The Austin Motel has quirky themed rooms - for instance we stayed in the Mexican Room with kitschy cactus plants and colourful walls. It's a fabulous location so once you park up you can walk to most places - ideal as Austin has a great bar scene with live music on every night. It has a 50's style kidney shaped pool if you are there in the summer to cool down in. For breakfast I recommend El Sol y La Luna

www.austinmotel.com/

www.elsolylalunaaustin.com/story.htm

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For vegetarians and vegans, Mother's offers wonderful food in a charming garden atmosphere. It was just rebuilt after a devastating fire, to the great relief of its many aficionados. Located in the heart of Hyde Park, Austin's first suburb, just north of the University of Texas area.

4215 Duval St.
Tel:451-3994

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These are three of the best barbecue places on the planet, all within about a four-mile radius in East Austin. Beef brisket and sausage are always excellent, but try the mutton if you are feeling adventurous, as it is tender and superb.

Sam's is open very late on weekends and features lots of music memorabilia. All three places are treasures of our local culture.

Sam's: 2000 E. 12th St. Tel:478-0378
Ben's Long Branch: 900 E. 11th St. Tel:477-2516
Lewis's: 1814 Harvey St. (corner of M.L.K., just west of Airport Blvd.)
Tel:473-2225
(All phone no's are in area code 512.)

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Try the pancakes. They are heavenly.

There are several around Austin. The one near UT on Guadalupe is perhaps the easiest to get to and comes equipped with Austin's wonderful vernacular art...

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The crown jewel of Austin. Check out this spring-fed pool that is 68F all year round.

In Zilker Park off Lamar in South Austin.

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One of Austin's best and funkiest coffee house, cafes, and hang out places.

North of UT in Hemphill. 2908 Fruth

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The music festival held in the middle of September. This is the most relaxed festival of it's kind i have ever attented, everyone brings a chair and just sits around drinking wine and watching fantastic live music. Right in the middle of Austin the transport is organised with millitary precision. The grounds are clean, grassy and have plenty of shade - perfect for people of all ages.

www.aclfestival.com

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The best damn hamburgers in town, this place is an Austin institution. The decor is quirky diner with mementos from the restaurants 50+ years of service on the walls, seriously though, for a piece of genuine American culture, this is the only place to go.

The malts are awesome too...

6th st, 2 blocks down from Lamar, (you can walk from Whole Foods Market).

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A fantatic, quirky, diner with a retro feel. They even sell alcohol - a blessing after spending time in 'dry' counties. You can walk to the thrift shops from there.

1624 Barton Springs Road
Austin
Texas 78704

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If you're going to Austin and want to really be prepared, see it from a local's perspective, be sure to see Austin Daily Photo first.

Shadrach, Si, and Alice give us a unique insight into this Texas town with a photo each day depicting the "real Austin".

Everything from Artz Rib House (their "most favourite barbecue place in the whole of Austin") to a visit to the Electric Ladyland/Lucy in Disguise with Diamonds, a truly unique vintage clothing store.

austindailyphoto.blogspot.com/

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