Austin is most widely known as the live music capital of the world, and by its catch slogan Keep Austin Weird, but the town offers so much more. Whether you’re there to eat, drink, watch or play, you’ll have tons to do in this modern day urban jungle.
Go Clubbing on 6th Street
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Austin is home to more music venues per capita than any other U.S. city. The nightlife and music scene revolves around ever-so-popular 6th Street district in the downtown area. Checking it out is a must, even if clubbing isn’t normally your thing. Lit Lounge, Amped Austin, Elysium and Rio Austen are just a few of the many nightclubs that line the popular street. Dance the night away, or explore some of the many restaurants, bars and art venues in the area.
Go to All of the Festivals.
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South by Southwest (SXSW) film, interactive media, and music festival is the place to be in mid-March. It’s nine days long and showcases over 145 feature films, 2,000 music acts and over 700 speakers. If you’re in Texas in October, Zilker Park hosts their annual The Austin City Limits Music Festival, where music lovers all over the world come together to enjoy rock, indie, country, folk, electronic and hip hop concerts across 8 stages.
Catch a Show at Paramount Theatre
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If you’re a fan of the classics, or just a nerd for live shows, be sure to check out The Paramount Theatre. The beautiful architecture, lavish decor and advanced acoustics give performances an old world feel with new world quality.
Go museum hopping.
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Why not make your visit to Austin educational as well? The famous Texas Memorial Museum located at the University of Texas houses natural and cultural artifacts from Texas’s rich history. Likewise, the Jack S. Blanton Museum of Art is one of the largest university art museums in the United states, and is devoted to both temporary and permanent exhibitions that consists of over 18,000 works of modern and contemporary art, Latin American art, Old Master paintings and prints and drawings from around the world.
Visit Lady Bird Lake
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Created in 1960, Lady Bird Lake is the beating heart of the downtown Austin.The lake is circuled by a beautiful hike and bike trail, where you’ll find tourists and locals like getting their outdoor fix. If you’re looking for something more romantic, rent a boat and float around the water, or embrace your inner country and go fishing with the locals.
Hike Mount Bonnell
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If you’re looking for an epic view of the city, Mount Bonnell is just the spot. Located only 5 miles from the city center, Mount Bonnell offers a truly breathtakingly beautiful view of the downtown Austin skyline, Lady Bird Lake and the rolling hills of Austin. Go hiking, have a picnic or simply unwind from the day and enjoy the view.
Explore more of the best things to do outdoors in Austin.
Eat all of the barbecue.
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You can’t go to Texas without eating barbeque, and there is no better place than Franklin Barbecue. It’s one of the best restaurants in Austin, Texas with over-the-top brisket and ribs with flavor-packed sauces. Be prepared to wait before being seated, as lines begin to form early in the morning. If you’re too hungry to wait, try one of the other famous BBQ spots in the city.
Truth to be told, it’s impossible to cover all of the sites, restaurants and things to do in this intricate city. Get outside, soak up that famous Texas hospitality, and explore all of the wonders Austin has to show.
