Texas???

[Island Princess]

Hey Girls,

Being from Australia, I have travelled to the States a few times but have never been to Texas.

 

After our wedding in Hawaii we have 2 days in LA before getting our flight from LA to Fort Lauderdale.

 

Since we have pretty much seen all of LA we though how bout we do a little side trip to Texas.

 

We were thinking of getting the redeye to Dallas then driving down to Austin then fly out from Austin back to LA.

 

We would pretty much have 1 Night and 2 full days.

 

Can anyone recommend any activities we could do in both cities?

 

Also, would love to go to a real Texas Saloon BBQ type place with cowboys, steaks, line dancing, mechanical bull ... if you can get my drift.

 

Thanks!! Look forward to your replies.

[taylorwd]

Well, alright now you're talkin'! I live in Austin so I can help a little bit with this. Just to be sure, you do know that Texas is quite far from LA? A 3-4 hr flight, fyi.

 

You'll be hard-pressed to find good BBQ and line dancing/mechanical bulls in the same place. Perhaps in Dallas? Dallas has far more cowboys than Austin. Dallas truly represents Texas. Austin is not your typical Texas town and has a reputation for being more liberal with having more culture, diverse food, and with a younger feel than Dallas.

 

So, for the line dancing part, go to the Broken Spoke. For good BBQ, well there's so much to choose from! For the true Texas experience, go to Rudy's (NOT Ruby's with a 'b'). Hands down the best! Make sure you try the 'Extra Moist brisket'!

 

It will most likely be hot by the time you're here so bring a bathing suit! You can go out to Lake Travis to swim or in Austin itself the thing to do is hit up Barton Springs Pool. Watch out as it's a bit chilly!

 

If you an swing it, stay at the Hotel San Jose. The decor is modern, so if that's okay with you, it's really the quintessential Austin place to stay. Great location right on South Congress by a lot of restaurants, bars, coffee shops, and boutique shopping. Not to mention the kick ass lounge area they have by the pool.

 

Let's see, you'll probably want to check out 6th Street downtown. That caters to the college-age/early twenties crowd. And if you want superb tacos go to Torchy's!

 

Austin has so much to offer and I could go on and on. Every time guests come from out of town all we ever do is eat b/c there are so many good places to choose from.

 

Oh, and Austin is known as the 'Live Music Capital of the World' so you won't have a hard time finding live music if that's your thing.

 

Whew! Okay, I think I've given you enough!

[CristiandJamie]

If you are going to be in the Dallas area or near there I would try Fort Worth stockyards. They have tons of country bars with line dancing. Check out Billy Bobs and they are one of the places that people go to when they are visiting the Dallas/ Fort Worth area.

 

If you are in that area you MUST go to Joe T Garcias and sit outside. They are know for the atmosphere and there margaritas! I'm originally from that area and moved to Denver about 4 years ago.

 

Also if you want a lot of country western bars and great music you should go to Nashville Tennessee. That is the place to be for country music. I went there in October last year and they know how to party!

 

Take care and let us know what you end up doing :-)

[cathyandchin]

Definitely go to Billy Bob's in Fort Worth! If you make it down to Dallas you'll want to go to the Ghost Bar at the W Hotel. It's got the most amazing view of the skyline! It's kind of uppity and snobby for me, but I live here and I get tired of the snobs but I love the view of the city!!

Some good bars/restaurants are off of Knox & McKinney Ave. in Dallas, or in Addison. Dallas has some great steakhouses, often called a Chophouse. You might be better off eating a great steak than finding good BBQ out here!

Tex-Mex dining is also amazing!! It's different from Mexican cuisine, but still similar. Chuy's, Mia's, Matt's, are all great spots to go to.

Dallas also has some world class shopping. NorthPark Mall is the largest and oldest in the state and everything there from middle of the road to high end. The Galleria is also a very nice mall, it's got an skating rink in the middle of it.

 

By the way... I noticed your FI in your avatar pic is wearing a BIG BLACK t-shirt. You can actually go by Big's house! We're super big Rob & Big fans at my house and he lives down the street from us!

[snoopAsh]

You should float the river! OR have lunch at Oasis on Lake Austin!

[CristiandJamie]

Quote:

Originally Posted by cathyandchin Definitely go to Billy Bob's in Fort Worth! If you make it down to Dallas you'll want to go to the Ghost Bar at the W Hotel. It's got the most amazing view of the skyline! It's kind of uppity and snobby for me, but I live here and I get tired of the snobs but I love the view of the city!! Some good bars/restaurants are off of Knox & McKinney Ave. in Dallas, or in Addison. Dallas has some great steakhouses, often called a Chophouse. You might be better off eating a great steak than finding good BBQ out here! Tex-Mex dining is also amazing!! It's different from Mexican cuisine, but still similar. Chuy's, Mia's, Matt's, are all great spots to go to. Dallas also has some world class shopping. NorthPark Mall is the largest and oldest in the state and everything there from middle of the road to high end. The Galleria is also a very nice mall, it's got an skating rink in the middle of it. By the way... I noticed your FI in your avatar pic is wearing a BIG BLACK t-shirt. You can actually go by Big's house! We're super big Rob & Big fans at my house and he lives down the street from us!

I soooo miss tex-mex and plan on having some this weekend while I'm visiting! That is a MUST!

[CristiandJamie]

Quote:

Originally Posted by snoopAsh You should float the river! OR have lunch at Oasis on Lake Austin!

That is also a must when you are visiting Austin and float on the guadalupe river in new braunfels, which is 20 or 30 mins from Austin - if i can remember??

[angelov321]

Check out San Antonio if youre going to be in the Austin area. San Antonio is about an hours drive from Austin. The riverwalk is gorgeous and theres so many restaurants!! Its not so "country" there, but still something you should check out if youre going to be the area.

[Island Princess]

Hey Girls,

Thanks so much for your replies.

I was totally clueless and you girls have given us so many things too see! It is definatley going to chaotic but fun!

Cathy.....we also are huge rob and big fans and my FI face lit up when he read your comment. thanks

[autjo]

Ditto to the BBQ, Tex-Mex and floating the river in New Braunfels! Homemade breakfast tacos are a must (you can even get them at Rudy's BBQ)! Hope you have a fabulous whirlwind trip