I'd stay in Austin and day trip to San Antonio. You can see the Alamo, enjoy the Riverwalk and have

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We have two-for-one airline vouchers on Virgin America - thinking of flying into Austin for a few days get-away in October. Probably four days total ---- no Virgin flights to San Antonio, but we could rent a car and drive there.
Having never been to Texas (we live in Santa Cruz CA), we'd like to be somewhere with interesting history and sights to see ... and some good bbq to sample. We like to walk, and also drive in scenic car rental in united kingdom areas (although using the freeway to get back and forth quickly if need be is no problem).
They are two very different cities . . Both have much to offer. With 4 days, you could do both, but unless you think you will never return, I'd stick to one. San Antonio is the more vibrant and diverse, and the Riverwalk is a great location car rental in united kingdom to relax and see the sights.
October is a great time to visit here . . temps will be much milder than in the summer months. If you want a feel for the countryside, you could drive West on HiWay 71 to Marble Falls and then South on 281 to San Antonio . . stopping at wherever your fancy calls. It would be good to get a Texas Hiway Map and travel guide so that you can pick places that interest you.
I personally would pick San Antonio; it's really made for vacations. Our favorite car rental in united kingdom place to eat is Boudro's on the River Walk - good tableside guacamole and prickly pear margaritas, do one of the boat/barge tours, and go see the Alamo.
Wow - thanks for the responses. I had no idea about the Texas Hill Country; it sounds beautiful. I think (hope)the drives back and forth from Austin and San Antonio will be a great part of this trip.
FRIDAY: Arrive in Austin, spend the night (hotel suggestions welcome, car rental in united kingdom have dinner (suggestions welcome), and try to get out to hear some music (suggestions welcome). volcanogirl, the Salt Lick looks great - would it be too far for us to drive for dinner?
SATURDAY: Drive to San Antonio on backroads - maybe on 71 to Marble Falls and then south on 281 to San Antonio (additional suggestions welcome), stop for BBQ along the way (suggestions welcome). Take this drive slowly and make side trips (suggestions welcome). Stay two nights in San Antonio (hotel suggestions welcome)
Does this sound do-able? We can actually take an extra day, and return home TUESDAY, but we'd be burning up more vacation hours from our jobs, and we love to travel, so being economical on the hours is good for us. Just don't want to be so rushed we don't enjoy this experience.
Personally, I think two nights in Austin is preferable. There are any San Antonio fans here, but I'm not one of them. For me, one night is enough. I'd spend another night in Austin and catch some good music on Saturday. Head to San Antonio Sunday, then drive back Monday, head straight to the airport.
The San Antonio Riverwalk is full of chain restaurants (Salt Lick, Boudreux) and touristy souvenir shops; car rental in united kingdom Austin is the capital. One day in San Antonio to see the Alamo and grab dinner on the Riverwalk is plenty. Spend more time in and around Austin. By the way, the Lady Bird Johnson Gardens are gorgeous but mostly in the Spring; check the calendar to see what's available in October.
car rental in united kingdom If you want to explore little towns, we love Gruene. Really cute with nice little shops, car rental in united kingdom Texas' oldest dance hall, and good food at the Gristmill right on the river. Agree that the Hill Country is very pretty. If you're ever back in March/April, that's a fantastic place to see wildflowers.
three nights? depends how much you like checking into and out of hotels...i HATE it, so i would base myself in one place (south end or downtown area at austin) and drive to sa for the day. a full day would let you see plenty. or the other way around. but id probably stay in austin. flights and all. and perhaps, more spread out ...the areas you would want to see, anyway.
Depending on your interests, on the day you go to F'burg, you might want to do: 1) the self-guided audio tour of the LBJ Ranch and the guided tour of the ranch house near Stonewall; walk along Main Street in F'burg and see all the neat shops, including two of my favorites--Rustlin' Rob's (where you get to try samples of all the sauces, jellies, car rental in united kingdom dips, etc. they sell) and Dooley's, a real old-fashioned five-and-dime store; tour the National car rental in united kingdom Museum of the Pacific War (aka the Nimitz Museum) car rental in united kingdom which is no longer a small museum; eat some good German food (or any other kind of food you like). If you are staying for dinner and want some upscale dining, try Cabernet Grill.
car rental in united kingdom I'd stay in Austin and day trip to San Antonio. You can see the Alamo, enjoy the Riverwalk and have a meal there in a day. The Salt Lick has a winery, Salt Lick Cellars, next to the restaurant. If you are into wine, there are also a number of wineries in and around Fredericksburg. Have fun in Texas!
Anyone who thinks the only places to eat in San Antonio are chains on the Riverwalk, doesn't know much about San Antonio. My first trip, we stayed three nights in San Antonio and did a day trip to Austin. We felt that worked great. Have been back to both. If I were moving to one, it would be Austin in a heartbeat, but as a tourist ( which I don't think is anything to be ashamed of), I'd go for San Antonio. Or do the day trip to "see" lovely Austin.
car rental in united kingdom Yea, not unlike those New Yorkers who tell travelers to avoid Times Square and never stay there. Heck, I wouldn't want to LIVE in Times Square ever, but as a tourist, I sure as hell wouldn't want to miss it either. Where you're comfortable living and where you'd go for a couple days of fun can be two totally different things!
LOL, aliced - Boudro's is as far from a chain as you can get. The same folks do also operate Zinc, which they originally opened as a place to accommodate overflow crowds but now is popular on its own and for its and private car rental in united kingdom dining spaces.
To be fair, the Riverwalk has become infested with chain restaurants such as Dick's and Rainforest and Saltgrass ( which is not to be confused with Salt Lick! ), much to the chagrin of locals. We even introduced a city ordinance to prohibit chain outlets on the Riverwalk. That's why we mostly leave it to the tourists, except when we are having River parades car rental in united kingdom for Fiesta or Christmas or St. Patrick's Day, or performances like Fiesta Noche del Rio at Arneson River theatre, or Las Posadas, or ....well, OK, maybe we do still go there. But we definitely do not like those chain places, which we leave to unsuspecting tourists. Thankfully, there are still some great local places, such as Bella on the River which offers a nice menu and live jazz, or Acenar for "Nuevo Latino" or Biga for renowned chef Bruce Auden's reliably good contemporary American, the Fig Tree for a little white tablecloth experience or its sister place next door, Little Rhein Steakhouse with its great beef and lovely wines. Even some of the hotel restaurants like Las Ramblas in the Contessa or Citrus inthe Valencia are well worth a visit. And the Hyatt Regency s Q restaurant is entirely built around the concept of barbecue. Granted, it may be difficult during a short visit to get to Riverwalk places when there are such tantalizing street level alternatives such as the ever delectable Rosario car rental in united kingdom s, Feast, or Bliss in the nearby Southtown neighborhood.
I think a quick look from Butler park at the top of the hill at night gives a nice view of Austins downtown that's at a convenient location and doesn't have a lot of people. They have amazing snow cones across the street at snow beach.
San Antonio deserves a look at for a day. It's only an hour drive if you take 35. I would say San Antonio has more of a history feel. Its a completely different vib than in Austin. More Hispanic culture brought car rental in united kingdom out here. A spaced out city though, so if your not in the middle of downtown your gonna be driving everywhere else worth looking car rental in united kingdom at. Its too spaced out. Of course you can stop by the Alamo and then the river walk to walk around and to stop and eat but that's just about it.
You need to take all the suggestions with a grain of salt. For instance the suggestion to avoid IH 35 like the plague. IH 35 is the most direct route and you only have 4 days. I agree with taking the back roads on the way down, and avoid rush hour going back to Austin.