Austin Weekend Vacation - Suggestions

Being new to the TX area I am looking to head to Austin for a weekend and hang out with the other half.

Looking for Maybe a good Chili Cookoff someplace? Outside Evening Jazz (sorry no Bars so maybe a music fest?). Good places to eat (BBQ does the body good) Wine locations to visit? (I found http://www.texaswinetrail.com/map.html which location do people suggest hitting?)

Good place to stay (not looking for a cookie cutter box hotel)

Items need to be open on short notice (like I call today and do it Sat)

Any help is appreciated (along with links)

Thanks
Steve
sixxbach's Avatar
http://www.austinchronicle.com/

This is a good guide for what's going on here this or any weekend. It comes out every Thursday and the paper version can be found all over town, including all HEB's.

Nuglet turned me on to Mann's BBQ....... http://www.mannsbbq.com/

If you feel inclined, you could always make the trip to Elgin and try out Southside Market. Take 290 E until you run into it.

A cool place to stay would be Austin hotel on s. congress. It is right in the heart of Austin.

sixx
rrrabbit's Avatar
Salt Lick BBQ is my fav. Go to the one in Driftwood, TX. Bit of a drive, but worth it.

Family Style (buffet), rustic picnic type seating, and BYOB is hard to beat. Good times if you go w/ a small group, open up your 6-pack or a bottle of wine and share some laughs.

Let them do the dishes, and get dessert to go :-)

http://www.saltlickbbq.com/locations_driftwood.html
http://www.austinchronicle.com/


Nuglet turned me on to Mann's BBQ....... http://www.mannsbbq.com/


sixx Originally Posted by sixxbach
He knows what he is talking about. Mann's serves excellent bbq. More importantly, they are very consistent!
GneissGuy's Avatar
He knows what he is talking about. Mann's serves excellent bbq. More importantly, they are very consistent! Originally Posted by bigtex
Closed Sunday and Monday.

Watch the prices very carefully. Can be very pricey if you don't look at the price on the menu before ordering. Adding individual items can give you real indigestion at the cash register. Look at the package deals.