DAY 1: BLAST TO THE PAST
9:00 AM
Get oriented while learning the history of the city with a free guided walking tour of downtown's Congress Avenue and Sixth Street, including sites like the Millett Opera House, Driskill Hotel, and St. Mary's Cathedral. bit.ly/smAustinTour
12:00 PM
Get a bird's-eye-view of the city from atop the University of Texas Tower, perhaps the most famous landmark in the city. Groups of 15 or more can book a tour by emailing [email protected].
7:00 PM
Catch a show or event at one of the many venues near the university: The Hogg Memorial Auditorium, Bass Concert Hall, and Scottish Rite Theater all offer a range of fine arts and live music programming. bit.ly/smAustinMusic
DAY 2: TRUE TEXAS
10:00 AM
Visit the Harry Ransom Center at the University of Texas at Austin. It offers rotating exhibitions (such as a current one celebrating 150 years of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland), as well as permanent pieces like a rare Gutenberg Bible, and the Watergate papers. www.hrc.utexas.edu
1:00 PM
Enjoy some true Texas barbecue at the celebrated Austin institution Stubb's Bar-B-Q. Specializing in "low-and-slow" cooked meats, the restaurant is also great for groups, able to hold up to 3,000 diners. www.stubbsaustin.com
7:00 PM
Venue-hop your way down Sixth Street, that boasts one great live-music club after the next -- Dirty Dog Bar, 311 Club, and The Chuggin Monkey, to name a couple. Since most acts perform near the door, visitors can keep their ears open until they hear a band that suits their tastes. bit.ly/smAustinMusic
DAY 3: GREAT OUTDOORS
10:00 AM
Get an invigorating start to your day with a walk or bike ride along Lady Bird Lake Hike and Bike Trail. The 10-mile off-road trail is a scenic and serene way to take in the cityscape and feel a world away from the busy city. bit.ly/smAustinParks
1:00 PM
Go for a swim at Barton Springs Pool, a three-acre watering hole fed by natural spring water (keeping it a constant, comfy 68 degrees). During the summer, visitors can stick around for outdoor Splash Party Movie Nights. bit.ly/smBartonSprings
6:00 PM
Book a sunset cruise around Lake Austin through Austin Party Cruises. They offer a range of services for groups, including teambuilding, catering, and casino-themed gatherings. www.austinpartycruises.com
Questions or comments? Email [email protected]
This article appears in the April 2015 issue of Successful Meetings.