Austin, TX + Add a trip

Free Wifi in Airport

There's plenty of pay wifi in the airport, but so far Amy's Ice-cream (around gate 11 or 12 in the little good court) has kept it's free wifi up. The SID is something like "Amys Airport" So skip the T-Mobile and other pay stuff and get free internet!

Shopping on South of Congress

Go shopping on South of Congress. Some great stores for t-shirts and gifts.

Barton Springs Pool: outdoor, spring-fed, public

One of the best things Austin has going for it is Barton Springs Pool at the edge of Zilker Park, barely two miles southwest from downtown. The spring water is 68 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius) year round. Free admission between 5am-8am and 9pm-10pm throughout the year and all day long from November through mid-February. $3 admission outside of that.

Curra's: outstanding interior Mexican food in South Austin

The Mother of all Mex.

For entrees, try the Conchinita Pibil, a traditional Yucatan dish, which is a tender pork leg cooked to perfection in a banana leaf. Tender is more than the operative word here, it's the only word. Delicious. And for $8.95 it's a steal. You'd pay 17 bucks for the same dish at Fonda. Or how about the Camarones Chihuahua? Big, beautiful shrimp, sauteed with bell and guajillo peppers, goat cheese, oregano, and tomatoes. Mama cita, donde esta su casa?

Curras is changing its menu up a bit. For one thing, the ubiquitous, tequila-producing agave leaf, is in short supply., For another, a little change is good.

But for my money, the Julieta's Famous Mole Enchiladas should never change, and I have it on authority that they won't.

Bring a warm coat for sxsw

The evenings in March get properly cold and much of sxsw is standing in outdoor bars at past midnight, so a warm light jacket is a good idea.

For music

Antone's for Blues Elephant room for Jazz

Mexican = Guero's

Food so good it is loved by Bush, both Clinton's, and so many students. Get the taco's pastor. You'll love them. Really.

SXSW

south by southwest - purevolume.com shocase

SXSW

south by southwest - purevolume.com showcase

Get out of town for a good meal. Rather than queuing for hours Downtown take a cheap cab or stroll down SoCo (South Congress). Lovely food joints, great shops a a vibe that is a million miles away from 6th Street.

Always try:

* Iron Cactus * Stubbs * Ironworks * Halcyon

Town Lake Hike & Bike Trail...easy access from most downtown hotels.

Mount Bonnell http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Bonnell Great view of Lake Austin and surrounding area.

Try the Texas Chili Parlour for a spicy "bowl of red", Mothers Restaurant in Hyde Park (north on the 7 bus) for a breakfast the tattooed locals know all about (and just for awesomeness they have a harp player). I also dug for some good vinyl at Waterloo records, and enjoyed The Belmont for a profesh music venue that would be awesome in any city.

If you're a fan of brewing sciences (aka Beer), I'd recommend you check out Live Oak Brewing on 5th St, about 2 miles east of I-35. One of the cooler brewery tours I've been on, you're right in there surrounded by mash tuns and brew kettles. Plenty of samples, most of which are well worth sampling. Tours are Saturdays at noon, definitely call ahead to get on the list.

SXSW !!! Plutopia presents the Indie Chile Showcase Saturday, 20th March 2010 Maggie Mae’s on 6th Street, Austin http://plutopiaproductions.com/upcoming-in-production/plutopia-sxsw-music-indie-chile-showcase/

Choose your blend and have them make your coffee on the Clover machine.

The spring water is 68 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius) year round. Free admission between 5am-8am and 9pm-10pm throughout the year and all day long from November through mid-February. $3 admission outside of that.

Great venue for Improv and Stand Up in Austin

Best boutique shopping for women in Austin. Well edited selection of designers including Isabel Marant, Rebecca Taylor, Mulberry, et al. Its like Anthropologie but less hippie and Barney's but less pretentious. I scored a pair of K. Jacques sandals for 75% off! The larger flagship store is located on Lamar which includes a great men's selection.