Austin Texas Trip Advice

Just did Austin last week. They have a bike share program that is great, $8 a day unlimited use, stations everywhere. You pay once for 24 hours, and then you can take a bike for a 30 min or less trip as many times as you want in 24 hours. The city has awesome bike lanes everywhere so you can easily get around. For outdoor activity, I'd definitely say that you rent a canoe and do the river for an hour or two one day. Really a pretty way to see the city. If you are a runner, there is a great trail that loops the river, and multiple bridges cross it, so you can make it a 2 mile loop, 4 mile, etc. For where to eat, breakfast tacos from one of the taco deli locations is a must. Terry Blacks BBQ is top notch, and will keep you from standing in line at Franklins. All the new hip bars are on West Sixth. I'd say if you have nice weather and a free afternoon, to stroll down to Zilker park and swim below Barton Springs pool. You could pay to swim inside the pool, but just below the pool you can dip into the spring water as it rushes below the damn. If you have water shoes bring them for this as the bottom is rocky. While over there, dip into the food trucks near shady grove and them get a beer at uncle billy's brewery. If you are still hungry, the green mesquite just down the street has awesome smoked wings on a happy hour. Also, if you like coffee and you plan to take a pick at the famous "I love you so much" hit jo's coffee then stroll in the shops on congress. This is much like magazine street in NOLA. Enjoy, I'm jealous.

Here is a previous austin thread with good info.

Austin

As for 6th street, if you are under 25 and looking to get stupid with some buddies, its good. Otherwise, Rainey St or 4th street are better. Bangers on Rainey for beer and good food and G'raj Mahal for Indian food are a couple of my favorites on Rainey.

The best brewery to visit in Austin is Jester King. It's on a hill country ranch about 20 minutes south of Austin. They have picnic tables all over the grounds where you can drink their beer or the extensive guest tap list of beers. There is a good pizza place on site too. Thirsty Planet is near Jester King too. In Town, Hops& Grain is good. Live Oak just opened a new tap room but I haven't been. Blue Owl is a new brewery specializing in sours. Good pubs to try local beers are Bangers and Craft Pride on Rainey, Draught House in north austin and my favorite place, Whip In on the service road of south I-35....weird location but really cool place with good indian food too. Used to be a Whip In convenience store but the owner's son slowly converted it to a craft beer bar.

You can access the greenbelt most any where along Town Lake (Lady Bird Lake). From Downtown, all the bridges have access at the abutments. Zilker Park is a good access place too and has a nice winding trail around the little coves of the lake.