Recommended accommodations:
http://www.sanjosehotel.com/
$150 -300
Fancy urban hotel smack dab in the heart of the south Congress shopping area.
This place is shwanky, hip, and just where I'd stay if I could afford it and didn't live here .
http://www.austinmotel.com/
$75 -160
This funky, unique motel is right next to the San Jose.
This is a fun area, close to downtown and the wedding site.
Each room is decorated in a theme too!
http://www.radisson.com/austintx?s_cid=L6845289
$$$
This is your standard nicer hotel, but it's right on Town Lake, with a TGI Friday's
that has a waterfront patio. You can watch the bats right from your hotel!
This is downtown, so you'll get to see the Halloween craziness too.
http://www.driskillhotel.com/index.php
$$$$$$$$$$
The shwankiest place in town! This is old, decadent, and luxurious. It is also right on 6th st.
Getting to Austin
Here is the link to the Austin Bergstrom International Airport
http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/austinairport/
Here is a great guide to Austin to get you started:
http://www.olcg.com/tx/austin/main.php?city2=austin&state2=TX&statedes=Texas
Some recommended Austin stuff:
Live Music- As the 'Live Music Capital of the World,' Austin has countless live music venues. The heart of the music scene is downtown, with lots of clubs on 6th st.
Austin's Bats - the coolest "to do" in Austin.
Every year, from March to November, up to 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats make their home upon a platform beneath the Congress Ave Bridge. It's become an Austin tradition to watch as the bats swarm out to feed on the local insect population. Capitol Cruises, behind the Hyatt Hotel, offers bat-watching cruises on Town Lake below the bridge, or you can watch them
from the bridge or the park nearby.
The prettiest place for a walk:
Zilker Botanical Garden - in the heart of downtown in Zilker Park lies this 31-acre oasis from the urban world. Some of the specialty gardens include the Cactus and Succulent Garden; the Hartman Prehistoric Garden; the Herb and Fragrance Garden; the Doug Blachly Butterfly Trail and Garden and the Mabel Davis Rose Garden. Generally open from dawn to dusk daily.
Located at 2220 Barton Springs Rd., Austin, TX.
Cool place to learn about Texas and see IMAX movies:
Bob Bullock Museum
Four blocks north of the capitol, the museum hosts exhibitions of archaeological objects, documents, and other materials from regional museums throughout the state and also presents historical and educational programs. Exhibits include everything from the letters of Sam Houston to ancient Indian artifacts. www.thestoryoftexas.com. COST: Museum $5.50, IMAX $7.
OPEN: Mon.-Sat. 9-6, Sun. noon-6. 1800 North Congress Ave., Austin, TX 78701, USA Phone: 512/936-8746
Dancing shoes -Nancy (Angelique's mom) is the dancing queen!
She'll go with you just about anywhere if it involves dancing! Her favorite place is:
Broken Spoke - Honky-Tonkin', Boot scootin', cowboy style
3201 S Lamar Blvd 78704
If you're looking for a fun, authentic scene that meets all your country-and-western,
two-stepping needs, then head to Broken Spoke - Austin's legendary honky-tonk joint.
It's the real deal, genuine article, make no mistake.
Hours: Tue-Sat 6:00pm-2:00am
Web: http://www.brokenspokeaustintx.com
Some of our favorite places to eat include:
Casa Garcia, 2 locales, one just across from our house on William Cannon, and
one on south Lamar between Oltorf and Riverside
Simply yummy Mexican food. The best chile relleno we've ever had!
Thursday nights they have Mariachi bands!
Kerby Lane, south Lamar near Manchaca
This is an upscale diner, with great homemade food of all kinds. Arguably the best queso in town (that's cheese dip for you gringos). Awesome breakfasts. Busy on the weekends.
Magnolia Café, south Congress north of Oltorf
Ditto- pretty much what I said for Kerby Lane.
Buffet Palace, Westgate at Lamar
OK, it's a buffet, but it is a damn good one. Homemade Chinese and other Asian food.
Bouldin Creek Coffee house, South 1st st. south of Riverside
Vegetarian breakfast joint that has awesome coffee. Cool place!
Ruta Maya coffeehouse, south Congress just north of Ben White/290
Cool spot with performances in the evenings, a neat kids show Sunday mornings, and free classes all through the week.
Opal Divines, 2 locales, one on west 6th st. and one on south Congress near Ben White/290
Awesome local joint with a killer beer selection and great food. Big patio on both for smokers (no smoking in bars/restaurants in Austin).
Green Mesquite BBQ, Barton Springs rd. and Lamar
Simply awesome Texas BBQ.
Juan in a Million, east Ceaser Chavez past Comal before Pleasant Valley
Best breakfast tacos in town- get the big one, it makes 2 -3 tacos! Authentic Austin
Mexican food- SUPER hot salsa beware!
Shady Grove, Barton Springs Rd. near Zilker Botanical Garden
Big shady patio and good food. Live music often. Lots of veggie food.
Austin facts
Area
652 sq km
252 sq miles
Population
567,000
Time Zone
Central
Daylight Saving End
last Sunday in October (WE GAIN AN HOUR ON THE WEDDING NIGHT!!!!!!)
Weather Overview
In July and August Texas sizzles, with temperatures routinely hovering around 38°C (100°F). In the spring and autumn you can count on blue skies and 21°C (70°F) weather. May to September is the rainiest part of the year and sees Austin in the grip of a semi-tropical climate with humid days. Winter days are still often pleasant but can get chilly at night.
