About Austin

Austin-Bergstrom Airport
The airport is located in southeast Austin. To get into town, leave the airport heading west on 71. Exit onto 183 North. If you're coming into town Friday afternoon, avoid I-35 - it will slow down to a crawl. To reach the Arboretum area hotels, it's probably best to stay on 183 as it swings northeast and then northwest. Exit at Mopac (Loop 1) heading north. Stay on the frontage road and turn left at Capital of Texas Highway. The hotels are in the area just west of Mopac, up and down Stonelake Blvd.

Austin Chronicle
Local weekly that describes what's going on in town: music, film, food, etc. Free copies available all around town.

What to Do

Town Lake	take a walk on the hike and bike trail.
6th Street	Night life: bars, restaurants, music.
SoCo	"South Congress", i.e. Congress Avenue south of the river. Restaurants, shops, The Continental Club.
University	The Texas Tower is the most visible landmark. The Blanton houses an art collection.
State Capitol	It's open all evening.

Restaurants
See the Texas Board of chowhound.com to satisfy interests not covered here.
Mexican & Tex-Mex - get a Mexican breakfast somewhere.
  Las Manitas - downtown, Congress Ave.
  Guero's - SoCo
  Curra's - Try the North Burnet location.
  Chuy's - Where the Bush twins got busted.
BBQ
  Green Mesquite
  Iron Works
Southwestern
  Z'Tejas
  South Congress Cafe

Shopping
Here are several random experiences.
Tesoros - folk arts and crafts; near Las Manitas downtown.
Toy Joy - toys, of course.