staying at doubletree near the university...please help (Austin, Victoria: how much, hotel)

[Gez137]

Hello,
I will be staying at the doubletree near 35 and the university. I will be taking the bus from the airport to 18th and congress. How far is the walk from there? How far is the walk from the hotel to downtown? How is the area around the hotel? Is there a bus that stops by the hotel? Any info would be great. I am staying there for 1 night and want to explore during the day (I am a photographer so I want to take pictures). I pricelined and this is the hotel they gave me. I really don't have money to spend on taxis...but just in case how much would one be from the hotel to downtown?


Fyi I am a female so saftey is my only concern walking does not bother me.

Thanks so much

[homeinatx]

You would have been better off at the Doubletree on 15th and Lavaca, but you are in a reasonable location. It would be a $5 cab-ride to the eastern section of downtown, $10 to the western edge but get the hotel to call you a cab - there won't be any cabs driving the frontage road of I35. Daytime it is totally safe to walk, though there is not much within a five block radius. Night-time also fine though the immediate area will be pretty deserted. Going south, I would get off the frontage road ASAP, turn left on Navasota, there is a cool old Victorian neighborhood with some nice modernist infill and the Texas State Cemetery, keep going south and in a five or so blocks, you will hit east 11th Street, a couple of good restaurants - Zadunga, Blue Dahlia and the best BBQ brisket in the world - I don't exaggerate - at Franklin's - lunch only and often a line around the block, so get there when they open at 11. If you are a vegetarian, change your mind. That section of East Austin is picturesque so there should be no shortage of photo -ops. You could also check out the French Legation - one of the oldest buildings in Austin, but I think it is pretty lame. The Victory Grill and Longbranch Inn are good night-time music venues and are no more than a 15 minute walk from your hotel. 10 minutes walk south of there, you would hit 6th street east of 35 , not to be confused with east 6th west of 35, the former is hipster central, the latter drunken frat boy central. Both worth seeing. 10 blocks north of your hotel there is an ugly but interesting restaurant strip on Manor Road. From 18th and Congress to your hotel is a 10-15 minute boring walk. If I had a day in Austin and were staying at the Doubletree on 35, I would walk down to Franklin's for lunch, walk around Swede Hill, make my way to either East Side Showroom or Parkside ( both on 6th, but on opposite sides of I35) for fabulous happy hours eats and cocktails, meander around downtown - see what is playing at the Paramount, or go to Esther's Follies, or Antone's or the Elephant Room or any of 50 less illustrious live music venues downtown. Live Music in Austin is often, but not always free. And save the cab fare for getting home at night. Yellow Cab Austin is 512 452-9999, and they usually pick up within 10-15 minutes (You are not in Manhattan). Downtown is safe to walk around at night, though I would be careful immediately north of 6th between 35 and San Jacinto. Happy travels!

[Gez137]

Thanks so much homeinatx. You couldn't have been more helpful. Its greatly appreciated. You probably gave me better info than an actual guide would have.