This site has a calender of Austin events, as well as dining, music,
movies, weather, museums, and many other activities -- basically an
on-line entertainment guide which I've sent students before their
arrival, in case they wanted a glimpse of Austin before they arrive.
The Austin Chronicle always posts music events months ahead, with
recommendations (that are usually accurate!).
Esther's Follies is a great place to visit on a Thursday, Friday or
Saturday evening only. Reservations are a good idea.
DoubleDave's, 24th and San Antonio, at the base of the large white building (the
Castilian). Mediocre but cheap pizza, beer.
Niki's Pizza and Pasta, Dobie Mall. Delicious New York style pizza. Very cheap
if you get a whole pie.
Hoa Hoa, Dobie Mall. Delicious Asian cuisine. Lots of vegetarian options.
Roly Poly, wrap sandwiches. San Antonio and 25th. Tasty and cheap,
vegetarian.
Omelettry, Burnet and 48th. Not walking distance, but the best pancakes and
omelettes in Austin, hands down. Very cheap. Abundant chocolate chips on
pancakes.
Oh, and take your identification. They will ask for it since the Bush
girls were there last!
coffeehouses (most also serve food):
-- spiderhouse at 29th and fruth
-- mojo's at 28th and guadalupe
-- little city at 27th and guadalupe
-- metro at 23rd and guadalupe
-- quack's at 43rd and duval
-- flightpath at 51st and duval
-- pacha at 55th (?) and burnet
-- cafe mundi at 5th and chicon
places to drink (some also serve food):
-- crown and anchor at 30th and speedway
-- hole in the wall at 26th and guadalupe
-- room 710 at 7th and red river
-- emo's at 6th and red river
-- club deville at 8th and red river
-- trudy's at 30th and fruth
-- casino el camino at 6th and trinity
also, south by southwest music and film festival will be taking place the
same week. check out the austin chronicle (a newsweekly available at most
of the above establishments or online at www.auschron.com) for more
details or other suggestions.
note: all of the above addresses are *very* approximate and could be off
by a few streets. check before departing.
If the weather is bad, the Dobie Mall has a very good movie theater.
To eat near campus, try Mueller's Barbecue, which is about a half mile's
walk east on Dean Keeton. Or try Madam Mam's (Thai), on the corner of
Gaudalupe and Dean Keeton. For sandwiches try Little City, around 27th
and Guadalupe. For good quick Mexican food go to Chango's, roughly at
32nd and Gaudalupe.
If you want to spend some money for dinner, go to Fonda San Miguel
(Mexican), Chez Nous (French), or Asti (Italian).
Coffee Shops? Go to JP's, which is near RLM on San Jacinto just north of
Dean Keeton. Or go to the aforementioned Little City.
If you want to tip back a few beers, try the Hole in the Wall (Dean
Keeton and Guadalupe), or the Crown and Anchor (a few block north of RLM
on Speedway). Or you could get down to 6th Street: if you go there, look
for the Empanada Parlor, Casino El Camino, or Lovejoy's.
6th Street [party hangout, largely undergraduate, live music] (east of
Congress, west of I-35)
4th & 5th Streets [slightly more upscale, nicer dress required on the
weekends, gay bars on 4th St.] (west of Congress, between Colorado &
Lavaca)
Red River [more clubs & live music joints] (north of 6th Street)
For the day off:
Barton Springs/Zilker Park [if the weather is nice, hiking, swimming,
etc.]
South Congress [cool shops, hip part of town] (south of the river)
Lake Travis [requires a car]