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I’ll be in downtown Austin from October 21-26. I will be staying downtown and conferencing downtown. I won’t have a car, but I would like to walk and use transit to experience some of the neat things Austin has to offer. [more inside]
posted by Juniper Toast around Austin, TX at 12:03 AM - 9 answers

I’ll be tagging along with my partners on a business trip to Austin 9/18-9/20. Tell me all the things I can cram into 2 nights and 2 days! We’re queer, we love to eat, drink fancy coffee, and would love to see some live music while we’re there. We will probably have a car. I’ve already got Barton Springs on my list. I’ve only ever driven through Texas so I would also be down to do touristy Texas things. Thanks y’all!
posted by tatiana wishbone around Austin, TX at 3:13 PM - 5 answers

I impulsively made flights to join my husband on a business trip with my kid the end of August. Now Covid cases there are rising and I took a look at the temperatures. Oof. Looking for help to find a great hotel with a great pool and good location and see a site or 2. [more inside]
posted by ReluctantViking around Austin, TX at 6:57 AM - 23 answers

Have you leased (or "subscribed") to a car through Fair or Canvas? What was your experience like? Bonus if you, say, got in a minor accident, or needed roadside assistance, and can speak to either company's handling of it. [more inside]
posted by tapir-whorf around Austin, TX at 12:52 PM - 7 answers

"Algorithms are great at giving you something you like, but terrible at giving you something you love"...we're headed to Austin at the end of the month (9/24 - 9/28) and would really like to avoid the touristy kind of crap that makes every place you go feel just like every other place you go. You think Austin's amazing, right? Well, I'd love to hear about those not-so-glamorous things that made you fall in love with it in the first place...I'm looking for the types of restaurants, activities, etc., that you know are freaking GREAT, but are probably NOT sitting at the top of some list of "The top 10 things that you HAVE to do while you're in Austin".
posted by richmondparker around Austin, TX at 3:47 PM - 28 answers

Next week I fly into Austin at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday and catch the Texas Eagle Amtrak south at 6:30 p.m. On Saturday, I get back into Austin at 9:30 a.m. and fly out at 1:30 p.m. Where is a good place between the airport and the Amtrak station to catch a late lunch and wander a bit on Wednesday? Where can I get a quick brunch on Saturday morning? [more inside]
posted by ITravelMontana around Austin, TX at 5:15 PM - 10 answers

I will be in downtown Austin March 17th and 18th with the late afternoons and evenings free. It won't be worth buying a SXSW pass for that limited amount of time but I know there's usually other events that run concurrently (as well as St. Patrick's Day). Any recommendations on things to do and things to avoid? [more inside]
posted by Candleman around Austin, TX at 5:16 PM - 7 answers

I'm going to be in Austin riiiight before SXSW- approximately March 4-7. How will the timing affect my trip? Are there any cool pregaming events? Conversely is there anything or any areas I should avoid as they will be too crazy or shut down? I'm staying in a central air bnb and will have a car. (By the time the festival starts on the 9th I hope to be in the middle of nowhere in Big Bend)
posted by genmonster around Austin, TX at 1:04 PM - 4 answers

I'll be in Austin Tx for a conference. And I'm at a bit of a loss when it comes to what to see and do. [more inside]
posted by jouke around Austin, TX at 5:17 AM - 26 answers

I drive a 2000 Toyota Solara convertible and I've vowed I never want to have a non-convertible car again. It's starting to fall apart and I'm looking at my choices for a new or lightly used replacement. I love the tiny-ness of the smartcars and test-drove one years ago and liked it (and saw this previously and this previously. Do you have a recent smartcar? Do you like it? Especially, do you have a smartcar convertible? If not smartcar, what other teeny convertible would you recommend? Are there any? I must admit that the price point on the smartcar is alluring. Details on my use inside. [more inside]
posted by fiercecupcake around Austin, TX at 8:37 AM - 6 answers

Hi! I'm gonna be in Austin, TX in mid-April and I was looking for some quirky things to do! Like, really quirky. More details inside. [more inside]
posted by Sully around Austin, TX at 12:36 PM - 12 answers

I'm going to the Austin Women's march on Saturday and will be coming into town from San Antonio. There's a good possibility that my original plan for getting there (ride with a friend, park at a park and ride south of the city, and take the bus to the capitol) is going to fall through due to a friend's illness. I'm now thinking of a different plan that would involve bringing my bike, but need some help with a potential bike route. [more inside]
posted by megancita around Austin, TX at 7:21 AM - 6 answers

Myself and a group of co-workers will be in Austin, TX from Portland, OR on election day. We are pretty typical Portland liberal types and would like to find a place relatively close to downtown that serves good food (preferably BBQ or tacos), good booze and, most importantly, will be showing election results as they come in Tuesday. [more inside]
posted by Hopeful and Cynical around Austin, TX at 2:49 PM - 5 answers

I'm applying for permission to attend a training workshop in Austin, TX, from Aug. 21-25, and I have some transit questions for Austinites!: [more inside]
posted by theatro around Austin, TX at 8:13 AM - 7 answers

My husband and I are driving from Nashville to Austin via Memphis. The plan is to spend one night in Nashville, one in Memphis, and then end up in Austin. A few questions: 1.) Lodging recommendations in Nashville (between $100-$150 a night and centrally located) 2.) Is it possible to drive from Memphis to Austin in one day? I saw this post detailing the horrors of I-35. Is there an alternative? Google maps says it will take approximately 10 hours. Is that accurate? 3.) Is it better to split the drive between Memphis and Austin into 2 days? If so, where should be stop for the night? 3.) Lodging recommendations in Memphis. 4.) If you could spend an additional night in either Nashville or Memphis, which would be preferable? We are a young couple who like spicy local food, cheap outings, scenic views, and live music.
posted by allthingsconsidered around Austin, TX at 7:00 PM - 18 answers

My husband and I are relocating from Philadelphia to Austin. We are headed there this weekend to scope out neighborhoods and get a handle of the city. We plan to move this summer and are interested in hearing about apartment locator services and general tidbits about the city. We are an early 30's couple, no kids, are will both be affiliated with UT Austin. We would like to live in a highrise building downtown or loft close to campus. Have you done this? Do you have building recommendations? This is what we know so far: traffic on I-35 is horrendous, summers are brutally hot, and housing prices are high... but the city is awesome! We want to get excited about the move -- tell us where to set down roots so we can explore the new city!
posted by allthingsconsidered around Austin, TX at 10:23 AM - 8 answers

Where can I spend an idle hour or two at midday within a mile of downtown Austin, TX? I am interested in both indoor and outdoor spaces where it is possible to spend an hour working on my laptop, reading a book, etc. I am especially interested in privately owned public spaces, but public is good too. [more inside]
posted by sleepy psychonaut around Austin, TX at 5:42 AM - 13 answers

Going to meet up with my mom in Austin for Thanksgiving weekend. Neither one of us has ever been before. Where should we eat, drink, and hear great live music over Thanksgiving weekend? [more inside]
posted by forkisbetter around Austin, TX at 4:35 PM - 3 answers

Given the flooding today, which route is safest/fastest to get from the airport to UT Austin? Are 71 and 183 moving in the downtown direction?
posted by molla around Austin, TX at 4:02 PM - 3 answers

I'm in the unfortunate situation of having to attend a graduation ceremony in Austin, TX on October 24, right in the middle of Formula 1 weekend. I had originally planned to make this part of a longer vacation to see the city - any way I can still do this without going crazy? [more inside]
posted by sunset in snow country around Austin, TX at 9:47 AM - 10 answers