Posted: 4/27/2008 3:33:36 PM EDT
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I will be in Austin for a week in july. Anything I should see and/or do? I will be taking the family on a summer vacation and will be spending a couple of days in San Antonio and the remainder of the time in Austin. Any firearm laws I should be aware of in Austin? Speed traps? and such? Any info is much appreciated. thanks in advance Update 1 day 1: arrived on the 4th (barely, had a rear tire that had blown a belt). Arrived in time to have some home made enchiladas and watch the fireworks down by the river down town. day 2: spent the morning getting the rear tires replaced on the car. Went to the farmers market down town and the kids got to make rag dolls, paint and watch a band play. Austin has a nice farmers market. They were having a round table discussion on how to grow green and save the world. I was attending to my son and listened to their discussion. We ate lunch at Shady Grove near Barton Springs. +1 for firemans pale ale. I highly recommend eating there but make sure you get there before the lunch rush or you will wait. We then went to a park and then to Waterloo Ice House for supper. day 3: went to Sea World in SA, arriving at 9am before they opened (parking right up front). Saw shamu show (believe), the sea lion show, the dolphin show (Viva), fed the dolphins, and went through the shark exhibit. Viva was by far the most entaining show we saw and worth going to see. The Shamu show honored those that are and have served in the military and had them and their families stand for recognition. We then went to the water park and spent the remainder of the day. No pics of the water park. Day 4: slept in and tried to recover from a full day at Sea World. We did drive down to barton springs to explore the coming days activities. The SO and I are hoping to slip away and see the bats this eve. Day 5: Went to Zilker park and swam at Barton Springs. Very cool place. The kids enjoyed swimming for about 30 mins or so then became chilled and didnt want to get back into the spring water. Ate lunch at Shady Grove again. Everything we have had off the menu has been excellent. Went back to the house for a nap and then went to Amy's Ice Cream. Good stuff!!! And the play ground kept the kids busy for over an hour. Day 6: Went to Salt Lick for lunch and then drove to Fredricksburg and went through the National Museum of the Pacific War. The kids were to little for the Museum. I did not get to spend as much time as I had wanted to there. Traveled back to Austin. Went to see the bats come out from under the Congress bridge at 830pm and got there just as they started to really swarm out. Quite a site to see. Day 7: Traveled back home!! 9 hours on the road I havent seen so many Obama and Hillary bumper stickers in any one place. Makes me cringe as I drive. (More to come on next update) (pics to be posted upon return to KS) |
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Stop at the Salt Lick for the best bbq between here and San Antonio. It is in a dry county so bring your own 'drinks'. Avoid 6th Street. If you are looking for something to do that will keep you cool, head to Barton Springs in Zilker Park. Constant ~68* water and downtown. |
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Zilker Park and Lady Bird Lake (formerly Town Lake) offers train rides, canoing, swimming in Barton Springs, Zilker Gardens, Umlauf Sculpture Garden, and great hike and bike trails. The University of Texas has a nice little Museum of Natural History (dino bones,tracks and such) plus the campus is pretty cool to wander around. Right near there, off of IH 35, you have the LBJ Library, which is nice to visit. There are dozens of parks with creeks and trails for hiking and swimming all over the city, plus tons of recreational activities on any of the nearby Lakes. Go see the Longhorn Caverns in Burnet,TX just an hour northwest of Austin and visit Inks Lake Park while in the area. Watch a great sunset show out at the Oasis Restaurant on Lake Travis, off of Hwy 620. Six Street has more adult entertainment, but is worth a look see simply due to its historical nature. Esthers Folly's is Austin's version of Saturday Night Live and is always entertaining. Laguna Gloria Art Museum offers new exhibits all the time and there is a little park right by there where peacocks wander around. Try Threadgills on Lamar for some great home cooking and a bit of historical perspective on the Austin music scene. |
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Watch out for speed traps if your headed down FM1325, Wells Branch Blvd, and the I-35 lower deck. Just dont speed period through Austin streets because APD and Travis county are hurting for money so they are giving tickets away as if it were candy. if your on I-35 you can probably get way doing 5-7 over the speed limit. I like Rudy's BBQ. You might want to check them out. |
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Rudy's is a chain BBQ place found across the SW US and it is okay, but if you want something unique to Austin and the surrounding areas: Salt Lick (as previously recommended) Iron Works StubbsGreen Mesquite Kreuz |
most of us "candy men" don't bother unless you are 10 over. be mindful or residental areas. 35 mph. Salt lick is the place to go. BArton springs is awesome, but if you have the cash, I would check out Schlitterbahn just outside of SA. Places to eat in SA are not on the riverwalk. UT's is awesome to check out. Hook em. |
If you are into NFA weapons I would visit either the Gun Store in Cedar Park or Sportsmans Finest off Bee Cave. Sportsmans is a gunshop and outdoors store so half the place is fly fishing gear, etc. However, they have some really impressive trophy mounts (polar bear, hippo, etc.) as well as a mini-gun, dual-mounted 50 cals, Mark-19 40MM, out on display throughout the store. Folks there are pretty friendly and there is no shortage of equipment (firearm & non-firearm alike) to browse. I will also second the Salt Lick in Driftwood Texas. Just remember to bring cash (they dont take CC) and beer since it is a dry County. James Austin, Texas |
So we have a confession that giving more tickets is being encouraged? Not to bust your chops or anything. I know you guys are just doing your job and whats mandated. What gets me is when there are relatively short transitions in the road....say like from 55 to 45 and there is a " candy man" hiding out right after the transition to nab people. Just like on 1325.....when it used to be 55 and now its 45. OP......Just be careful out there. A simple speeding ticket with Travis County can run more than 200 bucks. Thats just for doing 14 over like I got caught 2 months ago. Not sure how much Chief Acevedo is charging these days. |
You have no idea what you're talking about. You should really stop. Anyway, to the OP, if your family enjoys hiking, then Austin is full of day hikes. |
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Thought of some more ideas based on smaller kids: Seaworld in San Antonio Fiesta, TX theme park Austin Zoo (not a real zoo, but does have rehabbed wildlife exhibits) San Antonio Zoo Inner Space Caverns: Georgetown, TX |
Your right. I'll stop ranting about tickets since the OP was asking about things to do in Austin. But, I do know what Im talking about. I can post my reciept I got for my last ticket. OP........You might want to take the family down to the congress shops. They have eclectic and one of a kind stores and I think a few toy stores there also. |
wanna run by what part of that statement lead you to believe that more tickets was being encouraged? I have read it several times now and don't see where you are getting that from. I stated most don't bother unless you are atleast 10 over, not sure how that could be construed as being pushed to give more, but whatever.  McBrides is okay, but they do have a lot of bang sticks. Barton springs is great, as is doing a little rowing on town lake. Stay away from downtown. I can think of nothing appealing there. Does New Br still have the nimitz? |
When you can see county and city cops performing speed traps a few miles apart from each other in known zones where people might get caught doing a little over the limit is what Im talking about. This never used to happen so often a year ago so yeah, that leads me to believe that its being encouraged. People that have gotten the tickets would more than likely agree with me so thats my whatever...... 
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Austin Children's Museum downtown is a fun place for kiddos. Don't know if the 2 yr old will get much from it, but the 4 yr old will. Catfish Parlour (2 locations in Austin) and Waterloo Ice House (several locations) are fairly low-cost, family-friendly establishments with a little local flair. County Line BBQ on the Lake (at 2222 and Hwy 360) is a fun place, and last time we were there the kids chased ducks outside. Not the best BBQ in my opinion, but cool location. For kid-friendly BBQ, I recommend Poke-E-Joes. That's my go-to when we have out-of-town visitors. Their BBQ is very consistent, and they have a wide variety of sides. Friendly staff behind the counter. I second the Bob Bullock and the Texas Memorial Museum (it's free) on the UT campus. For a nice view of Austin, order tickets online for the UT tower tour. Also a nice view of downtown and west side hills from Mt. Bonnell. Calling it a mountain is a misnomer, but it does provide a scenic view and a place to eat a picnic lunch. |
On Monday mornings the Austin Children's Museum has a "Baby Bloomer's" session where the museum is only open to young children. I have friends who have taken their 2 year olds to this who said it was a lot of fun. |
Ironworks at Ceasar Chavez and Red River............. Good stuff |
| The kids probably won't enjoy it, but if you still have time, hit the LBJ Library on the UT campus. I've been in Austin for nearly 13 years, and last weekend was the first time I went. It's free (apparently the only Presidential library that is), and it has some pretty neat historical stuff (as one would imagine), such as a Presidential limo and a scale-size room of the Oval Office. |
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Cabela's between Austin and San Marcos (it's in Buda) is fun place to see some impressive mounts from all around the world in Air Conditioned comfort. Live trout pond, aquarium with big catfish, long nosed gars, turtles, etc..., laser shooting gallery and some fun 'outdoor" shopping too. BIGGER_HAMMER 
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