Austin

Austin, known as the "Live Music Capital of the World", has more live music venues per capita than any other city in the country. It has seen the beginnings of several famous musicians' careers, including Stevie Ray Vaughan, Janis Joplin, and the Dixie Chicks. Despite significant growth in recent years, Austin retains a quirky, laid-back atmosphere that is unlike any other Texas city. Outsiders often perceive Austin as a haven for eccentric characters, but Austinites relish their eccentricity and proudly proclaim the city's motto, "Keep Austin Weird".

Apart from its vibrant live music and nightlife scenes, the main reason to visit is to enjoy the great outdoors. With an average of 300 sunny days per year and large swaths of green space such as Zilker Metropolitan Park, many experts rank Austin as one of the Best Places to Live in America. It's probably because there's something for everyone here, whether you're a history buff (LBJ's library and the Texas State History Museum are both here), an art lover (Blanton Museum of Art), a sports fan (the University of Texas at Austin football), or a budding musician (Sixth Street).