Austin City Limits Music Festival is one of those times when we give over a good part of our city to visitors. If you aren't attending but still want to have some fun this weekend, one option is to head out of town. Here are some nifty weekend getaways, suggested and tested by Austin Post writers, to put some distance between you and the multiplying masses.
Go Cowboy Cool in Bandera
Nestled in one of the more scenic corners of the Hill Country some 120 miles southwest of Texas, the “Cowboy Capital of the World” boasts a classic Texas Western-style downtown where the Frontier Times Museum summons up echoes of the era when Bandera was a staging point for cattle drives. Dude and guest ranches teem throughout the area, and you can go full-on cowhand in cabins and bunkhouses at the Twin Elm Guest Ranch or on the working stock operation of the Dixie Dude Guest Ranch, or laze in the more modern luxury suites and condos of the Flying L Guest Ranch after horseback riding, fishing and hayrides, and smack a small ball around on its 18-hole championship golf course.
Not to be missed on Saturday night is Arkey Blue’s Silver Dollar on Main St., where the homey honky-tonk's lovably eccentric country-singing coot proprietor Arkey Blue entertains with his Blue Cowboys, singing such catchy yet bizarre tunes as “Too Many Pills” and enough songs with Bandera in the title to fill a four CD box set. Sit at the table that Hank Williams carved his name into, toss back some cold ones, two-step, shuffle and waltz out on the dancefloor and know that you can’t be anywhere else but in the gawd damn State of Texas, y’all. – Rob Patterson
Go Camping in Central Texas
One of my favorite camping spots is within a couple hour drive is Enchanted Rock State Park, near Fredericksburg. Enchanted Rock is one of the most interesting geological features in the Central Texas area, as it’s part of a segmented ridge that was formed more than six million years ago. What you can see, visible for miles around, is the part of the ridge that rises above ground. The park features rock climbing as well as hiking trails, which run around, over and on top of the rock formations. The Loop Trail is the longest hike in the park and takes you around the base of the rocks, giving you several great viewing points. From the Loop, you can also access other trails, including the daunting Echo Canyon Trail.
Another perk this time a year is that the place is just overrun with deer. Unfortunately, they’re in search of food because it seems they associate humans with salty treats (wonder why!?), but they are pretty to observe.
Let’s say you’re more into trees and water than rocks though. Another state park within a couple hours is Pedernales Falls State Park, a 5,000-acre state park just east of Johnson City. The falls themselves are fantastic – water cascading over 3,000 feet of limestone, creating crevices, steps and caves that you can walk through, over and under. The falls alone are enough to spend half a day discovering, but the park also features miles of hiking trails, including the seven-mile Wolf Mountain Trail, as well as equestrian trails. My favorite part about this park are the bald cypress trees lining the river. They can grow up to 120 feet high and live up to 1,200 years; I’ve spent entire days simply staring at them in awe. It’s a worthy weekend getaway. – Stephanie Myers
Bald cypress trees abound on the Pedernales River.
Enjoy Romantic & Family Weekends in San Antonio
If you're looking to get out of town but remain in an urban milieu, San Antonio makes for a great two day trip. It's only 75 miles down Interstate 35 but offers a very different vibe than Austin – more Hispanic flavored, working class, and funky. My wife and I have used it as a "just the two of us" overnight getaway and as an inexpensive family vacation.
For a romantic outing, I suggest reserving a room at the Hotel Havana (room at left). This downtown historic building has been transformed into a cool hang by Liz Lambert, who designed the Hotel San José and Saint Cecilia in Austin. It also boasts a great restaurant called Ocho, the upper half of which opens onto the river. After dinner, take a stroll along the riverwalk (cheesy, yes, but pleasant too), or go over to the Observation Deck at the Tower of the Americas for a great view of the city (be sure to get there before they close at 11PM).
The next morning head out for a late breakfast at Guenther House, where they mill their own flour for their biscuits and waffles. It’s also right next to the Blue Star Contemporary Art Center, which is a multi-space venue that shows a variety of independent artists.
If you’re bringing kids to the party, come early on Saturday and visit the San Antonio Zoo. It’s an older zoo that has been remodeled but maintains an intimate feel. My kids love getting extra close to the hippos, especially during feeding time. One caveat, however, is that many downtown hotels, other than Hotel Havana, have been a mixed experience for us. One family alternative we often do is find a business hotel a little out of city center that has a good-sized pool. Our five-year-old thinks staying at just about any hotel is awesome. Throw in a pool and - ideally - a balcony and you're already a weekend hero.
Once downtown, of course a visit to the historic Alamo is considered de rigeur . While I’m not an Alamo buff myself, it is an interesting building, and a good way to school your kids on some gory Texas history (bonus, the Alamo has a live reenactment planned the weekend of ACL Fest). It’s also right next to a Ripley’s Believe It or Not “Odditorium” and a surprisingly cool wax museum (be sure to check out the 100-years of history mural, especially the Vietnam Era).
While some of the suggestions above can put a dent in the pocketbook, on other trips we’ve simply tooled around the older working class hoods, stopping at a taco stand or making a pit stop at a Santeria shop like Botanica Yemaya. What’s great about San Antonio is that it offers some of the big city fun but without the pretentiousness of Dallas or the headaches of Houston. It’s an easy way to feel like you’re in a different place but without the stress of getting there and back. - Cisco Ryder Gilliland
Wax Museum in San Antonio: photo courtesy user grantlairdjr via flickr
Try Budget Beds & BBQ Around Llano & Lake Buchanan
A weekend out of town that won’t bust the bank can be enjoyed just a little over an hour northeast of Austin. There are multiple cabin communities along the northernmost and largest of the unspoiled Highland Lakes chain. I’ve stayed at Cottonwood Cove in Tow (pronounced like “tao”) on the northwestern end, which has a few cabins right on the water (when its level is higher than in the current drought) from which you can toss a line from your porch and reel in your catch from the most abundant fishing lake of the Highlands.
The Dabbs Railroad Hotel in nearby Llano is a restored Victorian structure that remains true to its 1907 vintage. While closer barbecue purveyors like Franklin here in Austin and Kreuz Market in Lockhart get the media props, Cooper’s Old Time Pit Bar-B-Cue – where “It’s All About The Meat” – is thought by some to at least be their equal and possibly better. If you’re a voracious carnivore, sink your teeth into their sizable and scrumptious “Big Chop.” - Rob Patterson
----------------------
More in ACL 2012:
Be sure to check out our ACL Infected Zone map for Austin areas to avoid this weekend.