Coming from Strasbourg, beware that Austin is HOT in August. Expect highs near 100 degrees F. And it doesn't cool off that much at night. Don't know what kind of budget you're on but if you have no rental car then stay downtown (you can get a bus from the airport to downtown: http://www.capmetro.org/riding/schedules.asp?f1=100).

Definitely visit the state capital building.

Plenty of good eating places on Sixth Street and South Congress (south of the river). Plenty of nightlife on Sixth Street as well. Try Schlotsky's for a nice sandwich (on South Lamar, just south of the river).

In the early evening, take a walk or run on the hike/bike trail around Town Lake (a fancy name for the river). Watch the bats come out from under the Congress Avenue bridge at dusk.

The Lyndon Baines Johnson library would be great if you're a history buff. Good overview of his career and the late 60's in the US. http://www.lbjlib.utexas.edu

There is a good film series during the summer at the Paramount Theater on Congress Avenue (just south of the capital). http://www.austintheatre.org/site/Pa...?pagename=Film

A couple of decent museums are near downtown (Blanton Museum, Harry Ransom Center, Texas State History museum).

I and family will probably be in or near Strasbourg for a day in August. Enjoy your visit to Austin.