Austin is the capital of Texas, the great state famous for cowboys and rodeos, for oil wells and for space exploration, which as Hollywood cinema teaches us, starts from Houston. But even though it is the state’s capital city, we can say that Austin is a bit different in pattern compared to its state, which is better represented in its essence by the small settlements among the boundless moors and, in the big cities, probably by the Dallas – Forth Worth combo.
Austin has been from its origins an alternative city, long defined as hippie, dominated by live music, street arts. If you decide to stop over in the capital, you should know that social interaction, joy and fun are waiting for you.
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Location and Direction
Austin is located along the Colorado River (no, not the one with the Grand Canyon, although it bears the same name) about 75 miles from San Antonio and 160 from Houston. The city of Dallas is over 192 miles away.
The city’s airport is Austin-Bergstrom International Airport which is the third busiest in the state after Dallas and Houston.
Best Time to Visit Austin
Texas is huge. If we exclude Alaska, it is the largest state in the US. That would make us think of a wide variety of climates within it, as we find in other even smaller states. However, its geographic conformation and position overlooking the Gulf of Mexico fortunately make things a little easier. The northwest (the area between Oklahoma, New Mexico and the Mexican region of Chihuahua) has a continental climate, while throughout the rest of the state the climate is subtropical. And it is in this area that the major cities, including Austin, are located.
The two main characteristics of a subtropical climate are heat and humidity. So if you plan to visit Austin, like other major Texas cities, in the middle of summer, be prepared to sweat a bit. It’s easy to exceed 105 °F on hot days, and in August the daily average is nearly 86 °F. Conversely, winters are mild, with an average in January, the coldest month, of almost 52 °F. This doesn’t rule out very cold days, but you’re unlikely to find the polar frost of other U.S. locations.
Rain is fairly regular throughout the year and there are no periods when it is completely absent. The rainiest seasons are spring and fall, with an average of 8-9 days per month. Despite the higher probability of rain, which is not excessive, the mid seasons are the best ones to visit Austin and all of Southeast Texas. March, April, October and November are the months with the most comfortable temperatures for visiting the city without the excessive heat of summer and without the risk of running into a cold week.
That said, it’s likely that your trip will encompass multiple states and the time period will be influenced by other factors. If that’s the case, don’t be deterred: at the end of the day, compared to other places, Texas is easy to visit year-round.
What to Do in Austin
Austin is first and foremost a city to live in. A sparkling and eclectic capital city, where it is difficult to get bored. However, if your schedule does not give you time to stay here for a few days, don’t just delete Austin from the itinerary, because there are also many things to see that you can fit into a flying trip during a road trip.
Things to do in Downtown Austin
Downtown is the area north of the Colorado River and is the oldest but also the most modern part of the city. We are in the administrative center of the state, but also in one of its main economic centers, where we can look up to the top of the skyscrapers. Today the skyline is dominated by buildings over 600 feet high, but it is here that the history of the city, and of the Republic of Texas, began.
It was in the 1830s when a team of surveyors was commissioned to study a preliminary urban plan, above a bluff on the river. To this day, the city’s historic downtown follows that very pattern, which was then expanded over the next two centuries.
Austin has a feature that is not easy to find in U.S. cities: it was designed with plazas. Those who have already visited a little bit of America, especially far from the East Coast, know only too well that the historical center of a “typical city” is constituted by a Main Street, because the conquest of territories, the discovery of new unexplored areas and the gold rush led to the establishment of rest areas that in time became larger agglomerations.
The fact that Austin was designed to be built in a specific place at a specific time in history, gave its architects the opportunity to include some social meeting places in the plan, ones that we normally associate with the European concept of a square.
There were four original public plazas, of which three remain: Wooldridge Park, Republic Square and Brush Square. The first two are particularly interesting:
- Wooldridge Park or Wooldridge Square is a building-free, leafy block where a staircase forms a sort of open-air theater. In the center, a classic revival style gazebo forms one of Austin’s main venues for public events.
- Republic Square is today more of an urban park than a plaza. Here, the greenery of nature contrasts with the steel and glass of the surrounding skyscrapers. Concerts, festivals and events of all kinds take place on the grass in Republic Square.
Austin Neighborhoods: Looking for Good Food and Nightlife?
We have already mentioned that Austin is famous for live music. The whole city is teeming with bars and restaurants where bands perform every night. 6th Avenue and its side streets are one of the main areas where you can go out to dinner, eat well and listen to good music in the city center.
Another area, even more renowned for the live music that accompanies meals, is South Congress, also known simply as SoCo. This neighborhood is ideal for going out in the evening: you’ll be spoiled for choice with all the food on offer, as well as entertainment for your evening. However, if you come here during the day, that’s great too: this is also the fashion and boutique area, where you can stroll around and look at the store windows.
Austin’s historic and symbolic buildings
Since this is the state capital, we can only start with the Texas State Capitol. The government building is not only of institutional value, but also an architectural one. Its dome not only reminds us of its more famous cousin in Washington, but exceeds it in size. With its 301 feet, in fact, it is one of the government buildings domes (yes, there are others that are even more impressive) that exceed that of the American capital, that is 288 feet high. Regardless of the records, the palace is worth a stop during your tour of the city and you can take advantage of a free guided tour. All updated schedules on the official website.
Another building not to be missed is the Lyndon Baines Johnsons Library and Museum, which is the presidential administrative library (one of 13 scattered throughout the U.S.). For lovers of American history, a tour inside is definitely recommended, because among the millions of pages of historical documents, you will surely find something interesting. In itself, however, the building is an interesting one. Like a large cube with a slab resting on it, it has an extravagant appearance that brings some science fiction movies to mind.
The
Littlefield House has a completely different architectural style. Located at the intersection of 24th and Whitis Streets, this late nineteenth century house is classified as a historic building and certainly deserves a photo. Another historic building is St Mary’s Cathedral, a Victorian-style church designed by Irish architect Nicholas J. Clayton. The Irish, in fact, have historically formed an important Catholic community in Austin. The Venetian Gothic style is instead found on the facade of the Walter Tips Building on Congress Avenue, while the facade of The Driskill Hotel on Brazos Street is in Romanesque style.
One of the main theaters of the city, Millet Opera House, was also built in the nineteenth century. Over the years the building has changed its allocated use, becoming a school, a print shop and a social club. Today, at least from the outside, it continues to stand out among the more anonymous buildings that surround it.
If you’re a fan of graffiti, stop by the Baylor Street Art Wall. More than a building, you’ll find a part of it: this in fact was supposed to be an apartment building, but it was never finished. Over the years, the concrete has been colored by dozens of artists armed with spray cans. As the name suggests, it is located on Baylor Street and we recommend you pay a visit because from the top you can enjoy a great view of Austin.
The most modern and contemporary architecture is represented by three imposing skyscrapers: The Independent, The Austonian and 360 Condominiums. The first, 688 feet high, is the tallest building in the city and one of the tallest residential buildings in the United States. What makes it curious is the fact that it is made up of staggered blocks, like Lego bricks placed one on top of the other in a disorderly fashion. The second, 682 feet high, is a colossus of glass and steel, while the 360 Condominiums, with its 581 feet of height, has a more sober style, if that can be said when referring to a skyscraper.
Museums
In Austin there is no shortage of opportunities to visit some interesting museums. Let’s see which the best ones are to visit during a visit to the Texas capital.
- Bullock Texas History Museum. This museum dedicated to the history of Texas is the perfect place to understand why Texas is as we know it today, with so many peculiarities that make it different from many other American states. Thanks to interactive media, with touch screens and even themed shows, you have the chance to discover how this territory and its people went from being part of Mexico to become one of the most relevant states in the USA. All info on hours and tickets can be found on the official website.
- Blanton Museum of Art. Are you one of those people who look for the top art museum in every city? Then plan a visit to the Blanton. Here you’ll find one of the largest art collections in the United States, as well as temporary exhibitions that alternate throughout the year. For info on hours and tickets you can check out the official website.
- Mexic-Art Museum. The territory of Texas was once part of Mexico, and even today Mexican culture is closely linked to U.S. culture in the border states. Here you can discover an artistic heritage dedicated precisely to this border culture. You can find detailed info on schedules and tickets on the official website.
Parks and green areas
Austin is a city with a wealth of green areas and public parks, where you can enjoy a pleasant walk, perhaps to cool off a bit in the shade of the trees on sultry summer days. Some of these gardens are real gems that deserve an extra look.
- Zilker Metropolitan Park. This is probably the most loved park by the citizens of Austin, who frequent it in all seasons. Vast and varied, it’s a place where families bring their children and where athletes go to train, but at the same time it’s home to a variety of events and happenings.
- Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. This beautiful botanical garden began with the goal of preserving native flora and over time has also become the ideal habitat for a variety of animal species. It’s located outside of downtown, but it’s worth a visit to immerse yourself in a place where nature rules.
- Umlauf Sculpture Garden. Bronze sculptures by artist Charles Umlauf make this verdant garden an open-air museum. You can stroll through streams and waterfalls, relaxing as you discover the statues scattered throughout the park.
- Mayfield Park. A large park north of downtown, full of walking paths and containing a well-kept garden, where you find ponds covered with water lilies, peacocks and a lovely cottage.
The bats of Congress Bridge
Austin’s Congress Bridge isn’t a picture-postcard bridge like San Francisco’s Golden Gate or New York’s Brooklyn Bridge, but it’s still a great attraction. To be precise, what attracts hundreds of people to the bridge are the bats that live under it.
Congress Bridge seems to have the largest urban bat colony in the world. We’re talking about nearly a million and a half small flying mammals that fly around at dusk in the period between March and November to hunt for insects. They don’t all live under Congress Bridge, but also in other places around the city. The humidity of the river, however, attracts mosquitoes and other insects, and consequently also the bats that feed on them. Seeing them all flying together is definitely fascinating and above all it is a natural spectacle that is hard to catch a glimpse of elsewhere.
If you happen to be here at sunset and your eyes fall on a large dark flock, don’t mistake them for birds: they are the tool Austin citizens use to fight the mosquito problem!
Events not to be missed
In Austin, the most popular events are music events. Just do an online search for the time of year you’re planning your trip and you’ll likely have some small or large event to attend. However, there are a few annual cornerstones to note. The first is South by Southwest: this is one of the most relevant events in the US music industry. It takes place in March and lasts two weeks: besides music, it also includes cinema and other types of events.
During the month of October, for two consecutive weekends, the lawns of Zilker Park host Austin City Limits, a music festival that sees groups of all musical genres alternating in the park. From rock to country, from indie to electronic music, from folk to hip hop, it’s hard to visit the city without enjoying at least one of the concerts offered.
Car racing fans know that Austin is home to the Circuit of the Grand Prix of the Americas. If you love Formula 1, visiting Austin when the single-seaters whizz by on its circuit will give you a great thrill. The ROT Rally, the grandiose motorcycle parade that sees hundreds of motorcyclists go to the Texan capital on two wheels, takes place each year in June.
If, on the other hand, you prefer art and culture, you might like the Texas Book Festival – dedicated to books, in October – or the Pecan Street Festival, a large and ancient festival of arts and crafts, which in spring and fall fills 6th Street (which in fact was once called Pecan Street) with stalls.
Best Places to Eat in Austin
In downtown Austin you will find places to eat to suit all tastes and budgets. But we can make a few suggestions that might come in handy.
- Terry Black’s Barbecue (1003 Barton Springs Rd). Looking for good quality barbecued meat? Here’s one of the best barbecue joints in town. The prices aren’t so high and the food is good.
- Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken(117 San Jacinto Blvd). Want to eat fried chicken, spending little but avoiding fast food chains? At Gus’s you’ll find what you’re looking for and you’ll leave with a full belly and without emptying your wallet.
- Cedar Door Patio Bar & Grill (201 Brazos St Bldg A). Here you can eat American and Mexican food, the prices are acceptable and the quality of the food is good. A good place for both lunch and dinner.
Best Places to Stay in Austin
Like any big city, Austin offers numerous accommodation options. Therefore, the advice is to click on the button below to see all the available accommodations and choose the type of structure that best suits your needs. However, let’s try to highlight some good quality hotels suitable for an overnight stay in the Texan capital.
- Canopy By Hilton Austin Downtown. If you’re looking for a high-quality hotel, this four-star in the middle of Downtown is for you. From the bar to the pool, all of the amenities are top-notch and the location is great for sightseeing.
- Brava House B&B. This Bed & Breakfast is close to downtown, but at the same time surrounded by greenery. You’ll feel like you’re staying in an old house rather than a hotel, and if you like to breathe in a family area during your travels, you won’t be disappointed with a night or more spent here.
- Homewood Suites Austin/South. This excellent three-star accommodation is ideal for those who are taking an on-the-road trip and have limited time. Its location, next to the junction between two of the city’s main arteries, but at the same time close to the center, will prevent you from wasting any precious time, especially if your arrival or departure is scheduled during rush hour.
