Hill Cafe
Gilligan's (seafood)
Al Capone's
Belgian Restaurant
Gunther's German restaurant (on IH35 north of Braker)
West Side Cafe...
Scholz Garten at 1607 San Jacinto street. This is only a few blocks away from the state capitol building, so it's a nice place to have lunch after a tour.
[I have lists of net-recommendations for TexMex, BBQ, Chinese, Italian, and Brunch spots in and around Austin. Send me email if you'd like one or more of them -ed]
San Antonio
The Alamo.
Movie about The Alamo in the Imax Theater at the Riverwalk mall.
Riverwalk through downtown.
The 5 Mission Churches:
Drive down the Mission Trail leaving south out of downtown. It's
a well marked, roughly ten mile drive with stops at the four
other historic missions in San Antonio (the Alamo being the
fifth), as well as a two hundred year old dam still in use. The
missions all date from the early 1700s, and are currently
maintained as a National Historical Park, complete with helpful
leaflets and park rangers with Smokey Bear hats. Fascinating
architecture and history, and rarely crowded. One of the
Missions now has a nature trail so you can get an idea of what
the land was like when the Spanish first decided to settle there.
One of the most impressive features of this park is that these
beautiful old buildings are still used by the locals for services
(something to keep in mind if you're visiting on a Sunday).
Lone Star brewery museum
etc.
New Braunfels (on the way to San Antonio)
Settled by Germans starting in 1845. The settlements were
organized by the Adelsverein. There are museums which you might
find interesting.
Also, beautiful cave Natural Bridge Caverns (stalagtities and
stalagmites), and
a safari-like drive through African animals who come to your car
to be fed (right next to the Caverns).
Fredericksburg
Settled by German immigrants starting 1845. Museums.
There are several German restaraunts (none very authentic, at
least not Eiffel), shops, the Admiral Nimitz museum (WWII stuff),
and several 'Sunday Houses' left from the late 1800's.
Have lunch at the Altdorf (great Wurst)
-> Everything's along the main street. (hwy 290)
It is on Hwy 290 W about 80 miles. (1.5 hrs) (same way as for the Salt Lick except you keep going on 290 instead of turning into 1826) On the way there, stop in...
Johnson city
Which is the birthplace of former U.S. president Lyndon B.Johnson.
There is also the LBJ farm further down the road. It has a nice
park for a picnic lunch as well. (see also 1. Parks/Nature)
Also in Johnson city is some of the best jerky.
San Marcos (along I35 south about 30 miles from Austin (exit 200))
There is a tacky place called Wonder World. They have an OK cave
tour ( very wimpy though ).
Factory Shop complex for shopping.
Aquarena Springs. The shows are kitsch but the scenery is pretty
as are the fish.
Salado Texas (Texas history)
About 1 hour north of here on I-35. It has shops and a couple of very
good restaurants, and shows what Texas was like about 100-125 years
ago. Salado was the only stage coach stop between San Antonio and Fort
Worth at the turn of the century. Eat at the Stage Coach Inn.
Larado/Mexico
Shopping
Houston (3-4 hours)
The new NASA Space Center attraction. This now costs about $10
per person, but has been developed by Disney. I haven't been to
the new, but the old had the actual Mercury re-entry capsual
complete with charred heat shield and others as well.
Dallas/Fort Worth
Museums
Yukatan or Belize (weekend flight)
Big Bend and Guadalupe Mountain National Park
Both host some truly stunning scenery and bizarre ecosystems, and
are definitely worth the drive if you can afford a four or five
day trip.
If you go to Guadalupe Mountains, take time to visit nearby
Carlsbad Caverns (just across the border in New Mexico), since you
don't find yourself out in that part of the world all that often.
Big Thicket National Preserve (an hour east of Houston) and Padre Island National Seashore (half an hour south of Corpus Christi), Both of which are well worth a visit.
UT's MacDonald observatory
New Orleans
No comment ;-)
When you visit the Capitol, be sure to stop by the tourist info desk and ask for "one of those Texas Tourist books", and some bumper stickers. The books have lots of glossy pictures of tourist locations throughout Texas, and make nice souveniers, especially for people visiting from out of the country.
Don't walk, run to your nearest bookstore and pick up the Texas Monthly Guide to Austin and Hill Country. It is everything remotely interesting to do between here and San Antonio.
Look in the phone book. In the middle (the color section), they have a nice section on attractions in Austin. If you're looking at things like entertainment/restaurants, look in the _Chronicle_---they have a good list of what's happening each week.
Pick up just about any issue of the Austin Chronicle. Call the Austin Chamber of Commerce. Pick up one of the Austin books at any bookstore.
One of the big HEB's (e.g. 183 behind Aboretum) or Barton Creek Mall may be impressive to foreigners. [my mom was real impressed with the Simon David on Great Hills, and she's from Illinois -ed]
I usually take visitors to the North West suburban Austin for the views and nice homes. (ie, take mopac north to Far West, follow Far West to the west, keep following it when it turns, and then just drive around a bit when it hits a T intersection on the top of Cat Mountain.)
With about 168 movie screens, Austin has one screen for every 3000 people. Everyone in Austin could go to a movie every week or ten days without filling the theatres.
We've also got a large number of theatres, ranging from UT student efforts, through tiny houses of dedicated actors, to venues for big touring companies.
The yearly ArmadilloCon SF convention at the Wyndham South Hotel can be fun.
Compiled by Andreas Spiegl, who's somewhere in Germany now.
Maintained by Craig Becker (jlpicard@[austin.ibm.com|wixer.bga.com])
I'm always looking to improve this list, so if you have any corrections, comments, updates, or especially recommendations, please send them to me at jlpicard@austin.ibm.com or jlpicard@wixer.bga.com.
--
-- Craig Becker - Austin, TX USA Lay my hands on Heaven and the Sun and --
-- home: jlpicard@wixer.bga.com the Moon and the Stars/While the Devil --
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