I'll be in Austin @ the end of the month for a Hospice conference. I'm arriving the 23rd and will have a little free time. Can you give me some recommendations on food, shopping, or sightseeing? Is anyone on this forum attending the conference? I know I want to have dinner @ Uichi. Other than that, I'm clueless.
Thanks in advance,
Maggie/ Florida zone 8-9
visiting Austin- what to see?
The capitol building is well worth going through; the dome is amazing. There is a monument to fallen police officers outside. The Strip (Guadalupe) is fun if you like to see interesting people. I wish I knew Austin better; my son lives there but I rarely get a chance to visit.
You might enjoy visiting the Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center. I have been wanting to do that for quite some time. Not sure what would be blooming at that point, but probably some bluebonnets, indian paintbrush, etc. Here's a link...
http://www.wildflower.org/
BTW, kudos to you in the hospice industry. I worked for one for 5 years and am now in home health. Have also used hospice with family members. It is a much needed and often underutilized service.
You have to at least do a drive-by on 6th street. Haven't been in 8 - 10 years, but it was always interesting, to say the least.
Just remember that Austin's motto which is touted on many a bumper sticker is "Keep Austin Wierd" LOL!
I'm looking forward to the weirdness of Austin. A woman did a piece on Prairie Home Companion on the weirdness of Austin. It involved a guy, his pet chicken, a stoner friend to chicken-sit and amphetamines for the chicken's heat-stroke. One of the funniest stoies I've ever heard. I can't wait!
Maggie
I am about an hour North of Austin and the 23rd may or may not be too early for the wildflowers, specifically bluebonnets. Some times they appear in late March here and sometimes it is not until the first of April. Considering the lack of rain last year, we may not have a good showing of bluebonnets this year.
I would definitely go to the Capitol and see down town. There is also the LBJ library at University of Texas but even more interesting, in my opinion, is the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum.
http://www.thestoryoftexas.com/
If the weather is nice, go to Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. Also, try Zilker Park. They have great hike and bike trails as well as a Botanical Garden.
http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/zilker/gardencenter.htm
What should I see that make's Austin weird? I'l be near the convention center. Can I rent a bike to get around? Is Austin cyclist friendly? I'm cheap. How are the busses? Where's the best place for GENUINE TexMex? Hubby is there now but will be no help as he has a weak stomach. Where can I buy seeds for the blue flowered shrub tree from that area? I had some from a trade but they are hard to germinate and mine didn't. Where can I pick out local / native plants to ship home?
Thanks to all,
Maggie
As for weird, 6th St., and Guadalupe! Anywhere around UT. I'll ask a friend about where to get the best texmex and let you know.
Edited to say, after talking with Ramon (who KNOWS Mex and TexMex) -- his recommendation is to go to:
Juan in a Million for breakfast (take Cesar Chavez east from I-35 and it's on the left down a little ways) - described as quintessential TexMex, and Ramon has had breakfast and lunch there and does not know whether they're open for dinner.
Texas Chili Parlor on 15th near Lavaca for lunch. Frieda's tacos are graded by heat level.
El Chile (going on I-35, go north from MLD on the service road past the baseball field, go east on Manor and it's on Manor on the right) is truer Mexican, not really TexMex; for dinner. He says the ceviche is the best he's had.
This message was edited Mar 5, 2009 9:32 AM
Dear Brigidlily-
Thanks! I didn't even think of asking for real Mexican but come to think of it I'd love to try real tamales & Mole'. Thanks for the pointer on weirdness. I'll so try to get over there. There should be plenty of time. We have so many breaks @ this conference. I'm accustomed to grueling back to back classes from 0600 to 1900.
Thanks to all and I'll continue to look for your recommendations.
Regards,
Maggie
Maggie,
Austin is VERY cycle friendly. Lance Armstrong brought the craze up to a new level years back. As far as renting a bike, I don't know but I bet you could ask someone in the hotel and they would know. Also, there is a pretty good metro system but you need to map out the route before you go!
Here is a link to nurseries in the area. Maybe you can find your plants there!
http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/growgreen/nurseries.htm
I would definitely eat TexMex first but if you want some italian you might want to try Mandola's. The deserts are especially divine. http://www.mandolasmarket.com/
brigidlily - Thanks for the tips on the TexMex. I haven't eaten at any of those before. I will have to try them out. There are so many; it is hard to know where all of the good ones are.
Yum!! Sfogliatelle!!! I haven't had this in ages! You guys are terrific!
Now I'm hungry!,
Maggie
You can also see the bats emerge at dusk from the Congress St bridge.
There is another restaurant on Manor (near MLK) called Eastside Cafe. They have a garden out back so food is fresh. It is more expensive.
Kerby Lane (several locations although my son insists that the best one is the original)has fantastic sweet potato fries.
You can walk/bike on South Congress which is also a "hip" area. The Magnolia cafe is opened 24/8 days a week. I love their fish tacos....great!
Austin has a very good bus system to help out all those 50,000+ students!
Mexican food at its best el rancho on south lamar and a must see is barton springs and the rose gardens,also if you drive hyde park has lovely old homes and yards more like cottage gardens ,Hope you enjoy your trip...I might be partial to hyde park as I was raised there..have a great time you hospice people are wonderful!
Now I'M wanting to take a trip to Austin!
If you should be in the mood for Indian, The Clay Pot is awesome. But you go to Austin for TexMex.
I love old homes and cottagey gardens! Thanks for the tip. I love Indian food too. Well have several evenings avail for dinig so I'm going to try to eat as many great meals as I can. The one must go place is Uichi- have heard so many good things about it.
Maggie
And just as a side note, if you have to ask directions to Manor, they pronounce it "MAYnor" for some reason. It could save you from someone who thinks it's funny to give people a hard time.
THANK YOU very much. I can see how that might be considered part of Austin's weirdness!
Maggie
Hi Maggie, I met another DG member named Defoecat in Austin when she was there for a visit. They were staying in one of the better hotels downtown but it's in one of the areas that gives Austin it's "weird" reputation. They were "approached" by some interesting characters and it kind of freaked her out. I don't know how adventurous you are, but you are likely in for an adventure if you go downtown.
I'll be staying @ the Hampton Inn. I missed the cut-off for the Hilton. But, I get free breakfast and WiFi. DH, just returned from a conference in Austin, stayed @ the Hilton- no breakfast, $15/day for wireless. I'm SO lucky. I'm pretty adventurous and I have a "walk' that is identifiable in the UF O'Connell center from the nosebleed section- without binoculars. I don't look like anyone's victim. That said, I still am open to meeting weird people. I'll buy someone a meal but don't do cash.
Thanks,
Maggie
Ok Maggie, I can't wait to hear your report when you get back.:)
Will do. :-)
Maggie