<p>Longhorn baseball is the best, isn't it?! </p>
<p>Welcome home! All terrific ideas so far. Here are a few more that occurred to me:</p>
<p>Has your son ever climbed Enchanted Rock? had legendary Texas Hill Country BBQ at Cooper's in Llano or Salt Lick in Dripping Springs? splashed in Hamilton Pool? Nearby Westcave Preserve is also an interesting little spot if you are out that way, and sometimes, they have star nights. </p>
<p>The locals' favorite instead of Mt. Bonnell is climbing to the mesa tops of the cliffs on either side of the 360 bridge on the N side of the river. But you really need a local to show you the way...oh, I guess not, that's just me being a mom! Y'all would figure it out--and someone's almost always there.</p>
<p>My HS senior's gang played pub trivia every Wed. night this year. It's great big fun! They don't like us to show up, so the adults have played a couple of times at another place. There are several restaurants/bars around town that offer trivia nights. You can Google it and find one near your parents' home. The 4+ of you would make a killer team!</p>
<p>The hike and bike trail just keeps getting better and better. And paddling in Lady Bird Lake (it's not Town Lake anymore!) is always fun--several kayak and canoe rental outfits. </p>
<p>Check the Alamo Drafthouse schedule for wacky movie events and BookPeople for author appearances.</p>
<p>Because UT is winding down, there is probably a bit of a music lull. But a couple of things caught my eye when I was thumbing through this week's Austin Chronicle (free, pick it up if you haven't already). If you've caught the Sarah Jarosz bug, I believe she's playing while you're here. And there are plenty of "free with food" or just plain free options, e.g., Thursday nights "Unplugged" at Shady Grove are always fun (good burgers--Huts is still #1 with me--and although I don't think your son is 21, you can try the Shady Thang!). Sunday nights in May on the plaza at the Bob Bullock (I was so excited when I saw Beto y los Fairlanes and RoTel and the Hot Tomatoes on the line-up for the 22nd--I am older than you are, but you might recall them from your UT days!). There's often live music at Whole Foods and Central Market (and their cooking classes are fun if he'd like that sort of thing). Re: classes, REI is always offering something interesting.</p>
<p>I think South Congress is best at night when it has cooled off and you can just stroll, shop, eat, gawk. Have you taken him to Allen's for a pair of boots?! Trailer food there and all over town! The East Side is for hip dining these days. Two French bistros I like over there are Justine's and Blue Dahlia--so nice to have a French option to Chez Nous! Takoba is sort of "new interior Mexican" with wickedly delicious mango habanero margaritas. G'Raj Mahal (east downtown, not across 35) is popular for Indian (although I am partial to Tarka--you know Clay Pit, this is their casual, line up to order joint in South Austin). A hip sushi/Japanese that's not on the East Side, but North Lamar, is Uchiko, the new Uchi baby (don't know if your parents are Uchi fans, but the chef just won the James Beard award for the SW). Ooops! Getting carried away with libations and bites! Oh, but I do have to add, Mozart's on Lake Austin Blvd. (by Hula Hut) for late night lakeside coffee and dessert.</p>
<p>Have a fabulous time! I hope this glorious weather hangs on your entire stay. Feel free to PM me if you have any specific questions.</p>
