Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
One major complaint is drunken college students letting it all hang out on 6th St. It's a
party atmosphere (imagine a small-scale Mardi Gras happening every weekend), and if
you're drunkenly counting your cash and appraising your jewelry in an alley at 2am,
you're as likely to encounter interest here as anywhere else. Transients and panhandlers
congregate downtown near Congress Ave, especially from 4th through 7th Sts. Keep your
wits about you when returning to your car at night, or hail a taxi (or a pedicab).
Austin natives claim they live in the allergy capital of America, and at any time of year
visitors are likely to sneeze and wheeze along with the rest of the city's denizens. If you're
at all susceptible, especially to pollen or mold, bring proper medication.
EMERGENCY
Emergency Animal Hospital & Clinic
(
Northwest Austin 512-331-6121, South Austin 512-899-0955)
Police
(
nonemergency 311, 512-974-2000)
INTERNET ACCESS
Free public internet access is available at any public-library branch; call 512-974-7301
for hours and locations. Downtown,
Faulk Central Public Library
( 512-974-7400; 800 Guadalupe St;
10am-9pm Mon-Thu, 10am-6pm Fri & Sat, noon-6pm Sun)
has dozens of wired terminals. Many cof-
fee shops around town have free wi-fi. Try
Hideout Coffee House & Theatre
(
512-443-3688; 617
)
right downtown, or join the
Congress Ave;
7am-11pm Mon-Thu, to 1am Fri & Sat, 8am-10pm Sun;
mass of UT students at the 24-hour
Bennu
(
512-478-4700; 2001 E Martin Luther King Jr Blvd;
24hr)
.
MEDIA
Newspapers & Magazines
Austin American-Statesman
(
www.statesman.com
)
The respected daily newspaper. Publishes
XLent,
a supplemental what's-on guide with restaurant and entertainment reviews, every
Thursday.
Austin Chronicle
(
www.austinchronicle.com
)
Free alternative weekly with independent coverage of
local politics and the lowdown on the Austin music, food and performing-arts scenes.
Radio
Most of the following stations do live-streaming broadcasts online, so you can eavesdrop
on Austin before you arrive.
