Heading to Austin!

[NitemareHippieGirl]

Wow, it has been years and years and years since I've been here which means it's also been years since I've been able to travel at all! Aaaah! Grad school!

So, I've been invited to a childhood friend's wedding which is taking place in Austin in late August! When I asked off for the trip months ago I thought surely I'd be able to rustle up a date! NOT SO! But I'm planning to go ahead and take this trip alone to see my friend get hitched, even though I'll know no one else at the wedding!

Here's my dilemma: I'm cheap and broke, so I want to make sure I weigh my options. I'm definitely going to fly. The only hostel in Austin is in a state park and I've been told by friends that it's pretty essential to have a car if you stay there. So, I'm wondering if any of you all have any advice. Should I spend the extra money to stay in a hotel closer to downtown and take public transport? How is the public transportation for getting to touristy and local hot spots? Should I put my money towards a rental car and stay at the hostel to try to meet some folks? Has anyone stayed at the HI in Austin?

Also, any advice for places to go out? Should I be wary of trying to hit up night spots by myself? I'm into music, I'd say indie is probably more my thing. Any tips for cool venues? Or bars-- dive bars or good breweries? I'm a beer gal.

It's been a few years since I've done solo traveling and I'm trying to consider this an opportunity to reconnect with the strong, single girl I know is in there somewhere. I need to get my mojo back.

Edit: Also, if anyone has any advice or a pep talk for attending a solo wedding I'd love that. I'm hoping this one will be full of more single folks than the others I've attended, since it's in a larger city, but I'm still a bit nervous!

[andrewftw]

I've never been to Austin myself, so I'm not to sure about nightlife or local events..as for your dilemma as for where to stay, may I suggest a friend or relative to the bride? Pherhaps before you had meet her parents, siblings, friends? I know it is not ideal, but spending a whole bunch of money on a hotel or a car also isn't to ideal either..plus, it would only be a couple days..
Hope this helped!

[NitemareHippieGirl]

It's actually the groom I'm good friends with and neither of them are from Austin. They've only been living there for a couple of years.

[Sijuki]

Austin is a great city with a lot of culture. I would probably look to staying closer into town as the traffic can be rough sometimes. There is a main street, 6th street, that has many clubs, bars, music venues and such.

6th Street Guide

I am not positive on the public transportation though. It looks they have buses and perhaps rail.

Austin Capital Metro

Hope this helps... have a safe and fun journey

[Dig]

I love the hostel in Austin. Just learn the bus system and you will be fine. I lived directly across town lake from the hostel. I stayed in the hostel for about 10 days when I first moved to Austin. Also see about the bicycle scene there for other options, I think they do a yellow-bike free use thing. Dont miss out on Barton Springs, best swimming pool in the world.