planning a guys trip to austin/lake travis (Spring, Lakeway: rental, hotel)

[grammo]

Hello everyone. So I'm in the early stages of planning a week long trip to the Austin/ lake Travis area for the end of April 2017, and am looking for some advice/tips. There's about 7 of us going. Age range is 25-55. Looking to do some boating, jet skiing, exploring Austin, and every thing else that's fun. Also looking to rent a house on the lake. We know nothing about the area, just what we've read online. I've called 4 different travel agents in Austin, but they have been no help. They only seem to do international vacations or cruises. Any way, any advice or tips would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

[clarksvillemom]

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attracti...tin_Texas.html
you can find places to rent on this site or you can try AirBnB

[grammo]

Thanks for the link. Are you from the area? Could you or anyone else tell me about lake Travis? What area of the lake is closest to Austin? I've read a lot about it, but not sure about the good/bad of it. Thanks.

[Trainwreck20]

We are out on the lake almost every weekend. Areas of the 'south' shore are generally closer to downtown, but depending on where you are going, it is not a huge difference. See the attached map.

Hudson Bend is a good location on the lake, as it is closer to most of the 'happening' areas and still relatively easy into Austin (via 620/Hwy 71). Multiple marinas on this bend. Our boat is at the Sail and Ski marina across from Graveyard Point, which has excellent access to one of the better skiing areas (west side of Hudson Bend) and several good coves for anchoring.

The Volente area across the lake from Hudson Bend is not too bad, but you are a bit further from the smoother areas of the lake that are west of Hudson Bend. The main basin and the Jonestown arm (the arm running to the north on the west side of Volente) more often can get very rough.

Lakeway marina generally does a lot of rental stuff and usually has a good staff.

Point Venture (across from Lakeway) has lots of lodging, but that will leave you a looong drive into Austin. Lago Vista is a little better and directly across from Pace Bend Park, which can be a 'happening' place.

Sorry, just kind of 'stream of consciousness'. If you are going to scuba dive, I can also fill you in on some shops/dive spots.

[grammo]

Thanks train wreck, lots of good info. About how far a drive is the bend from Austin? If we didn't feel like driving on any particular day, are there bars and restaurants in that area?

[Trainwreck20]

There are a couple on the lake that you can boat up to (maybe only the Gnarly Gar now?), although several have closed during the drought (i.e. Johnny Finn's, Carlos and Charlies). And Lakeway (pretty much all along 620 from Hudson Bend south to Hwy 71, is covered in retail, restaurants, and bars. Down to the warehouse district or other central locations is probably 40 minutes during off-hours, more like an hour during rush hour.

[grammo]

Ok great. If it were you, and you didn't live in the area, would it be an area you'd consider spending a week at? Or would you pick a different lake/location in Texas?

[clarksvillemom]

I would not spend a week out at Lake Travis. At most, 3 days and then the rest I'd go downtown - stay at a hotel, go to all the restaurants, bars, walk around Lake Austin, etc. If you want some recos for that kind of thing, tell us if you want fancy/swanky or casual, what kind of food, vibe, etc. You will be so bored and not get a sense of Austin at all if you spend a week out at the lake. Unless you just want to boat, play golf and drink - but even then it's too much time. And, if you've never been to Austin you'd want to take in the downtown and maybe east side scene.

[clarksvillemom]

remember it will be 100 degrees you can also do some "lake activities" on Lake Austin/now Lady Bird Lake downtown. Like SUP, kayaks, water bikes. But not jet skis and boats. You could do that though by the Hula Hut though, I think, to some extent. But for real baoting activities what Trainwreck said.

If I was entertaining friends I'd consider the following: eating out at various great restaurants downtown and on east side, going up to Mount Bonnell, doing something on Lake Austin, walking on the hike and bike trail around Lake Austin, catching a classic movie at the Paramount, or a movie at Violet Crown or Drafthouse, hearing jazz at Elephant Room, looking up live music shows and picking based on music you like, walking/eating/shopping/people watching along South Congress, walk around and in the Capitol, drinks at the Four Seasons bar, eat lots of breakfast tacos, Umlauf scuplture garden, take a dip at Barton Springs Pool, etc.

[grammo]

Thanks clarksvillemom. Reco's would be great. We're a laid back casual group. We might do one fancy dinner, but for the most part, cool bars, good eats, live music, beers and fun are what were about.