An RVers Guide to South Austin
I’ve put together this Google Map in and effort to help people who are only staying in Austin for a short while or who might just need a boost getting around. Little icons and everything. :)
The Walk Through
Here are just some of the highlights from the map. Feel free to explore it!
Pecan Grove RV Park
This is the park to stay at if you want to really get into the Austin experience, because a) it’s only a mile from downtown and Barton Springs and b) because the people who live here fulltime are incredibly welcoming and friendly: an Austinian trait in general.
They don’t typically have monthly spots available, unfortunately, as the park is highly in demand, and the weekly rate is $195 (as of December 2008), so it’s not exactly cheap. But it’s well worth it for the location and convenience of being practically in downtown Austin.
Austin’s got a great bus system and it’s ridiculously cheap, $0.75 / ride or $1.50 for a day pass good for unlimited rides for 24 hours, and there are stops on either side of the road that Pecan Grove sits on (Barton Springs Road).
Hiker / Biker Trail
Access to the biker / hiker trail is less than a mile away, which stretches for miles up and down either side of the river. This is a great place to get some exercise or just take a leisurely stroll along the Colorado River, which is beautifully clean through Austin.
Note that this is not the Colorado River, but Texas’ own Colorado. I believe it was mistaken for the actual big river out west and therefore the name slip up.
Thom’s Market
High quality food, much of it organic, wine and beer can all be found at this small grocery neighborhood grocery store. Perfect for when you don’t want to do a big shop or travel all the way downtown to Whole Foods.
The owner is a very nice guy, and he and his staff often have wine tasting in the store during holidays or just for fun on the weekend.
It is a bit on the expensive side, though, but considering the quality of the food and the reality that they’re not a big chain getting stuff in bulk, it’s a great neighborhood convenience.
P. Terry’s
Fast food that’s good for you is what P. Terry’s claims and they’re not just blowing smoke up your chimney. They get their tomatoes and bread shipped in daily, use local beef in their burgers and have a rockin’ veggie burger. Real milk in the milkshakes. They don’t use a single microwave and everything is made when you order it.
You have to check this place out, definitely a great alternative to the Jack n’ the Box and McDonald’s across the way.
Jo’s
A small coffee shop, my personal favorite in all of Austin and a great intro to South Congress, one of Austin’s trendier, boutique-y streets.
Zilker Park Disc Golf Course
A nice little 9 hole disc golf course, doesn’t take all day to play and meanders through both some field area and the forest. Zilker Park is a very chilled out park where you can also grill out, have a few beers, and just enjoy yourself.