Austin
Austin, Texas's state capital, is an inland metropolis that borders the Hill Country area. Austin, home to the flagship campus of the University of Texas, is noted for its diversified live-music culture centered on country, blues, and rock. Hiking, biking, swimming, and boating are popular activities in its numerous parks and lakes. The United States Grand Prix has been held at Formula One's Circuit of the Americas racetrack south of the city.
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 some great musicians' careers, including Stevie Ray Vaughan, Janis Joplin, and the Dixie Chicks. Despite recent expansion, Austin retains a unique, laid-back character that you won't find in other Texas towns. Outsiders sometimes perceive Austin as a haven for odd personalities, but Austinites relish their quirkiness and proudly proclaim the city's motto, "Keep Austin Weird."
Aside from its buzzing live music and nightlife scenes, the main reason to visit is to enjoy the outdoors. With an average of about 300 sunny days per year and large swaths of green space like Zilker Metropolitan Park, many experts consider Austin one of the best places to live in America. It's probably because there's something here for everybody: Whether you're a history buff (LBJ's library is here as well as the Lone Star State-sized Texas State History Museum), an art lover (Blanton Museum of Art), a sports fan (University of Texas at Austin football) or a budding musician (Sixth Street). After your visit, you might be asking: "Why don't I live here?"
Best Hotels in Austin:
- Commodore Perry Estate, Auberge Resorts Collection
- The Archer Hotel in Austin
- Miraval Austin
The Best Things to Do in Austin:
- Texas Capitol
- Mount Bonnell
- Zilker Metropolitan Park
Rankings:
- 3 in Best Places to Visit in Texas
- 8 in Best Nightlife Cities in the U.S.
- 9 in Best Weekend Getaways in the South
Rating:
- 9 in Best Weekend Getaways in the South
