Hi all - looking forward to seeing everyone in Austin soon. I prepared a list of a few things to do near the JW Marriott. At dusk the Mexican Freetail Bats that live under the Congress Bridge come out to eat insects—1.5 million bats. It’s really cool to see them as they come out in a cloud-like wave. There is viewing along the Congress Bridge or behind the Four Seasons Hotel. Free. Hike and bike trail along Lady Bird Lake is great for walking (before it gets hot in the morning or later evening). Also for rent are kayaks, canoes, stand up paddle boards, swan boats, and water bikes if you want to be out on the water. Access just south of the JW Marriott. The whole trail is 10 miles and goes along the north and south of the lake (it’s really a river but people call it Town Lake or Lady Bird Lake). You can walk or bike portion of the trail – don’t have to do the whole thing. Texas State Capitol – tours or walk around at your own pace https://tspb.texas.gov/plan/tours/tours.html .7 miles north of JW Marriott; about 4 north to the Bullock. Bob Bullock Texas History Museum and IMAX theater https://www.thestoryoftexas.com/visit Good overview of Texas history, there is a Rodeo exhibit that recently opened, also a café inside. Nice if you want to be inside in the AC! This is about 1 ½ miles north of JW Marriott. Blanton Art Museum – across the street from the Bob Bullock and on the campus of the University of Texas (UT). Harry Ransom Center – also on the UT campus and near Bullock. LBJ Presidential Library – about 2 miles from Marriott so you’d probably take transportation there. South Congress shops – a variety of eclectic shops/restaurants https://www.austintexas.org/listings/south-congress-avenue-(soco)/4359/ Whole Foods – national headquarters downtown is huge 80,000 sq ft., -- places to eat inside (or outside) and have a glass of wine. Trader Joe’s is closer to JW Marriott (.7 miles west) and the walk along 2nd Street has shops/restaurants. TJ prices are better than WF. They good prices on wine, snacks, etc. It’s near the new Central Austin Library, which is really nice and 6 stories high with a rooftop patio for good view of Austin looking toward the water--there is a gift store inside and a literary-inspired café. Segway tour – they offer a tour that will take you by the Capitol, Driskill Hotel (historic hotel), down Congress and over the bridge, and by the Stevie Ray Vaughan and Willie Nelson statues so you get an overview of Austin. We did this for my son's 16th birthday and it was fun. Check Groupon for specials. Texas Music Museum – Austin is Live Music Capital. Live music / piano bars at various places along 6th Street. Esther’s Follies on 6th Street. https://www.esthersfollies.com/ Barton Springs Pool (spring fed-huge about the size of a football field) in Zilker Park / Zilker Botanical Gardens – you’d want to take transportation here.

Thanks for sharing!  See you in a few weeks!

Thank you for sharing! That trail sounds like a great way to get exercise and fresh air!

Let’s go batty together!

A few of us have signed up the the bat tour for Sunday at 8 pm with Capital Cruises: http://www.capitalcruises.com/bat-watching/rates-and-times-for-our-bat-cruises-and-sightseeing-tours/
It would be great have a group of us!

the bat cruise sounds like fun -- I need to investigate more!

The Sunday night Bat Tour is sold out. Is anyone planning to go another night?