Why you should visit Austin, Texas

Austin is the state capital of Texas but with its liberal, creative and quirky vibes, it’s often known for being radically different from the rest of the state.  Many other major cities in Texas are dominated by high-rise buildings and an urban atmosphere, but with its impressive amount of green spaces (Austin boasts 205 parks and 14 nature preserves), Austin is a city you’ll love exploring – whether on foot or via one of their many biking trails.  Here are three reasons why you’ll love visiting Austin, Texas.

Outdoor lifestyle

Austin is one of the sunniest cities in America – enjoying over 300 days of sunshine a year.  Because of its combination of great weather, hiking and biking trails and lakes, and swimming holes – it’s no surprise that it’s become a haven for outdoor types. 

Lady Bird Lake is one of its most popular destinations – both for waterborne activities like kayaking and paddle-boarding, as well as the walking and cycling trails on both sides of the lake.  Paddling along one of the city’s designated lake trails is the perfect way to spend a warm afternoon – and if you don’t have the equipment you can always rent a kayak or SUP from several businesses operating on the lake’s shores.

Of all of the activities you can enjoy on and around the lake, one of the most unique is the opportunity to view the 1.5 million bats that live on the underside of the Congress Avenue Bridge (between March and September).  Every night you can view the spectacular show as they embark on their night flight to feed on insects.

Mount Bonnell is one of Austin’s original tourist destinations and at 775 feet, offers the best views of the city – both over Lake Austin and downtown.  Don’t be put off by its title – the climb to the viewpoint consists of 102 shaded steps and then it’s a short walk along a trail to the top.  

Barton Springs Pool is one of Austin’s proudest landmarks – a natural limestone pool fed by underground springs, meaning it can swim in year-round.  At 20C it’s also a refreshing way to escape the warm weather.  People even snorkel here in order to get a better view of the pool’s varied fish life or an opportunity to spot the endangered Barton Springs salamander.  Even if you don’t feel like taking a dip, many people come here just to enjoy the ambiance, and you’ll see locals relaxing by the shoreline with a picnic or a good book.

Great food

Austin is home to an incredible culinary scene – famous for a range of food from barbecue, to breakfast tacos, to food trucks to Tex-Mex.  

You simply can’t visit Austin without trying one of its famed barbecue joints – people will queue for hours at Franklin BBQ to get a taste of their smoked meat, particularly the nationally renowned brisket.  If you don’t fancy the long wait there are plenty of other BBQ joints across the city – La Barbecue being another famous spot, especially for their beef ribs.  There are also food trailers that offer Texas barbecue by the pound!

Food trucks are a frequent sight across the city – as well as food truck parks where sellers are grouped together, offering more choice and the opportunity to sample lots of great food at once.  You’ll find every type of cuisine catered for in some form – from Lebanese food to vegan milkshakes, to cake balls to grilled cheese.  If you have a sweet tooth, you must visit Hey Cupcake – an airstream trailer with an iconic revolving cupcake sign that serves the best cupcakes in town.

Live Music

Austin is famous worldwide for its thriving live music scene.  The music scene is incredibly diverse here – from small dive bars hosting newcomers and local bands to the 2750 capacity Moody Theater, which hosts Austin City Limits, the longest-running music series in TV history.  Music is ubiquitous here and cannot be escaped – you’ll even find live music events at the Whole Foods Market.  Austin has a series of notable festivals, from the world-famous SXSW held at the Convention Centre (showcasing both music and film) to the Austin City Limits Music Festival in Zilker Park – a two-weekend event featuring every genre of music.

If you like to combine your music with great food, you’ll love Stubb’s Bar-B-Q; not only a great barbecue joint but also a fully-fledged music venue in its own right, where many famous musicians have once ‘played for their supper’ at their outdoor amphitheater.

If you want to experience authentic Texan country music, then The Broken Spoke is the place to go.  One of the oldest dance halls in Texas, here you’ll find live music, dance lessons, and if you’ve worked up an appetite after all that two-stepping – excellent chicken-fried steaks.

For a slower-paced but equally atmospheric live music experience – and if jazz music is your preference – then you must visit The Elephant Room – an intimate, basement venue on Congress Avenue.  

What are your must-visit spots in Austin, Texas?