Travel & Lodging
Transportation Information
Distance to Airport: 10 miles
Approx. time to Airport: 15-20 minutes
Super Shuttle: $12 one way
Taxi: $20 one way
On-site parking: $26 valet/$14 meeting attendees
Surface lot parking: $7-$15/day availability and distance varies
Hotel Information
Two hotels are available for your comfort. The hotels are adjacent from each other. Please make sure to request the “eXtension” room block at either hotel. Both hotels will honor the conference rate.
Driskill Hotel (800-252-9367) THE ROOM BLOCK IS FULL, PLEASE BOOK AT THE OMNI
- Room rates are $115.00 for single and $159.00 for double.
Omni Austin Downtown Hotel (1-800-THE-OMNI) or (512-476-3700)
- Room block cut-off will be May 10th
- Room rates are $115.00 for single and $159.00 for double.
View eXtension Content Workshop – Austin in a larger map
Things to Do
Outdoors and Adventure
| Description | |
| Zilker Park | Great park for jogging, biking, kayaking, and enjoying the outdoors. Paved running paths. http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/zilker/ |
| Zilker Park Botanical Gardens | Beautiful wild and planned scapes. Large floral gardens. Walking trails http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/zilker/gardencenter.htm |
| Barton Springs Pool | Three acres in size, the pool is fed from under ground springs and is on average 68 degrees year round. http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/parks/bartonsprings.htm |
| Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Research Center | Amazing outdoor and indoor center with wildflower, native, water gardens, educational, and plentiful exhibits http://www.wildflower.org/ |
| Bat Watching – Congress Avenue Bridge | The Congress Avenue Bridge spans Town Lake in downtown Austin and is home to the largest urban bat colony in North America. The colony is estimated at 1.5 million Mexican free-tail bats. Each night from mid-March to November, the bats emerge from under the bridge at dusk to blanket the sky as they head out to forage for food. http://www.austincityguide.com/content/congress-bridge-bats-austin.asp |
| Natural Bridge Caverns – New Braunfels | Largest cavern system in Texas. Tours Daily http://www.naturalbridgecaverns.com/ |
| Lake Travis/ Colorado River | Various activities and adventures |
Museums
| Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum | General History of Texas, Austin. Hosts an IMAX Theater as well as 3D shows http://www.thestoryoftexas.com/ |
| Austin Children’s Museum | Large and highly hands on. Great for multiple ages http://www.austinkids.org/ |
| Austin Museum of Art | Two locations in Austin, multiple exhibits http://www.amoa.org/ |
| Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum | One of the two presidential libraries hosted in Texas. Located on the University of Texas campus http://www.lbjlib.utexas.edu/ |
Local Attractions
| 6th Street | Home to restaurants, bars, night life in Austin. http://www.6street.com/ |
| Texas State Capitol | The Texas Capitol is an extraordinary example of late 19th century public architecture and is widely recognized as one of the nation’s most distinguished state capitols. http://www.tspb.state.tx.us/SPB/capitol/texcap.htm |
| University of Texas | The UT campus hosts a variety of museums, activities, and collections for the public http://www.utexas.edu/ |
| Lake Austin |
Driving destinations
| Bastrop (20 miles east of Austin) | Bastrop State Park, McKinney Roughs, Golfing. Bastrop hosts a unique ecological formation called the Lost Pines. You’ll find plenty of outdoor activities, shopping, and eating. Great for all age groups. http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/bastrop/ http://www.lcra.org/parks/developed_parks/mckinney_roughs.html http://www.cityofbastrop.org/ |
| San Marcos (25 miles south of Austin) | Prime Outlet mall – shopping galore http://www.primeoutlets.com/locations/san-marcos.aspx |
| New Braunfels (40 miles south of Austin) | Schlitterbahn Water Park – huge water park http://www.schlitterbahn.com/nb/ |
| Johnson City (48 miles west of Austin) | Home of the LBJ Ranch. Tours of homesite and residence. Working ranch. Operated by NPS. http://www.nps.gov/lyjo/index.htm |
| Fredericksburg (80 miles west of Austin) | Old Style German town. Hosts some of Texas’ most famous winery’s. Great food, historic shopping, lots of bed n’ breakfasts. Herb and garden farms. http://www.fredericksburg-texas.com/ |
| San Antonio (80 miles south of Austin) | Famous for the Alamo, the River Walk, and many other historic and cultural attractions. http://www.visitsanantonio.com/index.aspx |
| Brenham (90 miles east of Austin) | Home to Blue Bell Ice Cream. Can visit the plant (samples included) as well as a small waterpark. http://www.bluebell.com/ |
Dining (not on 6th)
| Scholtz’s Beer Garten | outdoor seating, live music, German food http://www.scholzgarten.net/ |
| Katz’s Deli | Great food, pretty busy http://www.katzneverkloses.com/ |
| Magnolia Cafe | Organic and original. Small, busy, great breakfast/lunch/dinner. Go anytime. http://themagnoliacafe.com/ |
| Kerby Lane Cafe | Great food anytime. Organic, healthy choice. Locally grown. http://www.kerbeylanecafe.com/ |
| Salt Lick | Great BBQ! Can make group reservations http://www.saltlickbbq.com/locations_driftwood.html |
| Matt’s El Rancho | Great mexican food. http://www.mattselrancho.com/ |
| Whole Foods on 6th and Lamar | Yes, it’s a Grocery Store, but also has 5 amazing restaurants |
| County Line | Great BBQ. Takes reservations http://www.countyline.com/index.asp |
| Angie’s Mexican |