Weekend in Austin

Description:

This modern little lounge is located wihtin the San Jose hotel. Try the champassion (champagne and passion fruit juice, garnished with raspberries), the cheese platter and the finger food. The welcoming patio area is perfect for a balmy night and the great service and laidback vibe are great year round.

Our Local Expert Says:

Shopping along South Congress Avenue is a must-do. The restaurants along SoCo are among the best and there's no better place to find locally made merchandise.

Description:

Known for its funky style, South Congress Avenue, located about a mile south of the Ann Richards Congress Avenue Bridge and with a clear and brilliant view of the Texas State Capitol, draws Austinites and area visitors for its shopping, eating, and live music opportunities. Stylish boutiques filled with eccentric and often locally made clothing and accessories share South Congress Avenue with fun local eateries and antique stores brimming with undiscovered treasures. Food trailers offering everything from cupcakes to Vietnamese sandwiches congregate near Monroe Street. There's often a band playing on Guero's outdoor patio, and the Continental Club is rocking seven nights a week. The first Thursday of each month brings the aptly titled First Thursday event, where SoCo storefronts remain open later, often serving margaritas or cold beer to a slew of people meandering the street in this open-to-the-public street festival. People watching is at its prime on South Congress Avenue during weekend afternoons when many emerge for a lazy day of window shopping.

Description:

Housed in a cavernous former feed store, Guero's never feels crowded, even when every seat is full. While they do crank out a ton of Tex-Mex every day, the food still tastes like it's made with care. The tacos al pastor, filled with spicy pork, pineapple, and cilantro, are always excellent. The caldo de pollo, or chicken soup, also has legions of loyal fans. A centralized salsa bar allows you to sample a number of different variations, from the standard red and green salsa to black bean, pico de gallo and more exotic concoctions. The lively bar at the front of the restaurant can get boisterous at times, but in a good way. Free-flowing margaritas may have something to do with the boisterousness. There's also a lovely, oak-shaded outdoor area where bands frequently play.

Description:

This one-of-a-kind tour takes you through the city on an authentic amphibious military landing vehicle that carries up to 45 passengers. The tour goes through downtown, to the State Capitol, the Governor's Mansion, the LBJ Library, Sixth Street's music district, historic Congress Avenue and area lakes. Meanwhile, the tour guide gives the history of the city, along with little-known insights.

Our Local Expert Says:

This popular downtown barbeque joint attracts quite a crowd for their Gospel Brunch every Sunday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. featuring local live music. Reservations are recommended.

Description:

Besides providing some of the best barbecue in town, Stubb's has a huge outdoor venue for live music. Past acts have included Liz Phair, Flaming Lips, Peter Frampton, Bad Religion, DJ Spooky, Guided By Voices, Sonic Youth and more. You can expect to pay a moderate sum for a plate of barbecue chicken, pork or turkey breast. End your meal with banana pudding or a brownie. Come early to get a bite to eat, then stay and watch the shows.

Description:

The Continental Club started out as a swanky dinner club in the 1950s, and it went through a series of ups and downs before emerging as South Congress' premier live music venue. When Steve Wertheimer bought the bar in 1987, the area around the bar was run-down and frequented by prostitutes. As the club developed a loyal following, with acts ranging from roots rock to country, other businesses, including antique shops, restaurants and clothing boutiques, popped up around it. The front area, where the band plays, is long and narrow, with only a smattering of tables and chairs; arrive early if you want a seat. Sitting at the small bar will give you an excellent sampling of Austin culture; bikers, bakers and lawyers drink together and bond over music. In a business where bartenders come and go daily, a few of the Continental Club's friendly, if a little edgy, servers have worked here for 20 years. Some of the popular acts include James McMurtry (son of novelist Larry McMurtry), Jon Dee Graham and Toni Price, whose Tuesday night happy hour show draws legions of slightly obsessive fans.

Description:

Founded in the 1950s, Cisco is an Austin institution. This Tex-Mex eatery has served its famous breakfast migas to the who's who. The clientele may have changed but the recipe hasn't. Migas, meaning 'crumbs' in Spanish, is made from eggs, cheese, vegetables and tortillas with black beans, chorizo and avocado chile varieties. Many a egg-hater has been converted by Cisco's migas. Cisco is also a bar, and the Bloody Mary is best had to nurse a hangover, not something you'd want to begin your day with. Migas, fajitas and toasted biscuits--that's all you really need to know about Cisco.

Our Local Expert Says:

Though any time at the capitol is awe-inspiring, seeing the Texas State Capitol during the holiday season is magical. Be sure to traipse through the vibrant green grounds—this is a perfect spot for a super cheap but utterly romantic date.

Description:

The Texas State Legislature meets only once every two years, so if the cavernous building seems oddly deserted, the legislature is probably not in session. Considered one of the nation's most distinguished state buildings, the Texas State Capitol, with its strong red granite facade and Renaissance Revival architectural style, sits regally on a hill overlooking Congress Avenue. Largest of all state capitols and only second in size to the National Capitol in Washington, D.C., the Texas State Capitol anchors the north end of downtown, just four blocks south of the University of Texas at Austin campus. Free tours of the capitol building cover Texas history, fun facts about the 17 monuments on the 22-acre, park-like grounds, and information about the Texas legislature, or take the self-guided tour to explore at your own pace. You'll need to go through a quick security check at the entrance, including having your bags scanned by a metal detector.

Our Local Expert Says:

Before beginning your tour of the three levels of the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum, purchase your tickets for the popular IMAX Theater. Six shows run at any one time so the lines can get long just before the show.

Description:

With a grand facade that includes a 35-foot-tall bronze star, the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum is hard to miss. The three-story museum, open since 2001, turns the fascinating and sometimes sordid history of the state into imaginative interactive exhibits for the enjoyment of all ages. Meet the state's first occupants on the first floor, hear Stephen F. Austin announce the Texas Revolution on the second and peruse the third level for an understanding of how big business -- mostly cotton, cattle, and oil -- has played a part in the making of the Lone Star State. Located just south of the University of Texas campus, a stone's throw from the Jack S. Blanton Museum of Art and a short walk from the Texas State Capitol, the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum also features Austin's only IMAX theater as well as the Spirit Theater, a 200-seat multimedia special effects theater with history-based shows.

Our Local Expert Says:

In the summertime, the outdoor area hosts Unplugged at the Grove on Thursday evenings. This weekly concert series showcasing local musicians draws quite a crowd.

Description:

Sit at a patio table under the huge oaks and you will discover why this spot is called Shady Grove. One of the best patios ever created is reason enough to stop by, and the consistently tasty, crowd-pleasing food is a great bonus. Happy hour is offered Monday through Friday 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. A menu standard is the Hippie Sandwich, a concoction of sautéed vegetables, cheese and a sub-style roll. Add a chicken breast and you have got the Hippie Chick. Kids love the chicken fingers and the burgers are great, too. Plus, this place has personality - just check out the bathroom (housed in an old Airstream trailer).

Our Local Expert Says:

With so much space in Zilker Park, it's easy for hundreds of people to enjoy the park at the same time. The concrete picnic tables make for a great (and free) party place with loads of room for roaming children and pets.

Description:

Zilker Park, Austin's largest urban green space, occupies 351 acres along the southern shore of Lady Bird Lake with Barton Springs Road cutting through the middle of the park. Grassy fields play host to soccer matches, volleyball games and picnics. Sand volleyball courts are normally first-come, first-serve, but they can also be reserved for large groups for a fee. The Zilker Playground on the park's southern end, complete with the pint-sized Zilker Zephyr train, entertains the little ones. Within the Zilker Park grounds, visitors will find Barton Springs Pool and the Zilker Botanical Garden, as well as seasonal events including the Austin City Limits Music Festival, the annual Kite Festival and the summer music series, Blues on the Green. Kayaks and canoes can be rented by the hour at two sites, one near Barton Springs pool and the other on the shores of Lady Bird Lake. The Umlauf Sculpture Garden and Museum lies along the park's eastern border.

Our Local Expert Says:

Simply the best place to be on a hot summer day. Cool water, shade trees and guitar-playing hipsters.

Description:

The water in Barton Springs swimming pool hovers around 68 degrees year-round, which means that it feels cool -- even cold -- in the heat of summer. It feels relatively warm in winter, though, and a few rugged souls swim there every morning, regardless of the weather. If you're more into lounging than exercise, there's a part of the massive pool dedicated to floats and floaters. On the hillsides surrounding the pool, you will see a snapshot of Austin culture. There's usually a group of twentysomethings kicking around a hacky-sack ball, a sixtyish man doing yoga, and (kid warning) a woman of indeterminate age without her top. Occasionally, a drum circle forms at the top of the hill. Guitars are almost as common as smart phones. On summer days when the temperature can soar above 100 degrees, this is the only reasonable place to be.

Our Local Expert Says:

Ready to participate in a modern-day Cannonball Run or witness a giant robot destroy a car? Premiere nights for anticipated movies often feature unique special events such as these.

Description:

Have you always wanted to enjoy a cold beer at the movies? You can here. In fact, you will find a nice selection of both domestic and imported beers, as well as wines and champagnes. The libations help you wash down the tasty pizzas, chicken wings or cheese- and salsa-smothered nachos as you take in a flick. Children at least 6 years of age can accompany their parents; patrons must ordinarily be at least 18 to attend on their own. The theater features mostly independent films.