"Real" Austin Activities and Nearby Weekend Getaways?

I'm visiting Austin for the 4th time and I've done pretty much all the stuff you'd expect of a first time visitor: 6th St/Rainey, Bats, Walking the lake path, kayaking, eating at Uchi, Swift's attic etc, walking around UT and hitting a Longhorns baseball game, Congress/Capitol bldg, Whole Foods, Book People, that museum on Texas history. Some strip club hopping/working, too Since things tend to be slow over the weekends, I'm wondering what some fun things are to do outside of Austin the weekend coming up, or if places like Waco are worth the nearby excursion. I've yet to see Barton Springs and forgot a bathing suit this trip. I also haven't participated in the thriving live music scene, so if anyone can suggest good venues with consistently great musicians booked, I'd appreciate it! This weekend was spent with a friend who lives in San Antonio (so I don't waste money on hotels in between Houston and Austin tours.) I'm indecisive for next weekend cause I'm from Boston and equally motivated to avoid the horrible weather or go home so I get that AFC Championship excitement vibe, despite the cold. Anyway, I feel most locals are proud of their area and I welcome suggestions; I've truly fallen in love with Texas since my first visit last January.

Regarding Waco, which I don't, the only things there are the Dr Pepper Museum and the Texas Rangers Museum. Old joke:
Q. What's the best thing to come out of Waco?
A. Interstate 35 (with apologies to singer Slaid Cleaves and comedian Steve Martin.)

If you want some real Texas music, check out Gruene Hall (pronounced German style, like "green") in north New Braunfels, between Austin and San Antonio. That's the state's oldest continually operating dance hall. Friday night is a free show with the South Austin Moonlighters (worth $20), and Saturday afternoon is a free show with Ponty Bone and the Squeezetones (worth $10-15); Sat. night is sold out, BTW. Sunday is a birthday party for the Rattlesnake, near downtown Austin, with lots of music and drink specials. That's partly owned by Ray Benson of Asleep at the Wheel, so celebrity sightings are common.

This weekend is the big tattoo convention taking place at Palmer Events Center just south of downtown, with affiliated metal music shows at the Badlands in the formerly bad lands of East Austin.

For sports watching in Austin, check out Midway Field House on E. Riverside, also referred to as "the old Antone's." Multiple screens, knowledgeable and passionate fans, food trailer, cheap drinks. There are many sports bars in town, of course. For wings cheaper and better than Pluckers, visit The Park on S. Lamar in S. Austin, also with many, big screens.

Some more classic Austin places with good music, even if some are newish:
Spyder House on Guadalupe, Saxon Pub on S. Lamar, and Strange Brew on Manchaca. For more metal, check out The Lost Well on Webberville Rd., E. Austin. For punk, check out Red 7 or Bull McCabe's, downtown. For jazz, check out the Elephant Room downtown. For a quirky, dive-y neighborhood music joint with very diverse musical acts and world music, check out the Sahara Lounge, also on Webberville in far E. Austin.

Disclaimer: the only reason I'm sharing all this is because you mentioned returning whence you came. Welcome, spend money, enjoy yourself on your visit, come back for more. But remember, Austin sucks, don't move here.

Music Venues depends on where your tastes lay.

If you are into the cool jazz flavor I would recommend Brass house

if more the rocker type is your suit Mohawk or Red 7 would be good stops

If the old school goth and darkwave is what fills your veins then Elysium is your best bet

Your boots need to scoot? Check out The Broken Spoke

A nice bar with a soulful singer / songwriter vibe? Hard to beat the historic Driskll Hotel

If you like your music slightly less live, but the entertainment set to maximum fierce look at Highland or Oil Can Harry's

Tourists, be aware that Oil Can Harry's is a gay bar. It's hopping, for sure, and frequently leads Austin bars in dollars of liquor sold, but be aware of that.

Thanks for the Brass House tip, Bob, I'll check that out soon. I'm not very much a jazz guy, but this town does need more good jazz, I think.

if you like jazz, don't forget the Elephant Bar underground on congress ave about 400 blk

none of the live music bars i like were mentioned, saxon, Continental club, C-boys, skylark, white horse, Ginny's, little longhorn, abgbs

Well, you don't need a bathing suit to visit Hippy Hollow, or some of the swimmin' holes on some of the creeks around here. But unless you're a polar bear, I wouldn't recommend them for this weekend.

Well, you don't need a bathing suit to visit Hippy Hollow, or some of the swimmin' holes on some of the creeks around here. But unless you're a polar bear, I wouldn't recommend them for this weekend. Originally Posted by FoulRon

Wouldn't it be nice if Barton Springs was a hot spring?!

Also, Fredericksburg is just over an hour away and there are a fuck ton of wineries out there (my favorite is Fat Ass, because come on, that's just funny). My absolute favorite place to eat is Sunset Grill; its way off the main drag, so I think it gets overlooked by tourists, but seems to be the spot that locals like. Their sweet potato fries are fucking amazing. Their eggs Benedict is divine, too. Anywho, there are LOTS of great cottages and cabins to stay in out there, and lots of great shopping, too.

Go to www.auschron.com. Comprehensive list of venues and who's playing. Also has good live music recommendations.

Tourists, be aware that Oil Can Harry's is a gay bar. It's hopping, for sure, and frequently leads Austin bars in dollars of liquor sold, but be aware of that.

Thanks for the Brass House tip, Bob, I'll check that out soon. I'm not very much a jazz guy, but this town does need more good jazz, I think. Originally Posted by TravelingTex

Highland is a gay bar too ... hence the "Maximum fierce" description

I got a feeling that Ashleigh wouldn't be too shocked to see two gals holding hands by the bar (or two guys dry humppin on the pool table (that poor pool table))

The elephant room is always nice, but I feel Brass House is a better feel overall.

Take a trip thru the winding hill country...stop in Wimberly for lunch....and take alot of pics!

'Texas does rock!!

have fun...........

other out of town excursions:

Cooper's in Llano is world-class bbq, take the long drive thru Balcones Canyonland NWR. gorgeous.

you could also drive thru Balcones to get to the Blue Bonnet cafe in Marble Falls, throwback diner experience. while on line, stare in amazement at the 10 women manning the kitchen like a single, 20-armed octopus.

if you take Claire's good advice and head towards Fredericksburg, Cranky Frank's has the moistest brisket on earth.

Saturday only, an easy drive to Lexington is for one reason only: Snow's BBQ. a former best in Texas (thus, best in the world) and still excellent.

El Rodeo in Lampasas has extraordinary refritos. worth the drive, often, for that alone.

as long as you're taking a ride, you gotta eat.

Regarding Waco, which I don't, the only things there are the Dr Pepper Museum and the Texas Rangers Museum. Old joke:
Q. What's the best thing to come out of Waco?
A. Interstate 35 (with apologies to singer Slaid Cleaves and comedian Steve Martin.)

If you want some real Texas music, check out Gruene Hall (pronounced German style, like "green") in north New Braunfels, between Austin and San Antonio. That's the state's oldest continually operating dance hall. Friday night is a free show with the South Austin Moonlighters (worth $20), and Saturday afternoon is a free show with Ponty Bone and the Squeezetones (worth $10-15); Sat. night is sold out, BTW. Sunday is a birthday party for the Rattlesnake, near downtown Austin, with lots of music and drink specials. That's partly owned by Ray Benson of Asleep at the Wheel, so celebrity sightings are common.

This weekend is the big tattoo convention taking place at Palmer Events Center just south of downtown, with affiliated metal music shows at the Badlands in the formerly bad lands of East Austin.

For sports watching in Austin, check out Midway Field House on E. Riverside, also referred to as "the old Antone's." Multiple screens, knowledgeable and passionate fans, food trailer, cheap drinks. There are many sports bars in town, of course. For wings cheaper and better than Pluckers, visit The Park on S. Lamar in S. Austin, also with many, big screens.

Some more classic Austin places with good music, even if some are newish:
Spyder House on Guadalupe, Saxon Pub on S. Lamar, and Strange Brew on Manchaca. For more metal, check out The Lost Well on Webberville Rd., E. Austin. For punk, check out Red 7 or Bull McCabe's, downtown. For jazz, check out the Elephant Room downtown. For a quirky, dive-y neighborhood music joint with very diverse musical acts and world music, check out the Sahara Lounge, also on Webberville in far E. Austin.

Disclaimer: the only reason I'm sharing all this is because you mentioned returning whence you came. Welcome, spend money, enjoy yourself on your visit, come back for more. But remember, Austin sucks, don't move here. Originally Posted by TravelingTex

+1.
Now if only 500,000 people would leave and we would or could bring back Armadillo World Headquarters, Jorge's, GM Steakhouse, Smitty's and Liberty Lunch.
Sigh

+1.
Now if only 500,000 people would leave and we would or could bring back Armadillo World Headquarters, Jorge's, GM Steakhouse, Smitty's and Liberty Lunch.
Sigh Originally Posted by i69UinTX

If you haven't tried it, the place that's currently occupying the old GM Steakhouse, the Counter Cafe, is a very good replacement.

other out of town excursions:

Cooper's in Llano is world-class bbq, take the long drive thru Balcones Canyonland NWR. gorgeous.

you could also drive thru Balcones to get to the Blue Bonnet cafe in Marble Falls, throwback diner experience. while on line, stare in amazement at the 10 women manning the kitchen like a single, 20-armed octopus.

if you take Claire's good advice and head towards Fredericksburg, Cranky Frank's has the moistest brisket on earth.

Saturday only, an easy drive to Lexington is for one reason only: Snow's BBQ. a former best in Texas (thus, best in the world) and still excellent.

El Rodeo in Lampasas has extraordinary refritos. worth the drive, often, for that alone.

as long as you're taking a ride, you gotta eat. Originally Posted by atxhrny

I have to second the Bluebonnet Cafe recommendation. Just be sure to leave room for pie!
If you are a meat eater, no one has yet mentioned The Salt Lick. You want to go the original location at the intersection of FMs 1826 & 967 out in Driftwood. If you are not a red meat fan, the chicken is the best in the area. Best to go with a group though, as serving is family-style.