OK, here's the deal.

My sister is moving to Cedar Park, Texas, next to Round Rock (yes, they're with Dell). I haven't told her yet, but I'm thinking of paying a visit next February.

Good time to go?

What's there to see/do - any restaurant rec's in the area?

Also, a friend of ours will be in Galveston at the same time. How far - time? Good option for a day or two?

Thanks in advance.

You should definitely see some live music. There are many, many clubs with every genre. They even have live music in the Austin airport! Check out the Austin Chronicle for listings.

You could visit the wineries in the Hill Country. It is really pretty up there. Mandola Estate is one of the bigger ones, with an Italian restaurant where they make their own pasta.

6th Street downtown would be fun if you would like to revisit the 24 year old in you. There are lots of bars and pubs along there. For something a little more mellow, there is a restaurant and wine bar in the Four Seasons right on the river/lake - it's called Trio and they have these couches where you can sit outside and look at the scenery.

I haven't been, but Aquarelle is suppose to be really good. I just worked a sommelier conference and all the instructors went there afterwards.

I was there in February once and the weather was great. Warm and sunny days - though it did get quite cold at night.

I changed planes in Austin once, and it was a kick to see a band playing in the airport!

One of my cousins lives in Austin, and when my aunt and uncle visit him they like to take a day trip to Fredericksburg - about an hour and a half away.

I think Austin started the "Keep (city name) Weird" fad. See:Keep Austin Weird

Cedar Park to Galveston is ~240 miles and will take 4-5 hours driving time, depending on Austin and Houston traffic.

There are much better things to do in the Austin area than go to Galveston. The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in South Austin. The Bob Bullock Texas State History museum in Austin. Live music. Eating cmfort food at Threadgill's. Live music in Austin. San Antonio is about 100miles, Fredericksburg is about 95 miles from Cedar Park and has the Nimitz War of the Pacific Museum (Chester Nimitz was a native) There are a number of wineries in the Texas Hill Country.

Bill

I've been to Austin many times on business trips and I love this place - the Broken Spoke

It's a classic Texas dance hall; I've never been any where else quite like it. I was there one night, and Willie Nelson showed up unannounced and played for the very small crowd of us who were lucky enough to be there.

There's a bridge downtown that has a colony of one million bats living underneath it, and tons of people come at sunset to watch the bats fly out. It's an amazing sight. But I'm not sure if that happens in February or not - might be only in warm weather.

It's a really fun city!