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A Houstonian's Perfect Texas Road Trip

Heard Austin was Texas' cultural heart with a side of weird? My friend and I decided to test that theory with a spontaneous weekend getaway ā€“ and let me tell you, the rumors are true! As two Houstonians craving a quick escape, this 2-day, 1-night Austin adventure hit that sweet spot of culture, nature, and pure Texas magic. Perfect for anyone in South Texas needing a recharge! āš” šŸš— The Drive: Houston ā†’ Austin (The Nitty-Gritty) Distance: ~165 miles Time: Highway (I-10 ā†’ US-71): 2 hours 40 minutes (if you don't miss exits!) Scenic Route (SH-71): ~3 hours with small-town charm Pro Tip from My Mistake: Download offline maps! American highway exits are sneaky ā€“ I missed one on the return trip and added 20 minutes of "scenic detour." šŸ˜… If you're GPS-anxious, take the non-highway route via SH-71 through Elgin and Bastrop ā€“ it's prettier and harder to mess up! Best Departure Time: Leave Houston by 8 AM to beat Austin traffic and snag morning parking. šŸ›ļø Day 1: Culture + Sunset Splendor Stop 1: Texas State Capitol Time: 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM Address: 1100 Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78701 Cost: FREE (and gloriously air-conditioned!) ā„ļø Why Start Here: Perfect midday heat escape! This 1888 pink-granite masterpiece is actually 7 feet taller than the U.S. Capitol (because Texas). The interior is a museum of Texas swagger ā€“ ornate rotunda, legislative chambers, and enough history to make you a Lone Star expert by the time you leave. What to Do: Free 30-minute guided tours every 15 minutes (highly recommend!) Walk the underground extension ā€“ a brutalist concrete contrast that's weirdly cool Pose with the Texas Heroes Monument on the South Steps Cool off ā€“ the AC is chef's kiss after that Houston humidity Pro Tip: Enter through the south entrance ā€“ better photo ops and shorter security lines. Stop 2: UT Austin Campus Exploration Time: 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM Address: 110 Inner Campus Dr, Austin, TX 78705 Campus Culture Shock: My first time walking a U.S. campus was eye-opening! Unlike China's gated universities, UT bleeds into the city ā€“ no walls, no gates, just city blocks that happen to have libraries and lecture halls. It feels alive and liberating. The Essential UT Walk (30-40 minutes): UT Tower (Main Building) ā€“ Free to view from the outside. Stand at the base, look south ā€“ you'll see the Capitol dome perfectly aligned along the axis. Money shot šŸ“ø The Fountain ā›² ā€“ The stepped water feature on the South Mall is where students lounge between classes. It's the heart of campus life. The Bull Statues ā€“ Scattered around campus, these Longhorn sculptures are quirky photo ops. Hook 'em! šŸ¤˜ Skip: Blanton Museum of Art ā€“ $15 entry feels steep for a small collection. The free "Austin" chapel next door (Ellsworth Kelly's rainbow glass masterpiece) is more impressive. Parking: Garage on San Jacinto Blvd ($2/hour) or street parking on weekends (free). Stop 3: The Oasis on Lake Travis ā€“ THE Main Event! šŸŒ… Time: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM Address: 6550 Comanche Trail, Austin, TX 78732 My Rating: ā­ā­ā­ā­ā­ MUST-DO Why It's 1: This is Austin's soul on a plate. Perched 450 feet above Lake Travis on a multi-level cliffside, The Oasis isn't just a restaurant ā€“ it's a sunset sanctuary. The moment you walk onto those decks, Lake Travis sprawls below you like a glittering emerald. The breeze, the music, the Bloody Mary in hand as the sun paints the sky... it's pure Texas magic. The Smart Play: Skip the overpriced restaurant (food is mediocre and summer mosquitoes are brutal). Head straight to the 3rd-floor bar/restaurant ā€“ it's free to enter, has live music on Saturdays, and serves the same epic views without the $25 entree prices. What to Order: Bloody Mary šŸ¹ ā€“ Spicy, garnished with pickled veggies, perfect sunset sipper Lake Travis Lager ā€“ Local craft beer, crisp and refreshing Any cocktail ($8-12) ā€“ They're all solid, and you're paying for the view Photo Strategy: Arrive by 6:30 PM, grab a railing spot on the upper deck, and watch the sunset at 7:30 PM. The sky transitions from gold ā†’ orange ā†’ pink ā†’ purple, reflecting off the water. No filter needed. Pro Tip: The 3rd floor has live acoustic music on weekends ā€“ adds ambiance without drowning conversation. šŸš£ā€ā™€ļø Day 2: Austin on the Water Rowing Dock ā€“ Austin's Favorite Water Sport Time: 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM Address: 2418 Stratford Dr, Austin, TX 78746 Cost: $20-25/hour for single SUP, $40-50/hour for tandem kayak Why Morning: Beat the heat and the crowds! By noon, the dock is packed and the sun is punishing. The Options: Tandem Kayak ("Dragon Boat") šŸ›¶ ā€“ Perfect for friends/parents who want to stick together. Stable, easy to paddle. SUP (Stand-Up Paddleboard) šŸ„ā€ā™€ļø ā€“ Most popular. You can kneel, sit, or stand. It's surprisingly easy ā€“ my first-timer friend was standing in 10 minutes. Canoe ā€“ Old-school, great for families with kids What to Expect: Lady Bird Lake is calm ā€“ no motorized boats, perfect for beginners Downtown skyline views from the #US #Texas #Austin

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Sophia Grant
Sophia Grant
2 months ago
Sophia Grant
Sophia Grant
2 months ago
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A Houstonian's Perfect Texas Road Trip

Heard Austin was Texas' cultural heart with a side of weird? My friend and I decided to test that theory with a spontaneous weekend getaway ā€“ and let me tell you, the rumors are true! As two Houstonians craving a quick escape, this 2-day, 1-night Austin adventure hit that sweet spot of culture, nature, and pure Texas magic. Perfect for anyone in South Texas needing a recharge! āš” šŸš— The Drive: Houston ā†’ Austin (The Nitty-Gritty) Distance: ~165 miles Time: Highway (I-10 ā†’ US-71): 2 hours 40 minutes (if you don't miss exits!) Scenic Route (SH-71): ~3 hours with small-town charm Pro Tip from My Mistake: Download offline maps! American highway exits are sneaky ā€“ I missed one on the return trip and added 20 minutes of "scenic detour." šŸ˜… If you're GPS-anxious, take the non-highway route via SH-71 through Elgin and Bastrop ā€“ it's prettier and harder to mess up! Best Departure Time: Leave Houston by 8 AM to beat Austin traffic and snag morning parking. šŸ›ļø Day 1: Culture + Sunset Splendor Stop 1: Texas State Capitol Time: 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM Address: 1100 Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78701 Cost: FREE (and gloriously air-conditioned!) ā„ļø Why Start Here: Perfect midday heat escape! This 1888 pink-granite masterpiece is actually 7 feet taller than the U.S. Capitol (because Texas). The interior is a museum of Texas swagger ā€“ ornate rotunda, legislative chambers, and enough history to make you a Lone Star expert by the time you leave. What to Do: Free 30-minute guided tours every 15 minutes (highly recommend!) Walk the underground extension ā€“ a brutalist concrete contrast that's weirdly cool Pose with the Texas Heroes Monument on the South Steps Cool off ā€“ the AC is chef's kiss after that Houston humidity Pro Tip: Enter through the south entrance ā€“ better photo ops and shorter security lines. Stop 2: UT Austin Campus Exploration Time: 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM Address: 110 Inner Campus Dr, Austin, TX 78705 Campus Culture Shock: My first time walking a U.S. campus was eye-opening! Unlike China's gated universities, UT bleeds into the city ā€“ no walls, no gates, just city blocks that happen to have libraries and lecture halls. It feels alive and liberating. The Essential UT Walk (30-40 minutes): UT Tower (Main Building) ā€“ Free to view from the outside. Stand at the base, look south ā€“ you'll see the Capitol dome perfectly aligned along the axis. Money shot šŸ“ø The Fountain ā›² ā€“ The stepped water feature on the South Mall is where students lounge between classes. It's the heart of campus life. The Bull Statues ā€“ Scattered around campus, these Longhorn sculptures are quirky photo ops. Hook 'em! šŸ¤˜ Skip: Blanton Museum of Art ā€“ $15 entry feels steep for a small collection. The free "Austin" chapel next door (Ellsworth Kelly's rainbow glass masterpiece) is more impressive. Parking: Garage on San Jacinto Blvd ($2/hour) or street parking on weekends (free). Stop 3: The Oasis on Lake Travis ā€“ THE Main Event! šŸŒ… Time: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM Address: 6550 Comanche Trail, Austin, TX 78732 My Rating: ā­ā­ā­ā­ā­ MUST-DO Why It's 1: This is Austin's soul on a plate. Perched 450 feet above Lake Travis on a multi-level cliffside, The Oasis isn't just a restaurant ā€“ it's a sunset sanctuary. The moment you walk onto those decks, Lake Travis sprawls below you like a glittering emerald. The breeze, the music, the Bloody Mary in hand as the sun paints the sky... it's pure Texas magic. The Smart Play: Skip the overpriced restaurant (food is mediocre and summer mosquitoes are brutal). Head straight to the 3rd-floor bar/restaurant ā€“ it's free to enter, has live music on Saturdays, and serves the same epic views without the $25 entree prices. What to Order: Bloody Mary šŸ¹ ā€“ Spicy, garnished with pickled veggies, perfect sunset sipper Lake Travis Lager ā€“ Local craft beer, crisp and refreshing Any cocktail ($8-12) ā€“ They're all solid, and you're paying for the view Photo Strategy: Arrive by 6:30 PM, grab a railing spot on the upper deck, and watch the sunset at 7:30 PM. The sky transitions from gold ā†’ orange ā†’ pink ā†’ purple, reflecting off the water. No filter needed. Pro Tip: The 3rd floor has live acoustic music on weekends ā€“ adds ambiance without drowning conversation. šŸš£ā€ā™€ļø Day 2: Austin on the Water Rowing Dock ā€“ Austin's Favorite Water Sport Time: 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM Address: 2418 Stratford Dr, Austin, TX 78746 Cost: $20-25/hour for single SUP, $40-50/hour for tandem kayak Why Morning: Beat the heat and the crowds! By noon, the dock is packed and the sun is punishing. The Options: Tandem Kayak ("Dragon Boat") šŸ›¶ ā€“ Perfect for friends/parents who want to stick together. Stable, easy to paddle. SUP (Stand-Up Paddleboard) šŸ„ā€ā™€ļø ā€“ Most popular. You can kneel, sit, or stand. It's surprisingly easy ā€“ my first-timer friend was standing in 10 minutes. Canoe ā€“ Old-school, great for families with kids What to Expect: Lady Bird Lake is calm ā€“ no motorized boats, perfect for beginners Downtown skyline views from the #US #Texas #Austin

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Rowing Dock
Rowing DockRowing Dock