FUSE TV - Austin City Limits 2012 Survival Guide

So you were lucky enough to get a ticket to Austin City Limits? Sweet! Now you’ve got to research where you’re staying, figure out what to pack, sift through the festival’s FAQ, etc. Oh wait. You don’t because I already did it for you! Consider this your ACL cheat sheet, detailing how to get there, where to stay, what to wear, what to bring and, most importantly, the inside tricks to maximize your fun. Oh yeah, and we've also detailed 10 breakout bands you don't want to miss. You’re welcome.

GETTING THERE

Flying
Alongside the major discount flight sites, check out American Airlines, which is offering a 5 percent discount for flights to Austin from Oct. 9 - 17 with the promotion code 49H2DK.

Free Shuttle
Starting at 10 am, you can catch the shuttle to the festival grounds at Zilker Park from Republic Square (4th and Guadalupe Streets) in downtown. It’ll bring you back at the end of the night, but remember that the last one leaves at 11 pm.

Driving
There’s no parking at Zilker Park and out of respect for the locals, parking is discouraged in surrounding neighborhoods. Designated parking is at One Texas Center (1.3 miles to the park) and the Palmer Event Center (1.1 miles to the park). The shuttle doesn’t make stops at either location, so it’s up to you to get yourself the rest of the way.

Taxis
Taxis are allowed access near the festival entrance/exit, but given the festival's massive attendance, be prepared to fight for them.

Walking
If you’re staying downtown, Zilker Park is between 1.3 and 2.5 miles away depending on your starting point. A doable distance in the morning, but you’ll probably dread the walk home by the end of the night.

Biking
ACL recommends biking and so do I. The fest has plenty of bike racks, but bring your own lock though. You’ll get to your next destination quicker and skip the traffic jams you’re likely to face leaving on foot or by car. Austin has plenty of bike rental shops too. Here’s a list of a few near Zilker Park:

• Barton Springs Bike Rental – 0.7 miles away
  1707 Barton Springs Rd.
  Austin, TX 78704
• Jack & Adam's Bicycles – 0.8 miles away
  1210 Barton Springs Rd.
  Austin, TX 78704
• Austin Bike Tours & Rentals – 2.7 miles away
  900 Red River St.
  Austin, TX 78701