Planning a trip to Austin

When to Go

Entry Requirements & Customs

Passports

For Residents of Australia: You can pick up an application from your local post office or any branch of Passports Australia, but you must schedule an interview at the passport office to present your application materials. Call the Australian Passport Information Service at tel. 131-232, or visit the government website at www.passports.gov.au.

For Residents of Canada: Passport applications are available at travel agencies throughout Canada or from the central Passport Office, Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Ottawa, ON K1A 0G3 (tel. 800/567-6868; www.ppt.gc.ca). Note: Canadian children who travel must have their own passport. However, if you hold a valid Canadian passport issued before December 11, 2001, that bears the name of your child, the passport remains valid for you and your child until it expires.

For Residents of Ireland: You can apply for a 10-year passport at the Passport Office, Setanta Centre, Molesworth Street, Dublin 2 (tel. 01/671-1633; www.irlgov.ie/iveagh). Those under age 18 and over age 65 must apply for a 3-year passport. You can also apply at 1A South Mall, Cork (tel. 021/272-525) or at most main post offices.

For Residents of New Zealand: You can pick up a passport application at any New Zealand Passports Office or download it from their website. Contact the Passports Office at tel. 0800/225-050 in New Zealand or 04/474-8100, or log on to www.passports.govt.nz.

For Residents of the United Kingdom: To pick up an application for a standard 10-year passport (5-year passport for children under age 16), visit your nearest passport office, major post office, or travel agency, or contact the United Kingdom Passport Service at tel. 0870/521-0410 or search its website at www.ukpa.gov.uk.

Customs

Austin has an international airport, but the presence of Customs agents there is solely for charter and private flights. There are no regularly scheduled international flights, so almost all international visitors will have entered the United States through some other point of entry.

Tips for Families

The family who loves to play outdoors together will find heaven in Austin, but those who are less fresh-air inclined will also find plenty to do.

Day 1 

Let’s start in the historic downtown.

1. Bullock Texas State History Museum

Your kids might come away from the Bullock Texas State History Museum thinking that Texas is the center of the universe—that’s pretty much the goal of this big, bold, appealing institution. Interactive exhibitions include historical artifacts from La Belle, a shipwrecked French boat dating back to 1684, and the original Goddess of Liberty that stood on top of the Texas State Capitol. The two multi-sensory films shown in the Spirit Theater are loads of fun and an on-site IMAX theater plays the latest box office hits.

2. West 6th Street and North Lamar Boulevard

Southwest of downtown, all ages will find something to like at the three stores that share this intersection. There’s a large section for kids at BookPeople; teenagers will especially love Waterloo Records if you hold back on the nostalgic tales about the music you grew up on. The vast Whole Foods is a perfect spot for lunch or takeaway; even picky eaters are bound to find something to suit their taste. (Little known fact: For the last several years, there’s been an ice skating rink atop this Whole Foods from late November to late January. The price ($10) includes skate rentals.)

3. Zilker Metropolitan Park 

Head south a couple of blocks on Lamar Boulevard to reach Zilker Park, which is a great place to spend the entire afternoon. If the weather’s warm enough, you can splash in the Barton Springs Pool; its former bathroom is now a kid-friendly attraction, Splash! Into the Edwards Aquifer, which simulates entering a sinkhole in the ecosystem that created the natural swimming pool. At the 80-acre Austin Nature and Science Center, exhibits range from dinosaur tracks to a wildlife rehabilitation facility, with rescued birds of prey, mammals, and more. Not far from Barton Springs Pool, the narrow-gauge Zilker Zephyr Miniature Train departs on a 25-minute journey through the park every hour on the hour during the week, every half hour on the weekend, weather permitting. If you time things right, your family can be on Lady Bird Lake at dusk for the next activity.

4. Bat Viewing

Watching the 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats emerge from under the Congress Avenue Bridge from a vantage point on the lake—a Capital Cruise is a good option—is great fun.

5. Güero’s

A perfect place for a post-bat watching meal for the family, Tex-Mex favorite Güero’s, on South Congress Avenue, has a separate children’s menu and a fun atmosphere.

Day 2 

Two top sights for kids are in the southwest part of town, so it makes sense for you to start your day in this area. The rest of Day 2 has you heading back to the center of town.

1. Austin Zoo 

The concept of keeping animals in enclosures of any kind is controversial, so it’s no surprise that this ethically oriented city’s nonprofit Austin Zoo exists as a sanctuary for creatures that can’t survive in the wild. More than 800 different species from all over the world are gathered here, from domestic goats, sheep, and deer to exotics like tigers and giant Galapagos tortoises.

2. Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

The Luci and Ian Family Garden at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center has several natural playscapes for kids, including a shallow creek to wade through, tree stumps to sit on, and caves to crawl through.

3. Austin Central Library 

Return to downtown to check out the spacious new (2017) Austin Central Library, which has something for all ages, including teens who want to spend time online—visitors are given free access to computers with an ID card from an adult—or small kids who want to play or yell or touch things. If you spend the afternoon here, you can have dinner at the library’s Cookbook Café, which offers menu items from kids’ cookbooks, and cocktails for adults who might need “A Midsummer Night’s Dram” at the end of a long day.

Day 3 

If you’re visiting from late April to mid-September, consider heading out of town to visit the large Schlitterbahn Waterpark in New Braunfels, about 50 miles from Austin. Like any theme park, this one has lots of thrill rides, but it’s also in a natural setting on the Comal River so you don’t feel like you’re in an entirely artificial environment. Tubing, surfing, and every other way you can think of to get wet are the order of the day.

Getting There

By Plane

Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (tel. 512/530-ABIA [2242]; airport code AUS) opened in 1999 on the site of the former Bergstrom Air Force Base, just off Hwy. 71 (Ben White Blvd.) and only 8 miles southwest of the capitol. For more information about the airport, go to www.ci.austin.tx.us/austinairport.

Getting into Town from the Airport -- Taxis from the major companies in town usually form a line outside the terminal, though occasionally you won't find any waiting. To ensure off-hour pickup in advance, phone American Yellow Checker Cab (tel. 512/452-9999) before you leave home. The ride between the airport and downtown costs around $25.

If you're not in a huge rush to get to your hotel, SuperShuttle (tel. 800/BLUE-VAN [258-3826] or 512/258-3826; www.supershuttle.com) offers minivan service to hotels and residences. Prices range from $14 one-way ($24 round-trip) for trips to a downtown hotel, to $14 ($24 round-trip) for trips to a central hotel, to $18 ($26 round-trip) for trips to a hotel in the northwestern part of town. The drawback is that you often must share your ride with several others, who may be dropped off first. You don't have to book in advance for pickups at the airport, but you do need to phone 24 hours ahead of time to arrange for a pickup when you're leaving town.

For $1, you can go from the airport to downtown or the university area on a city bus called the Airport Flyer (no. 100). It runs until about midnight. The passenger pickup is outside the arrival gates, close to the end of the concourse. Buses depart about every 40 minutes. You can grab a route schedule from the city's visitor information office, by the baggage carousels. Or you can download it from the website Capital Metro Transit (tel. 512/474-1200 or TTY 385-5872; www.capmetro.org). It's also available at ABIA's website (www.ci.austin.tx.us/austinairport); just click on "Ground Transportation."

Most of the major car-rental companies -- Advantage, Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Hertz, National, and Thrifty -- have outlets at the airport. The trip from the airport to downtown by car or taxi takes about 20 minutes, much more if you're headed to north Austin. During rush hour, there are often backups all along Hwy. 71. Be sure to allow extra time when you need to catch a flight.

By Bus

You'll also be going through San Antonio if you're traveling east or west to Austin via Greyhound, 916 E. Koenig Lane (tel. 800/231-2222 or 512/458-4463; www.greyhound.com). There are approximately nine buses between the two cities each day, with one-way fares running around $19.

By Car

Austin is 941 miles from Atlanta; 1,899 miles from Boston; 1,107 miles from Chicago; 1,377 miles from Los Angeles; 1,326 miles from Miami; 494 miles from New Orleans; 1,701 miles from New York; 1,741 miles from San Francisco; and 2,188 miles from Seattle. The distance to Dallas is 202 miles, to Houston 165 miles, and to San Antonio 80 miles. I-35 is the north-south approach to Austin; it intersects with Hwy. 290, a major east-west thoroughfare, and Hwy. 183, which also runs roughly north-south through town. For those staying on the west side of Austin, Loop 1 is helpful. Locally it's known as Mo-Pac.

To get to Austin from Dallas/Fort Worth, take I-35 south. The trip will take 3 to 4 hours. From Houston you have a choice, and both take about the same time (3 hr.): Take Hwy. 290 west or take I-10 west toward San Antonio, and then north on Hwy. 71, just after you pass the town of Columbus.

By Train

Amtrak provides service west to Los Angeles (via San Antonio, El Paso, and Tucson) on the Texas Eagle, which departs at 6:30pm. Amtrak, 250 N. Lamar Blvd. (tel. 800/872-7245 or 512/476-5684; www.amtrak.com) is downtown. In the opposite direction, the Texas Eagle provides daily service to Chicago via Dallas, Forth Worth, Little Rock, and St. Louis. Departures are at 9:30am.

Neighborhoods in Brief

Although Austin, designed to be the capital of the independent Republic of Texas, has a grand planned city center similar to that of Washington, D.C., the city has spread out far beyond those original boundaries in all directions. Rather than easily delineated small areas, locals often speak in terms of landmarks (near the University of Texas), intersections (close to 183 and MoPac), or large geographical sections (East Austin). And with the exceptions of such established historic neighborhoods as Hyde Park, newer neighborhoods are often in flux; those that are trendy one year may be forgotten the next. So with those caveats, these are some useful designations. For now.

DOWNTOWN

The original city, laid out by Edwin Waller in 1839, runs roughly north-south from Lady Bird Lake/Cesar Chavez Street to Martin Luther King, Jr., Boulevard (around 20th St.) and east-west between I-35 and Lamar Boulevard. The main north-south drag, Congress Avenue, runs from Lady Bird Lake to the State Capitol. With its many historic buildings and blocks, this is the prime sightseeing hub, as well as an entertainment district. It’s also home to the Convention Center and many major businesses and financial institutions. As might be expected, it has the highest concentration of hotels in town.

Once known as Austin’s live music hub, Sixth Street has a dual personality these days. Locals refer to East Sixth Street between Congress Avenue and I-35 as Dirty Sixth; it’s lined with small live music venues, endless bars offering dollar shots, and pool halls. West Sixth, from Congress Avenue to Lamar Avenue, appeals more to the young professional crowd. Serious music lovers head for the Warehouse District, centered on Third and Fourth streets just west of Congress, and the Red River District, on (where else?) Red River Street, between 6th and 10th streets.

SOUTH AUSTIN

For a long time, south of Lady Bird Lake was largely a working class residential area. In the 1990s, South Congress, the once-derelict stretch of Congress that extends (roughly) to Oltorf Street, began getting gentrified by shop and restaurant owners who liked the proximity to downtown without the high rents. Now dubbed SoCo, it’s one of Austin’s trendiest places to shop, eat, and—increasingly, as boutique hotels crop up—sleep in town. South Lamar has also become established as a hot area, with trendy bars and restaurants opening along South Lamar Boulevard. A few blocks east, South First Street offers everything from food trucks to upscale dining rooms. Austin’s first settlements south of the river, East Riverside and Travis Heights (adjacent neighborhoods between Congress and I-35), are popular with young professionals who can afford the high prices. Farther south and west, toward the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, South Austin begins to reassert its rural roots, with less construction and more businesses that cater mostly to locals.

EAST SIDE

The residential area east of I-35 between Cesar Chavez Street and Manor Road was long home to many of Austin’s Hispanic and African-American residents. But the parts closest to downtown and the university are increasingly popular, forcing many poorer residents to move farther east. Cesar Chavez, East Sixth Street, East Seventh Street, and Manor Road are now packed with bars, restaurants, and coffee shops, and experimental theaters are popping up. Hip lodgings are beginning to appear in the area closest to downtown.

CENTRAL

North of Lady Bird Lake/Cesar Chavez Street up to 45th Street, between I-35 and MoPac, Central Austin includes downtown (see above) as well as several neighborhoods on its fringes. Just north of the Capitol and the state government office complex, the original 40-acre site allotted for the University of Texas has expanded to 357, and Guadalupe Street, along the west side of the campus, is now a popular shopping street known as the Drag. Many visitors come to what’s often called the Cultural Campus to see the Blanton Museum of Art, the Bullock Texas State History Museum, the Harry Ransom Center, the LBJ Library and Museum, and the Texas Memorial Museum. North of the university, from 35th to 51st streets, Hyde Park was laid out in 1891 as one of Austin’s first planned suburbs; renovation of its Victorian and early Craftsman houses began in the 1970s, and now it has a real neighborhood feel.

Beyond Hyde Park, numbered streets disappear. The older neighborhoods in this area are also experiencing a renaissance. Just north of Hyde Park, the shabby-chic North Loop is fast becoming Austin’s bohemian epicenter, with hip indie shops and restaurants taking over North Loop Avenue. It’s bounded on the west by North Lamar Boulevard, on the east by Airport Boulevard (some say I-35), and on the north by Koenig Lane. For a lot of Austinites, Research Boulevard is where central Austin ends and north Austin begins.

WEST / LAKES

Just west of downtown and the shopping enclave at Lamar and West Sixth is Clarksville, a black community founded in the 1870s by freed slaves. It’s now a neighborhood of small, old houses that command high prices. To the west of Clarksville, on the other side of the MoPac Freeway, tony Tarrytown extends as far as Lake Austin (another dammed section of the Colorado River). Both neighborhoods are close enough to the heart of town that they’re sometimes folded into the “Central” designation.

For many, “West” refers to the townships on the opposite side of Lake Austin from West Austin. This affluent suburban area includes the communities of Rollingwood and Westlake Hills. If you head upstream to the next dam, you come to Lake Travis, a large lake with lots of marinas and lakeside communities, such as Lakeway. Those who live in Central Austin come here to splash around and kick back on nice weekends.

NORTHWEST

This high-growth area, Austin’s version of the suburbs, is where most of the high-tech industry is located. It includes the Arboretum mall, a prime area of restaurant and retail growth in the late 1980s and 1990s; and the newer, still expanding, Domain and Domain NORTHSIDE mall complex. This manufactured mixed-use community, with apartments, retail, and restaurants and hotels, is an anchor for the otherwise sprawling North Austin neighborhoods. It’s not quite the “second downtown” that its promoters make it out to be, but it has lots of lively nightspots. Farther north are the bedroom communities of Round Rock and Cedar Park.

Escorted & Package Tours

Tourism in San Antonio and Austin hasn't gotten to the point where companies are arranging packaged coach tours of the region, but some companies do offer special-interest tours for a day or half-day to sites in the Hill Country. Gray Line Tours (tel. 800/341-6000; www.grayline.com) offers a daylong bus tour of the Hill Country from San Antonio and another through the same area focusing on Hill Country wineries.

Si Texas Tours (tel. 888/748-3927 or 840/460-4565; www.sitexastours.com), which operates out of the Hill Country town of Bandera, occasionally offers bus tours of the Hill Country, but usually serves as a charter service for groups.

From Austin, Wine Tours of Texas (tel. 877/693-0800 or 512/458-5466; www.winetoursoftexas.com) offers a variety of winery tours through the Texas Hill Country, either half-day or full-day trips. They can accommodate almost any size group. Texas Toast Culinary Tours (www.texastoastculinarytours.com), based in Fort Worth, Texas, will occasionally offer tours to small-town barbecue joints in central Texas around Austin.

Historic Texas Tours (tel. 210/467-2534; www.sanantoniofoodietours.com), based just outside of San Antonio, offers half-day food tours of the city.

Getting Around

In 1839, Austin was laid out in a grid on the northern shore of the Colorado River, bounded by Shoal Creek to the west and Waller Creek to the east. The section of the river abutting the original settlement is now known as Town Lake, and the city has spread far beyond its original borders in all directions. The land to the east is flat Texas prairie; the rolling Hill Country begins on the west side of town.

By Car

Driving in Austin is a bit of a challenge for visitors. Highways are rife with signs that suddenly insist LEFT LANE MUST TURN LEFT or RIGHT LANE MUST TURN RIGHT -- generally positioned so they're noticeable only when it's too late to switch. I-35 -- nicknamed "the NAFTA highway" because of the big rigs speeding up from Mexico -- is mined with tricky on-and-off ramps and, around downtown, a confusing complex of upper and lower levels; it's easy to miss your exit or find yourself exiting when you don't want to. The rapidly developing area to the northwest, where Hwy. 183 connects I-35 with Mo-Pac and the Capital of Texas Highway, requires particular vigilance, as the connections occur very rapidly. There are regular lane mergers and sudden, precipitous turnoffs.

A number of major downtown streets are one-way; many don't have street signs or have signs so covered with foliage they're impossible to read. Driving is particularly confusing in the university area, where streets like "32 1/2" suddenly turn up. Multiply the difficulties at night, when you need super vision to read the ill-lit street indicators.

Nervous? Good. Better you're a bit edgy than lost or injured. Consult maps in advance and, when driving around the university or downtown, try to gauge the number of blocks before turns so you won't have to be completely dependent on street signs. You can also check the Texas Department of Transportation's (TxDOT) website, www.dot.state.tx.us, for the latest information on road conditions, including highway diversions, construction, and closures.

Car Rentals -- If you're planning to travel at a popular time, it's a good idea to book as far in advance as you can, both to secure the quoted rates and to ensure that you get a car.

Advantage (tel. 800/777-5500; www.arac.com), Alamo (tel. 800/327-9633; www.alamo.com), Avis (tel. 800/831-2847; www.avis.com), Budget (tel. 800/527-0700; www.budget.com), Dollar (tel. 800/800-4000; www.dollarcar.com), Hertz (tel. 800/654-3131; www.hertz.com), National (tel. 800/227-7368; www.nationalcar.com), and Thrifty (tel. 800/367-2277; www.thrifty.com) all have representatives at the Austin airport.

Lower prices are usually available for those who are flexible about dates of travel or who are members of frequent-flyer or frequent-hotel-stay programs or of organizations such as AAA or AARP. Car-rental companies are eager to get your business, so they're as likely as not to ask whether you belong to any group that will snag you a discount, but if the clerk doesn't inquire, it can't hurt to mention every travel-related program you're a member of -- you'd be surprised at the bargains you might turn up.

Try checking out Breezenet.com, which offers domestic car-rental discounts with some of the most competitive rates around. Also worth visiting are Orbitz, Hotwire.com, Travelocity, and Priceline, all of which offer competitive online car-rental rates.

Main Arteries & Streets -- I-35, forming the border between central and East Austin (and straddling the Balcones Fault Line), is the main north-south thoroughfare; Loop 1, usually called Mo-Pac (it follows the course of the Missouri-Pacific railroad, although some people like to say it got its name because it's "mo' packed"), is the westside equivalent. Hwy. 290, running east-west, merges with I-35 where it comes in on the north side of town, briefly reestablishing its separate identity on the south side of town before merging with Hwy. 71 (which is called Ben White Blvd. btw. 183 and Lamar Blvd.). Hwy. 290 and Hwy. 71 split up again in Oak Hill, on the west side of town. Not confused enough yet? Hwy. 2222 changes its name from Koenig to Northland and, west of Loop 360, to Bullcreek, while, in the north, Hwy. 183 is called Research Boulevard. (Looking at a map should make all this clear as mud.) Important north-south city streets include Lamar, Guadalupe, and Burnet. If you want to get across town north of the river, use Cesar Chavez (once known as First St.), 15th Street (which turns into Enfield west of Lamar), Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard (the equivalent of 19th St., and often just called MLK), 38th Street, or 45th Street.

Finding an Address -- Congress Avenue was the earliest dividing line between east and west, while the Colorado River marked the north and south border of the city. Addresses were designed to move in increments of 100 per block, so that 1500 N. Guadalupe, say, would be 15 blocks north of the river. This system still works reasonably well in the older sections of town, but breaks down where the neat street grid does (look at a street map to see where the right angles end). All the east-west streets were originally named after trees native to the city (for example, Sixth St. was once Pecan St.); most that run north and south, such as San Jacinto, Lavaca, and Guadalupe, retain their original Texas river monikers.

Street Maps -- The maps available for no cost at the Austin Convention and Visitors Bureau, as well as at many car-rental companies at the airport, should help you locate major landmarks. For more detail, you can buy street maps at convenience stores, pharmacies, and bookstores.

Driving Rules -- Unless indicated, right turns are permitted on red after coming to a full stop. Seat belts and child-restraint seats are mandatory in Texas (www.txdps.state.tx.us/director_staff/public_information/carseat.htm).

Parking -- Unless you have legislative plates, you're likely to find the selection of parking spots downtown extremely limited during the week (construction isn't making the situation any better); as a result, lots of downtown restaurants offer valet parking (with hourly rates ranging $4-$6). There are a number of lots around the area, costing anywhere from $5 to $7 per hour, but the most convenient ones tend to fill up quickly. If you're lucky enough to find a metered spot, it'll run you 75¢ per hour, with a 2-hour limit, so bring change. Although there's virtually no street parking available near the capitol before 5pm during the week, there is a free visitor garage on 15th and San Jacinto (2-hr. time limit).

In the university area, trying to find a spot near the shopping strip known as "the Drag" can be just that. However, cruise the side streets and you're eventually bound to find a pay lot that's not filled. The two most convenient on-campus parking garages are located near San Jacinto and East 26th streets and off 25th Street between San Antonio and Nueces. There's also a (free!) parking lot near the LBJ Library, but it's far from the central campus. Log on to www.utexas.edu/parking for additional places to drop off your car.

By Train

In spring of 2010, Cap Metro began light rail service between downtown and the bedroom communities in the north. This was a relatively inexpensive way to introduce light rail to the city by using existing train track. The downside is that the train doesn't follow the preferred routes. Worse, the train only runs during commuting times, making it an impractical choice for visitors.

By Bus

Austin's public transportation system, Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority (www.capmetro.org), operates more than 50 bus lines and features low fares. New fares were established in 2010. A single fare on a Cap Metro bus is $1. A day pass costs $2; an express day pass to/from various Park & Ride lots costs $4. You'll need exact change or fare tickets to board the bus. Day passes are a good option because they're more flexible. It costs the same as a round-trip and allows you to ride as many buses as you want for that day. Tell the bus driver you're buying a day pass before you insert your money in the machine.

Call tel. 800/474-1201 or 512/474-1200 from local phones for point-to-point routing information. You can also pick up a schedule booklet at any H-E-B or Fiesta grocery store; at stores and hotels throughout the downtown area; or at the Cap Metro Transit Store, 323 Congress Ave., first floor.

There used to be a free shuttle bus circulating through downtown known as a "'Dillo," but, alas, no more.

Staying Connected

Internet & Wi-Fi

If you have your own computer, many access points for the Internet exist in Austin. Most likely you'll be able to use the hotel or bed-and-breakfast where you'll be staying. If you are seeking to avoid a charge for the service, you can go to a public library. Almost every coffee shop in Austin offers free Internet access. If you're not carrying a computer, your best option is the public library.

Tips for Travelers with Disabilities

There's an active Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) office in Austin. Its website, www.ci.austin.tx.us/ada, has lots of useful links. You can also call tel. 512/974-3256 or 974-1897 if you have questions about whether any of the hotels or other facilities you're curious about are in compliance with the Act. All the large downtown hotels maintain accessible rooms and parking, and most of the large hotels in the outlying areas do as well.

All of Austin's public buses are equipped with lifts to make them accessible. Also, as mandated by ADA, it maintains paratransit service. To contact CapMetro about accessible services, call tel. 512/478-9647 or go to the website: www.capmetro.org/riding/accessibleservices.asp. For taxi service for wheelchair users, call Yellow Cab's service line (tel. 512/452-9999), and make it clear that you need a wheelchair-accessible cab, or order a cab through the Web page: www.yellowcabaustin.xohost.com, and click on wheelchair access.

Money

The most common bills are the $1 (a "buck"), $5, $10, and $20 denominations. There are also $2 bills (seldom encountered), $50 bills, and $100 bills (the last two are usually not welcome as payment for small purchases).

Coins come in seven denominations: 1¢ (1 cent, or a penny); 5¢ (5 cents, or a nickel); 10¢ (10 cents, or a dime); 25¢ (25 cents, or a quarter); 50¢ (50 cents, or a half-dollar); the gold-colored Sacagawea coin, worth $1; and the rare silver dollar.

What Things Cost in Austin (in US$)

Taxi from the airport to downtown 20.00

Double at the Four Seasons (very expensive) 380.00

Double at the Holiday Inn Austin Town Lake (moderate) 159.00

Double at the Austin Motel (inexpensive) 90.00

Lunch for one at the Roaring Fork (expensive) 17.00

Lunch for one at Shady Grove (inexpensive) 8.00

Dinner for one, without drinks, at Jeffrey's (very expensive) 72.00

Dinner for one, without drinks, at Vivo (moderate) 18.00

Dinner for one, without drinks, at the Iron Works (inexpensive) 9.00

Soft drink at restaurant 1.50

Cup of espresso 3.50

Admission to Texas State History Museum 5.00

Roll of ASA 100 Kodacolor film, 36 exposures 7.50

Movie ticket 9.00

Austin Symphony ticket 30.00

Sustainable Travel & Ecotourism

Both San Antonio and Austin are Sunbelt cities organized around the personal automobile. But this doesn't mean that using a rental car is necessarily the best way to explore them. Most of their attractions are located at their cores, which can be explored on foot or by bus. San Antonio's downtown is so attractive and enjoyable it invites walking -- and having a car is, in fact, a liability, not an advantage. And when you need to go slightly farther out, to the Southtown or Monte Vista areas, you can take one of the three trolley bus lines which are color-coded, easy to use, and cost efficient ($1.10). At the visitor center you can pick up a pamphlet with the routes.

Austin's downtown is not quite as attractive as San Antonio's, but it is just as walkable. And if you're not a big walker, any number of buses can get you around downtown and a bit farther south to the SoCo district, or north to the university campus. The city's new light rail line, as it is presently operated, doesn't offer much utility to visitors, but there are plans to build a light rail line between Austin's downtown and the airport. If this project gets approval, it won't be completed until 2015. At present, several buses in Austin Metro's fleet are powered by propane to reduce pollution, and a few more have hybrid power systems. Austin also has an advantage over San Antonio in that it is very bicycle friendly and growing more so each year. There are bike lanes on several downtown streets. From downtown, riders can cross Lady Bird Lake into South Austin very safely. The South First St. Bridge has separate lanes for bikes and pedestrians that are completely removed from car traffic, and next to the South Lamar Bridge is a bridge built solely for runners, walkers, and cyclists. Heading north from downtown, riders can use one of several bike lanes leading into the University of Texas campus. From there, bike lanes lead in all directions, blanketing central Austin.

Austin prides itself on being a green city. In electrical use and generation, Austin leads the country with its conservation programs and investment in wind energy. Austin Energy, the municipal utility company, has won recognition for its work from the utility industry associations and the Department of Energy. The city is generally ranked among America's greenest cities by several organizations, including the Green Guide and Popular Science, who include several energy-usage factors in making their determination.

Though San Antonio isn't at quite the same level of greenness as Austin, it excels in one particular area -- water conservation. This came about more through need than initiative, because San Antonio is dependent for its water on the Edwards Aquifer, a finite resource. To control its water usage, San Antonio has built the largest water recycling and distribution system in the nation. It has also put in place several programs to promote private efforts at water conservation.

Fast Facts

Area Code -- The telephone area code in Austin is 512.

Business Hours -- Banks are usually open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm, Saturday 9am to 1pm. Drive-up windows are open 7am to 6pm Monday to Friday, and 9am to noon on Saturday. Office hours are generally weekdays from 9am to 5pm. Shops tend to be open from 9 or 10am until 5:30 or 6pm Monday to Saturday, with shorter hours on Sunday. Most malls are open Monday to Saturday from 10am to 9pm, Sunday from noon to 6pm.

Doctors -- The Medical Exchange (tel. 512/458-1121) and Seton Hospital (tel. 512/324-4450) both have physician referral services.

Drugstores -- You'll find many Walgreens, CVS, and Randalls drugstores around the city; most H-E-B grocery stores also have pharmacies. Several Walgreens are open 24 hours. Have your zip code ready and call tel. 800/925-4733 to find the Walgreens branch nearest you.

Embassies & Consulates -- All embassies are located in the nation's capital, Washington, D.C. Some consulates are located in major U.S. cities, and most nations have a mission to the United Nations in New York City. If your country isn't listed below, call for directory information in Washington, D.C. (tel. 202/555-1212), or log on to www.embassy.org/embassies.

The embassy of Australia is at 1601 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20036 (tel. 202/797-3000; www.austemb.org). There are consulates in New York, Honolulu, Houston, Los Angeles, and San Francisco.

The embassy of Canada is at 501 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20001 (tel. 202/682-1740; www.canadianembassy.org). Other Canadian consulates are in Buffalo (New York), Detroit, Los Angeles, New York, and Seattle.

The embassy of Ireland is at 2234 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20008 (tel. 202/462-3939; www.irelandemb.org). Irish consulates are in Boston, Chicago, New York, San Francisco, and other cities. See their website for a complete listing.

The embassy of New Zealand is at 37 Observatory Circle NW, Washington, DC 20008 (tel. 202/328-4800; www.nzemb.org). New Zealand consulates are in Los Angeles, Salt Lake City, San Francisco, and Seattle.

The embassy of the United Kingdom is at 3100 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20008 (tel. 202/588-7800; www.britainusa.com). Other British consulates are in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, and Seattle.

Emergencies -- Call tel. 911 if you need the police, the fire department, or an ambulance.

Gasoline -- Petrol is known as gasoline (or simply "gas") in the United States, and petrol stations are known as both gas stations and service stations. Gasoline costs almost half as much here as it does in Europe (about $2.80 per gallon at press time), and taxes are already included in the printed price. One U.S. gallon equals 3.8 liters or .85 imperial gallons.

Hospitals -- Brackenridge, 601 E. 15th St. (tel. 512/324-7000); St. David's, 919 E. 32nd St., at I-35 (tel. 512/397-4240); and Seton Medical Center, 1201 W. 38th St. (tel. 512/324-1000), have good and convenient emergency-care facilities.

Hot Lines -- Crisis Hot Line (tel. 512/472-4357); Poison Center (tel. 800/764-7661); Domestic Violence Crisis Hot Line (tel. 512/928-9070); Sexual Assault Crisis Hot Line (tel. 512/440-7273).

Legal Aid -- If you are "pulled over" for a minor infraction (such as speeding), never attempt to pay the fine directly to a police officer; this could be construed as attempted bribery, a much more serious crime. Pay fines by mail, or directly into the hands of the clerk of the court. If accused of a more serious offense, say and do nothing before consulting a lawyer. Here the burden is on the state to prove a person's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, and everyone has the right to remain silent, whether he or she is suspected of a crime or actually arrested. Once arrested, a person can make one telephone call to a party of his or her choice. Call your embassy or consulate.

Libraries -- Downtown's Faulk Central Library, 800 Guadalupe St. (tel. 512/974-7400), and adjoining Austin History Center, 810 Guadalupe St. (tel. 512/974-7480), are excellent information resources. To find the closest local branch, log on to www.ci.austin.tx.us/library.

Liquor Laws -- The legal drinking age in Texas is 21. Under-age drinkers can legally imbibe as long as they stay within sight of their legal-age parents or spouses, but they need to be prepared to show proof of the relationship. Open containers are prohibited in public and in vehicles. Liquor laws are strictly enforced; if you're concerned, check www.tabc.state.tx.us for the entire Texas alcoholic beverage code. Bars close at 2am.

Lost Property -- Be sure to tell all of your credit card companies the minute you discover your wallet has been lost or stolen and file a report at the nearest police precinct. Your credit card company or insurer may require a police report number or record of the loss. Most credit card companies have an emergency toll-free number to call if your card is lost or stolen; they may be able to wire you a cash advance immediately or deliver an emergency credit card in a day or two. Visa's U.S. emergency number is tel. 800/847-2911 or 410/581-9994. American Express cardholders and traveler's check holders should call tel. 800/221-7282. MasterCard holders should call tel. 800/307-7309 or 636/722-7111. For other credit cards, call the toll-free number directory at tel. 800/555-1212.

If you need emergency cash over the weekend when all banks and American Express offices are closed, you can have money wired to you via Western Union (tel. 800/325-6000; www.westernunion.com).

Mail -- At press time, domestic postage rates were 29¢ for a postcard and 44¢ for a letter. For international mail, a first-class letter of up to 1 ounce costs 98¢ (75¢ to Canada and 79¢ Mexico); a first-class postcard costs the same. For more information, go to www.usps.com and click on "Calculate Postage."

If you aren't sure what your address will be in the United States, mail can be sent to you in your name, c/o General Delivery, at the main post office of the city or region where you expect to be. (Call tel. 800/275-8777 for information on the nearest post office.) The addressee must pick up mail in person and must produce proof of identity (driver's license, passport, and so on). Most post offices will hold your mail for up to 1 month, and are open Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm, and Saturday from 9am to 3pm.

Generally found at intersections, mailboxes are blue with a red-and-white stripe and carry the inscription U.S. MAIL. If your mail is addressed to a U.S. destination, don't forget to add the five-digit postal code (or zip code), after the two-letter abbreviation of the state to which the mail is addressed. This is essential for prompt delivery.

Newspapers & Magazines -- The daily Austin American-Statesman (www.austin360.com) is the only large-circulation, mainstream newspaper in town. The Austin Chronicle (www.auschron.com), a free alternative weekly, focuses on the arts, entertainment, and politics. Monday through Friday, the University of Texas publishes the surprisingly sophisticated Daily Texan (www.dailytexanonline.com) newspaper, covering everything from on-campus news to international events.

Police -- Call tel. 911 in an emergency. The non-emergency number for the Austin Police Department is tel. 311.

Post Office -- The city's main post office is located at 8225 Cross Park Dr. (tel. 512/342-1252); more convenient for visitors are the Capitol Station, 111 E. 17th St., in the LBJ Building; and the Downtown Station, 510 Guadalupe St. For information on other locations, phone tel. 800/275-8777.

Smoking -- Smoking is prohibited in all public buildings and common public areas (that includes hotel lobbies, museums, enclosed malls, and so on). It's also prohibited in enclosed bars or enclosed bar areas of restaurants. But it is permitted in open-air bar areas.

Taxes -- The tax on hotel rooms is 15%. Sales tax, added to restaurant bills as well as to other purchases, is 8.25%.

Taxis -- Call American Yellow Checker Cab (tel. 512/452-9999).

Time -- San Antonio and Austin (and all of the rest of Texas except for the El Paso area) are in the Central Time zone. The continental United States is divided into four time zones: Eastern Standard Time (EST), Central Standard Time (CST), Mountain Standard Time (MST), and Pacific Standard Time (PST). Alaska and Hawaii have their own zones. For example, noon in New York City (EST) is 11am in Chicago (CST), 10am in Denver (MST), 9am in Los Angeles (PST), 8am in Anchorage (AST), and 7am in Honolulu (HST).

Daylight saving time is in effect from 2am on the second Sunday in March through 2am on the first Sunday in November, except in Arizona, Hawaii, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico. Daylight saving time moves the clock 1 hour ahead of standard time.

Tipping -- Tips are a very important part of certain workers' income, and gratuities are the standard way of showing appreciation for services provided. (Tipping is certainly not compulsory if the service is poor!) In hotels, tip bellhops at least $1 per bag ($2-$3 per bag if you have a lot of luggage) and tip the chamber staff $1 to $2 per day (more if you've left a disaster area for him or her to clean up). Tip the doorman or concierge only if he or she has provided you with some specific service (for example, calling a cab for you or obtaining difficult-to-get theater tickets). Tip the valet-parking attendant $1 every time you get your car.

In restaurants, bars, and nightclubs, tip service staff 15% to 20% of the check, tip bartenders 10% to 15%, tip checkroom attendants $1 per garment, and tip valet-parking attendants $1 per vehicle.

As for other service personnel, tip cabdrivers 15% of the fare; tip skycaps at airports at least $1 per bag ($2-$3 per bag if you have a lot of luggage); and tip hairstylists and barbers 15% to 20%.

Transit Information -- Call Capital Metro Transit (tel. 800/474-1201, or 512/474-1200 from local pay phones; TTY 385-5872).

Useful Telephone Numbers -- Get the time and temperature by dialing tel. 512/476-7744.

Visitor Information -- The Austin Visitor Center (tel. 866/GO-AUSTIN [462-8784]) is at 209 E. Sixth St.

Tips for Senior Travelers

Senior travel isn't has highly promoted in Austin as it is in many other destinations. Austin doesn't receive many "winter Texans," who come down from the northern U.S. fleeing the cold. Still, you'll find standard senior discounts at most attractions, such as the museums and recreational facilities, but most often, it amounts to only $1 or $2 discount.

Austin's Old Bakery and Emporium, 1006 Congress Ave. (tel. 512/477-5961; www.ci.austin.tx.us/parks/bakery1.htm), not only sells crafts and baked goods made by seniors, but also serves as a volunteer center for people over 50. It's a good place to find out about any senior activities in town.

Health & Safety

Safety

Austin has been ranked one of the five safest cities in the United States, but that doesn't mean you can throw common sense to the wind. It's never a good idea to walk down dark streets alone at night, and major tourist areas always attract pickpockets, so keep your purse or wallet in a safe place. Although Sixth Street itself tends to be busy, use caution on the side streets in the area.

Crime -- Morgan Quitno, a firm that sifts through national crime data, ranks Austin as the fourth safest of America's 32 largest cities, and for the visitor, it's probably even safer. There have been few reports of violence directed toward tourists in Austin in the last 5 years. Still, you need to exercise caution. In the most popular parts of downtown, the number of people on the streets and the prominent police presence keep it very safe. Most assaults have occurred on the fringes of these areas when people were walking back to their cars. This is usually not a problem for visitors who are staying in the downtown hotels.

Areas outside of downtown are largely safe, except perhaps for East Austin, where it's not a good idea to walk around alone at night. The area around the University of Texas campus does attract a criminal element, but it focuses mostly on theft and burglary of vehicles.

Calendar of Events

Many of Austin’s festivals capitalize on the city’s large community of local musicians and/or on the great outdoors. The major annual events are listed here. Additional local events may also be found by logging on to www.austintexas.org/events, www.austin360.com, and www.austinchronicle.com.

January

Red Eye Regatta, Austin Yacht Club, Lake Travis. The bracing lake air at this keelboat race should help cure the aftereffects of too much New Year’s Eve. www.austinyachtclub.net/annual-red-eye-regatta; 512/266-1336. New Year’s Day.

MLK March, Festival, and Food Drive, multiple venues. Marchers go from the MLK statue on the UT campus to the historically African-American Huston-Tillotson University, where vendors and musicians celebrate Martin Luther King’s birthday. www.mlkcelebration.com; 512/657-3064. Third Monday in January.

FronteraFest, Hyde Park Theater, other venues. Five weeks of fringe theater and performance art keep things lively in what is now the largest festival of its type in the Southwest. www.hydeparktheatre.org; 512/479-7530. Mid-January to mid-Februrary.

February

Carnival Brasileiro, Emo’s. Conga lines, elaborate costumes, samba bands, and confetti are all part of this sizzling Carnaval-style event, started in 1975 by homesick Brazilian UT students. www.sambaparty.com. First or second Saturday in February.

OUTsider Festival, various venues. Academics, artists, musicians, filmmakers, and other creatives in the LGBTQI community come together for 5 days of performances and discussions. www.outsiderfest.org. Third week in February.

March

South by Southwest (S[ts]SW) Conference & Festivals, various venues. The Austin Music Awards kick off this 2-week-long conference, with hundreds of concerts at more than 50 city venues, in addition to various lectures and symposia. Aspiring music-industry and tech professionals sign up months ahead. www.sxsw.com; 512/467-7979. Usually around 2nd week in March.

Rodeo Austin, Leudecke Arena. This 2-week Wild West extravaganza features rodeos, cattle auctions, a youth fair, BBQ cookoffs, and lots of live country music. www.rodeoaustin.com; 512/919-3000. Mid- to late March.

Jerry Jeff Walker’s Texas Bash, various locations. Each year, singer/songwriter Walker performs at such venues as Gruene Hall and the Paramount Theatre; proceeds benefit music education for young people. www.jerryjeff.com; 512/477-0036. Late March, early April.

ABC Kite Festival, Zilker Park. Colorful handmade kites fill the sky during this popular annual contest, one of the country’s oldest of its kind. www.abckitefest.org; 512/837-9500. Last Sunday in March.

April

Statesman/Cap10k, downtown. Texas’ largest 10K race winds from the state capitol through West Austin, ending up at Lady Bird Lake. www.cap10k.com; 512/445-3598. Early April.

Art City Austin Fine Arts Festival, Palmer Center. This 3-day fair features a large juried art show, fine art performances, and lots of kids’ activities. www.artallianceaustin.org; 512/609-8587. Mid-April.

Austin Food + Wine Festival, Auditorium Shores. Cooking demonstrations; beer, wine, and food tastings; book signings; and celebrity chef dinners fill this 3-day foodfest; book in advance. www.austinfoodandwinefestival. Third or fourth weekend in April.

Old Settlers Music Festival, Tilmon. More than two dozen bluegrass bands descend on Tilmon, about 10 miles southeast of Austin, for this Americana roots music fest, which also includes workshops, craft booths, and kid’s entertainment. www.oldsettlersmusicfest.org. Mid-April.

May

Old Pecan Street Spring Arts and Crafts Festival, Sixth Street. Eat and shop for crafts along downtown’s entertainment drag while bands play nearby. www.pecanstreetfestival.org. First weekend in May.

O. Henry Museum Pun-Off, backyard of the O. Henry Museum. This annual battle of the wits is for a wordy cause—the upkeep of the three Brush Fair Museums, including O. Henry’s former house. www.punpunpun.com. Mid-May.

Hot Luck, multiple venues. One of Austin’s newer (and hipper) festivals is devoted to two local favorites: chef-driven food and local music. Proceeds benefit a domestic violence prevention group. www.hotluckfest.com. Memorial Day weekend.

June

ATX Television Festival, multiple downtown venues. This 4-day tubefest is geared toward both fans and those looking to work in the industry. www.atxfestival.com; 512/551-1330. First weekend in June.

Republic of Texas Biker Rally, Travis County Expo Center. The city fills with the sound of rolling thunder during this downtown bike parade that ends at the State Capitol. Custom bike makers display their newest creations at the Expo Center. www.rotrally.com; 512/906-9954. Usually second weekend in June.

Juneteenth, various venues, mostly in East Austin. This celebration of African-American emancipation (designated a Texas state holiday in 1980) generally includes a parade, gospel singing, and many children’s events. For info, contact the George Washington Carver Museum and Cultural Center. www.austintexas.gov/carvermuseum; 512/974-4926. June 19.

July

H-E-B Austin Symphony Concert & Fireworks, Vic Mathias Shores. Cannons, fireworks, and a rousing rendition of the “1812 Overture” are highlights of this noisy freedom celebration. www.austinsymphony.org/events; 888/4-MAESTRO (888/4-6237876) or 512/476-6064. July 4.

August

Bat Fest, Congress Ave. Bridge/Austin American Statesman parking lot. A bat costume contest, arts and crafts, food, and music are key to this 1-day event, starring 1.5 million free-tailed bats that emerge from under the bridge at dusk. www.roadwayevents.com/event/bat-fest. Mid-August.

Austin Chronicle Hot Sauce Festival, Waterloo Park. The largest hot-sauce contest in the world features more than 350 salsa entries, judged by celebrity chefs and food editors. www.austinchronicle.com/hot-sauce; 512/454-5766. Last Sunday in August.

September

Diez y Seis, Fiesta Gardens Park, Plaza Saltillo, and other sites. Mariachis and folk dancers, conjunto and Tejano music, plus fajitas, piñatas, and clowns help celebrate Mexico’s independence from Spain. The highlight is the crowning of the Fiestas Patrias Queen. www.diezyseis.org; 512/974-6797. Weekend around September 16.

October

Austin City Limits Music Festival, Zilker Park. Yet more evidence of Austin’s devotion to live music, this music extravaganza mounts a superb lineup of musical talent. www.aclfestival.com; 888/512/7649. First 2 weekends in October.

Austin Film Festival, Paramount Theatre and other venues. Screening 100 films in a little over a week—everything from restored classics to new indie releases—this filmfest attracts movie fans, aspiring screenwriters, and filmmakers galore. www.austinfilmfestival.com; 800/310-FEST (3378) or 512/478-4795. Mid-October.

Texas Book Festival, State Capitol. One of the largest literary events in the Southwest, this 2-day fundraiser for Texas public libraries draws literati from all over the U.S. www.texasbookfestival.org; 512/477-4055. Late October.

Viva La Vida, Fourth St./Congress Ave. Co-sponsored by the City of Austin and the Mexic-arte Museum, the city’s longest Day of the Dead festival features a grand procession, food booths, live music, crafts, and a low-rider exhibition. www.mexic-artemuseum.org; 520/480-9373. Last Saturday in October or first in November.

November

Austin Powwow, Travis County Expo Center. Native American dancers, singers, musicians, artists, and crafters come together at this American Indian Heritage festival, the largest of its kind in Texas. http://austinpowwow.net; 520/371-0628. Early November.

Celtic Fest, Jourdan Bachman Pioneer Farms. Dancing, a dog parade, men in kilts, demonstrations of Viking fights . . . you don’t have to be a Celt to enjoy this lively, family-friendly 2-day event. www.austincelticfestival.com. First weekend in November.

Austin Area Jazz Festival, Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center. A good cure for the holiday frazzles, this day of smooth jazz includes national acts as well as up-and-comers. www.austinareajazzfestival.com; 512/541-6297. Late November.

Chuy’s Christmas Parade, Congress Ave. With giant balloons, marching bands, floats, and gifts for needy kids, this is a great way to ring in the season. www.chuysparade.com. Saturday after Thanksgiving.

December

Zilker Park Tree Lighting. The lighting of a magnificent 165-foot tree is followed by the Trail of Lights, a mile-long display of life-size holiday scenes. A 5K run is also involved. https://austintrailoflights.org. First Sunday of month (tree lighting); second Sunday through December 23 (Trail of Lights).

Armadillo Christmas Bazaar, Palmer Events Center. Revel in Tex-Mex food, live music, and a full bar at this high-quality art, craft, and gift show, lasting 11 days. www.armadillobazaar.com; 512/447-1605. Begins approximately 2 weeks before Christmas.

Tips for Gay and Lesbian Travelers

A university town and the most left-leaning enclave in Texas, Austin is generally gay-, lesbian-, bisexual-, and transgender-friendly. To find out about clubs (like Oilcan Harry's and Rainbow Cattle Co.), log on to www.austin.gaycities.com. Book Woman, 5501 North Lamar #A-105 (tel. 512/472-2785; www.ebookwoman.com) is the best place to find gay and lesbian books and magazines, as well as the Austin Gay and Lesbian Yellow Pages. A good online resource for gay travelers is www.outinaustin.com. It includes feature stories about local events and has a lot of business listings.

Established in 1987, the annual Austin Gay and Lesbian International Film Festival, held in September, debuts works by gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender filmmakers from throughout the world. Log on to www.agliff.org for additional information, or call tel. 512/302-9889.