Reply #38: The downtown area is very walkable

[bonzotex]

You'll find it's not that hard to get around. You will want a car or cab to get certain places. Traffic is sucky for sure, but you can avoid the worst parts by just not participating in rush hours. From your hotel you can walk safely to anyplace from town lake all the way to the University of Texas area plus CapMetro has a trolley like bus called the "Dillo" that covers that whole area. If you weren't planning to go out of the central city area you wouldn't need a car at all. You will want a car to go to some of the more affordable neighborhood areas.

One other geeky thing I would recommend is to visit the Capitol Building. It's open to the public most of time and really is an amazing edifice. Trust me. Walk toward it down Congress Ave, hit a bar/restaurant or coffee shop on the way there or back. The Austin Museum of Art is on the way, plus some cool galleries. It's a perfectly great way to spend a morning or afternoon. In the evening you can go back and hit the Paramount or State Theater, comedy improv, Jazz at the Elephant Room...check it out.

For interesting movie options, look for an Alamo drafthouse (2 downtown) The serve decent food and drinks while you watch the flick and show first run movies as well as odd independents and even odder special film events.

Barton Springs is fine for barefoot. If you go to San Marcos or New Braunfels to play in the rivers, a pair of water shoes or secure sandals (like Tevas) are a good idea. You can get them pretty cheap here at any sporting goods-camping place. Same for summer clothes. Austinites are very casual dressers, maybe to a fault. One fashionista once said that Austin style consists of dressing down "aggressively".

Just be prepared for hot sunny weather and you'll be fine. There are more upscale places where people dress up a little more, but in general, shorts, t-shirts and sandals are standard for men and women during the day. A hat and sunscreen aren't bad ideas for any foot touring. At night, for men, jeans without obvious holes and a short sleeved collared shirt passes for dressed well and anything goes for women. Cold air conditioning indoors is ubiquitous, but lots of places have open air patios and outdoor areas. You'll only look like a tourist if you are wearing heavy clothes.