Austin has a beautiful riverside park system, though we choose to think of the Colorado as Lady Bird Lake. The hike-and-bike trail is popular and picturesque, and is a great place to take a stroll or a run. If the weather permits, consider swimming in Barton Springs or renting a canoe or kayak from one of the lakeside stands.
Though neither of us have been, the Austin Children's Museum has been highly recommended by those in the know. Located downtown, the ACM is easily accessible from Lady Bird Lake. Check their website for more information about upcoming exhibits.
If you find yourself out and about at sunset (or sunrise!), make your way to the Congress Street Bridge, due south of the Capitol building. Austin is home to the largest urban colony of Mexican free-tailed bats in the world - more than a million bats! For more information, visit Bat Conservation International.
Austin is home to the University of Texas at Austin, Texas's flagship university. UT's campus holds some great resources, including the Harry Ransom Center, which displays a Gutenberg bible and the first photograph in its lobby. On the other side of campus, check out the Texas Memorial Museum, which has fossils, dinosaur tracks, free admission, and has been recently renovated. The Blanton Museum of Art usually has interesting and provocative exhibitions, as well as a strong permanent collection. Check their website for information on upcoming exhibitions.
Just across the street from the Blanton, you'll find the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum, which ends up being more interesting than it might sound to a non-Texan. The museum hosts a surprising number of original documents, and gives balanced attention to all aspects of Texas history. If you go to the Bullock, consider watching the museum's feature show, the Star of Destiny. It makes Kate, an Oklahoman, tear up with Texas pride every time.
The Capitol grounds are quite nice for strolling around, and if you're so inclined, the State Preservation Board offers free tours of the Capitol daily.
Billed as the Live Music Capital of the World, Austin has a thriving music scene. For more information about who's playing, check the Austin Chronicle's music listings while you're in town.
Austin is full of great restaurants, especially for tex-mex, interior Mexican, and southern food. We also have some pretty tremendous barbecue. Here are some starter recommendations:
- Trudy's where Kate and Lowell went on their first date (Tex-mex)
- County Line (Barbecue)
- Chuy's (Tex-mex)
- Curra's (Interior Mexican)
- Guero's (Tex-mex)
- Threadgill's (Southern)
- Rudy's Bar-B-Q (trust us, it's good)