p.s. no zoos unless you want me crying

Fredericksburg!

I like Fredericksburg also, but it will be a madhouse I bet, because of all the last minute shopportunities to be had. Still, I like it, and there is the Nimitz museum (I've never been, but it's there), and some wine tasting to be had, and some good places to eat.

Or, if you go south, there's New Braunsfels/Gruene, again with the shopportunities and the Grist Mill is pretty good, and Natural Bridge Caverns is out that way.

The Dr.Pepper museum in Waco/Dublin is pretty cool and inexpensive admission. You get to enjoy a tasty sugar cane Dr.Pepper from the tap when you are done with it. :) I mean you have to buy it but it's worth it.

I think the New Braunsfels idea sounds cool. The caverns are neat and inexpensive admission plus there are outlet malls, good restraunts and San Marcos has a cute little town square with antique shops and such.

it might be too late for your plans today, but maybe for another time. Lockhart isn't very far at all, it has amazing bbq, and there are historical sites (the courthouse is neato), plus shopping. it's a quaint little town that feels like a getaway from austin. i suggest gobbling down some smoked meats at Smitty's.

http://www.smittysmarket.com/index.html

and

http://www.lockhart-tx.org/web98/visitors/bbqcapitaloftexas.asp

You could go up to Lampasas and visit Colorado Bend State Park, which is a fun outdoors hiking type of day trip, and then go into Lampasas and eat some good BBQ.

Or hit Enchanted Rock first thing in the morning, then go into Fredricksburg to shop and eat.

Or, you could go out to Barsana Dam and sightsee, and then hit the Salt Lick.

Yeah, it's December and a girl's thoughts keep turning back to smoked meat...

Mexico.

Ciudad Acuna is less than 4 hours from Austin. It's always cheap, and always a good time. The town square is covered in Christmas decorations right now.