If any of you TJs likes museums, there are two museums you should visit. They are all located on the University of Texas campus and they are FREE: Harry Ransom Center (where you will find the Gutenberg Bible and other fine cultural collections) and LBJ Presidential Library (where you will find everything you want to know about the life of LBJ)!

I love living in Austin...here are a few must-dos:

First, pick up a Chronicle (local free entertainment paper). This will give you movie, restaurant anf concert info as well as general info on places to go, prices, styles, etc.

I second Hamilton Pool (especially after a good rain-the waterfall can be beautiful).

El Patio on Guadalupe is a must for Tex-Mex.

The original Alamo Drafthouse @ 4th and Colorado is the best place for some great movies, food and beer (www.drafthouse.com).

The 'Dillo buses and the UT shuttles are free (check www.capmetro.org for routes/schedules).

Enjoy!

Kerbey Lane Cafe is another good place to eat. They serve a little bit of everything with locally grown foods, it's all healthy and they've got a great vegetarian menu in addition to the regular items. Open 24 hours a day, every day, with four locations around the city. The original location on Kerbey Lane is set in a nice little remodled old house and decorated with art from local artists.

I second the Alamo Drafthouse. The only movie theater with a full bar and menu items named after films. A very unique experience.

For shopping, I suggest the Artist's Market on 6th street. It's an outdoor market with handmade items by local artists open every weekend. They also have live music performances on most Saturday afternoons. (www.theartistsmarket.com)
South Congress Avenue is also home to a bunch of ecletic shops, galleries and boutiques that are fun to browse.

Another free museum is the Arthouse on 7th and Congress Ave. An art gallery that showcases contemporary art from local artists and once a year they exhibit work from high school students.

Well anywhere you can find a Jake-in-the-Box get their $0.99 tacos. They are the best/worst things ever!

The ultimate trio of food from jack-in-the-box is 2 tacos for $.99, one egg roll for $1, and blueberry french toast sticks for like $1.39. its perfect, but i think you need to build up to that kind of food. Also, if you don't mind chains, taco cabana has the best tortillas. get a dozen and some queso and eat them before they get cold.

Austin is a great city. You should defiantly see the bats, go to the capital, go to 6th street, and see a football game (UT is probably the best).

If you have time you should take a day trip down to San Antonio where I have lived my whole life (It is a little over an hour away). You could visit the Riverwalk, El Mercado, and the Alamo and other missions. There is also the Tower of Americas, it is a bit expensive but offers great views of the city.

At Alamo Drafthouse (a cool Austin institution) the National Air Guitar Championships are happening the week of November 27th. It's a HOOT! And if you compete, you get in free. Also, be sure to check out the Texas Rollergirl Roller Derby. It's one of the few all-female roller derby competitions in the country (think Raquel Welch in "Kansas City Bomber") Not sure what the season dates are...

Austin is so much more than just a music town. This town is teeming with creativity. Artist here in town from the mainstream to far left field! Check out the Cathedral of Junk- it's really amazing. Austin is also home to some great films and film makers like Robert Rodriguez, Mike Judge and Richard Linklater-to name just a few. You should call Third Coast extras(512-472-5385) when in town to see if they are casting anything. It's a great way to make a buck without working very hard!

There are 2 hostels in Austin. One is on 6th street, their name is 6th Street Hostel, and one on the East side of town, HI Hostel. The best one would be the HI Hostel, it's right on the water and a nice outdoor space. It is on the city bus system and the UT shuttle(free). The 6th street one is closer to the action but it's in a pretty shady location.

I'm a big film fan, and definitely a Robert Rodriguez afficionado. While I would've loved to appear in one of his projects (even as the guy who tries to run off and gets shot in unglamorous fashion), the unique US immigration law prevents us from getting any compensation for work. We can't even shake booty for money.

I will, however, gladly do it for FREE! Come on, Robert! Have Steve Buscemi kill me or something. Heck, I'll even play a corpse!

A walk around Town Lake is not only free it is beautiful. If you head west from the Congress Street Bridge you can cross over the lake at the new pedestrian bridge near Lamar Street for a beautiful view of downtown. If you have a little more time, just past the pedestrian bridge on the north shore (downtown side), there is a kayak rental business called the Texas Rowing Center. They are located right on the Town Lake Hike and Bike Trail directly across from Austin High School. You can rent a kayak there and explore the lake.

If you have a car or a cab, head over to Mount Bonnell City Park. It is a short hike up the hill to the highest point within the city limits of Austin. There is a beautiful view of the city on both sides including the "Loop 360 Bridge" and downtown. There is no charge to enter the park. The park is located at 3800 Bonnell Dr. From downtown, take Mopac (Loop 1) north to 35th street, head west (left), until you see Mount Bonnell Road. Take a right onto Mount Bonnell Road, and you will soon see the park on the left.

If you like milk shakes, you have to get a vanilla shake from P. Terry's on Lamar and Barton Springs Road. They are the best!

If you like sucba diving Windy Point has some fun sunken items you can dive down to to look at for a small fee (I think $5 a person). It's a great place to meet friends and hang out in the sun.(before it gets too coll!) Also the Arboretum on Capital of Texas Highway (360) has the Amy's Ice Cream everyone is talking about and it has the legendary stone COWS in the court yard! A hugh shopping center with many restraunts and shops like Barns & Nobles and Heros and Legacies.
Go see some live music downtown and visit The Underground for some bowling and food. Get your "Keep Austin Weird" shirt too! You MUST have Queso! The Tex-Mex appitizer! Maudy's is a very happin'n Tex-Mex restraunt with locations all over Austin.
I guess you missed Austin City Limits for '07 but if you come around christmass you must go see the Trail of Lights in Zilker Park downtown. Make sure to spin in circles under the hugh tree at the end!

Barton Springs is great, but hey, take a real plunge and go to Hippie Hollow, a clothing-optional County Park, out on Lake Austin!

For Tex-Mex breakfast head over to East Austin to Juan in a Million. And don't pass up the town's best burgers and onion rings at "Dirty" Martin's Kum-Back on the Drag just north of campus.

If you've going to walk around Town Lake, don't miss the statue of Stevie Ray Vaughn.