I live here and cannot imagine finding 5 days worth of “vacation-worthy” activities. Also, no way in hell you’re doing anything without a car.

Anonymous wrote:Ooh, y'all are giving me hope. We are staying at Colton House for a girls trip this summer and I was second guessing myself if we are going to be too far afield.

Not to hijack, but to me about why we'd need a car. I figured we'd uber?

*talk to me, not "but to me!"

Ooh, y'all are giving me hope. We are staying at Colton House for a girls trip this summer and I was second guessing myself if we are going to be too far afield.

Not to hijack, but to me about why we'd need a car. I figured we'd uber?

We almost always stay in South Congress and love it, but will be going this month and staying at the Fairmont. We always like to be close to the river. We’ve gotten by with no car for a couple of our visits, but we are prodigious walkers. A car is needed if you want to see a lot of the sights, but not necessarily if restaurants and concerts are your focus. Whatever else, make sure to walk/run the river loop. Second the LBJ museum rec.

You need a car. Depending on budget I’d stay at the Four Seasons. It’s right on Lady Bird Lake and feels quiet but is also conveniently located. Driscoll is more in the middle of it all right on 6th St

Lived there for a 6 years and spent a week at the 4 Seasons.

Carpenter Hotel also looks really cool, but no experience. Not as convenient to South Congress or north of Lady Bird Lake downtown but still a cool south Austin area. Colton House looks cool near S Congress as foes South Congress Hotel. Commodore looks really intriguing and also $$$$. It’s new and near the university instead of the immediate downtown area.

Avoid I35 corridor. Omni Barton Creek is lovely and more Hill Country vibe but you’d definitely need a car there. I really can’t stress that too really enjoy Austin you need a car!

+1
South Congress

When I visited there were electric scooters everywhere, all over the sidewalk, so you could rent one and use that but it also made being a pedestrian a little harrowing.

Agree no car will be limiting in Austin.

Definitely avoid 6th street - rowdy college bars.

South Congress is good or look at the JW Marriott on 2nd, Fairmont, Kimpton Van Zandt, Four Seasons. I haven't stayed at all of them, but those are all in good locations.

If you do choose to rent a car (I don't think you need to), we have used Spot Hero to find a much discounted space close to our hotel (we are in driving distance of Austin). We parked and walked/used scooters though.

Bars on Rainey Street are fun, even as mid-40 somethings, and the people watching is amazing. Lots of good restaurants on South Congress, fun to have lunch/check out the shops. The Lyndon B Johnson library is on the UT campus. Take a tour of the Capital. Check out Barton Springs. We had fun on the bat boat, or try to South Congress Street bridge to see them come out at night. All those are easily walkable.

Thanks everyone - great advice…as far as the car at $100/day car rental + $45/day parking - we are definitely not able to get a car…hoping bikes and walking and occasional Uber will be enough.

I think you might want to reconsider the car. We did Austin without a car and it was limiting. It's not a dense city.

NOT East Austin past Cesar Chavez. It's VERY transitional and has tons and tons of homeless people on the streets. What are you planning on doing? If it's hiking/outdoorsy stuff, I'd almost recommend staying in hill country and then coming into Austin for day trips. If not, agree close to SoCongress is best.

South Congress

W on 2nd street

First time visit to Austin for 5 kid-free nights! Any suggested hotels or neighborhoods I should consider staying? Won’t have a car so planning on walking or biking everywhere.

Thx!