Unlike some capital cities, Austin – the capital of the Lone Star State – is far from stuffy. Dubbed "the Live Music Capital of the U.S.", Austin flaunts its western flair but also boasts the characteristics of any vibrant large city found across America. Rich not only in music but also in theater, museums, history, and outdoor activities, Austin is often overlooked in favor of the more popular Texas cities of Dallas and San Antonio, but visitors who do make a stop in Austin tend to return again and again.
In Austin, the choices for live music are phenomenal. The city claims that, on any given night, visitors can choose from nearly 200 live music venues where the fare ranges from classic blues and jazz to country/western, rock and roll, Latin, and even classical. From five-star restaurants and funky nightclubs to more formal concert halls, Austin has something for everyone. Check out the Warehouse District and Sixth Street, where you’ll find the largest concentration of venues. Music festivals abound here as well, so it’s always best to consult an events calendar to find out what’s going on in this lively city.
There’s more to Austin than just energetic nightclubs and street musicians. The “serious” part of the capital city boasts two dance companies – Ballet Austin and Ariel Dance Theater, the Austin Symphony Orchestra, and the Austin Lyric Opera Company. For those who prefer the visual arts, there’s plenty of that as well. The Austin Museum of Art boasts two locations with collections and temporary exhibits that promote twentieth century and contemporary works of American art, many by regional artists. The Mexic-Arte Museum displays arts, crafts, and other media from neighboring Mexico and by artists of Mexican heritage. The Lyndon B. Johnson Museum and Library profiles the childhood and subsequent success of the late president.
Originally established as a trading post on the Colorado River, Austin boasts a strong Western heritage that dates back to 1838. To learn more about the beginnings of Austin and of Texas in general, visit the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum and make a stop at the city’s unique pink granite Texas State Capitol Building and the Capitol Visitors Center. For a lesson on Texas’ rich African-American culture, head to the George Washington Carver Museum and Cultural Center, where guests learn about the famous black scientist and inventor, as well as the contributions of other African-Americans from Central Texas, through permanent and changing exhibits.
Guests to Austin will find no shortage of things to do outside in the bright Texas sunshine. Because the University of Texas is located in the city, spectator sports are abundant, including football, baseball, soccer, track and field, swimming and much more. In addition, three lakes surround the city and picturesque Town Lake bisects Austin, offering hike and bike trails and riverboat cruises. Nearby McKinney Falls State Park provides visitors with plenty of room to run around and enjoy camping, fishing, swimming, mountain biking, and wildlife and bird watching.
