First visit to Austin.. where to stay / what to do? (Spring: rent, hotels)

[chicagoresident]

Hi,

I've heard great things about Austin and am thinking of coming down for a visit soon..was wondering if anyone can recommend any safe / fun areas to stay in? What are some popular hotels in the downtown area? Also, what are some things to definitely see / do while I'm visiting? Thanks!

[Jennibc]

Will you be renting a car? I suggest so.

[chicagoresident]

Not sure, is it a big deal if I don't rent a car? Can I stay in the heart of the city and use public transportation to explore the city?

[centralaustinite]

Originally Posted by chicagoresident

Not sure, is it a big deal if I don't rent a car? Can I stay in the heart of the city and use public transportation to explore the city?

Short answer:
NO

Longer answer: is it absolutely impossible? No, but you'll be a slave to the bus schedule and there will be interesting places where you can't go (or go in an efficient manner). You would really be confined to the downtown, University, and South Congress area. Anywhere else could cost you hours on the bus.

Compared to Chicago, parking is easily available and cheap.

[AustinExPat]

Originally Posted by chicagoresident

Hi,

I've heard great things about Austin and am thinking of coming down for a visit soon..was wondering if anyone can recommend any safe / fun areas to stay in? What are some popular hotels in the downtown area? Also, what are some things to definitely see / do while I'm visiting? Thanks!

Did the trip to Austin over Thanksgiving fall through, then?
//www.city-data.com/forum/austi...g-weekend.html

The Austin Motel (South Congress, in SoCo) is cool and funky and pretty cheap, but it's so popular that you'll have to book asap. It's just across the street from the Continental Club (an advantage!). You'll choose the particular room you're going to book; I recommend the ones overlooking the swimming pool, like Rm 141. If you prefer a b&b, I recommend 1110 Carriage House Inn, but that's closer to UT than to downtown. There's easy access to downtown from the b&b on bus #338, though. Takes about 5 minutes once you're on the bus.

Things to do:
- See the massive bat colony under the Congress Ave bridge emerge at dusk. Best viewing is at the south end of the bridge either up on the bridge facing east or down below the bridge on the east side. After the bat show is over, walk west from the Congress Ave bridge to the Pfluger pedestrian bridge along the south side of Lady Bird lake and admire the remains of the sunset and the lights of downtown Austin.
- Check out Zilker Park and Barton Springs pool (brrr!) if it's open.
- Check out Hyde Park, which includes a 110-year-old nine-hole golf course and the Elisabet Ney Museum. For more on Hyde Park, see my comments here:
//www.city-data.com/forum/9901157-post6.html

A car would allow you to get out of central Austin, but if central Austin is all you want to see, skip the car and either use CapMetro:
Capital Metro Transit - Austin, Texas
or rent a bike (try the shops mentioned here):
Austin Bike Shops | Bicycle Shops

If you do rent a car, don't rent it at the airport. See my comments here:
//www.city-data.com/forum/12808185-post6.html

[bgrn198]

I would recomend renting a car if you really want to see the whole city and surrounding areas here's links to check out for other things to do

http://www.austincarriage.com/

http://www.austinducks.com/

http://www.2ndstreetdistrict.com/

http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/library/ahc/

http://www.amoa.org/site/PageServer

http://www.blantonmuseum.org/

http://www.thestoryoftexas.com/

http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/elisabetney/

http://www.frenchlegationmuseum.org/

http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/carver/default.htm

http://www.hrc.utexas.edu/

http://www.wildflower.org/

http://www.lbjlibrary.org/

http://www.tspb.state.tx.us/

http://www.umlaufsculpture.org/

http://www.zilkergarden.org/

http://www.austinriverboats.com/

[chicagoresident]

thanks so much for the replies.. will look into it.. yes, I was thinking of going last year but that trip never happened and I forgot that I had even posted the question.. thx for reminding me!