i have been tons of place in the us, driven across it several times now, including route 66, and still haven't made it to austin! i have heard such wonderful thing too. stay in austin, texas, i think you will see the best part. you guys really have to get to a NATIONAL PARK at some point on one of your travels and get in the great outdoors.

I used to live in Austin. It's a lovely city with an exciting, vibrant culture with loads to do.

Of course you have some budget restrictions so I'll restrict my suggestions to things that are free or very affordable.

Unfortunately you'll arrive one day too late to witness the spectacle that is University of Texas football, and a HUGE rivalry game versus Texas A&M at that. You could have gotten tons of free food and beer at the Texas tailgate party. Oh well, there are plenty of other things to do.

Here are my suggestions:

1. The Capitol Building: It's beautiful and FREE to tour the pink granite monster. Be sure to go down to the basement and into the huge, modern State office complex underground.

2. Mount Bonnell: The view is amazing and, again, this is FREE. Be ready for a hike.

3. Congress Avenue Bridge at Dusk: Go see hundreds of thousands of bats take flight at dusk.

4. Amy's Ice Cream: It's an Austin institution and it's inexpensive. They have many unusual flavors, and if you're lucky they'll have Shiner Bock ice cream on the menu. Shiner is the regional beer you've heard mentioned numerous times in these threads--it's good stuff and makes a surprisingly good (and totally unique) ice cream.

5. Tex-Mex Food: Simply a must while you're in town. Others have been mentioned, but I'd go to Trudy's at 409 West 30th Street. In addition to lunch and dinner they have a terrific (and affordable) breakfast...try the migas enchiladas or the mexican eggs benedict.

6. Strolling on 6th Street: Nightlife in the 6th Street entertainment district is terrific and the people watching amazing. Live music abounds here.

7. Harry Ransom Center at the University of Texas: This center houses 36 million literary manuscripts, one million rare books, five million photographs, and over 100,000 works of art. Highlights include the Gutenberg Bible (c. 1455), the First Photograph (c. 1826), important paintings by Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera, and major manuscript collections of James Joyce, Ernest Hemingway, T.S. Eliot, D.H. Lawrence, Isaac Bashevis Singer, and Tennessee Williams, to name but a few. They also have a massive collection of memorabillia from the movie "Gone With the Wind" including, I believe, the famous green dress worn by Vivian Leigh (the "curtain" dress).

8. Barton Springs Pool: The lovely spring-fed pool is a constant (and brisk) 64 degrees. Admission is inexpensive.

9. The University of Texas Tower: This is the symbol of the University and site of a horrific sniper shooting spree about 40 years ago. For decades the Tower's observation deck was closed to the public, but it reopened a few years ago. At the top you can still see where the bullets of police and civilians impacted the Tower's facade as they returned fire against the madman that killed so many from this aerie so long ago.

10. Dell Computer: I'm not sure if they offer tours or anything like that, but the number one computer maker in the world is in the Austin suburb of Round Rock.

11. Zilker Christmas Lights: This may not be open by December 2, but if it is go stand under the famous Christmas Tree of lights in Zilker Park. The "tree" is built around one of Austin's old Moonlight Towers (dating from 1894). A long-standing tradition is to stand under the "tree" and spin around while looking up. Yes, it's juvenille, but very fun.

12. Beer at Scholz Garten: Since 1866 this joint has been serving up beer to the masses. Drop by here for a cold Shiner Bock.

I can think of dozens more things to do, but I think that's a good start. Enjoy your trip and remember "Keep Austin Weird!".

Okay I just remember one other thing to do:

13. The Broken Spoke: This honky tonk on South Lamar is Texas' most definitive country and western dance hall. It's has a musical history that dates back to Bob Wills and The Texas Playboys. It doesn't get any more Texas than this.

If C&W isn't your thing, try:

14. The Continental Club: This retro-cool venue on South Congress has been in operation since 1957. I think it's terrific and apparently "Playboy" agrees as they named it one of "America's Best Bars".

After you guys go to Austin, you should check out the Sulake offices in Santa Monica, California. If you go you would probably be on Bobba Radio, an internet radio by Sulake. In the meantime...Have fun in Austin!

If you guys go from Austin to SF.You can take US-10 from Amarillo. Its the freeway that was built alongside Rt 66. I don't know what the best route from TX to CA is, but I've driven from Arizona to Los Angeles and San Francisco multiple times. The drive from PHX to SF is much better than the drive to LA. US-95, the 2 lane backroad highway on the East Side of California is amazing. Much better than the strech to get to LA. The road to LA is boring.

I've always had to rush the drives and hate LA traffic, so I've taken US-95 up the back way. It's always been summer, so I've been lucky enough to take Tioga Pass twice, driving through Yosemite and then go across to San Francisco. In winter I don't know the best way through the mountains. But the backroad is amazing. When you see it, you'll really get to see the natural beauty of California & The West. Spend $50 on a National Park Pass, slow the trip down a little and take advantage of the drive.

Trust me, you've never seen anything like a sunset in New Mexico or the clouds on the East side of the Sierras. There's a Japanese Internment Camp from WWII somewhere near Mt. Whitney & Mammoth, CA that I've always wanted to, but never had the time to stop in. My vote is for you guys to go from Austin to San Francisco, vs. Austin to LA, not because of what you'll do when you get there but what you'll see along the way.

OK,i know you guys already established yall are going to Austin, but let me give you another suggestion of where they should go......ATLANTA!!! Hip-Hop capital of the world. The world's largest aquarium. Coca- Cola!!!The Centannial Olympics(the bombing in Centnnial Olympic Park), Civil war history. Great food from many cultures. The Old Sout feel of the city. Atlanta would be the city to go to if you want to go to a southeastern city.

Some of the outer towns, like Cartersville or Kennesaw, give you that Small- Town- South feel as well as the Civil War history. Kennesaw Mountain is a great place for this, as well as Cyclorama near the zoo.

Some of the food is great in downtown, all I know is the Westin Sundial at the top of the hotel and the Varsity ("What'll ya have?"). More people will know the food hangouts than I do.

There are several activities downtown. The Georgia Aquarium, right next to Centennial Olympic Park and CNN center. There is the Martin Luther King Burial Site and his home/church. There is also Coca-Cola World and Underground Atlanta. Atlantic Station is an awesome neighborhood to see.Stone Mountain is AWESOME to see,unfortunately the laser show has ended for the year,there are still many things to do there for a day or two. Six Flags over Georgia is just 20 minutes outside of ATL.There is also the Rap scene in dowtown.

I really hope you could go to Atlanta this year because you wouldnt find any other city like it. I hope other people follow my suggestion to go here and name some other things to do/ see/eat in and around A-town.

I also hope you do 5 Takes/USA again next year with different cities. PLEASE PLEASE go here, you wont regret it.

Hey guys, I love the show so far. Austin is a fun fun place to visit...I'm glad y'all get to go! Have a great time!

My advise: drink some Shiner with an authentic Mexican dinner. Fanastic.

Stay safe!

Caves and Natural Wonders

Texas has a lot of beautiful country side and natural wonders that would definately be worth seeing. Some of them you may be able to cheaply see by renting a car, although I'm not sure if you are allowed to do that. Especially since you need to have camera men in tow.

I see someone already suggested one cave, InnerSpace which is just 20 minutes outside of Austin.
Inner Space Cavern
One bad thing is the admission price is $15 a person but they offer and extended "wild cave" tour which might be worth your "splurge".

There are a couple other wonderful caves, a little bit farther south, Longhorn Cavern
Longhorn Cavern

And Natural Bridge Cavern
Natural Bridge Caverns

Any of these caves are very much worth seeing and each are unique in their own ways with different features that make them wonderful.

Another natural wonder to check out would be Enchanted Rock State Park.
Enchanted Rock State Park

Its this large granite Dome that you can climb on. The view from the top is wonderful. Its a bit farther outside of Austin which would normally not be an issue but without cars and on a budget it might be. Maybe you could incorporate it in your splurge somehow (longhorn cavern is also in that direction).

-Cecelia

I was in Austin this past summer and I HAVE to recommend the ghost tour! It's so intresting and a great way to learn about Austin History and even get a little spooked! For more information about them go to Hauntedtexas.com I don't remember how much it is, but it's really is worth doing. You'll learn so much!

And don't forget to hop on I-40 and head through Amarillo Texas and eat the 72oz. steak! It's free if you can clean you plate in the time allowed. The BEST tour trap in Texas! You haven't been in Texas without stopping by.

I love the showw so much,I think you all should
go to a cattle ranch for a day of getting back
to nature and see how people of the old west
lived.A dude ranch or a cattle drive,wild west
style.you can ride horses,Bevis can learn how
to lasso a caif,And have a cook out.p.s.Jamie
is soo cute,Love the hole cast.K W.

First, I LOVE the show!!! I saw someone else suggested the "National Air Guitar Championships" at the Alamo Drafthouse. It's happening the week you're here (Tuesday Nov 28th at 9:45pm). You GOTTA see this (or even better...compete!!!You could win $100 bucks)It's a completely "Austin Experience". It's hilarious!
Check out the website: austinairguitar.com
Showmanship is as important as technical merit.

Have fun in Texas!

As a non-native Texan, one thing that really amazed me when I moved to Austin was the tailgating for the University of Texas football games. People get out there early to start and its total craziness, football at its best. They tailgate all around the stadium and its free!

Also, 6th street and Congress are a must! There is music and bars for every taste. It’s a very lively and fun area right down town.

I saw a suggestion for this somewhere else, but it’s good so I will repeat it. Get a Chronicle. You can find the entertainment publication at any restaurant or coffee shop and it has its finger on the pulse of what is going on in the city for the week. There will also be a lot of free events and exhibits advertised in there. Austin is the best city in Texas so enjoy!
.

The vote on the last city is really upsetting me.
I don't understand why there's even a choice. If you're traveling through America on a budget, there's no better way to do it, and to see America than getting on the road!

I live in Phoenix and have driven from here to San Francisco, Los Angeles and even cross country a couple of fimes. It's somewhere between 5-10 tanks of gas between Austin and San Francisco, depending how you go and the last 600 miles (2:5) are between Los Angeles & San Francisco, if you drive West then North in the winter.

The scenery & weather is amazing. You can read my previous post about it.

I say the TJs rent 2 cars in Austin, and have 4 days to get to their last city if it's Los Angeles, a week if it's San Francisco. Two groups, two routes, switch travel partners about 1/2 way through and see what they find.

There's nothing more American than taking a cross country road trip... especially taking to the highway, right along ol' Route 66! That would have to be a splurge item for the TJ's to do really, cuz that's alot of money to rent two cars and also deal with gas and food.

Now that's an awesome thought!

quote:

Originally posted by walnut_lane:
The vote on the last city is really upsetting me.
I don't understand why there's even a choice. If you're traveling through America on a budget, there's no better way to do it, and to see America than getting on the road!

I live in Phoenix and have driven from here to San Francisco, Los Angeles and even cross country a couple of fimes. It's somewhere between 5-10 tanks of gas between Austin and San Francisco, depending how you go and the last 600 miles (2:5) are between Los Angeles & San Francisco, if you drive West then North in the winter.

The scenery & weather is amazing. You can read my previous post about it.

I say the TJs rent 2 cars in Austin, and have 4 days to get to their last city if it's Los Angeles, a week if it's San Francisco. Two groups, two routes, switch travel partners about 1/2 way through and see what they find.

walnut_lane & greatexplorer: Excellent idea and it would be a lot of fun.

However, I was told the the tapes of each day's shooting have to get back to the editors each night. The editors have to be holed up in a hotel somewhere working to get the episode ready to air less than 2 weeks later. They probably wouldn't have enough time to get the show together if they had to wait until Frisco (or LA) to work on it.

I like your idea though. I'm not a big Oprah fan but I recently Tivo'ed her show when I heard she and her friend Gayle took an 11-day road trip across the US. It was hilarious watching Oprah have to stay in a shabby hotel. Gayle was fine with it, but Oprah was like, "Get me outta here!" lol)