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Aaron Rochlen, Ph.D. Associate Professor |
Welcome to Austin's Best!!!!
Austin is home to some of the finest food, activities and scenery in the world. Below is a "Best of" list with recommendations from students I've worked with over the years (with my own two cents added). Note. Our methodology for this project was hopelessly flawed. We tended to award gold, silver, and bronze recipients based on the number of "votes" received, whims, lobbying, or otherwise extremely creative contributions. With that said, we find it just as valid as any other best of list you will find! For further Austin classics, please see our beloved Bennie's Crum's - BENNIE'S BEST
ENTERTAINMENT FOOD SCHOOL RELATED
GENUINELY AUSTIN
"The trail and lake are beatiful, but if you can connect it with a sunset as the bats fly out under the congress bridge it's truly a classic Austin experience"
"Not much in Austin can beat the feeling, enviornment, and burnt orange of the UT football homegames and tailgate. Even if you can't get in... hang out anywhere near campus"
"Seeing a sunset at the Oasis over Lake Travis is amazing. Food isn't the greatest, bu the over-priced margaritas are solid."
Honorable Mention: Continental Club, Elephant Room
"The Alamo is about as touristy as it gets. BUT, it's also really cool and a great place to learn about Texas history where it all happened."
"Be sure to hike up and over the dome to get great views. On the north west corner is a small entrance marked by an arrow painted on a rock. Bring a flashlight and you can cruise through the cave. When done hiking go to Fredricksburg and have some of the best Texas wine. It's the second largest growing wine country in the country.
"You will either love it or hate it, but it's a classic central texas summer experience. Float down a slow moving river in an inner-tube. Many pull in extra tube with a cooler of their favorite beverages. Bring lots of sun screen, bug spray, and something for your inevitable hangover." Honorable Mention: Hamilton Pool Reserve, Shopping in San Marcos, Lockhardt, Shiner, Texas (tour the brewing company), Gruene, Texas, Big Bend National Park (unbelievable but need several days)
"Whoever thought of combining a great resaurant witha movie theatre is a genious. And the stuff they show before the movies is classic 'keep austin weird' material at its best"
"This train is the rolls royce of rides for kids in this city and often for their families. I've never seen a kid not have an enormous childlike grin cruising around the park on this thing."
"Kiddos eat free on Tuesdays and the playground is huge."
"Austin has done a pretty good job maintaining a fun and yet still interesting children's museum in downtown Austin. It doesn't hurt that Dell seems to be paying for most of it.. Great place for kid's birthday parties as well - good arts and crafts section." Honorable Mention: Amy's Ice Cream, Water Fountains at Palmer/Riverside
"I'm sorry, but this place is undergraduate UT life at it's best and worst. Cheap drinks and fun people watching. If only all these student's parents knew which library they were really spending their time and money at...."
"Great place to see Reggae and Sak bands, has a Tiki Bar inside."
"So. O.K. technically this is on fifth street. But there is something very cool about a place that was created essentially as a Johnny Cash Shrine. Friendly staff and fun environment."
"Very impressive set of art and visiting exhibits. Free on Thursdays."
"This place is truly an under-rated museum with tons of cool American historical things to see. One of the best presidential libraries - if not the best in the country."
"Interesting texas historical exhibits, and once you are done you can go see Harry Potter or Star Trek in the IMAX theater inside the museum"
"As a former Washington DC resident, I am pretty sure that our capitaol building is taller, a point of contention amongh many of my former colleagues. Everythign is bigger in Texas. Seriously though, this is a beatiful and historically important building."
"This is a silly looking tour in which you ride around the city in what looks like a big duck turned tank. But they really do a nice job going over the important cites around the entire city and yes, they do go into the water."
"I'm somewhat embarrased to say I went on this tour and thought it was great. There are several buildings (and especially taverns) rumored to be haunted. And this tour goes over all of these wild tales and ghost sightings."
"Old school classic venue. They have everything from blues to funk to country. It is a must see."
"This place is super popular right now. Kind of a fancy crowd, but fun, good drinks, huge, massive TVs, outdoor patio and more."
"Very cool vibe, rooftop, in an increasingly cool part of sixth street. Cheap pool and great TVs" Honorable Mention: Flying saucer, Gingerman, TCs
Honorable Mention: Artz Rib House, House BBQ, Rudys
Honorable Mention: Salt Lick (Driftwood), Blacks (Lockhart), Snows (Lexington), Taylor Cafe (Taylor), Coopers (Llano)
"Get the ceviche." Honorable Mention: Azul Tequila
"Best homestyle chicken fried steak in Austin and each meal comes with two huge sides. I recommend mac n cheese and garlic mashed potatoes."
"This is an exceptional place to have a buffet style brunch at a reasonable price."
Honorable Mention: Polvos
Honorable Mention: Mangia, Saccone's, Pizza at Alamo
Honorable Mention: Hyde Park Bar & Grill, Saccone's, Sandys, Dan's Hamburgers, Hill-Berts
"Trailer taco and fried avocado taco win the ticket"
Honorable Mention: The Taco Shack, Taco Deli, Amaya's Tacos Village, Taco eXpress
"It's a little off the beaten path but they have great sandwiches"
Honorable Mention: Asti (Italian) and Karibut (Ethiopian)
"Loved to there on Saturday morning for a good cup of coffee and yummy breakfast treat."
"Hey - it's the world headquarters."
"This is a truly historic building on campus, used to be the main library."
"Once you are a doctoral candidate, youre entitled to a personal office at the PCL"
Honorable Mention: Eastwoods Park
Honorable Mention: Zilker Kite Festival
Honorable Mention: Scenic Drive, Devil's Backbone in Hill Country, Any road during bluebonnet season; Any drive to the Hill Country
Honorable Mention: Deep Eddy Pool; Indoor for 7 months of the year.
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 Aaron Rochlen, Ph.D. Copyright © 2009. All Rights Reserved. |
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