Tips for visiting fan to Austin

[collegefootballfan81]

Hey All,

My buddies and I are big college football fans, and we love traveling to new places for games. We’re working on a blog that gives tips to other football fans when they travel to away stadiums for games. I’m trying to hit all the BIG 12 schools, and I was hoping you’d indulge me on some questions about Texas football games. Basically, what I am asking is that if you and I met randomly on an airplane and I told you all about my trip to Austin for a football game, you wouldn’t have to say, “You did it all wrong, next time you should …”

Since you guys are the experts on a perfect trip to Austin, I wanted to see if you would answer a few questions. Feel free to answer any or all of them that you’d like, and if you can think of any other info I’ve overlooked feel free to throw that in there too!

TRAVEL

1. What’s the most convenient/cheapest airport to fly into? Is there a specific airline that is best/cheapest to fly on?

2. Suppose some travelers are a little more adventurous and don’t mind flying into an airport that’s a 3-4 hour drive away from the game if it would make for a cool drive or takes them by some cool sites/attractions – anything like that people should know about when they’re booking flights?

3. Is a rental car necessary? How is the public transportation system/Uber in Austin?

HOTEL

4. What’s the hotel situation like over the weekend of a game? How good is airbnb, vrbo, etc. in Austin? Are there any great resort towns nearby to stay at for a day?

FOOD

5. What are your favorite places to eat around Austin during the college football season? How is the food in the stadium (anything a one-time visitor can’t leave the stadium without eating)?

TICKETS

6. What is the best option for visiting fans to buy game tickets? School Ticket office? StubHub? Local Classifieds?

TAILGATING

7. Any general tailgating advice for a first-timer at a Texas game? Specific areas for visiting fans?

TRADITIONS

8. Some schools have unique game day traditions – do you guys do anything that’d be worth a visitor planning their schedule around? Are there any buildings or sites near campus or the stadium that visitors should check out?

OTHER ATTRACTIONS

9. If fans decide to make this more of a family vacation, are there any local sites/attractions that they would need to make room for on their schedule? Any can’t-miss Historical/Educational or Fun/Entertainment sites?

SAFETY

10. Are there any general safety issues fans should be aware of? Any areas visitors should avoid for parking, walking, etc? I know every fan base has its share of bad apples, but would you classify your general fan base as hospitable/neutral/in-hospitable?

OTHER BIG 12 SCHOOLS

11. Lastly, since I'm trying to do this for all the teams in the BIG 12, I thought I'd ask if you have any experience traveling to other schools in the conference? Favorite/Least Favorite BIG 12 school to visit for games? Any horror or success stories or general advice you'd give from your experiences?

As mentioned, feel free to answer any/all/none of the questions, and throw on any extra info that I may have overlooked. I’ll be sure to report back when our blog is posted so that you can see the finished product!

 

[obviouslyZRH]

1. Flying into ATX would be a simple choice. It's small enough to have only one terminal, but has a fair bit of local chains, so you're not limited to nasty ass subway or something.

2. The Dallas-Austin stretch on I-35 is as bad as they come; San Antonio-Austin is basically the same; Houston-Austin is slightly less dull. If you want a nice drive, I would suggest renting a car in Austin and driving out west. If you have time, head out to the hill country to see Enchanted Rock and grab some german lager in Fredericksberg. West Austin (Westlake, Lake Travis, Dripping Springs areas) has some nice bits that you may enjoy. The Oasis is a mediocre restaurant with an awesome view over Lake Travis in this area and isn't a bad option for sunset.

3. If you stay downtown (which you should), then walking and uber will likely be good enough. You could at least rent a car only half the time.

5. I can't think of any stadium food that is must-have. For food suggestions, I kindly refer you to look through some old posts with these types of questions. Austin is a great place to be a foody, in or out of football season.

8. While not a tradition, I would recommend visiting the Tower on the middle of campus. Good memories and nostalgia aside, I objectively think it's a cool building and a lovely area. As I recall, there are some tailgating things set up between the capital building and the stadium, so check out the capital and make your way back up.

9. Seeing the university would be cool for kids; even if you hate Texas it might get their brains juices flowing. There are plenty of cool buildings around. I would highly suggest going to Barton Springs on a hot day - kids would love it and it's enjoyable (warning: a topless woman or two may be present, just so you know. It's big enough to avoid if you're aware (or purposefully not avoid, idk)). Then walk around that area around Town Lake (aka Lady Bird Lake) and Zilker Park. The state capital is a great spot for history and a nice picnic.

10. I would avoid or at least be mindful of the west campus area (which is west of campus). Guadalupe street is fine and safe, but another 4 blocks west or so you'll find yourself in frat land. You'll be safe, but potentially heckled and accosted by drunkards.

11. I haven't been, but I've heard of bad experiences in Lubbock. Then again, Lubbock is a bad experience to begin with, without the help of Tech fans. I highly, highly recommend the Texas/OU game in Dallas.

 

[TX1972]

If you're driving around, I would check out Hamilton's Pool. Maybe 30 miles from downtown. Look at the website. Maybe lunch at Salt Lick. If you want to drive a little farther, shop Wimberley and drive the Devil's backbone.

 

[clob94]

Fvck salt lick b that over rated tourist trap!!

 

[CaptainZigZag]

Dude posted exact same thing on texags... Got the visceral response expected. Except it was every "$EC" school...
So Mr World Traveller, we expect a comprehensive comparative analysis for all of our trouble.

 

[clob94]

Zigzag, you did remember to shower after leaving texags and before entering OB did you not?

Don't want you tracking your aggy koodies into our clean house. Flies spread disease.

 

[CaptainZigZag]

Zigzag, you did remember to shower after leaving texags and before entering OB did you not?

Don't want you tracking your aggy koodies into our clean house. Flies spread disease.

Actually I found a notice of quarantine posted at my house . "Lessons learned from Vietnam: Stay the f*** out of Vietnam"

 

[LonghornSoldier]

If you're driving around, I would check out Hamilton's Pool. Maybe 30 miles from downtown. Look at the website. Maybe lunch at Salt Lick. If you want to drive a little farther, shop Wimberley and drive the Devil's backbone.

Hamilton pool has a reservation system in place... no more just going on a whim.... seems it got way to popular way to fast, so now you basically have to book your swimming sessions.... :/