BreckTxLonghorn
05-28-2009, 10:43 AM
As it gets to that time where many of you will be making your trek to Austin for either softball, baseball, or track, I thought I'd put together a little guide to help with your weekend when you're in my new hometown (It's no Breckenridge, but it will do)! Here's some of my suggestions - places that aren't/ shouldn't be super creepy, safe, a range of prices, and are simply Austin-ish. If you want cheaper prices for hotels, pm me, but you get what you pay for to be honest, and if it's under $100, you're either staying a ways from downtown (which isn't bad, and I know of a lot that fit that) or it's not a good place to stay. And I will not suggest 6th street. It's not fun unless you're there to see a freak show or get blackout intoxicated. Plus, everyone knows about that place anyways.
Where to Stay: (prices are assuming a 6/4-6/7 stay, per night via hotels.com)
--DoubleTree on I35 & MLK: $116
--Hilton Garden Inn on 5th & I35: $102 (but I'm pretty sure it's at least a $20/day valet charge)
--La Quinta on 11th & San Jac: $133
--Sheraton on 11th & I35: $133
--Hampton on 2nd & San Jac: Usually $172, but you get a 3rd night free. See valet fee though like Hilton.
--ATT Execute Conference Center on UT Campus: $160 (BRAND new, though a little pricey)
-- Four Seasons (for all your ballers): $295
-- Austin Motel on South Congress: Very Austin. Not a standard hotel, but nice rooms and really good prices. Go to www.austinmotel.com to get a better idea.
-- Hotel San Jose, also on South Congress a block away from Austin Motel: See above but much more expensive, like $175/ night minimum.
Where to Eat:
--Kerbey Lane is a staple for breakfast, open 24 hrs, and 3 locations.
--Home Slice is in the heart of South Congress and the best pizza in town.
--Hula Hut is really fun b/c its right on the lake. Kind of pricy though, but not like the price you'd pay for eating at a nice restaurant d/t.
--Dirty's is right on campus and has been around FOREVER. Nothing really different about it other than its just so old, and everyone knows it.
--Maudie's. Multiple locations. Love it.
--NxNW is off of 360/Mopac and has its own micro-brew serving 6 types of beer. Good food too, but more pricey. I'd only go here for appetizers and drinks.
--Shady Grove always makes me feel very "Austin-ish" when I go. Its next to a trailer park (or where one was before they got moved for zoning), so its kind of eclectic, but a great outdoor area.
--Oasis on Lake Travis. Far away. Food is nothing more the okay at best. Kind of pricey. But the view is absolutely amazing, and the drinks will make you want to have a designated driver. Definitely a 'tourist Austin' place, but totally worth it all. My friends and I still go here every once and a while just for atmosphere.
--If you're at the track meet, you'd be missing out if you didn't at least stop by Scholz beer garden. Warning: it gets packed with coaches when the meet ends.
Things to Do (if you're not, you know, watching high school sports at its best)
--Alamo Drafthouse--if only because your dinner comes with a movie or singalong (i.e. big 80s, 1 hit wonders, etc)! Must be 18/up to get in or have a parent with you. There's a reason it's been rated the best movie theatre in the nation.
--Barton Springs: Natural pool in the heart of Zilker Park. I think it's like $3 bucks a head to get in; but if you just want to walk around the park and not swim it's free.
--Bob Bullock Museum: It is what it is. I enjoy it.
--State Capital: Well duh.
--UT Tower: Not sure when they start doing tours, but if you have the time, the view from the top is amazing. I recommend the sunset tour at around 7pm.
--Mt. Bonnell: Cliche marriage proposal capital of Austin. Tons of families do their holiday pictures there, too. It's another good place to walk around and look at the town.
If you want any more details on these, I suggest Google :). Also, if you have any questions, please feel free to PM me! I may not be a person who goes to all the Meet & Greets and stuff, but I love helping you all out as much as I can, especially when it comes to my home!
Where to Stay: (prices are assuming a 6/4-6/7 stay, per night via hotels.com)
--DoubleTree on I35 & MLK: $116
--Hilton Garden Inn on 5th & I35: $102 (but I'm pretty sure it's at least a $20/day valet charge)
--La Quinta on 11th & San Jac: $133
--Sheraton on 11th & I35: $133
--Hampton on 2nd & San Jac: Usually $172, but you get a 3rd night free. See valet fee though like Hilton.
--ATT Execute Conference Center on UT Campus: $160 (BRAND new, though a little pricey)
-- Four Seasons (for all your ballers): $295
-- Austin Motel on South Congress: Very Austin. Not a standard hotel, but nice rooms and really good prices. Go to www.austinmotel.com to get a better idea.
-- Hotel San Jose, also on South Congress a block away from Austin Motel: See above but much more expensive, like $175/ night minimum.
Where to Eat:
--Kerbey Lane is a staple for breakfast, open 24 hrs, and 3 locations.
--Home Slice is in the heart of South Congress and the best pizza in town.
--Hula Hut is really fun b/c its right on the lake. Kind of pricy though, but not like the price you'd pay for eating at a nice restaurant d/t.
--Dirty's is right on campus and has been around FOREVER. Nothing really different about it other than its just so old, and everyone knows it.
--Maudie's. Multiple locations. Love it.
--NxNW is off of 360/Mopac and has its own micro-brew serving 6 types of beer. Good food too, but more pricey. I'd only go here for appetizers and drinks.
--Shady Grove always makes me feel very "Austin-ish" when I go. Its next to a trailer park (or where one was before they got moved for zoning), so its kind of eclectic, but a great outdoor area.
--Oasis on Lake Travis. Far away. Food is nothing more the okay at best. Kind of pricey. But the view is absolutely amazing, and the drinks will make you want to have a designated driver. Definitely a 'tourist Austin' place, but totally worth it all. My friends and I still go here every once and a while just for atmosphere.
--If you're at the track meet, you'd be missing out if you didn't at least stop by Scholz beer garden. Warning: it gets packed with coaches when the meet ends.
Things to Do (if you're not, you know, watching high school sports at its best)
--Alamo Drafthouse--if only because your dinner comes with a movie or singalong (i.e. big 80s, 1 hit wonders, etc)! Must be 18/up to get in or have a parent with you. There's a reason it's been rated the best movie theatre in the nation.
--Barton Springs: Natural pool in the heart of Zilker Park. I think it's like $3 bucks a head to get in; but if you just want to walk around the park and not swim it's free.
--Bob Bullock Museum: It is what it is. I enjoy it.
--State Capital: Well duh.
--UT Tower: Not sure when they start doing tours, but if you have the time, the view from the top is amazing. I recommend the sunset tour at around 7pm.
--Mt. Bonnell: Cliche marriage proposal capital of Austin. Tons of families do their holiday pictures there, too. It's another good place to walk around and look at the town.
If you want any more details on these, I suggest Google :). Also, if you have any questions, please feel free to PM me! I may not be a person who goes to all the Meet & Greets and stuff, but I love helping you all out as much as I can, especially when it comes to my home!