Local information

This page includes information on:

  • March weather
  • Places to eat
  • Getting around
  • Local attractions
  • Places to stay

Austin weather in late March: Normal temperatures are in the low to mid-70s (around 20-22 degrees C). Overnight lows will be in the mid- to high 50s (around 13-15 degrees C). Sometimes it is a lot warmer or a lot cooler, but this is a comparatively mild and predictable time of year.

Places to eat; besides these favorites from members of the department, the Eater Austin blog is a great source of ideas

Olive & June:  High-class Italian food, and a favourite, if memory serves, of Professor Riggsby. It is comparatively pricey, but is of very high quality, by all accounts.

Texas Chili Parlor Bar: 16-minute walk from Star of Texas Inn.  Under $10.  Famous Austin chili, glorified in song by Guy Clark’s “Dublin Blues.”  Obviously, the chili is where it’s at (and only $7 for a large bowl), but the enchiladas and Killer Nachos are delicious as well.   Drink suggestion: Mad Dog Margarita.

Salt and Time: Offers a Wednesday Wine special (half off a bottle), which–if you get red wine–pairs well with their delicious burger (best rare).  But it’s a little farther; not walking distance from Star of Texas Inn.  $10-$20 plates.

Justine’s Brasserie: About 5 miles from campus, in East Austin.  Probably the hippest, best French brasserie in town.  Good for late-night dining.  If the weather is fair, sit outside.  Pricey, but their moules-frites are better than Hopfield’s, which has recently changed to a red-sauce base.  Plates over $20.

Thai, How Are You? 2100 A Guadalupe St, Austin, TX, 78705   $$ ($10-20 for a meal)

Located on the Drag (the main stretch of Guadalupe Street, the busy north-south street between campus and the Star of Texas Inn) within walking distance, Thai, How Are You? has reasonably priced food for a Thai restaurant and generally fast service.

Kerbey Lane Cafe: 2606 Guadalupe, Austin, TX 78705  $$ ($10-20 for a meal)

A popular Austin chain, Kerbey Lane Cafe is an upscale diner within walking distance that offers a range of options, including their famous queso and a wide selection of breakfast food.

Torchy’s Tacos: 2801 Guadalupe St. 5-B Austin, TX 78705     $ (under $10)

Another popular Austin chain, Torchy’s offers a wide selection of signature tacos for affordable prices. It is farther up the Drag but still within walking distance.

Trudy’s: 409 West 30th Street, Austin, TX    $$  ($10-16 entrees)

Trudy’s offers delicious Tex-Mex standards and margaritas, as well as pleasant outdoor seating!

Getting around

From the airport to campus area is 8-9 miles. It takes approximately 30 minutes to make the trip, depending on the time of day/week and the mode of transportation. Travel options include city bus, commercial shuttle, taxis, and ride sharing (this link is to a local, non-profit ride sharing app, but Uber and Lyft both operate in Austin as well).

Local attractions to visit

For information on campus museums, go to the bottom of this UT site on local arts and culture

Campus self-guided mythological tour information

Neill-Cochran House Museum  7-minute walk from Star of Texas Inn.  Small, historic house from 1855.  Takes about 45 minutes to visit in full.

Covert Park at Mount Bonnell  4 miles from campus; need to drive.  Offers fine view of the more well-to-do part of Austin (i.e. West Austin mansions) and of Lady Bird Lake (a section of the Colorado River largely contained by dams at either end).

Texas Capitol Tours  The Texas Capitol Building, located about 1.5 miles south of the UT Tower, is available for guided and self-guided tours.

Bullock Texas State History Museum (1800 Congress Ave., Austin, TX 78701)

Hours: 9 AM-5 PM Mon-Sat; General Admission: $13

Located across the street from campus and a block from the Blanton Museum of Art, the Bullock Museum offers a variety of exhibits about the history of Texas, including their new hands-on exhibit “Becoming Texas,” which features a three hundred year old ship, La Belle, from a failed 1684 French expedition.

Mexic-Arte Museum Hours: Mon-Sat 9-5, Sunday 12-5

Tickets for adults are $7, but admission is free on Sundays!

The museum is located at the corner of 5th St. and Congress Ave. at 419 Congress Ave, about 1.5 miles from the Star of Texas Inn. Metered parking is available on the surrounding streets, as is garage parking throughout the downtown area.

Mission Statement: “Mexic-Arte Museum is dedicated to cultural enrichment and education through the collection, preservation and presentation of traditional and contemporary Mexican, Latino, and Latin American art and culture to promote dialogue and develop understanding for visitors of all ages.”

Places to stay

These hotels vary in expense and distance from the UT campus, to suit various budgets and preferences. If you would like check distances and travel options to the conference venue, all events will take place in Patton Hall (RLP, on UT campus maps) which is located near the intersection of 23rd Street and San Jacinto.