As others have written, this is literally the perfect location for a visit to Downtown Austin. It's hard to imagine staying anywhere else and touring Austin on foot.

Some highlights: (1) Walk across the Chicago River, then follow the river/creek path to Barton Springs (and go for a cold but fun swim!). (REI is close to the room if you need swim gear. BookPeople is close by if you need beach reading.) (2) Get breakfast and snacks a couple blocks away from the apartment at Whole Foods. (3) Visit the UT Austin campus and the Blanton Art Museum. Even further north of the campus, drop by events at the (unassuming) Austin Zen Center. (Get lunch at Halal Brothers.) At UT Austin, I missed events at the Butler School of Music and the LBJ Presidential Library. Next time! (4) Wander down 6th street in the evening and pick any one of 10 options for live music based on sounds drifting across the sidewalk. (5) Walk across route 35 to get lunch at Franklin Barbecue (prepare for a 30+ minute wait). (6) Cool off and get some work done at Vintage Heart Coffee - try the iced vanilla latte.

Blair's Friday (early) evening book reading / salon was a terrific addition to my stay.