Any Austinites here?

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Just curious - I may be visiting Austin with my daughter in August, and we'd love to get the low-down from any locals.

Sounds like a great town, never been there, but am looking forward to visiting - all my crossables are crossed anyway!

-- Anonymous, May 24, 2000

Answers

I live in Austin. You can find out all about the town on my page, since I've been writing about it for two years.

Eat at Kerbey Lane Cafe. Go see Mount Bonnell. Those are two quick things that are distinctly Austin. (and you're coming during bat season, so you can't miss that. right at sunset, congress bridge. you've never seen so many bats.)

-- Anonymous, May 24, 2000


Oh, and there are other Austinites that write on my forum as well. Check the SXSW threads for Austin info.

-- Anonymous, May 24, 2000

not currently, but i grew up there (years 0-18, part of 19, and 22-24).

i second the bats. i always took visitors to see the bats in summer, and no one was ever disappointed. if you park next to the ... i think it's the four seasons? on the north side of the river, you can walk down ...

kerbey lane: there are three (last i checked ... pamie jump in if my information is out of date) -- original, south, and north. food is the same everywhere, but i'd recommend the original or south for atmosphere. among other things, they're known for HUGE gingerbread pancakes.

actually, last time i went back to austin, my must-visit list was pretty much all restaurants. i miss the food of my people ...

judy, where do you live now?

-- Anonymous, May 24, 2000


Thanks for the links, I will check them out for more info... I live in San Francisco, but spent 5 of my formative years in Texas, so I have a little of that in me as well as just the aging flower child syndrome. :)

Reason for going to Austin this summer - my daughter is obsessed with Russell Crowe and wants to go to Austin to see him play at Stubb's in August, and wants me to come along.

Can't say I would mind seeing RC in the flesh either... have been a fan of his acting for a long time, but the daughter is a newly converted Crowequette and is a bit more currently obsessed than I am, now that he's suddenly a big star after all these years.

Still, if she gets the tickets, I wouldn't mind accompanying her on her RC pilgrimage to Austin - it sounds like a fun place. Wish I could spend a few weeks there instead of just a few days!

-- Anonymous, May 24, 2000


If you go to Antone's and want a drink afterwards, next door at Lavaca Street Bar is our hangout.

-- Anonymous, May 25, 2000


I'm from Austin, and I can second what the others have said. I usually take people to eat at a restaurant called "The Oasis" that has a great view of our lake from its outside seating, but you have to use caution. It will be VERY hot in August, and if you get to the Oasis more than an hour before sunset you fry like an egg. It's super crowded on weekends, but not so bad on weekdays. The food is good but not great, you are there for the view and to people watch. They have a helipad if you are using a helicopter to get around. You get to look circling buzzards right in the eye as they soar by your table. Other very Texican places to eat are the Salt Lick and Threadgills.

A walk around the Town Lake hike-and-bike trail is always fun, and you might just get to say "howdy" to the next President of the United States.

-- Anonymous, May 25, 2000


PS: OF COURSE after your walk around Town Lake, go to Zilker Park and swimn in the wonderful Barton Creek pool.

-- Anonymous, May 26, 2000

1. Go to St. Vincent thrift store on South Congress and buy huge spools of elastic for 25 cents each.

2. Look at all the other thrift and/or antique stores next to St. Vincent, recall seeing them featured in various women's mags, and then wonder why.

3. Go to Momoko, the tea shop on 24th, a few blocks west of Guadalupe. Purchase many expensive, cute Japanese products. Write them off as business expenses.

4. Go to Zilker Park is you must, but don't lose your kids.

5. Eat at that Vietnames restaurant near Lamar and Anderson Lane, the name of which I don't remember. Order the bun with lemon grass. Then walk next door to the grocery store known as My Thanh. Purchase lots of candy. Walk around saying, "Check out My Thanh."

6. Go to Dollar Tree.

7. At night, go to Sixth Street and play pool.

That's what I do in Austin.

-- Anonymous, May 26, 2000


Thanks again for all the info - and I managed to get tickets today, a miracle!

So I will be coming to Austin on Aug 18th - what fun!

-- Anonymous, May 26, 2000


ah ha! now i know how to find gwen.

Sixth Street-- sort of a mini Bourbon Street. Lots and lots of bars in a row. Don't pay cover. If they ask for cover, make sure you like that band.

Drive to Lake Travis. Windy Point is a nice little swimming spot on the lake. (Personally, the drive to the lake is one of my favorite things to do). If you're feeling adventurous, Hippie Hollow is the nude "beach" on Lake Travis. Don't worry, someone can give you directions. No kids allowed anymore. That's where the Oasis is, too, but I really don't recommend it. The food isn't nearly worth the price, and you can get a nice view of the sunset at Mount Bonnell. Eat at the County Line just down the road from the Oasis and go home happy.

There are tons of museums and libraries, if that's your thing.

But there is so much food here. You'll still wait in line to eat, but there are so many lines to choose from! You're coming right when school starts back up again, though, so beware of traffic and parking woes.

-- Anonymous, May 26, 2000



Thanks Pamie... now I am not sure about coming, since I heard that they've sold double the usual capacity of the place and there will be no seating, just people crammed in like sardines.

Not sure I can handle that kind of situation, standing for hours and hours in the heat after traveling all day to get there.... so I am kind of bummed but won't really make up my mind for a month or so.

It sounds like such a fun place, I wish I could just go for a couple of weeks, but can't afford the hotel bills for that kind of vacation right now.

Woe is me. :)

-- Anonymous, May 27, 2000


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