Welcome to City-Data.com Forum!
U.S. CitiesCity-Data Forum Index
Go Back   City-Data Forum > U.S. Forums > Texas > Austin
 [Register]
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
View detailed profile (Advanced) or search
site with Google Custom Search

Search Forums  (Advanced)
Reply Start New Thread
 
Old 03-18-2015, 12:19 PM
 
10,097 posts, read 10,013,648 times
Reputation: 5225

Advertisements

The way it's always reported it seems like the biggest event of the year but what's it like being there in Austin while it's going on? Is there a vibrancy about it? Has anyone seen any famous people?
Reply With Quote Quick reply to this message

 
Old 03-18-2015, 01:01 PM
 
1,430 posts, read 2,376,398 times
Reputation: 832
Actually, since it is Spring Break, the Capitol Complex and north is delightful. Hardly anyone around!
Reply With Quote Quick reply to this message
 
Old 03-18-2015, 01:02 PM
 
Location: Round Rock, Texas
12,950 posts, read 13,346,261 times
Reputation: 14010
Just a few more drunks downtown, from what I hear - but we avoid that area during SXSW & ACL Fest.
Reply With Quote Quick reply to this message
 
Old 03-18-2015, 01:52 PM
 
10,097 posts, read 10,013,648 times
Reputation: 5225
Quote:
Originally Posted by ScoPro View Post
Just a few more drunks downtown, from what I hear - but we avoid that area during SXSW & ACL Fest.
Lol. For Austinites is sxsw something to avoid? Like a tourist trap?
Reply With Quote Quick reply to this message
 
Old 03-18-2015, 01:55 PM
 
1,430 posts, read 2,376,398 times
Reputation: 832
Once upon a time you could get a wristband for 60 bucks or so and wander around going into shows and having fun. As long as you weren't trying to, say, get into Tom Waits you'd generally be OK.

Now....
Reply With Quote Quick reply to this message
 
Old 03-18-2015, 02:05 PM
 
10,130 posts, read 19,882,004 times
Reputation: 5815
Most people at SXSW live through twitter, just look there and you'll see tons of pics of what it's like and what is going on. Or maybe watch the Jimmy Kimmel show from SXSW this week.

From a resident's standpoint, I see a whole lot more pedestrian traffic DT, in East Austin, and SoCo areas. The "hot" restaurants get real busy. Lots more live music shows than usually, some will be quite busy and difficult to attend without a badge... but because of the sheer volume, you can always find a place with a show or party that you can get into. Often for free. Lots of swag, and if you are lucky you'll stumble on a place with a free bar or food too (those are usually badgeholder events, but with a big corporate sponsor, so when they aren't full many will let anyone in).

Parking DT can be a hassle in the late evenings during the music part of the festival -- but during the day through early evening, it's easy to park downtown. I think most visitors don't rent cars (uber/lyft does a tremendous business during SXSW), and with spring break the local traffic to DT is reduced, hence the relatively easy parking.
Reply With Quote Quick reply to this message
 
Old 03-18-2015, 02:23 PM
 
Location: Greater NYC
3,176 posts, read 6,217,846 times
Reputation: 4570
Quote:
Originally Posted by radiolibre99 View Post
what's it like being there in Austin while it's going on?
What's the mood? No one in north of central Austin wants to go downtown even if you pay 'em.
Reply With Quote Quick reply to this message
 
Old 03-18-2015, 02:37 PM
 
Location: The People's Republic of Austin
5,184 posts, read 7,279,589 times
Reputation: 2575
Quote:
Originally Posted by gpurcell View Post
Now....
... even the locals wristbands are $189 a pop.

I went to the Freaks Meet Folks showcase at Spider House on Monday afternoon, then the Red Dirt one at Peckheads last night. Neither required wristbands. Peckerheads, and Sixth on Tuesday of SX was as crazy as I want to see it. There is no possible way I am getting into that mess after things really heat up today through the weekend.
Reply With Quote Quick reply to this message
 
Old 03-18-2015, 03:04 PM
 
Location: Austin, TX
1,065 posts, read 1,756,492 times
Reputation: 476
We love it! The town is full of energy and excitement and there is excellent people watching to be had.

I have never understood those Austinites who hate SX and try to get as far away as possible. SXSX is part of what makes Austin such a fun city to live in.

A few more drunks downtown? LOL spoken like a true hater who has not been to SX.
Reply With Quote Quick reply to this message
 
Old 03-18-2015, 03:05 PM
 
Location: Austin, TX
1,065 posts, read 1,756,492 times
Reputation: 476
We could rent out house out for $10k for the week but don't because it would mean missing out on all the fun.
Reply With Quote Quick reply to this message
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.

Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.


Reply
Please update this thread with any new information or opinions. This open thread is still read by thousands of people, so we encourage all additional points of view.

Quick Reply
Message:


Settings
X
Data:
Loading data...
Based on 2000-2020 data
Loading data...

123
Hide US histogram


Over $104,000 in prizes was already given out to active posters on our forum and additional giveaways are planned!

Go Back   City-Data Forum > U.S. Forums > Texas > Austin
View detailed profiles of:

All times are GMT -6.

© 2005-2024, Advameg, Inc. · Please obey Forum Rules · Terms of Use and Privacy Policy · Bug Bounty

City-Data.com - Contact Us - Archive 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37 - Top