<p>I've stayed at that La Quinta! Should I blame you that the Magic Fingers caught my mattress on fire?!?! That's some story, let me tell you.</p>
<p>Well, we did the Oltorf framing in the Summer of 1972. Then we moved to what was then considered "far North" Austin [North of Anderson Lane] to frame some apartment complexes. The tape and bed men left some burning embers in a can (to keep warm) and the whole damn project burned down. You could see the flames that night back at 41st and Speedway where I lived. OMG --I just Google Mapped 41st & Speedway and the duplex is STILL there.</p>
<p>I will refrain from making any observations about a mattress going up in flames due to use of Magic Fingers, but I'd love to hear the story.</p>
<p>It's not nearly as risque as it sounds (I was 16 and staying with my parents), but it is funny. My father, in his underwear, threw the flaming mattess out in the parking lot. I did my best Girl Scout routine and alerted nearby rooms of the potential problem, and one couple was scared that I was the wife knocking on the door. :) That's what they get. They peeled out of the parking lot a couple minutes later.</p>
<p>THAT was YOU?!?!?!?!?!?</p>
<p>I've gotten amazing deals on really nice hotels in Austin using Priceline. Rates like $79 for the Marriott, Hyatt and brand new Sheraton which are all downtown and an easy walk to restaurants etc. You might also look into package deals through Travelocity or one of the other online Travel services where air, room and car can be priced far below what you'd pay doing it separately.</p>
<p>:D</p>
<p>That was YOU! I'm telling your wife!</p>
<p>Jolynne, doesn't it sound like a fun place to stay?</p>
<p>I can't imagine that a question re: 'things to do' in any other city would produce as many colorful and enthusiastic responses as this!! I'm really curious now to see the variety that Austin offers! (btw, I also remember Magic Fingers when I was a kid & traveling w/mom & dad!!!). :-)</p>
<p>Thanks, eadad, for th priceline tip.</p>
<p>The first time we visited we did not get a car, but it a very short visit. We flew in, got in around 11 pm, stayed at the Doubletree that is just across I 35 from the admissions office building and the big statue of Bevo. All we did the next day was walk to admissions, walk around campus, and walk on Guadalupe a bit. Walked back to the hotel at night and flew home the next morning. I think I probably could have gotten a rental car for the price of the two cab fares. Advantage rental car at the airport often has cheap deals. Since then I have always rented a car when we were there.</p>
<p>When my husband and my son and I went to visit my D for the weekend this fall, we stayed at the Embassy Suites a mile or two north of campus on I 35, near Target. With some rebate deal from Expedia, it was only about $110 a night, which was a good deal, we thought. We were there for the two nights. Everyone in the family likes Embassy Suites. :)</p>
<p>Traffic on 35 near campus is bad during rush hour so if you are trying to get to campus for something at 9 am or so, allow extra time.</p>
<p>Good tips, MidwestMom2kids! Son's first event on Monday morning is at 8:30 a.m.! So, we'll definitely leave extra time! Thanks.</p>
<p>Just checking in! We're heading to Austin for the weekend to visit our son. I'll try out some of the restaurants on the list and report back ;)</p>
<p>BTW, I got a hotel room at the Radisson just north of campus for $76.00 by going direct to their website and finding the "internet special". Sometimes you luck out!</p>
<p>Cool, thanks ag54! I'm busy earning $$ to try and have a chance at affording the OOS TX tuition, but will check back in to hear how your trip went & eventually report on our outing. Turns out son's cousin & his dad will be here at the same time, golfing. Cousin loves TX too, and will likely be a recruited athlete.</p>
<p>There are some fairly sketchy motel/hotels on IH35 south of the river near oltorf. Stay away from those. Better to spend a little more and get a sweet deal at the Radisson...</p>
<p>OK, it's not cheap, but my personal favorite Austin hotel
Austin</a> Texas Winter Vacation Packages & Getaways | The Driskill Hotel - Special Offers</p>
<p>Check out this website. It provides plenty of information on what to expect when visiting these campuses from the look of the campus to various aspects of student life to local hotspots.</p>
<p>Thank you thank you for that additional hotel input!! Will check out all of them. Need to convince husband to rent a car, but hopefully that will work out. Looking forward to the warm, TX weather! Uncle asked if son had perfected his 'rebel yell,' yet. He's a teen -- think that's a natural...</p>
<p>It was cold today! At least in the middle of nowhere (where I was) watching a scrimmage. I'm so hoping for Chamber of Commerce weather while y'all are hear. </p>
<p>Tell dh that a car is a must! Or you'll have a horrible experience, and it will skew your perception of the school and then the whole trip was a waste of money (hit him where he lives!).</p>
<p>Good point, Youdon'tsay. I think our family members who are visiting at the same time are definitely using a car, so that will also be a selling point on the vehicle issue.</p>
<p>Jolynne, I wish you were here today! Check out this February forecast:</p>
<p>statesman.com</a> | Unseasonably warm weather today | Weather Watch</p>
<p>It'll still be nice on Sunday when you're hear, in the 60s, and then in the 70s on Monday.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Kansas, The Toadies, Hoobastank, The Edgar Winter Band, Jackopierce, Badfish - a tribute to SUBLIME, The Killdares, and The Spazmatics. More acts coming soon!
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Since your son is into music, I thought I'd post this festival lineup. Eclectic? Yep. The website is Wildflower</a>! Arts & Music Festival- City of Richardson.</p>
<p>It is held in a suburb of Dallas. Why would this matter to a UT-Austin kid? Well, there are bus services from the UT campus direct to both Dallas and Houston. The point is that at UT-Texas you not only get the Austin scene, the student can experiece what is going on in these two larger cities. If your son decides on UT, I can get you the link to the bus company.</p>
<p>I can't wait to hear how they liked the two schools -- and towns.</p>