Headed to Killeen to visit my son, daughter in law and 6 month old granddaughter first week of July. Plan on going to Austin and renting a house or condo for about 5 days. Any insight you could give as to areas to stay/avoid and must see/do activities and restaurants would be greatly appreciated. Also considering San Antonio and Dallas. May even split time between two places. Maybe 3-4 days Austin and 3-4 days San Antonio.
AustinTXcat
- Thread starter H. Lecter
- Start date
Thanks for the question.
Visit in ATX: 6th Street, Capital complex - especially Capital grounds. Lots of history. Zilker Park, Lady Bird Lake, Barton Springs, Austin City Limits (ACL: depends on tickets - start reserving now). You can view the largest bat population in North America (perhaps the world) at Congress Avenue bridge during July. Bats hang out under the bridge. Craft breweries all over. Huge concentration near our neighborhood, at least six.
Music scene downtown is on par with Nashville without all the riff-raff.
Perhaps check out Inner Space Caverns north of Austin near Georgetown. Not as good or expansive as Mammoth Cave, but still interesting.
Eat: Franklin BBQ, if you can stand the wait. Otherwise, Oakwood BBQ near our place on Braker. I walk down there every so often. They offer live music sometimes. Black's BBQ downtown near UT campus also good. Stubbs BBQ on Red River near UT is decent. Might check out Texas Chili Parlor.
Tex-Mex: El Mercado, Enchiladas y Mas on Anderson recently opened back up. Many, many Tex-Mex food trucks located near our area on North Lamar. You might also check out Luisa's Patio at 11800 North Lamar. It was formerly Ross's Old Austin Cafe. They also offer live music on Fridays/Saturdays.
Safe travels and enjoy!
ATX is to Austin what Concierge Marie is to Winnipeg.
Thanks for the good info. Better to hear from a local rather than read a hundred trip advisor reviews.
If Austintx (the poster) starts getting ripped and disappears in a ravine at 3am..just let him go. Austin gotta Austin
Our UK alumi group participates in the annual kick-off picnic every August at AMVETS down by the river. One year, they left me in charge of the beer keg. Huge mistake. One for you, one for me. After the picnic, I was toasted. Dumped my bicycle at an intersection. Some dude helped me back onto my bicycle. Finally realized my location. Sometime later, I fell off my bike again and tumbled 20 ft down an embankment.
Lots of rain that day. Called old lady for a rescue because, quite frankly, I had no idea where the hell I was. Drunker than GD Cooter Brown. I was actually under a damn overpass somewhere near 15th Street and Lamar.
We have fun here in Austin.
Lots of rain that day. Called old lady for a rescue because, quite frankly, I had no idea where the hell I was. Drunker than GD Cooter Brown. I was actually under a damn overpass somewhere near 15th Street and Lamar.
We have fun here in Austin.
Only thing I read.
I'm going to get blamed for this and it BS. Me and Austin are cool.
Looking at two places. One is between Wooten and quail creek, the other is east Austin near the mlk train station. Any thoughts on these neighborhoods?
Wanted to eat at Franklins when I was in Austin but didn't have time. My employer paid for all you can eat at The Salt Lick in round rock. I'm still full 4 years later. And that peach cobbler 
MLK location is closer to downtown. More accessible. In fact, with train station right there, you're set.
Wooten Drive location not far from my late in-laws old place. Roughly 4 miles from our house. Wooten is a nice area.
Both locations sound good.
Salt Lick up by Dell Diamond rocks! Dined there at least twice. Their all-you-can-eat offer is criminal.Wanted to eat at Franklins when I was in Austin but didn't have time. My employer paid for all you can eat at The Salt Lick in round rock. I'm still full 4 years later. And that peach cobbler
yeah we got to play our company softball game at Dell Diamond. But we were not allowed to touch the infield.
I asked if I could just pull up a chair but apparently that was not allowed
That looks amazing!
I asked if I could just pull up a chair but apparently that was not allowed
I asked if I could just pull up a chair but apparently that was not allowed
omg...and that's a buffet???! I'd happily die there.
it wasn't a buffet. They just brought out plates full of food and set it on the table. And then we kept asking for more. brisket, ribs, smoked turkey, sausages, german potato salad, and more. all great. I thought I was going to explode
So, it's like a buffet they bring to you. Even better.
With all-you-can-eat option, waitstaff always brings out to-go boxes during your last servings. Wife and I had plenty for the next day.
If I wasn't on a work trip I'd have done that. They took us there in a bus. The next day they set up the conference room in our hotel for karaoke. Gave us all the pizza and beer we wanted. I do not remember where the pizza came from. They gave us the option of going out if we wanted but just said "Don't be late tomorrow and don't come in hungover". I was on time...
Just got home. Great time in Austin. Stayed in Travis Heights area which seemed to be 5-10 minutes from everything. Home Slice pizza and bats under bridge first night. Food trucks Barton springs pool next and then let son and his wife go out for the night. Cidercade next day for unlimited video games and I got drunk off cider very fast-continued back at the house and grilled out! Capital and 6th street next day/night with Stubbs bbq. Chilled next day and had Torchys tacos. Headed back to Fort Hood and me and son camped for two nights at stillhouse hollow lake. Awesome time and really appreciate the recs AustinTXcat
Sounds like a great trip. Glad y'all enjoyed yourselves.
Coincidentally, I've been back here in KY since July 3. Returning to Texas tomorrow.