Texas Vacation ?

[Vanquisher]

Re: Texas Vacation ?

All this flying will necessitate carry-on luggage. Who here thinks I can pack for 8 days into a carry-on?

You? No way.

[DCJenn]

Re: Texas Vacation ?

Vishenka-

Yes, there are hourly American flights to and from Dallas and hourly Continental flights to and from Houston and lots of flights on SW to both.

I don't know about 4 days in Dallas but you could definitely occupy yourself for 4 days in San Antonio. I'll even take you to the chi-chi Shops at La Cantera.

Jenn

[Vishenka69]

Re: Texas Vacation ?

Do we need to rent a car in both cities (assuming we do Dallas and San Antonio)? How hot is it down there in April? Should I get a convertable? Can we leave it on the street with the top down?

[DCJenn]

Re: Texas Vacation ?

Texas is a driving state. That said, if you concentrate on downtown (and ask the ladies, 'downtown' San Antonio is miniscule) you probably don't need a car unless you want to do day trips.

When the chicas were here, we just walked everywhere.

Jenn

[medpedspouse]

Re: Texas Vacation ?

Do we need to rent a car in both cities (assuming we do Dallas and San Antonio)? How hot is it down there in April? Should I get a convertable? Can we leave it on the street with the top down?

Depends. Last year Central TX (north of Austin) got 4" of snow one day in April. Last Spring and summer was a very wet - as in lots of lots of rain. However, this is not always the case. I do not think you'll be able to pack until you can get the 10 day forecast form weather.com

Re: the convertible...I would go for it. re: leaving the top down...I do not think I would...it would really have to depend on the part of town you are - like any other big city.

[peggyfromwastate]

Re: Texas Vacation ?

Dallas has wonderul art museums. And shopping is intense there. Really intense.

Driving across Texas is not my idea of a vacation. But if you want your DH captive, that's one way to do it!

I love San Antonio... It's a lot of fun. I wish I'd known about the homemade salsa though! Yummy! We did the Alamo tour there, and it was really interesting. The volunteers who do the presenting are very good, I thought. And the IMAX movie was helpful, too!

[Vishenka69]

Re: Texas Vacation ?

I just booked tickets, we're flying into Austin and out of San Antonio. There are six full days, how many in each place? Any recommendations on where to stay (area/neighborhood-wise)? Also, should I book any dinner reservations online? Are there must do restaurants that are hard to get into?

[DCJenn]

Re: Texas Vacation ?

In San Antonio the "Best" restaurants are:

Le Reve (national rating) (downtown) (impossible to get into but worth it if you can do it)
Biga on the Banks (downtown) (amazing food- our go to for festive occasions)
Silo (the one in Alamo Heights) (really good food and wine)
Cafe Paladar (in to boonies but worth the cab ride) (freaking amazing food and desserts)
Bin 555 (again totally worth the cab) (tapas with a 'tude)
Rosarios (my neighborhood)
Taco Haven (my neighborhood)
Titos (my neighborhood)
Southtown Cafe (my neighborhood)
La Frite (my neighborhood)
Madhatters (my neighborhood)

the girls stayed at La Contessa which was NICE. The Windham is supposed to be great and there are a billion B & Bs in my 'hood. (what else do you do with a 12 bedroom Victorian) There are 4 Marriott properties within walking distance of the Riverwalk and there is just about everything else, too.

Rachel Ray just filmed at Southtown Cafe, Madhatters and several other local places.

I'll even take off my birks to escort you guys around if you'd like!

Jenn

Re: Texas Vacation ?

We ate at Titos, Rosarios, and MadHatters. Titos was my hand-down favorite .... ooooh that salsa. YUM! Rosarios had a Mexican Chocolate Flan that I might be willing to brave the crazy Texans w/concealed weapons just so that I could enjoy it one more time. MadHatters was also quite yummy, but since we were in south Texas, I was more entralled with the Mexican dishes.

I was quite happy with our hotel - I found the deal on priceline or hotels.com I think, and used ebates as well.

Jenn - which was the place on the Riverwalk where you sent us to get a margarita? The margarita was fab, but the food was a little "fusion" for me. But I remember all of us saying that it would be a great date night kind of place -- so Julie might enjoy it.

[medpedspouse]

Re: Texas Vacation ?

As far as where to stay in Austin - what are your preferences?? If you prefer B &Bs, here are 2 that I would recommend.

http://www.mansionatjudgeshill.com/
http://www.robinsnestlaketravis.com/

If you would prefer a nice-high end hotel…you cannot go wrong with the Driskill. It is smack in the middle of the 6th street area (live music/great restaurants sene). The restaurant at the Driskill is very good too and I believe you need reservations.
http://www.driskillhotel.com/

Speaking of food, there are tons of wonderful places. I think Rachel Ray also did Austin as either a tasty travel or $40 day show. There are some places that are holes in the wall but awesome (Las Manitas on Congress comes to mind) or middle range like Clay Pit http://www.claypit.com/ or Dona Emilia http://www.donaemilias.com/. Let me know what you have in mind, and I’ll try to lead you towards some good eats in Austin.

As far as to do history wise, the Bob Bullock Texas history museum may interest you – as well as the capitol.

The majority of downtown Austin is pedestrian friendly and you’ll find many restaurants and point of interests within walking distance.

The shopping scene is around an area called the Arboretum or the Domain (which is less than a year old). Don’t forget to note the massive outlet mall on your way to San Antonio off I-35.

ETA - Whole Foods began in Austin and their flagship store is another great place to grab a meal.

[DCJenn]

Re: Texas Vacation ?

The place that made the tableside guacamole? Boudros. But I have a new Riverwalk fave- Acenar. That's where we go before the theater or symphony because it's just a block away from the 'theater district' (all three of them)

Jenn

[GrayMatterWife]

Re: Texas Vacation ?

Dallas = high-end shopping--The Galleria and Highland Park Village, for starters. Also, the Nasher Museum--world-class sculpture. When you're there's also go across the street to the Trammell Crow Asian Art Museum. We lived with the Crows for several years (long story--they let med student couples live in their garage apartment on their estate)--they have a fantastic Asian art collection.

Houston = world-class opera, the NASA Space Museum, great art museum downtown. Galveston is less than 2 hours away, where you can get seafood and visit the botanitcal garden.

Austin = where we will be retiring (T minus 30 years and counting!!). Sixth Street, Barton Springs restaurants, terrific music scene. Fabulous wineries short drive away in the Hill Country.

San Antonio = Tex-Mex. Enough said. A wonderfully romantic city, I think. We once went on a terrific tour of the missions--you follow the path and see them.

However, don't underestimate the amount of driving you'll need to do. Texas is HUGE. The Dallas to Houston drive is not quick. And it is boring as all get-out. You can get a convertible, but I'm not sure that will help to alleviate the dullness.

If you drive from Dallas to Austin (a three-hour trip), be sure to stop in West, Texas. A Czech community--the "Czech Stop" (immediately off the highway--can't miss it) has fabulous kolachis.

ENJOY TEXAS. I miss it every minute of every hour of every day I am away, and I spend an inordinate amount of time scheming as to how we can get back, just as soon as possible, post-residency.

[medpedspouse]

Re: Texas Vacation ?

More food suggestions...

Since you cannot come to Texas and not try BBQ - you may want to consider a side trip to Lockhart. It is the BBQ capital of Texas. Since moving to tx, I have learned that Texans are very particular about their BBQ. Here it is a noun - not a verb.

Lockhart has many choices - whether you are a believer in putting sauce on your meat...or not.

[Vishenka69]

Re: Texas Vacation ?

Regarding Austin lodgings, I would prefer high end but it's not in our current budget. I would really like to stick to $100-120 per night and B&B would be preferable. Right now I'm focusing my search on 6th Street locale but we'll be renting a car, so can stay in another nice area nearby that might be more reasonable priced.

Thanks for the side trip suggestion, I'll definitely look into that.

[Vishenka69]

Re: Texas Vacation ?

It seems that car rental is shockingly expensive in TX and I'm beginning to wonder if taking cabs every day won't be cheaper. Does anyone know how much a taxi to/from downtown Austin and San Antonio to the airport is? What about cab rides inside both cities? For comparison the cheapest rental I can find so far (after numerous coupon codes) is about $57/day after all the taxes and fees.