Austin is popular with tourist mainly for the unusual experience it offers. Located in central Texas along the banks of the Colorado River, the capital city of Austin is nothing like what you will find in the rest of the conservative state. The music scene is a big feature; hence Austin’s nickname as the ‘Live Music Capital of the World‘. Surprisingly, the tourist attractions are not overly developed, and there is plenty of natural beauty to be discovered.
Certainly not a city that ever favored prohibition, Austin is home to many micro brewery ale houses as well as an eclectic collection of live music venues on Sixth street pushing the ‘Austin sound’. The diverse night scene makes it easy to skip on sightseeing altogether and just hang out instead.
The selection of top-notch museums makes for a cool retreat from the Texan sun, while the students from the University of Texas keep things lively. The downtown skyline is dominated by the ornate State Capitol and the antebellum Governor’s Mansion. If you need to rest after feasting on a BBQ rib rack, check out Zilker Park and find a quiet pecan tree under which to snooze.
Highlights
State Capitol: set in beautiful grounds, the capitol building itself is impressive with its 1888 Renaissance Revival architecture.
Austin’s bats: annually, up to one and a half million Mexican free-tailed bats nest under the Congress Avenue Bridge – as night falls, it has become Austin tradition to sit under the bridge and watch them emerge.
Sixth street: for nightlife, this is the hippest place to go, where you will be spoiled for choice with live music and electrified bars.
Zilker Park: botanical gardens and a sculpture park are graced with spring-fed waters at a swimming hole where scantily clad bathers can be seen. There is no better way to see off your hangover!
Austin Museum of Art: offering two locations and a chance to see the vibrant character of the city reflected in its art.