Austin, TX - non-bike fun

[defspace]

The girlfriend and I will be in Austin this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. We'll have bikes, but hybrid-commuter style so we won't really be doing any riding.

I lived in Austin while I went to school, but at that time I was more interested in being a disgusting college kid than anything else. What do real people do there?

Any suggestions for activities? Parks? Museums?

Thanks, y'all.

[alexis]

What part of town are you staying in?

[dashDustin]

What are you interested in, and as Alexis said, what area of town will you be in?

[defspace]

We'll be in Hyde Park.

We're not particularly interested in food or alcohol, but otherwise game for anything. Parks, tours, museums, historical stuff, whatever weird thing Austin has to share.

[Dallas Tex]

Go to the 'bat bridge' on Congress St, a gazillion bats exit at sundown.

Go see and take a tour of the Texas State Capitol Building.

Rent a kayak or SUP at City Lake.

Go chill out in the cool water of Barton Springs.

Go walk the main Campus at UT.

I know you said no food, but get a burger, fries, & shake at Sandy's.

There is tiny 'secret' park that overlooks the city, it's a 10 minute walk/climb up to it. PM on this if you're interested.

Tons of more stuff you'll find once you are there.

[dashDustin]

There is tiny 'secret' park that overlooks the city, it's a 10 minute walk/climb up to it. PM on this if you're interested.

well now i'm intrigued.

Hyde Park is a pretty good spot. fairly central to the stuff i'm interested in. Epoch coffee has a really, really good macchiato, most importantly.

I like the Harry Ransom Center, which could coincide with your walk around UT. There's also a natural history museum on campus that I like. not the most enjoyable walk between the 2, but cruising through on cruisers could be fun. you would definitely see a lot of the main parts of campus.

[Cookietruck]

if you like art you could check out
luguna gloria (looks like the jones center on congress might be closed...)
Laguna Gloria Master Plan and Jones Center Renovation - The Contemporary Austin

also the blanton on the UT campus.
Blanton Museum of Art: The University of Texas at Austin

bullock history museum is right by the blanton...
The Bullock Texas State History Museum

on airport up by hyde park there is a nice pizza joint, house pizzeria, i know you said no food but this pizza is pretty awesome...

barton springs is great, especially in the middle of the day when it's not as busy, and also all of the weekdays.
you can go upstream of the springs and all of the greenbelt is really awesome right now because of all the rain we just got. careful at the swim spots though, the water is pretty strong, a few people have been lost.
sculpture falls and gus fruh are a few spots you could probably find easy through a quick google...but not sure those are riding distance from hyde park though.

also, from downtown you shoot east, down ceasar chavez east of IH35, that whole neighborhood, you can see a great example of gentrification in full effect if you're into that sort of thing. there is a park in that 'hood south of ceasar chavez, south down chicon st. should get you there.
this will show you the parks, Park Directory | AustinTexas.gov - The Official Website of the City of Austin
barton springs is in zilker park...

also, if you need a burger or something, then you could check out "Hut's" on 6th street (very close to the huge whole foods), they have veggie burgers if that's your thing.

[holliscx]

John Watson put up this guide for cx nats - see his coffee, rest, bar recs

The Radavist Guide to Surviving Austin During Cyclocross Nationals

Las Manitas mexican rest on Congress Ave RIP damn that place was good.

[defspace]

Thanks guys, this all looks great.

Re: food and drink, I just mean we're not foodies or bar people. We'll still need to eat to stay alive.

[jerk]

get a Ron Gold tattoo.