I don't know who suggested County Line for BBQ, but that's definitely highly suggested for good food. Huge servings so bring an appetite. Food afficionados seem to enjoy checking out the Whole Foods flagship store. That place has surprisingly become a tourist attraction in itself and offers iPod-guided tours of the store.

Green-wise, Barton Springs and the overal Zilker Park area works out fantastically. Mt. Bonnell lookout is also just about a hundred steps to a great panaoramic view of the hills and downtown. See if you can head out to the hill country period.

Music your scene? As everyone else has said, Austin is said to be the "Live Music Capital of the World," and that's not hard to believe. If you're looking for a concert to catch, you can always check out showlistaustin.com; it gives an overview of a day's shows and comes mighty handy. Check out Waterloo Records for an instore if possible. That store is rather a landmark now, and instores are always accompanied by a neverending tap.

As for some more off step attractions, I'd have to agree with Alamo Drafthouse - try to check it out on some night of special occasion whether it be videoke or a simple Rocky Horror night. Then the bats, just because it's exceptionally weird. What can I say? Keep Austin Weird indeed, and be weary of Leslie while you're out on 6th! Hope you enjoy Austin...

I've lived in Austin 15 years. There's always something cool to do.

Alamo Drafthouse. That week they're having a Schoolhouse Rock sing-alongt. The best movie theater in the country, no holes barred.

The Salt Lick. THE BEST BBQ, but go to the original out on 1826. Totally unique. It's BYOB and cash only.

Continental Club. Every Tuesday is Hippie Happy Hour. THIS is old-school Austin, the music that put it on the map. Soulful, happy, drinkin' kind of music that makes everybody a hippie AND a cowboy all in one night.

Whole Foods Market coporate store. It's like organic space aliens took over a mall-sized safeway.

South Congress shopping. Coolest, weirdest shops in town. Chicks love this place.

Waterloo Records. A dying breed of record store. Listen to music in their booths before you buy it. Fantastic place!

The Broken Spoke. An old Texas Hony Tonk. Live music. Room to two-step!

Amy's Ice Cream. The only place I've ever gone into and found beer-flavored ice cream. (Each week is a different special, so don't hold your breath that they'll have beer when you're there.)

Austin City Limits is having two recordings that week. Tickets are free, if you can score them. (Free beer, too.)

Chuy's. Tex-Mex. For three different friends, it's their first stop each visit. The Rojas queso is amazing and the Elvis Presley Memorial Combo with a Margarita, well, sufficient to say you may want to have a nice place staked out for a nap afterward.

Casino el Camino. On 6th Street down near the party bars. A dive. Dark. Grungy. And the best burgers in Austin. You can't believe how good they are.

Is there an observation deck in the UT tower?

There is one on one of the towers where the sniper shot people from. I'm not sure if it's open again or not.

Yes, the obervation tower on the campus of UT is open. The tour is cheap, and should put their reservation in an hour or two prior to going. It really is neat to be able to see while on the observation tower. The Texas Memorial Museum also on the campus is free and is neat to see. I use to live in Austin and loved it. The bats are great, Hippie Hollow, Zilker Park. All the restaurants everyone listed are great, Dirty Martin's, Chuy's, Trudy's, Plucker's is great, and I probably have enough ticket's that the group can have 5 free wings each. Their fried twinkies are great!! Like one other person mentioned, pick up a Chronicle and it will tell you all these things to do around the town. Austin is wonderful!!

Visit Zilker Metro Park, Fiesta Gardens and one of the many wading pools and rec. centers in the city.

Hole in the Wall.
storefront dive features some of Austin's greatest musical acts, from singer-songwriters to punk rockers. Regulars enjoy this as a place to relax and listen to live music throughout the week. Sunday night's "Rock & Roll Free-for-All" (essentially no cover) and Monday night's "Unplug This" (songwriter night.)

2538 Guadalupe St.
Austin, TX 78705

Check out Electric Ladyland on South Congress. A vintage clothing / costume store. Loads of fun. And rumor has it that Bob Dylan used to shop at Electric Ladyland.

I also recommend Chuy's. Take a stroll down Sixth Street on a Friday or Saturday night. Sixth Street is truly an Austin landmark - and if you are really lucky, you will meet up with Leslie Cochran! Photo of Leslie: http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j124/gingersmurf/VONNA024.jpg

Also take some time to visit Mayfield Park (http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/parks/mayfield.htm). If you are going to Mt Bonnell (another very good idea!), this is right on your way.

you should try round rock doughnuts! The best! There are also some great caverns between near San Antonio that are worth seeing and of course the river walk.

quote:

Originally posted by andhow:
Really I mean it... Jack in the Box is the best fast food chain. What do Americans have all the time? Fast Food! Plus it's one of the healther things you can find in a chain food store. One taco has 160 calories...a small fry is 270 calories.

I've never heard of Jack in the box. Is that a West coast thing (even though i've been to every west coast state except hawaii)?

there's this really cool surfer type restaurant in austin.It sells the best seafood. Look for the big fish sign. Bien Provecho

Find an American Football game somewhere anywhere! Have fun, go wild! When your done take a trip down 6th street.

My restaurant pick is my Austin must-do: Dona Emilia's on San Jacinto at Cesar Chavez. South American food done right, with a great patio. The food is to die for with great ambience.

As to exploration, take a visit to the Texas State Cemetery at 901 Navasota. The cemetery features the graves of famous Texans, such as Stephen F. Austin and the unnamed sailor from LaSalle's ship.

Shopping, try Big Bertha's Bargain Basement on Lamar for great vintage clothes and accessories. It's where local celebs shop to make big fashion statements.

Finally, visit the Driskill Hotel for old time Texas. The hotel, built in 1886, is absolutely fabulous and 1886, the casual dining/bar, is great and open until midnight. A great place to stop after hanging out on 6th Street.

Jack in the Box started in San Diego. It's now all over the Western States. The web site shows the locations. But it is not in West Texas (Lubbock)...where I am. I grew up with my tacos and it was right next to my High School.


Speaking of High School go to one...football games are cheap and a big deal in Texas. The schools make t-shirts for each one. A pep rally before is very crazy with school spirit. Also Friday night news is filled with many scores and highlights.

Also Texas is the only state where the students say the pleage to the Texas flag and the Amarican flag. I think it is because it's the only state in the union that was a country for 10 years. The whole state still acts like they are, too. Very pridefull of being a Texan.

I like Texas but moving from California, a place where I was a thought of as a conservative, to Texas where I'm seen as a liberal. It really did feel like I was moving to a new country. ok that is more about Texas.

I almost forgot...
Go to a Super Wal-mart, a Target and a Costo. At Costo there are hot-dogs and a drink for $2.50 plus supersized jars of jelly is something to see. Target is where we get fun things like clothes and decor. Wal-mart is the everyday things and some are open 24hours so it's great when you can't sleep.

Continental Club, 11/30 Deke Dickerson....you'll see an awesomea show

and for down home drinking you can't beat the legendary Hole In The Bar.

skip 6th street, that's for the tourists not the traveler.

also, if you are getting a tatoo on this trip find the cat woman, she's the best

rascal