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Old, but not dead........

Florida
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Old, but not dead........
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We will be in Austin for 3 days and are staying out of town a bit at the Renaissance Hotel. If anyone has any experience there I'd love to hear it.

We are going to do the usual, like LBJ library, U of T campus, museums and bats but also want to see 6th Ave and the Warehouse districts.

Here's the thing. We are 60 years old and although we know we would enjoy the area, we would rather eat somewhere where it is not too noisy and the food is sort of up scale. Are there such places?

Also, are there places for the other nights inside or outside of town, that are noted for their great food and atmosphere.

Georgetown, Texas
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1. Re: Old, but not dead........
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My sister and I stayed at the Renaissance several years ago for a "sister's weekend" and really enjoyed the hotel. It is kind of a business/convention kind of place but still nice. The area is really busy, traffic-wise- plan accordingly for rush hour.

One of the nicer places that we like downtown is McCormick and Schmick's- yes, it is a chain out of Seattle but we like fresh fish. Of course, coming from Florida, that may not be as important to you ;-) I've only had lunch at the Driskill Grill but it was very good.

Paso Robles Wine...
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The Driskill is very nice and upscale. We had the six course tasting menu paired with wine and it was fantastic. You can't go wrong there.

Also, Roaring Fork is very good and has a nice atmosphere. Not quite as expensive as the Driskill.

If you like comedy, you have to check out Esther's Follies on Sixth Street. They are only open late in the week and on weekends (check out their website for exact days) and it's best to make reservations. It's sort of a comedy/vaudeville/magic show. You will laugh yourself silly. Warning though, if you're hyper sensitive about people making fun of politicians (especially W), you may want to stay away.

There are some great places in the Warehouse District to sit and have drinks and listen to music. Just walk up and down the street and pop in wherever looks good. Things really don't get going until late so if you're out early in the evening, you really shouldn't have a problem anywhere.

Everyone is welcome in Austin; not just students.

The Renaissance is located about 15 minutes north of downtown but avoid the drive during rush hour. You'll be taking Mopac (Loop 1) to downtown and it gets packed going in both directions starting around 4:00 p.m.

If you get a chance, try to make it out to the Oasis on Lake Travis. Everyone likes to go for the sunsets but we like to go for a late lunch and drinks. Go on a nice day when you can sit outside. It's absolutely gorgeous and a great photo op place.

Have a great time!!

Florida
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You two are the best. I looked up all your suggestions and they are definately what I was looking for. Thank you.

One last question. How would you spread the 2 full days and 3 nights that we have there? Would you spend a full day in Fredericksburg or would you try to see another town in the same day, like Kerrville or San Marcus or Boerne?

After we leave Austin we head for Houston so would it be wiser to try and see something on the way there? We have been to New Braunfels before. Is one night enough to get the flavor of 6th and the Warehouse districts. We do want to see the Oasis one evening at sunset too.

Whew! I know I'm asking a lot of questions. Thank you both again.

Paso Robles Wine...
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I tend to be in the minority about this but I really think Fredericksburg is overrated. If you enjoy walking around looking at tons of shops then you'll probably love it. And, of course, it's in the opposite direction of Houston. I'm sorry but I can't recommend anything between Austin and Houston.

Personally, if you have never been to San Antonio that's where I would go. Stay on the Riverwalk for a day and overnight and then head to Houston. If you decide to do that you can stop in New Braunfels and Groene on your way. Have lunch at the Grist Mill in Groene and check out the few shops. To me, Groene has just the right amount of shops to just do a little walking after a nice lunch. By the way, it's pronounced "Green"!

Austin, Texas
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I really recommend you take the 90 minute Austin Overtures sight seeing van that goes out of the visitor center (209 E. 6th) 4 times a day. It's nice to sit back and let someone show you almost everything Austin.

Discounted parked is offered for the tour and since you're staying so far out you'll get much more of an Austin flavor to your trip.

The County Line has good barbecue and would be one good dinner. Remember you're going to the Oasis for the view, not the food.

Just curious, but how did you decide on the Renaissance. It's not convenient for anything you're planning to do and the traffic in that corner of Austin is really ugly when locals are going to and from work. You'll need to take that into consideration.

Florida
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Thank you Austin Traveler and Yankee Transplant (BTW, me too). Very helpful information.

We have been to San Antonio probably 15 times and we are going agiin this trip and staying in the Hyatt on the Riverwalk, but we have stayed in many of the hotels there. We have also been to New Brunsfel and Groene once.

However, this is our first time to Austin. We chose the Renaissance because I wanted to use up our Marriott points and this hotel looked the nicest (on the websites) of all of them. Actually, one of the Marriotts downtown was also full. We figured we'd go into town from about 3pm to midnight on the first day. It didn't seem important that we weren't staying down there. If we are making a big mistake, please let me know because I have no first hand knowledge of the area.

Fredericksburg was because my husband wanted to see the Nimitz museum. It is further away than I first thought and so we are probably going to drive right there from San Antonio, see the museum and then go to Austin.

What you think?

Austin, Texas
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I question the Renaissance location because you're going to deal with a business hotel, and coping with heavy traffic. For your time in Austin I'd forego the Marriott points for another trip somewhere else and stay much closer to downtown.

Yes, there's shopping near the Renaissance but is that really what you're interested in? It's shops like Pottery Barn, Tommy Bahama, Restoration Hardware, chains, in other words.

You won't feel as though you've been to Austin. Staying downtown would let you sit and people watch, have a really nice dinner and sense that you're in Austin - live music and all.

It's true the younger people don't come out until 11 or so so you'd have a nice stroll through the second street district after dinner.

Forgive me for questioning you but if you're making the effort to get to Austin, I think you'll want to experience downtown.

The Nimitz museum is getting great reviews since it was redone. Fredericksburg does have lots of tacky souvenir shops but it also has the charming Sunday houses and some wonderful architecture.

Let us know about your trip when you return home?

Hope this helps a little.

Florida
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Right Yankee, we are not interested in shopping at all.

Based on what you have said I am thinking I might cancel the Renaissance and try to get into the Courtyard. We are also skipping Fredericksburg altogether and just spending the time in Austin.

The Courtyard looks like an OK hotel so I hope that this is a good decision.. I guess we should opt for a good location over a better looking hotel.

Austin
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I ditto the idea of staying closer to downtown. There are a ton of hotels to choose from -- Hampton Suites to the Driskill. It's not worth dealing with the rush hour traffic and being far from the action.

On the way to Houston, stop to take a tour of the Blue Bell ice cream factory in Brenham, just off of 290. The late great RW Apple of the NYT rhapsodied about Blue Bell's ice cream, especially the pecan praline. Definitely a local favorite.

http://www.bluebell.com/

Just this week had a pleasant surprise in the Warehouse District by eating at the Capitol Brasserie. Very good French bistro food. Malaga is another favorite in the Warehouse District. Chez Nous near Esther's Follies seems to have come back after losing its chef a few years ago.

We eat out way too much for work. Our favorite restaurant is Uchi. Other upscale favorites are Jeffrey's, Hudson's on the Bend and Vespaio. Shoreline Grill was a favorite for work until they raised the prices. But the Shoreline Grill is bat-adjacent, so that counts for something.

While I am not a big fan of Fredericksburg per se (after one or two cutsey shops, you're done), I love the area for bike-riding and wine-tasting. Also, my parents always love to tour the LBJ birthplace and ranch. (Love LBJ's prize-winning herd!) You might want to think about staying in the area after visiting the Nimitz Museum. That way you will not be so rushed to get to Austin. There are a lot of nice B&Bs in the area. Also, if you will be there this spring, the wildflowers are starting to look great.

If you are literary types there is a ton to do here, also. Perry Mason, anyone? (or O Henry...)

Austin
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PS if you love BBQ, try the Salt Lick. We usually combine it with a trip to the Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center -- both are south of town.

http://www.wildflower.org/

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