Any cool places to visit while in Austin TX or Carlsbad CA?

[CountryBob]

I am traveling to Austin TX and Carlsbad Ca for work in a couple of weeks. Anybody have a must visit place while there? I am thinking of food and drink.

[ecobag2]

I heard of 6th Street in Austin from someone over 13 years ago and it's still my mission to spend a weekend carousing there.

I've heard great things of blues bands and good times.

[KingModem]

Austin, TX

Really it is a where to start question. You need to go to E. 6th Street. Make sure you walk the entire length of both sides of the street that feature bars/restaurants (about 4-5 blocks worth of side by side eating and drinking establishments)

If it is a slower night, they will be out there trying to get your business, so make sure you keep notes.

This is not something to experience by advice on where to go, but it is one of the most fantastic weekends I have ever had.

Good luck, take it easy on the Lone Star lager!

[Aggie]

Austin, TX

Really it is a where to start question. You need to go to E. 6th Street. Make sure you walk the entire length of both sides of the street that feature bars/restaurants (about 4-5 blocks worth of side by side eating and drinking establishments)

If it is a slower night, they will be out there trying to get your business, so make sure you keep notes.

This is not something to experience by advice on where to go, but it is one of the most fantastic weekends I have ever had.

Good luck, take it easy on the Lone Star lager!

Yeah, it's really hard to narrow it down with Austin. Any specific types of food while in Texas? Steak, Mexican?

[CountryBob]

mexican food is a must!
and also the best spot for live music.

[Coach_Mac]

Austin, TX, my home town. I miss it.

First of all, don't go to 6th St. unless you're in college or just want to see what it's about. 5th St. has the bars for those out of college.

You have to check out Alamo Draft House. It's a movie theatre that serves food and has probably the biggest beer selection in Austin. There are several locations.

Bar-B-Q- If you love meat, please go to Kreuz's in Lockhart, which is just outside of Austin. You won't be disappointed.

Mexican- My favorite is Chuy's or a place called Hula Hut which is Tex-Mex with a little Hawaiian mix.

Brunch- I know it sounds girly but Moonshine has an unbelievable brunch.

Fine Dining- If you're looking for a nice place there is an outdoor mall called the Domain that has several really nice restraunts or there's a place called Trulucks.

If you need anything else let me know. I love talking about places to eat in Austin.

[Aggie]

Austin, TX, my home town. I miss it.

First of all, don't go to 6th St. unless you're in college or just want to see what it's about. 5th St. has the bars for those out of college.

You have to check out Alamo Draft House. It's a movie theatre that serves food and has probably the biggest beer selection in Austin. There are several locations.

Bar-B-Q- If you love meat, please go to Kreuz's in Lockhart, which is just outside of Austin. You won't be disappointed.

Mexican- My favorite is Chuy's or a place called Hula Hut which is Tex-Mex with a little Hawaiian mix.

Brunch- I know it sounds girly but Moonshine has an unbelievable brunch.

Fine Dining- If you're looking for a nice place there is an outdoor mall called the Domain that has several really nice restraunts or there's a place called Trulucks.

If you need anything else let me know. I love talking about places to eat in Austin.

From the mouth of a local! You couldn't ask for anything more.

Chuy's and Trulucks are both great, I've been to them in Houston and Dallas.

HAVE FUN!:drunk:

[Coach_Mac]

From the mouth of a local! You couldn't ask for anything more.

Chuy's and Trulucks are both great, I've been to them in Houston and Dallas.

HAVE FUN!:drunk:

I actually had no idea they had Chuy's outside of Austin because they sell the "Keep Austin Weird" shirts there.

[Aggie]

I actually had no idea they had Chuy's outside of Austin because they sell the "Keep Austin Weird" shirts there.

The original was probably Austin but they have them in Houston, Dallas and San Antonio. I just confirmed on their website.

A great place for sandwiches is Jimmy John's Gourmet Sandwiches. SO GOOD!

[NavinRJohnson]

Some other Austin things not to miss:

-True, old-school Mexican (TexMex) food at Matt's El Rancho. It's a couple of miles away from downtown in South Austin, but well worth the trip. Get the Bob Armstrong dip and the #1 dinner and a few margaritas and you'll never regret the detour.

-Fogo De Chao: Brazillian Churrascaria downtown next to the convention center. Yes, it's not Austin-specific, but if you've never been to a good Churrascaria you've never eaten. Google them and then GO.

-Drive Loop 360 and see the views from the west side of town

-Zilker Park or the Hike and Bike trail on Lake Austin if you just want to get out and stretch your legs (I'm assuming you'd stay downtown)

-Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum (if you're a museum person) - kind of Disney, but a very entertaining few hours

-Gruene Hall - If you like to 2-step, this place about an hour south of town is the place to go. It's an authentic old dance hall. Great live music most nights.

-LBJ library - less Disney but lots to learn. Oval office replica is cool

-Texas Legislature - in session now at the Capitol and you can go in and see them. They only meet every other year and it's fun to watch the monkeys fling poo

If you were coming pretty much any other time of year there would be more. I keep wishing R&F would come do a week of shows here during SXSW or something. I think they'd really enjoy it.

-NRJ

[Aggie]

Some other Austin things not to miss:

-True, old-school Mexican (TexMex) food at Matt's El Rancho. It's a couple of miles away from downtown in South Austin, but well worth the trip. Get the Bob Armstrong dip and the #1 dinner and a few margaritas and you'll never regret the detour.

-Fogo De Chao: Brazillian Churrascaria downtown next to the convention center. Yes, it's not Austin-specific, but if you've never been to a good Churrascaria you've never eaten. Google them and then GO.

-Drive Loop 360 and see the views from the west side of town

-Zilker Park or the Hike and Bike trail on Lake Austin if you just want to get out and stretch your legs (I'm assuming you'd stay downtown)

-Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum (if you're a museum person) - kind of Disney, but a very entertaining few hours

-Gruene Hall - If you like to 2-step, this place about an hour south of town is the place to go. It's an authentic old dance hall. Great live music most nights.

-LBJ library - less Disney but lots to learn. Oval office replica is cool

-Texas Legislature - in session now at the Capitol and you can go in and see them. They only meet every other year and it's fun to watch the monkeys fling poo

If you were coming pretty much any other time of year there would be more. I keep wishing R&F would come do a week of shows here during SXSW or something. I think they'd really enjoy it.

-NRJ

Good suggestions. You broke your posting cherry after two years of membership. Congrats.

[KingModem]

Some other Austin things not to miss:

-True, old-school Mexican (TexMex) food at Matt's El Rancho. It's a couple of miles away from downtown in South Austin, but well worth the trip. Get the Bob Armstrong dip and the #1 dinner and a few margaritas and you'll never regret the detour.

-Fogo De Chao: Brazillian Churrascaria downtown next to the convention center. Yes, it's not Austin-specific, but if you've never been to a good Churrascaria you've never eaten. Google them and then GO.

-Drive Loop 360 and see the views from the west side of town

-Zilker Park or the Hike and Bike trail on Lake Austin if you just want to get out and stretch your legs (I'm assuming you'd stay downtown)

-Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum (if you're a museum person) - kind of Disney, but a very entertaining few hours

-Gruene Hall - If you like to 2-step, this place about an hour south of town is the place to go. It's an authentic old dance hall. Great live music most nights.

-LBJ library - less Disney but lots to learn. Oval office replica is cool

-Texas Legislature - in session now at the Capitol and you can go in and see them. They only meet every other year and it's fun to watch the monkeys fling poo

If you were coming pretty much any other time of year there would be more. I keep wishing R&F would come do a week of shows here during SXSW or something. I think they'd really enjoy it.

-NRJ

I am pretty sure that Fogo de Chao is a US chain restaurant, as there is one in downtown Minneapolis.

If you go to Austin, EAT LOCAL!

[boosterp]

I also suggest you see the bats fly out of the Ceasar Chavez@ Lamar bridge, it is a cool site to see. Also, Austin is deemed the music capital of the world, you can find live bands just about anywhere.

[NavinRJohnson]

Yes, Fogo is a chain as I admitted in my original post, but it started in Brazil. I've been to one in Porto Alegre, Brazil, and it is fantastic. The Austin version is similar but not identical (you have to ask for chicken hearts here, which is understandable but a shame because they are good). My point is that if you don't have one in Tennessee, where the OP's profile says they are from, then you should really give it a go as it is wonderful.

Yes, I've lurked for a long time. I'm shy like that. :-)

-NRJ

[denko]

SRV memorial...

http://danherron.files.wordpress.com/2007/10/srv_townlake.jpg

[Coach_Mac]

Good suggestions. You broke your posting cherry after two years of membership. Congrats.

Yea, and you've been wasting a pretty funny name too NavinRJohnson.

[DonInNC]

A good lunch time spot in Austin is the the Texas Chili Parlor. Guy Clark likes the Mad Dog Margaritas. I like the steak and enchildas.

[KojiClutch]

In Austin, 6th Street hands down.

[boosterp]

In Austin, 6th Street hands down.

6th is good for a new person for 1-2 nights but 5th is where it's at for those of us older than 22.

[CountryBob]

Thanks for the ideas!
I'm looking forward to the trip. Anybody want me to bring back some Enchilada's?