7th Stop: Austin
After indulging is some of the best food in Texas, take a 30-mile drive up U.S. Highway 183N to Austin, the state’s capitol. Like in San Antonio, you will want to drop your bags off before going to the bars. You can save money for drinks if you get a room at America’s Best Value Inn for $49 a night, which is located within walking distance of Sixth Street.
While in Austin it is a must to hit up the famous Sixth Street bar scene. In an area that looks like a mini New Orleans, Sixth Street is blocked off, allowing people to wander in the street. It is lined with bars, some with balconies that overlook the street. It is the University of Texas’ bar scene, so there is no doubt you will run into other people your age.
Many of the bars play live music that appeals to our generation.
“It is a great place to mix and mingle with a bunch of different groups of friends. Everyone is there,” junior UT student Hannah Bock said.
Bock says all the bars are good on different nights, but recommends Maggie Mae’s, Cheers Shot Bar, Pete’s Piano Bar and the Iron Cactus. Once these close at 2 a.m., the scene moves to Roppolo’s, where you can enjoy a late-night slice of pizza.
Sixth Street is certain to offer something or some scene that interests you. It’s a great place to meet people.
“I don’t believe there is any place like it. It’s an Austin experience you can’t miss,” Bock said.
Don’t worry if you fail to get a slice at Roppolo’s late night. In the morning you can roll over to Mangia Pizza (mangiapizza.com) located at 2401 Lake Austin. Mangia offers Chicago-style deep-dish pizza and has been voted best pizza in Austin on multiple occasions. Mangia has also been a question on the TV show “Jeopardy” and has been featured on ESPN for the restaurant’s football-shaped pizzas.
8th Stop: Fort Worth
Try and get out of Austin early, as the next stop is three hours away. Take Interstate Highway I-35 N for 187 miles to Fort Worth.
Put on your cowboy boots when you get in town and head over to Billy Bob’s Texas (billybobstexas.com). Billy Bob’s is known for being the world’s largest honky tonk. You are almost certain to walk into a country concert and a great time. On the inside, Billy Bob’s takes up three acres of space and offers 20 acres of parking. Their maximum capacity is over 6,000 people. The honky tonk has 32 different bars inside and has been host to more than 15 million people since it opened its doors in 1981.
If you’re not eager to throw your spurs on, there are other things to do in Fort Worth as well. Check out Sundance Square (sundancesquare.com). The square got its name after the Sundance Kid, who used to frequent the area back in the old days with other country legends such as Wyatt Earp, Doc Holliday and Butch Cassidy. These cowboys visited the area because of the excessive amount of drinking and gambling that occurred.
Today, many of the same buildings are still standing and have been restored into restaurants, bars and shops. There is something for everyone in the square. There are movie theaters, comedy clubs, museums and concerts. Try eating at restaurant 8.0, which serves only American food and has live bands perform on the outside patio. The area itself is like a small Uptown, but with a Fort Worth twist.
“Sundance Square is different. It is small, yet there are plenty of things to do there. It has the Fort Worth cattle feel to it that makes it completely different than anywhere else,” junior Texas Christian University student Christina Garcia said.
After Fort Worth, it’s time to cruise back home to Dallas.
See? Staying in Texas doesn’t have to be a wasted spring break after all. The best part is that after traveling more than 1,000 miles over Texas roads, you will be home just in time to go pick up all your friends from the airport.
