Wednesday, 24 August 2011

Traveling to Austin, Texas: Things to Do and See

By Emma Starr


You can't come to Austin without visiting the state Capitol building. The regal building sits between the University of Texas and downtown. The grounds are lush green and widespread, and it's the perfect place to have a picnic on a beautiful day. The Capitol building is the heart of Texas politics, and visitors can explore it on public tours.

When Austinites need to cool off, they head to Barton Springs Pool--one of the city's gems. It's a three-acre man-made pool that is fed with chilly spring water that stays around 68 degrees all year long. It can feel very cold, but on a hot summer day, it feels just right! Even if they choose not to swim, locals love to hang out on the hills on both side of the pool--it's a beautiful area and lots of fun.

Austin is filled with music venues, so it's no surprise that the city calls itself "The Live Music Capital of the World." Nearly all genres of music can be found here. You can find large acts at major venues such as Stubb's and Antone's, and you can find smaller local acts at intimate venues including Lucky Lounge and One-2-One Bar.

If you enjoy music, you should try to come to Austin during one of its many festivals. It is home to the annual Austin City Limits Festival, which has been around for 10 years and brings major bands from all over the world for three days. South by Southwest (SXSW) is another popular festival, and while it has a music component, it also features film and interactive segments. Other great festivals in Austin include Fun Fun Fun Fest, Urban Music Festival, Austin Reggae Fest, and more.

A trip to Austin isn't complete without eating its delicious Tex-Mex and barbecue cuisine. If you're in the mood for Mexican, some local favorites include Chuy's, Trudy's, Fonda San Miguel, and Curra's Grill. For cheap but delicious tacos, try Torchy's Tacos, a local restaurant that has become massively popular. If you're dreaming of ribs and brisket, you can't go wrong with The Salt Lick, Rudy's, Lambert's, or The County Line.

For those wanting to do some unique shopping, South Congress Avenue is the place to go. It's lined with cute vintage boutiques, art shops, and other unusual retailers. It has a whole food truck park with a delicious variety of offerings. South Congress also features an artist's market on the weekends and on the first Thursday of every month.




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