WhereAreWe

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BigRuss, that was your initial statement. No need to point out Alabama and Florida as if I somehow overlooked that you had mentioned them, I simply wanted to give my opinion of Mississippi beaches.

high_plains_drifter

Austin is a definate Must. Its a beautiful island in the middle of Texas.

happytrailstoyou

Where is a good area or neighborhood to stay in Austin?

HTtY

spirobulldog

Since I mentioned Carlsbad, I started thinking about the bats exiting. I have not seen the bats that are in Austin. I have always wanted to see them. I would suspect they would be there in the summer about the same time they are in Carlsbad. I don't see how their evening journey could be better than the Carlsbad bats, but I do know there is supposedly far more bats in Austin(not sure which bridge they roost). Anyway, if you are there when the bats are there, it would be a good thing to see at dusk.

We have been thru Austin a few times and do really like it. It seems they do have speed traps. I am always very careful there to go slow.

AustinTraveler

Where is a good area or neighborhood to stay in Austin?

HTtY

The only place to stay for visitors that I recommend is downtown. I would pick a hotel on Town Lake (nka Ladybird Lake) so you can walk downtown and South Congress. I've heard good things (on this forum) about Embassy Suites on Town Lake. I can't personally comment on hotels because I don't stay in hotels here!

kangagirl80

Thanks guys for all of your replies. It really helps. So maybe we will skip the Gulf Coast. Austin is a definite. txgirlinba we'll have a camper van so we'll be driving from Montreal down the East Coast USA and across. This will be a one way trip. We don't plan on driving back to the East Coast. We'd like to stick to the side roads as much as possible but inevitably we'll end up driving on some interstates. We have already visited Miami and Key West so will probably skip the Florida coast this time around. What does everyone think about the museums in Fort Worth though? We've read good things about the Kimbell and Amon Carter museums. Are they worth stopping in Fort Worth for?

txgirlinbda

I think if you're doing the southern Atlantic coast and Gulf coast, skipping the TX coast is entirely reasonable.

If you're headed north after Austin, Ft Worth is well worth a couple of days. Great museums, great downtown area. Stay on highway 281 (runs parallel to interstate I-35, just to the west) - that will keep you off the craziness of the interstate and will take you through some nice little towns.

There's a state park near Ft Worth that's got dinosaur track fossils in the riverbed, good for an afternoon's walk around to stretch your legs.

kangagirl80

Hey txgirl

We would only be heading North to visit Dallas/Fort Worth then heading West to Big Bend/Martha/Ft Davis and into New Mexico.

What towns would you recommend between Fort Worth/Austin?

Have you ever been to Houston? So far based on everyone the agreed must sees are:

Austin, San Antonio, Hill Country, Big Bend, Martha/Ft Davis.

I wonder if Dallas/Ft and Houston is just a bit to much. Not so much driving time but more the number of days used. I could whirlwind through but i dont want to short change.

When planning a trip like this i always have a serious case of FOMO (fear of missing out)!

txgirlinbda

If you're going to be in the Austin/Hill Country area and then headed for Big Bend, I would scratch D/FW. It's one hell of a long way around. There's nothing so spectacular between Austin and D/FW that you'd really be missing out, and there's not much at all between D/FW and Big Bend but a long and mindless drive through some of Texas's less appealing areas.

I don't have a whole lot of experience in Houston, I've been for specific activities, but usually only overnight trips or to the airport. Hopefully someone else can chime in.

jill_h

I second the Enchanted Rock suggestion, as well as Fredricksburg, Gruene (pronounced Green), Kerrville area.

I second not going to the Texas Gulf Coast. If you've done the Florida beaches, then you'll be satisfied.

I second McDonald Observatory and Marfa area and Big Bed National Park if you have time.

While in Fort Worth, try to go to the Cowtown Rodeo in the Stockyards that is held every Friday and Saturday night.
http://cowtowncoliseum.com/

Definitely do the Kimbell, Amon Carter and Modern Art Museums - they are all within walking distance of each other.

Also DO NOT ATTEMPT TO GO INTO MEXICO! Border relations are not amicable at this time.