Vacation to Austin, Texas

You're going to Texas ... deliberately? 😉

6th street!!!!!


LBJ Library on UT campus


Franklin’sBBQ

I live about 80 miles west of Austin and I have found Austin to have gotten a little too weird over the years. The only times we travel to Austin these days is, 1) we are driving to Houston and just transit through it on Hwy 290 or 2) we are driving to the Austin airport for a flight out. We've stopped going there for fine dining, shopping or any entertainment. The only places we stop in Austin is Spec's on Brody Ln for liquor (they have a good selection of cognacs) or In-N-Out on Lamar Blvd. for a Double-Double meal. Other than that we will go to San Antonio which still seems to be mostly sane.

I've not found any decent second hand watch places in this area, TX is still pretty much a 'if it ain't a Rolex it ain't a good watch' state. Even Houston is pretty sparse for pre-owned watches.

It's been a long, hot, dry summer but the weather is finally breaking, we have had about 4 inches of rain in August where I live and everything is greening up. And they lifted the county 'burn ban' this morning, so the ultra dry conditions are over for the time being.

Rolex is known as the Texas Timex...

As a former Austinite for over 20-years (and someone who goes back regularly since I left in 2009), I’ll give some advice.

1. 6th Street used to be fun back in the late 80s early 90s when they still had clubs that played live, original music from local artists. Now it’s just bars with DJs or cover bands. The only good reason to go to 6th St. anymore is Ester’s Follies — a top-notch improv comedy place. If you are interested in good live music, the best places are off 6th St. I like the Saxon Pub on South Lamar, or Continental Club on South Congress.

2. See the bats flying out from under the Congress street bridge at dusk. They should still be around (they migrate to Mexico in a month or so). There’s a viewing place by the American-Statesman building on the south side of the bridge.

3. Barton Springs. Water temp is about 69 degrees year-round, so is nice for a refreshing dip in the summer. Deep Eddy was already mentioned — it’s nice, but looks like an normal swimming pool. Barton Springs is still a natural pool.

4. Various caverns were mentioned — I’ll suggest Longhorn Carverns NW of town, in a state park. It’s smaller than some of the others, but it’s a nice dive out there and it has some interesting history — was used as a hideout by various criminals in the past and was used as an illegal gin joint during prohibition.

5. The state capitol is well worth a visit. There are guided tours, but you can wander around through the main halls without it. Won’t be able to see the House/Senate chambers, though.

6. University of Texas Ransom Center. On the edge of campus. Is a world-class repository of archives of writes, artists, and musicians — with many put out on display. They have an original Guttenberg Bible, artifacts from Harry Houdini, and a whole lot more.

7. Food — I’m going to suggest some local, classic Austin places. Matt’s El Rancho on South Lamar for Tex-Mex, Guero’s on S. Congress for tacos, Salt Lick (a short drive out of town in Dripping Spings) for BBQ. Franklin’s was mentioned — it’s good, but not worth standing hours in line for. Salt Lick is still pretty darn good!

8. Excursions outside of Austin. The Lyndon Johnson ranch is worth a visit for sure (in Johnson City, west of town). Fredericksburg is just a little further west, of there, where the National Museum of the Pacific Wa is located (formerly the Nimitiz Museum). This is a huge complex, and you could spend several days here if you want, but you can do a quick in-though in a half-day. Then, a little outside of town is Enchanted Rock, a huge granite outcropping you can climb up. This time of the year, I’d do it early in the morning or evening, though.

Have fun!

I lived in Austin for years. No matter when you move there, you soon learn that you just missed the town’s heyday and it’s been all downhill ever since. I don’t know anything about watch retailers there, but in my opinionated view, Sixth Street is garbage and there’s no reason to go there. Take a look at the listings in the Chronicle and go see whatever live music strikes your fancy.

If you’re not a Texan, I’d suggest The White Horse for a dose of Austin-style cowboy-slash-hipster culture. There are usually a handful of old cowboys and hipster guys who know how to two-step, and they spend the evening dancing with a horde of women taking turns enjoying a partner who actually knows how to dance. If you’re a man and you can dance, women will practically line up to dance with you for a song. If you’re a woman, you will be asked to dance—the dudes seem to make a point of inviting any woman in sight for a dance before returning to any previous partners. If you refuse, absolutely no one will hassle you because, again, the guys are outnumbered three to one by eager female partners. Whether male or female, it’s worth it to give it a whirl even if you don’t know how to dance; even if you just spend the evening drinking beer and watching, it’s striking how a truly good dancer can bring a partner up to speed.

There are plenty of other country bars in Austin, but White Horse has the most reliably weird live country music as far as I know. Beyond that, ask literally anyone what they recommend for BBQ or Mexican food and do exactly what they say (Güeros, for sure).

This summary is 100% correct in every respect.

The bats! (+1 on the LBJ Library …Amazing)

Good point. That's typically what I do and forgot to mention it. One other important point - Hays county is dry, so Salt Lick does not have a liquor license. But you can bring your own beer/wine. There is a convenience store right at the Travis/Hays county line with a good selection! the Salt Lick now has a winery, so you can buy a bottle there if you want (but it isn't that good, IMO).

Yes, I know, Texas liquor laws make no sense. But you learn to deal with it. 😀