Austin , Texas ( CNN ) -- `` The State I 'm In '' columnist Brendan Newnam recently spent time in Austin , Texas during the SXSW conference and festival . Here are his Austin essentials : . Eat . Franks Do n't let the font and the word `` artisan '' distract you . This place is about hot dogs and cold beer . Barley Swine One of Austin 's top food trailers , Odd Duck , has grown up and become a tasty , local gastropub . Olivia The best non-sushi restaurant in Austin . Everyone tells you so and everyone is right . Franklin Barbecue Yes , Iron Works is good , Stubb 's is more than adequate and , if you have a couple hours , the Salt Lick experience is divine , but none of their BBQ is any better than Franklin 's . Drink . Lala 's -- The best dive bar in Austin celebrates Christmas every day . 2207 Justin Lane ; ( 512 ) 453-2521 . Bar Congress Cocktailian Adam Bryant knows more than you about booze . Try to find a better martini in Texas . I did , but failed each time . Mohawk Bar This is the real place . The spot where visiting cool kids and local kids unite , consume beer and nod to music . Stay . The Driskill Pole position for everything Austin , with a touch of cowboy glamour . Hotel San Jose A boutique hotel where I wish I stayed . Courtyard Marriot , Austin Where I stayed . The people were wonderful and never judged me for my 2 a.m. microwavable chimichanga attacks . Play . Barton Creek Greenbelt Take a cab to an authentic natural experience . Hike , swim and contemplate life at the geographical bottom of the United States . View the bats on the Congress Avenue Bridge . To get the latest flight times call the Bat Hotline ( ! ) , sponsored by the local paper . Line : 512-416-5700 ( Category 3636 ) . Rent boats or kayaks at Lady Bird Lake . Attend the SXSW or ACL festival . Austin hosts two tremendous music festivals that provide the perfect backdrop for goofing off with friends . Austin City Limits . SXSW .
Capital fare : Barbecue , dogs and the best martini in Texas . The Driskill hotel is the pole position for everything Austin . Check it out : Swarming hungry bats ( they wo n't hurt you ) and two great music festivals .