Suggestions for Austinish stuff to do (Round Rock, San Marcos: apartments, how much, houses)

[Studakris]

I'm planning a trip to Austin this December in order to make a decision on a possible move there. Aside from the obvious job/school/housing stuff which will take up most of my time, what other activities or locations would you recommend I check out in Austin to really get a good feel for the place? Like as a good gauge of how well Austin life would suit me? I already know about most of the touristy stuff, as well as the main locations where "Friday Night Lights" is filmed. (Fan of the show. It would be wrong for me not to check out the Alamo Freeze aka Dairy Queen and the football stadium near the airport)

Anything that would give me the best feel for the local flavor would be most appreciated. Thanks.

[Jennibc]

What do you consider the touristy stuff? I'd say take a walk around Town Lake (aka Lady Bird Lake). Go to the Salt Lick in Driftwood.

[Studakris]

Touristy stuff= 6th Street, South Congress, the Bats, State Capital, LBJ Library, etc.

[Jennibc]

Originally Posted by Studakris

Touristy stuff= 6th Street, South Congress, the Bats, State Capital, LBJ Library, etc.

Just a heads up, there are no bats between October and March, they are off somewhere else at that point in the year. Because we haven't been in Austin all that long, I cannot offer more than the touristy stuff and the other suggestions I've made. Hopefully others will post more information soon.

If you have time, a drive to Fredricksburg might be nice.

[atxcio]

Tourist, in addition to what was mentioned above:

The Oasis, Mt Bonnell, Zilker Park (during Dec, Trail of Lights and Zilker Christmas tree), Whole Foods flagship store, Bullock Musuem, UT campus (better to visit in late Dec when school is out), Barton Creek Greenbelt.

[Studakris]

Thanks for the suggestions so far. Also, a good local food place?

[TexasHorseLady]

Zilker Park isn't necessarily touristy - a lot of Austinites spend a LOT of time there. During December, you will have the Trail of Lights and that, along with 37th Street, is a VERY Austiny thing to do. If you have to choose between the two, do 37th Street, followed up by ice cream at Amy's.

Local food places. My usuals, Azul Tequila and Louisiana Longhorn (in Round Rock, but worth visiting). Quality Seafood - not fancy, but definitely local and definitely Austin. Chicken fried steak at the Broken Spoke (been Austiny since the 1950's - you may find tourists there, but you'll also find Austinites who've been eating, drinking, and dancing there for about that long). If you must go to Threadgills, go to the original on North Lamar. For lunch, try House Park BBQ down on 12th just east of Lamar. Go by the Whole Foods flagship on 6th & Lamar - it's NOTHING like it used to be, but it's worth the experience.

What do you like to do? It would help if we knew that so that we could let you know if it's available here and where, because that would impact how much you'd like living here.

[Austownian]

Sixth Street is definetely a must. Especially if you are going with a friend or two. If you are by yourself, it might be a little awkward, but perhaps not! There are just a lot of music venues and clubs and it is just a hopping place.

Also, go to Town Lake. It is so beautiful and the park is great. Just lots of walking trails. However, don't go at night; or at least in certain areas. I was walking like three nights ago and a group of three people came up to me asking for money for beer and they were like stalking me. Also, it would be nice to see a police bike down every now and then at night, but as many times as I have been to that park at night, I have never seen a police patrol.

Also, going to UT is nice; go to some nearby restaurants and you can get a glimpse at the college life.

The Capitol is really nice to just walk by, but it's really only a big building if you don't enjoy walking. Nothing too spectacular unless you love the architecture or just want a relaxing walk.

Waterloo records is a must. To get a great glimpse of some of the indy music we have here. Whole Foods is great and it is full of locals. Many Austinites(including me) eat only organic and it's almost a cultural thing sometimes.

If you like shopping- Well, there is plenty. Scattered all throughout. Go to North Austin/Cedar Park, and you have Lakeline Mall. Get on Mopac and make your way to the Domain, if you like high class shopping. Go to Highland Mall close to downtown if you want to get an urban feel.. Though Highland isn't a great mall. Barton Creek Square is nice, but also high class. Go North to Round Rock and you have the Outlets. you also have La Fronteria which has a nice Barnes and Noble always busy! Or, go south to San Marcos(30 miles) and you have a huge outlet there. Anyways. Plenty of shopping. Not exactly always walking distance but never too inconvenient.

I currently live in Downtown Austin but before living here I lived in Pflugerville.(floo-ger-ville). At least once a month my friends and I would pack up the car and just go to downtown Austin. We were under 18 and couldn't go to the clubs and or anything, but we always had a great time. Just having our company and being in a great atmosphere was enough for us to call it a great night.

Also, we have a lot of small venues where locals go to hear like standup comedy, indy musicians, etc. They are all over, especially downtown/central Austin. However, I have never seen too many tourists there.

[Studakris]

In an earlier thread I covered the basics of my situation (Recap: Louisiana guy looking to establish residency in Texas for UT Ph. D program, or just live here if I like it) I like traditional guy stuff: Sports, wings, live music, my dog, church, football etc.

I'm going to be visiting UT, checking out a few houses/apartments, and a few job prospects in mid-December. I'm looking at two nights or so (the 15th-17th) and I want to pack in all the Austin I possible can in my downtime.

[Austownian]

As for food - I love me some Chuy's. They have one in Round Rock and one in downtown. It it tex-mex and it is so good! I love their appetizer nachos.. I always get it as a dinner. Now that place is an excellent place to get a glimpse of Austin downtown culture. Lots of University students, lots of diversity, everyone minds their business, it is so nice.

The Oasis is also very nice. Find when the sunset time is, and go around that time. It is the most spectacular thing you will see.

Shady Grove is also delicious. Very unique menu. I mean very. But prepare to wait for at least an hour if it's on the weekend. That place is always packed on the weekend. The good thing about the place though, is that if you are waiting to be seated they have lots of areas you can sit and a person will come and offer you appetizers or drinks. So, you can order a good drink and converse, and then go for your meal. I encourage eating outside too. Sure, it may be hot or what-not, but the inside is crowded.

Either way, the food is very unique, and I love it!