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Advice for things to do in Austin

Toledo, Ohio
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for Toledo
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Advice for things to do in Austin
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Hello! We will be in Austin from 12/18 to 12/25 and we are looking for things to do. I have been searching and figured we'd go to the Capitol building and the Governors mansion. We like museums and quirky attractions (because we travel a lot and see a lot of things).

I'd also be interested to know what are the "can't miss" places to eat. We like everything!

What about the area of town to stay? We will have a rental car but if there is a place to stay where bars are in walking distance, that would be great too!

Austin, Texas
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1. Re: Advice for things to do in Austin
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Lots of things to do in Austin, especially during the holidays. However, you will not be able tour the Governor's Mansion. It has been closed for over two years due to a fire and restoration is on-going.

If you want to be withing walking distance to bars, you need to stay downtown or on South Congress. Downtown has all of the major national hotel chains, but you want something with a little more character, check out the historic Driskill Hotel. For something right in the middle of the action on South Congress, check out the Hotel San Jose.

If you want to do some shopping, you'll be here for the Armadillo Christmas Bazaar, which features lots of local artists and craftspeople - http://www.armadillobazaar.com/

Other museums and attractions include:

Texas State History Museum

LBJ Library and Museum

Harry Ransom Center

Austin Museum of Art

Blanton Museum of Art

Texas Music Museum

Museum of the Weird.

Some of my favorite restaurants are:

Chuy's (Tex-Mex)

Enoteca (Italian)

Uchi (sushi)

Threadgill's (home cooking)

Kerbey Lane Cafe (diner-style, breakfast all day)

Max's Wine Dive (wine bar with gourmet comfort food)

You can google all of these attractions and restaurants for more details.

Georgetown, Texas
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Before you come, go on line and request a visitor's guide

http://www.austintexas.org/visitors/about_austin/visitor_guide

Toledo, Ohio
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for Toledo
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3. Re: Advice for things to do in Austin
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Thanks everyone!

I did request a visitor guide and got an Austin book from the library too.

Any other quirky or unusual things to do? I didn't mention that we have been to a lot of places, and art museums tend to start blurring together after you've seen enough of them so we like to do things that will make a city stand out.

Austin, TX
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for Austin
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Take a segwey ride - http://www.glidingrevolution.com/

And I thought this was a pretty cool list - http://studentorgs.utexas.edu/acccf/section/nstudent/todo101.htm

Toledo, Ohio
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for Toledo
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378 posts
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5. Re: Advice for things to do in Austin
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That list is great! Thanks a lot!

Austin
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Favorite quirky things to do --

In Austin:

1. Dining and browsing at our Whole Foods flagship store. Prepared food throughout. Love the seafood bar/bistro. Ice skating rink should be open then.

2. Alamo Drafthouse for food, brew and a movie.

3. Strolling along South Congress. Unique stores, food trailers, and food/wine.

4. Big Stacy Pool. Warmed by geothermal springs. Bring your bathing suit. Best experienced in winter.

5. Uchi or Uchiko restaurant. Nowhere have we experienced anything like these restaurants.

6. Can't forget the barbecue. Our new thing is to go out to Elgin to the Southside Market (and combine with something out there, like the pumpkin patch or the Xmas tree farm), but we also love the Salt Lick.

7. 37th Street Xmas lights off Guadalupe. Parking is non-existent so take the #1 bus, which runs frequently. Also best to walk the street to experience it.

Day trips:

1, LBJ's ranch and museum farm next door-- top of the list, an extended family fav. My mom got the biggest kick out of seeing LBJ's cattle (okay, descendants of his prize-winners).

http://www.nps.gov/lyjo/

2. McKinney Falls (really a half-day trip). Great hike along two sets of waterfalls so close to town.

3. In search of barbecue. Cooper's in Llano is a true day trip. I would visit Llano's as part an overnight stay in Hill Country.

Georgetown, Texas
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Definitely #7 on the list above

http://texaslesstraveled.com/37thstreet.htm

austin, TX
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8. Re: Advice for things to do in Austin
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Don't miss the Armadillo Christmas bazaar!

http://www.armadillobazaar.com/

" Austin style, featuring fine art, distinctive gifts, a full bar and live music daily."

Radio CIty Christmas Spectacular will be at the Bass Concert Hall on UT Campus while you're here.

Free salsa lessons 12/21 at 9:00 at Speakeasy (one of my fav. clubs)

12/23 Carolyn Wonderland And Shelley King Christmas Bazaar (concert at Palmer Events center)

If the weather is good, you can rent canoes on Lady Bird Lake or rent a Segway (they also offer tours).

Gary Clark (blues) at Antone's 12/21/2010 Tuesday 8:00p

Stubbs Gospel brunch http://www.stubbsaustin.com/music_home.html

Last, but not least, you must promise to visit at least one of Austin's fabulous food trucks - my fav's: Mighty Cone (get the shrimp & avocado or Chicken & avocado), Torchy's Tacos (I rec. green chile pork, but all are good), Flip Happy Crepes (strawberry Nutella was noted on Food TV's the Best Thing I Ever Ate

For Tex-Mex, try Vivo's or Maudie's. Mirabelle is a little north (Anderson & Mopac area) but is my favorite restaurant of all time (get the hacked chicken salad & you will moan with delight). Also, you must go to hip new tNt Taco's and Tequila on 5th at Pressler. For Austin atmosphere, go to Iron Works BBQ near the convention center. For Chinese, we like PF Changs, (yes a chain, but darn good) & also local Chinatown (several locations),

very good upscale is Shoreline (2nd @ San Jacinto). For Thai: Thai Passion, Madam Mam's or Crave (also sushi). Kenichi for sushi. Bon Appetit!

The person who recommended Whole Foods was spot on - it's sounds crazy, but it's the Disneyland of food.

When you're here, grab a free Chronicle at any restaurant around campus - they have a comprehensive list of what's going on. Austin360.com is another good source. Austin American Statesman Thursday edition has a good events section too.

If you're interested in longhorn gear shopping, let me know.

9. Re: Advice for things to do in Austin

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