Austin is a trendy city located in central Texas. This city of nearly a million inhabitants is the state capital of Texas. With the University of Texas situated in the heart of the city, Austin has a youthful feel and loads of fun things to do. But be warned, the summer heat is no joke!
Sights & Attractions
Downtown Austin is centered around the Texas State Capitol and is very walkable with lots of sights and restaurants in the area. The Colorado River flows on the south of the downtown area is a lovely place for a morning or afternoon walk or picnic in the many green areas along the river. Just north of the downtown area is Central Austin which is centered around the University of Texas at Austin campus.
Located in the center of downtown Austin is the Texas State Capitol Building. The building is open to the public free of charge and has a small gift store located inside. The building itself is similar to most US Capitol buildings with a large beautiful rotunda in the center of the building. Just across the road from the Capitol Building is the Saint Mary Catholic Cathedral. Completed in the late 1800s, this cathedral contrasts the modern city skyline with its old Gothic styled architecture.
Walking just a couple blocks north of the Capitol Building you’ll arrive at the the Bollock Texas State History Museum. The museum itself charges admission but you’ll be able to browse the gift store for some souvenirs. Just outside the front entrance is the famous Texas lone star sculpture. A great spot to snap an iconic Texas picture.
Some other highlights include:
- Blanton Museum of Art
- Walk around the University of Texas at Austin campus
- Sixth Street Historic District
- Visit some stores along South Congress Avenue
Activities & Experiences
Taking a walk around the Darrell K Royal Texas Memorial Stadium is a must do in Austin. The stadium is the home of the Texas Longhorns football team and is one of the largest in the world. The team shop is open year round and is a great place to pick up a souvenir or two. The walk around the stadium takes roughly 15 minutes and there are some side paths and other pitstops along the route.
A popular activity to do in Austin is to try catch a glimpse of the worlds largest urban bat colony. The bats live under the South Congress Bridge and come out each evening just after sunset between March and October. You can park up either under the bridge on the river walk path or on top of the bridge. This is quite a touristy activity so you may want to get there a bit early to snag a good spot.
Other fun activities to do while in Austin include:
- Search for a nice skyline view in Zilker Metropolitan Park
- Take a relaxing stroll along the Lady Bird Lake hiking trails
- Have a swim in Barton Springs Pool
Food & Drink
Texas is known for its barbecue and Austin is just the place to get your fix. The city is home to many of the best BBQ spots in the country and Franklin Barbecue is up there with the best in the world. Be warned that the queues are long, and try not to order with your eyes. I waited in the queue for just over 3 hours before placing my order. But its well worth the wait, easily the best BBQ I’ve ever had!
Sixth street is the main street for bars and nightlife. This street gets very busy most nights so plan ahead. Lots of live music and some very talent musicians. The open mic at Friends Bar is highly recommend, and a great spot to park off at in the quieter hours. Another fun area to walk around is Rainey Street. This is a nice street to walk up on your way back from Lady Bird Lake and stop in at one of the many spots for a drink or bite to eat.
Some other places to try:
- Grab a beer at Scholz Garten, one of the oldest German Biergartens in America
- Listen to some live music at The Continental Club
- Deep Eddy Cabaret
- Have some street tacos at Las Trancas Taco Stand
Transport & Accommodation
The public transport in Austin and Texas in general isn’t great unfortunately. It’s well known that that its very challenging to get around Texan cities without a car. Austin does have metro busses and a light rail system that operates fairly well, but using the available public transport will mean you waste a lot of time getting places. Luckily Austin is a very walkable city, at least the downtown and midtown areas. So if it’s not too hot out I walk to most spots in the city.
I stayed at the Firehouse Hostel in the heart of Downtown Austin. I was pleasantly surprise by this hostel as hostels in America generally get a bad wrap. The service was great, the facilities are clean, and they have a bunch of activities and event to do. Also be sure to pop into the hidden bar downstairs!
Final Thoughts
Austin is a city with lots to do and see. This city is a bit different from the other Texan cities in that it has a relatively young population and has a great art scene and nightlife. Centered around the University of Texas, Austin, this city is a great first place to visit for those looking for a lighter Texan experience. But be warned, don’t visit in the height of the summer if you can’t handle the heat!
Some highlighted spots for your Austin trip!
Stingy Sightseeing 
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