One city, three price points: Weekend in Austin

BUDGET

Getting there

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www.austinromeos.com

Romantic Romeo’s, an Italian eatery in Austin, Texas, has live music and outdoor seating for a romantic dining experience.

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Fly nonstop to San Antonio on AirTran or Delta. One-way rates are typically $149 with a two-week notice and $74 during sale periods. Rent a car for the 90-minute drive to Austin.

Stay

Hyatt Place Austin, near the LBJ Presidential Library, is Hyatt’s new hotel with at-home touches such as a coffee/wine cafe, TV den, computer room and Wi-Fi throughout. Weekend rates with continental breakfast from $125. 7522 North I-35, 512-323-2121, www.austinnorthcentral.place.hyatt.com.

Eat

The Salt Lick Barbecue Restaurant, about a half-hour out of town, has a worldwide reputation for hearty family-style dinners of beef, sausage, ribs and all the fixings. Ask to sit by the cozy fireplace. $18.95 adults; $4.95 kids younger than 12. 18001 FM 1826, Driftwood. 512-858-4959, www.saltlickbbq.com.

Experience

Spring is spectacular at the 178-acre Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, founded by the former first lady in 1982. Enjoy walking trails, flower-filled meadows and spots for picnics. $7 adults, $6 seniors; $3 ages 5-12. 4801 La Crosse Ave. 512-232-0100, www.wildflower.org.

MODERATE

Getting there

Round-trip rates to Austin start at $329 on Delta nonstop; 21-day advance notice.

Stay

See top regional acts at the Continental Club, a famed spot in the “Live Music Capital of the World.” Across the street sits Hotel San Jose. A petite suite with a sitting area is $295 on weekends. This hip hotel has a garden courtyard and bikes to rent. 1316 S. Congress Ave., 512-693-9317, www.sanjosehotel.com.

Eat

Romantic Romeo’s, an Italian eatery, features live piano music, outdoor seating and a wide selection of lunch, brunch and dinner entrees to $24. 1500 Barton Springs Road, 512-476-1090, www.austinromeos.com.

Experience

From March through September, more than 1 million Mexican free-tailed bats live under the Congress Avenue Bridge, but at sunset they all take flight at once to feed. Take a pre-sunset tour to view the frenzy with Capital Cruise. $8 adults, $6 seniors, $5 kids 4 to 12. 208 Barton Springs Road (Hyatt Regency Boat Dock), 512-480-9264, www.capitalcruises.com.

SPLURGE

Getting there

Business Class seats on Delta are $423 each way for SkyMiles members.

Stay

Built in 1886, the opulent Driskill Hotel can please a cattle baron with signature bedding, plush robes, bed and bath linens, and Molten Brown bath amenities. “12 At The Driskill” is a room with panoramic views of downtown, starting at $449. 604 Brazos St., 512-474-5911, www.driskillhotel.com.

Eat

The menu of New American cuisine, with only the freshest ingredients, changes daily at Wink. Entrees to $32. Opt for the five-course tasting menu, $65 or $95 with wine. A seven-course menu is $85; $125 with wines. 1014 N. Lamar, Suite E, 512-482-8868, www.winkrestaurant.com.

Experience

Free tickets to the live music PBS program “Austin City Limits” are difficult to come by (pbs.org/klru/austin). Instead, plan ahead to attend the three-day autumn music festival in Zilker Park, Oct. 2-4, with 130 bands on eight stages. Sign up to receive e-mail info on ticket/band lineup. A three-day wristpass, about $170, gains access to all music venues, a food court and art market. www.aclfestival.com.

Have a city you want to read about? E-mail svanatten@ajc.com, and put “weekend in” in the subject line.

Maerz is a retired travel consultant. Look for her daily deals on ajc.com/travel.