How to spend an afternoon in Round Rock? (Austin: houses, live) - Texas (TX) - City-Data Forum

Paulmmm · 07-31-2009, 03:02 PM

I'm going to the Willie/Dylan concert at the ballpark in Round Rock Tuesday night. I've been to about a dozen games there since we moved to Austin 18 months ago, but have always just gone right from 35 to the park. Since I have the whole day off, I'd like to spend some time getting a feel for what Round Rock is really like, other than just Dell and the ballfield. I'll probably get there around noon and want to get a bite at a diner or greasy spoon, if they still have any. Then I'll want to just poke around any cool streets or shops - local coffee shops, bookstores, oddities, historical markers - you name it, I'd probably like to see it. So if there are any suggestions about how to spend 4 or 5 hours getting to know a little more about Round Rock, I'd love to hear them. Thanks!

Rose Red · 07-31-2009, 06:01 PM

There are a couple of coffee shops in downtown RR. I like Star Co. myself. It's relatively new. Most of the busineses there are. In the 3 years I have lived there I've seen quite a few open and then close. Quinns is new but it is pretty busy on Thurs - Sat. That's the only time it's open. I like Juniors Bar and Grill. They are open for lunch and have pretty good food. Downtown is pretty small. Not anything in the line of cool shops. There are some great antique houses though further down main street.

There is the outlet mall. But I feel if you have been to one mall you have been to them all. You could kill quite a few hours there just walking around.

Then there is the "Round Rock" on Chilsom Trail Rd off of 620 (a.k.a. Round Rock Ave). I really can't think of anything else, maybe someone else will pop in.

TexasHorseLady · 07-31-2009, 06:21 PM

You might want to drop by Louisiana Longhorn in downtown Round Rock for lunch (one of my two favorite restaurants), then check out the area. Then you could go to Half Price Books (further south from downtown on Mays), and check out the Antique Mall in the same shopping center. You could also check out Old Settlers Park (right by the Dell Diamond - or, well, actually, Dell Diamond is right by Old Settlers Park, which was there way before).

You could check out Sam Bass' grave.

If you're an IKEA groupie, there's an IKEA at 1431 and IH35.

woodinvilleguy · 07-31-2009, 10:19 PM

bring a bathing suit and go to the water park.

mark311 · 07-31-2009, 10:33 PM

Kawaii Shaved Ice on Mays is a good place to go to for a cool snack after lunch. It's definitely one of the best shaved ice places that I've ever been to.

love roses · 07-31-2009, 10:44 PM

all good suggestions

You could also try a burger at Red Wagon. I haven't been there in a while personally, but they were really good. You could also peruse the library while you're there. I like to drive around and look at some of the houses near downtown. There's a nice dog park nearby as well. I know you won't have a dog with you but you could look and check it out just for kicks. Between toodling around downtown and doing whatever at old settler's park, you could easily kill 4-5 hrs.

love roses · 07-31-2009, 10:49 PM

I found this link roundrocktexas.gov (it's the city of round rock site). On the left of the page are a list of links. Find "Planning". Under that find "historic preservation" and then "designated historic landmarks".

There is a good list of things there. Homes, memorial sites, cemeteries, Sam Bass related places, etc...

Paulmmm · 08-01-2009, 04:20 PM

Thanks for all the great suggestions!

Now a really dumb follow-up question that I probably should have led off with: Where is downtown Round Rock? How do I get there? Like I said, I just always take the exit off 35 for the ballpark and have no idea where any other part of RR even is or how you'd get to it.

Thanks again! I'll definitely be using some of your ideas, especially checking in on the Sam Bass history - I love that type of stuff!

TexasHorseLady · 08-01-2009, 04:22 PM

Take the 620 exit and head east. Just stay on that road, and you'll get there in a few blocks. Just past Mays.

xsloane · 08-01-2009, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TexasHorseLady

Take the 620 exit and head east. Just stay on that road, and you'll get there in a few blocks. Just past Mays.

That is exit 252 and then head east (Main Street / 620). You will see the signs.

If you want some really good BBQ, take the same exit but head west, towards the hospital and just a mile or so in that direction, to your right will be a little red building, that is Johnny T's BBQ, the BEST bbq around by far!