Places to stay things to do near UT

My daughter has an audition at UT on Saturday January 26. we are flying in on Friday at around 6PM and leaving Sunday morning.

We%26#39;ve never been to Texas.

I%26#39;m looking for advice on places to stay near the university, places to eat and things to do in Austin for this short visit. I%26#39;m not looking to spend a lot but want someplace nice, safe %26amp; near things to see/do :-)!

Thanks

Marty

Places to stay things to do near UT

Visit the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum. This is very interesting.

Places to stay things to do near UT

There are a few hotels just east of IH35 that are very convenient to UT. They%26#39;re major chains, though I can%26#39;t remember their names right now. Downtown is just south of campus, so you could stay at any hotel there and either drive or take a cab to campus. If you drive, you can park in the LBJ Library parking lot on Red River, north of Martin Luther King Blvd (MLK), and the library has some interesting artifacts, so you might enjoy a visit. I%26#39;m assuming the audition is music, and the LBJ Library is close to the music building (relatively speaking--this is Texas). UT also has some museums (Texas history and art). Check out their Web site to see what%26#39;s going on as far as exhibits.

Restaurants and things to do depend on what you like to do and eat. There are plenty of restaurants in the area. Just give us a heads up as to what you like.

If you%26#39;re into performing arts, check out UT%26#39;s site to see what shows, dances, concerts are on for that weekend. Also, spend some time on the UT campus. Check out the South and West Mall areas, and take a tour of the UT Tower, if it%26#39;s open. The campus has some great landscape and architecture.

If the weather is nice, and you have a car, you could head out to Zilker Park and walk the hike and bike trail along the lake. It%26#39;s nice on the weekends, especially on Saturday mornings if the rowers are out. The Botanical Gardens are also on Barton Springs Rd. across from the Zilker Park entrance. If you like Zen-style gardens, this is a nice place to spend some quiet time.

If you like shopping, check out SoCo (Congress south of Riverside) for some eclectic shops reminiscent of old Austin. We also have a few malls and some interesting stores at 6th and Lamar (where the Whole Foods mothership and Book People are). You can also walk ';The Drag,'; the street just west of UT campus that is home to some bookstores, clothing stores, and eateries. If your daughter is going to UT, she%26#39;ll become very familiar with that area.

If you have any special interests, let us know. I%26#39;m sure others have suggestions. Have fun!

It is probably too late now, but there are several nice B%26amp;Bs and a boutique hotel in West Campus.

I%26#39;m writing to you from the ';DoubleTree Club Hotel Austin Unversity Area';, where I%26#39;m staying for my first visit to Austin. I got it for $90/night (wth free high speed internet in-room) and it%26#39;s just at the SE tip of the UT campus. It%26#39;s a short (albeit unglamourous) walk to the football stadium and performing arts center. Clean and quiet hotel so far-- perfect for a quick in-and-out visit. You%26#39;ll probably cab it if you%26#39;re planning to head downtown (about $8 to downtown), so I guess factor that in when comparing rates.

As this really isn%26#39;t a vacation I%26#39;m not looking to spend a lot. I%26#39;ve narrowed down the choices to the Super 8 Central in downtown or one of the La Quinta Inns (either Ben White or Oltorf)

I%26#39;m concerned about noise at the Super 8

Any thoughts on these choices?

Thanks

Marty

You will be nowhere near the University at Ben White or Oltorf. I agree that the Double Tree Club is a good option. There are also the Marriott at the Capitol, or the La Quinta right by the Capitol, on San Jacinto and 11th or 12th Street, I think. These are all much better alternatives for you than Oltorf or Ben White. You are near UT, near downtown, near the Capitol. Lots to do in walking distance, and you will get the true feel of the city. At the other locations you will be driving all over the town, and they are certainly not the nicest parts of Austin.

Try Austin%26#39;s Inn at Pearl Street, walking distance from UT campus. Nice boutique hotel. Including breakfast we stayed there for about $135/Nt. I think. Pleanty of off street parking and complimentary coffee. Nice place!Check them out. Good luck.

I looked at these options and they were neither not available for the 2 nights with 2 beds or were at least $50 more per night.

As my daughter will be auditioning at other locations I%26#39;m trying to be somewhat frugal. If it was more of a vacation I would be willing to spend the $ to be closer to downtown.

Of my 2 choices (Super 8 Central %26amp; LaQuinta Ben White) how safe %26amp; user friendly are they?

I%26#39;ll have a car so driving is not a major problem.

Thanks

Marty

I%26#39;m not sure where the Super8 is located. The one on Ben White is probably OK safetywise. You%26#39;ll need to use common sense and be aware of your surroundings. The neighborhood has some crime but it%26#39;s not awful. My bet is you won%26#39;t see any crime there, and you%26#39;re right down IH35 from UT. In rush hour, you%26#39;d want to leave maybe 45 minutes to an hour ahead of time to make sure you park and get to your building on time.

The Super 8 - Austin (Downtown/University) is located at 5526 N Interstate Highway 35.