Dynamic and down-home, distinctly Texan but an entity all its own, Austin melds contrasts and contradictions into one transportative whole. Recent infusions of tech dollars—plus the SXSW cultural festival, which touches down every March—have fostered an ever-growing audience hungry for third-wave coffee shops, James Beard Award–winning restaurants, and slick boutique hotels, but the city’s barbecue hotspots, live music joints, taco trucks, and cowboy-boot emporiums evince its local pride. From its hidden swimming holes and Hill Country hideaways to its southern hospitality, the Lone Star State’s capital is worth getting to know.
Summers in Austin can be sticky, while winters can be chilly, making September–November and March–May ideal times to visit. In these months, you can expect daytime temperatures to be pleasant enough for outdoor dining. The Austin calendar is full of fun festivals, such as SXSW in March, so be sure to check with the timing of any trip to be prepared for the larger crowds and inflated lodging that come with the festivities.
There are many great options to get around Texas's capital city, with one of the best being public transportation. The local transit system is made up of buses and light rail, run by Capital Metro. Centrally located areas of town, such as downtown and near the University of Austin are easily traversed by foot or bike. After all, much of the city is flat, and trails, such as those around Lady Bird Lake, are plenty.
Barbecue is an integral part of Austin, and visitors shouldn't miss this local specialty. (Non-meat eaters will do fine at the city's many plant-based restaurants.) Food tours may be the best way to navigate the complex ecosystem of local joints, which change every year. Standouts include The Salt Lick in nearby Driftwood, Franklin Barbecue, and Terry Black's Barbecue. Arrive early and be prepared for lines at the most popular joints.
Local Currency US Dollar ($) | Time Zone CST (UTC -6) | Country Code +1 | Language(s) English | Attractions 23 | Tours 256 | Reviews 14,918 |
Austin is the capital of Texas and home of the University of Texas. Visitors flock to the city for its barbecue, live music, and eclectic vibe. Congress Avenue Bridge is a popular stop to view the city’s bat population as well as strolling, biking, and kayaking around Lady Bird Lake.
...MoreAustin is well-known for its live music venues featuring alt-country, blues, and rock. Before the music starts, there are Tex-Mex and barbecue joints to explore, as well as a thriving brewery scene. Or, join the locals biking around town, swimming at Barton Springs, and kayaking around Lady Bird Lake.
...MoreThree days is plenty of time to enjoy smoky barbecue, relax in the outdoors, and hear Austin’s world-famous music. You may even have time for a Hill Country day trip. Most visits include the Texas Capitol building, Zilker Metropolitan Park, and Congress Avenue Bridge, home of the city’s bat population.
...MoreA thriving barbecue, live music, and brewery scene—as well as plenty of opportunities for outdoor recreation—has made Austin a popular destination, both to live in and visit. The city’s “Keep Austin Weird” ethos has made it a haven for creatives who infuse the city with energy, quirkiness, and innovation.
...MoreSixth Street, located in Austin’s downtown, is a boisterous area for revelers to visit live music venues, dance clubs, bars, and comedy clubs. But it isn’t the only place to find fun in the city. Other entertainment districts in the area include Rainey Street, Seaholm District, and the Warehouse District.
...MoreStart with a migas breakfast before exploring the Texas State Capitol building and other attractions downtown. After a Tex-Mex lunch, hit the Hike-and-Bike Trail at Lady Bird Lake and Congress Avenue Bridge—look for bats at dusk. Save the evening for a barbecue meal and a live music show.
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