Austin Activities

For those out-of-towners, we've compiled a list of activities during down time, but with a list like this, I'd hardly call it down time.

In the heart of downtown, 4th and 6th street are always popular at night - pretty much every night of the week. Most places don't ever charge a cover, but some do on Fri/Sat nights if there are bands. 4th is a little older crowd and 6th is mostly cheaper bars for the big partiers. There are so many different choices (probably 100 within a few minute walk), but a couple favorites are:

* Pete's Dueling Piano bar on 6th (sometimes a cover on weekends but very interactive and fun, the pianists are great).
* Speakeasy on 5th - Motown feel with live bands. It's got a nice terrace up top. No cover if you get here early.
* Maggie Mae's or Blind Pig on 6th- usually has a band and has an open rooftop overlooking the commotion on 6th St below
* Barcelona on 6th - an underground dance club, mostly Top40 music and some techno
* Malaya on 6th – 2nd floor dance area has a glass floor and is open to the sky above – expect to be here when the bartenders and yelling “last call”
* SIX on 4th - Lance Armstrong's bar (though we've never seen him there). Quite nice and also has a 2nd story
* Elephant Room - good live jazz music.
* Ginger Man - over 100 beers on tap, try a local brew like Live Oak or 512.

As for other activities around town:

* Alamo Drafthouse - movie theatre that serves beer and food. They have comedy shows called Master Pancake where you watch old 80's movies and several comedians tell jokes throughout. They'll also perform a short play midway through. Hilarious! We took mom and dad to see Jurassic Park, and have also seen Terminator and Point Break. There are several locations, but the best one is on 6th street, the "Alamo Ritz"
* Esther's Follies - local humor, but very popular comedy show on 6th street
* The Oasis - restaurant overlooking Lake Travis. The view is fantastic from the cliff tops and margaritas are pretty good. They have free salsa lessons on Sundays during the summer.
* If you're up for swim on a hot day, check out Barton Springs (water is quite cold and be warned for topless sunbathers)
* Hamilton pool - short drive out of town, gorgeous little lake with huge overhanging cliffs.
* Rent some kayaks on town lake and paddle around
* Bats on Congress bridge - Largest urban colony of bats in North America lives under Congress bridge, get there right at sunset for an “awakening” of remarkable proportions.
* Walk around Town lake
* Drive up to the top of Mt. Bonnell at sunset and overlook the city and lake below
* If you like BBQ - either go to Rudy's (tell them it's your first time) or head out to the Saltlick (it's BYOB).