What to see in 3 days (Austin, Spring: hotel, houses, neighborhoods)

[xz2y]

I may be visiting Austin for a few days in January. What would you recommend that I see? Are there any charming, walkable neighborhoods with shops? I'm interested in museums, bookstores, gardens, etc.

[HappyinAustin]

I would want to know where you're coming from--

Travis Heights = walkable neighborhood; BobBullock = museum; Bookwoman = local bookstore; Zilker gardens = gardens (or the Umlauf Sculpture Garden).

There are certain "must-see" places (e.g., Barton Springs). Could you give us a little more info? Kids? Special interests?

Welcome!

[atxcio]

SoCo (South Congress) area as walkable neighborhood. Or West Campus, that's REALLY walkable. State Capitol, UT Musuems (Blanton, Ransom, LBJ), Bullock Texas History museum for musuems.

Zilker park, Ladybird Lake trail, Barton Creek Greenbelt, Barton Springs (all in the same area) or Hamilton pool (farther out) for parks/gardens.

Lots of live music clubs and iconic restaurants should fill the rest of your trip.

[OneJackson]

3 days in January:

Mount Bonell
Zilker Botanical Gardens
take a picture next to Stevie Ray at Auditorium shores
Bob Bullock Museum
or just hit the many parks around town and enjoy the scenary

[Austin97]

Originally Posted by xz2y

I may be visiting Austin for a few days in January. What would you recommend that I see? Are there any charming, walkable neighborhoods with shops? I'm interested in museums, bookstores, gardens, etc.

Unfortunately we dont really have those. Austin is not really a sight seeing city

There are pockets of it here and there but you dont get much bang for your buck.

We have virtually no museums, bookstores or gardens.

The closest area that has a high concentration of interesting stores is south congress.

Also west 6th in the "garden district" has some stuff

Downtown has some shops on 2nd street, but not cute old style ones.

There is an area around 38th street that has a bunch of houses that are now stores close to the hospital complex (baby boutiques and such).

[xz2y]

Originally Posted by HappyinAustin

I would want to know where you're coming from--

Travis Heights = walkable neighborhood; BobBullock = museum; Bookwoman = local bookstore; Zilker gardens = gardens (or the Umlauf Sculpture Garden).

There are certain "must-see" places (e.g., Barton Springs). Could you give us a little more info? Kids? Special interests?

Welcome!

I would be coming from cold Michigan. I've never been to Austin and would like to see the best sights in a limited amount of time. What do you recommend for places to stay in charming neighborhoods (vs in the burbs)? No kids are coming. I have interests in art, music (blues), etc.

[Moonlady]

OK, it's not like we are totally devoid of culture here! I'd recommend the Hotel San Jose on SoCo:

Hotel San Jose

For art, it's the Austin Museum of Art. The Laguna Gloria location on 35th is worth visiting for the setting alone and the adjoining Mayfield Park.

Austin Museum of Art:

You should also check out the Blanton Museum:

Blanton Museum of Art : University of Texas at Austin

If you're interested in Texas history, the Bob Bullock Texas History Museum is interesting and they have a great IMAX theatre if the weather is bad.

The Story of Texas

For blues, check out Antones: Antone's Nightclub » Home and The Continental Club.

[LongTimeAustinite]

Check out this thread. I think she did it right.

[austin-steve]

Originally Posted by xz2y

I may be visiting Austin for a few days in January. What would you recommend that I see? Are there any charming, walkable neighborhoods with shops? I'm interested in museums, bookstores, gardens, etc.

Depends on whether you actually want to do stuff or just see stuff. In other words, if Austin was a pottery studio, do you want to just stand and watch the artists, or do you want to put on an apron and get your hands dirty?

If it's the latter, bring your swimsuit because you'll be swimming at Barton Springs (it's wonderful in the winter - water temp is the same year round). Polish your dance moves and head to the Broken Spoke. Bring your walking shoes and walk up Mnt Bonnell (small hill really, but it's name "Mount" Bonnell) and take in the view of Lake Austin and the hills.

And I'd recommend the Bullock History Museum, some live music downtown, a stroll down S. Congress Ave, a meal at Guerros and a walk around Town Lake.

Welcome, and have fun.

Steve