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For other places with the same name, see Austin (disambiguation).

Austin is a city of about 965,000 people (2021) on the southeast edge of the Hill Country region of Texas, making it the fourth-largest city in the state and the 11th-largest in the country. It is the capital of Texas and a college town, and also a center of an alternative culture away from the major cities on the US coasts, though the city is rapidly gentrifying with its rising popularity. Austin's attitude is commonly emblazoned about town on T-shirts and bumper stickers that read: "Keep Austin Weird." Austin is also marketed as the Live Music Capital of the World due to the large number of venues.

Districts

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Understand

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The state capitol

Visitor information

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Climate

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Austin
Climate chart (explanation)
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See Austin's 7 day forecast
Metric conversion
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Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
Precipitation+Snow totals in mm

Austin weather is generally nice most of the year; activities are generally not limited by season. However, as Austin lies within Central Texas, be prepared to deal with the long, hot summers if you are visiting between May and September. It is not uncommon for daily high temperatures to be between 90 and 100 °F (32-38 °C) during this time — in fact, a day in the 80s is rare, and several days may even reach triple digits (90 days in 2011). If you are here when the weather is like this, dress accordingly, drink plenty of water, and do not plan on staying outside for long (nearly all indoor places are air-conditioned) — unless you're taking the opportunity to take a dip in Barton Springs Pool or any of the other swimming holes in the area. This is especially true if the heat index is around 105 or higher, which is considered to be dangerous. The interior of cars will get dangerously hot, especially if the windows are up and it's parked in the sun — don't leave pets or children in there, no matter how briefly. How hot the summer gets usually depends on the amount of precipitation the area has been getting. If there is no drought and the spring has been particularly wet, temperatures will remain relatively tolerable and rarely break triple digits. If it has been dry, summers can be very uncomfortable and triple-digit temperatures will be very common.

Central Texas winters are short to non-existent. There are many pleasant or even warm days during the winter months (the first 90° day of 2012 was in February), and snowfall is rare. However, hard freezes happen occasionally, and light freezes may occur frequently (especially in the more rural areas), and when this mixes with precipitation, ice storms and other wintry weather happen. If the storm is severe enough, the city may shut down for a day or so, traffic may be snarled, and the local auto body shops may notice a spike in business. Worse, blackouts resulting from tree limbs downing power lines are possible. The Austin area usually experiences such events 0-2 times each year or so, from late December to mid-February. Generally, though, winter weather just varies a lot, with alternating cold and warm fronts that can make for large temperature swings in the course of a single week.

Spring and fall are the best times to visit. Springs tend to be stormy (see "Stay safe" for related warning), and falls may bring light freezes during the night. For the most part, though, springs and falls are very pleasant times to experience Austin.

Read

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Pick up an Austin Chronicle newspaper first thing. These are freely available all over town, including the information desk across from baggage claim at the airport. It will be your guide to everything that's going on in Austin from festivals (Spam Festival, Chili Festival, etc.) to music, theater and food; it's all in there. New issues are published every Thursday.

  • Austin American-Statesman — the major daily paper.
  • Austin Chronicle — the alternative weekly. Their "Best of" lists and calendar of events are great resources and can be accessed online.
  • The Daily Texan — the student newspaper of the University of Texas at Austin.
  • Tribeza — Tribeza is a free monthly publication profiling and highlighting local culture, focusing a bit on higher end establishments while remaining accessible.
  • Austin Monthly — aims to highlight more in depth the people, places and events that make Austin unique. Can be purchased on any newsstand in town (including Austin Bergstrom International Airport).
  • Edible Austin — a free quarterly publication that celebrates the local food culture in Austin. The primary focus is on sustainable food practices and the farmers, retailers and chefs in Austin and surrounding areas that strive to contribute to a sustainable food culture in the region.
  • L Style/G Style — a free bi-monthly lifestyle magazine for social and cultural influencers in the gay/lesbian community.

Get in

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By plane

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  • 1 Austin Bergstrom International Airport (AUS  IATA) (6 mi (9.7 km) miles southeast of the city center). It's served by most major carriers, with non-stop service to 49 destinations by the following airlines:
     Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (Q1430913) on Wikidata Austin–Bergstrom International Airport on Wikipedia (updated Feb 2019)
    • Barbara Jordan Terminal: Aeromexico, Air Canada, Alaska Airlines; American Airlines/American Eagle, British Airways, Condor, Delta, Frontier, Jetblue, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Lufthansa, Norwegian Air Shuttle, Southwest, United/United Express, Volaris.
    • South Terminal: Allegiant, Sun Country and Via Air.

There are a selection of buses, taxis, ride share (Uber & Lyft), shared ride shuttles and car rentals to get you into town and back. Chauffeured sedans or limos are also available to pick you up or drop you off at the airport but normally require advance reservations. Taxi fare to downtown Austin is approximately $30. You may also catch Capital Metro bus 20 from ABIA to Downtown Austin, $1.25 for one way or $2.50 for a 24-hour local pass.

By train

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  • 2 Austin Amtrak station, 250 North Lamar Blvd. Served by the Texas Eagle Line with service from Chicago to San Antonio. Austin (Q4822943) on Wikidata Austin station (Texas) on Wikipedia 

By car

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Austin is on one major freeway and several regional highways, and its outskirts are served by several tollways. From San Antonio, head north on IH-35, about one and a half hours. From Dallas, head south on IH-35, about three hours. From Houston, head west on US-290 (or I-10 W to Hwy 71 W if you want to reach South Austin), about three hours. From I-10, take SH-130 Toll north to Austin.

By bus

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There are several long distance bus lines serving Austin from San Antonio, Houston, Laredo and Dallas-Ft Worth in the U.S. and from Nuevo Laredo and Monterey in Mexico. Each company has a stop or their own bus station in different parts of town that are far from each other:

There are several long distance bus lines serving Austin from San Antonio, Houston, Laredo and Dallas-Ft Worth in the U.S. and from Nuevo Laredo and Monterey in Mexico. Each company has a stop or their own bus station in different parts of town that are far from each other:

  • Arrow Trailways of Texas (Southwestern Stagelines), (Greyhound bus depot) 916 E Koenig Ln and at the CARTS/Greyhound Station on 402 W Bowman Rd in Round Rock, north of Austin, ☏ +1 254 634-3843. From Killeen to Temple, Waco, Round Rock, Austin and Houston. (updated Jun 2016)
  • 3 El Expreso & Tornado Bus, 711 Ben White Blvd (Southwest of the intersection of Interstate 35 and TX-Hwy 71), ☏ +1 512 227-2652. They go to cities in Texas, Illinois, Florida, Georgia, Arkansas, Tennessee, North and South Carolina and Alabama from Houston and to various Mexican cities south of the border. Connections to other Mexican bus lines for onward travel further south (updated Mar 2018)
  • 4 Flixbus, (bus stop) 1221 Trinity St (bus stop at the east curbside of Trinity St, north of the intersection of 12th St and Trinity St). Connects Austin to San Antonio, Ft Worth & Dallas along the I-35 corridor; over to Houston on US Hwy 290. Passengers connect in Houston or Dallas to continue east to Louisiana. They also have another stop at the airport. Airport stop is located near the lower level at the charter pick-up area, identified by pillar "M". (updated Jun 2019)
  • 5 Greyhound Lines, Autobus Americanos & Valley Transit (VTC), (bus depot) 916 E Koenig Ln (northwest of the I-35/US Hwy290 interchange at E Koenig & Middle Fiskville Rd.), ☏ +1 512 458-4463, toll-free: +1-800-231-2222. Greyhound travels primarily on Interstate 35/35E (Dallas-San Antonio with some buses continuing to Laredo) and on US Hwy 290 (Austin-Houston). Passengers transfer to other buses in San Antonio, Dallas, Laredo and/or Houston to get to other cities & towns and to Capitol Metro #7 or #10 going south on Airport Blvd to get to downtown Austin. Autobus Americanos travel along the I-35 corridor between Dallas & Laredo in the US and from Nuevo Laredo down to Monterrey along MX Hwy 85/85D in Mexico. Greyhound & Autobus Americanos share the same station. (updated Oct 2015)
  • 6 Megabus, (bus stop) 2008 Whitis Ave (along the west side of Whitis Ave between W 20th and 21st St in the SW part of the U Texas campus.). Service from San Antonio, Dallas, and Houston. Fares from $1. (updated Oct 2015)
  • 7 Turimex Internacional, (bus depot) 5012 E 7th St (E 7th St & Shady Ln, NW of the US-Hwy 183 & E 7th St), toll-free: +1-800-733-7330. Mexican trans-border bus line with services to various points in Mexico and the southeastern U.S. Take the Capitol Metro #4 going west on 7th St to get downtown. (updated Oct 2015)
  • 8 Zima Real, 9318 N Interstate Hwy 35 (N Interstate 35 and E Rundberg Ln), ☏ +1 512 579-8488, +1 512 386-5730. Goes to Matehuala, San Luis Potosi, Rio Verde and Celaya in Mexico from Houston, San Antonio, Dallas and Austin in Texas. (updated Feb 2018)

Get around

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The Austin skyline, as of 2010

On foot

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Generally, the feasibility of seeing Austin by foot depends largely on the weather

For those content to see only downtown Austin and who are in good shape, exploring most of the downtown area on foot is possible. There are many attractions within a 1- to 2-mile walk from most downtown hotels. Be prepared for potentially oppressive heat during the summer months.

The University of Texas area, just north of downtown, is also very pedestrian friendly, and in fact can be a difficult place to get around by car (very hard to find a parking spot).

By bike

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Though there are some exceptions, most of downtown Austin is reasonably bike friendly. There is a high concentration of cyclists in the city, and many trails around town.

Austin is hilly to the west but generally mildly sloping toward the river in the center of town. There are bike lanes on most major streets. Biking is a great way to get around year round and the weather is usually agreeable from mid-October to mid-April. May to mid-October temperatures may reach the high 90s to 100s °F (32-38 °C), and humidity may be a problem.

  • Austin B-Cycle a.k.a. MetroBike. Has automated bike-rental stations in downtown, the University area, and near south Austin. 
  • Yellow Bike Project, ☏ +1 512-457-9880. Operates two community bike shops where individuals can go and repair their own bikes free of charge. Coordinators are present to answer any questions and guide you, but not to fix your bike for you. At the Main Shop on 51st Street there are 10+ work stands and tools sets available for use. The Satellite Shop is better for minor repairs and only has as a few work stands. If you are looking for a cheap bike while in town and are willing to do a little maintenance work, visit The Yellow Bike Project and pick out a bike that needs a little love in exchange for a small donation. If you are interested in getting away from touristy attractions on your visit, the Yellow Bike shop is a great place to drop in and volunteer for a few hours. Their hours change monthly but are up-to-date on their website. If you are lucky you might see one of the eponymous Yellow Bikes around town. If you see a Yellow Bike, feel free to ride it to your destination and leave it for the next person. Yellow Bikes are not to be locked up and you ride at your own risk. The Austin Yellow Bike Project has been operating for ten years and has released over 600 yellow bikes. 
  • Bicycle Sports Shop - Bike Rentals, ☏ +1 512-477-3472. The Bicycle Sports Shop is Downtown and offers the largest selection of bike rentals in the city. 
  • Rocket Electrics - Electric Bike Sales, Rentals, and Tours, ☏ +1 512-442-2453. Rocket Electrics is Austin's only all-electric bike shop and is 1 mile southeast of downtown in the Southshore District with direct access to the Hike-and-Bike Trail System. Day rentals are available as well as guided tours including a foodie tour and a Live Music Capital of the World Tour that is led by full-time Austin Musicians and includes a live performance by the artist. 

By bus

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  • Capital Metro. The city's public bus network with a system of inexpensive neighborhood, express and downtown routes. Visitors can also get around on the Capital MetroRail commuter train which operates on weekdays (and in the early evening on Fridays and Saturdays) between Downtown and northwest Austin. Local fares cost $1.25 per trip, or you can get a 24-hour pass for $2.50 on board every bus (while commuter express buses and MetroRail fares are $3.50, $7.00 for a day pass). "E-Bus" and "Night Owl" services serve the city's entertainment districts after hours. Expect a bus ride from any point north of 183 to downtown to take at least half an hour. The Capital Metro website has a trip planner which can be used to find public transport options between two points in Austin. 

Austin has a generally mediocre public transit system - even by the already low U.S. standards. Austinites seem to think the same and in November 2020 they approved one of the most ambitious public transit expansion plans in North America. Expect new rail lines, improvements to bus services and better bus routes (including bus rapid transit (BRT)) in the 2020s and into the 2030s. Even now, the bus can be a viable option on busy corridors, with frequent buses serving tourist destinations like downtown, the Capitol, and South Congress. The single-line commuter rail system ("red line") also sees some service outside commute hours.

The University of Texas shuttles (route numbers in the 600s) offer frequent service between the University and some neighborhoods during weekdays (and less frequently on Sundays) when school is in session. Blue buses are generally used on the shuttle routes; boarding requires a UTexas ID or Capital Metro bus pass.

There are also double-decker tour buses:

By car

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Once you get used to how the city is laid out, driving is not too difficult if you're used to living in a large city, but expect drivers to be rather aggressive, be assertive yourself when it is safe, and don't expect to be graciously let into a lane if you need to go across several lanes to make a turn Downtown or suddenly get presented with an exit-only lane on the highway. In fact, many Austinites say that people in this city are friendly and welcoming everywhere except when they are in their cars. Traffic is worse from 7-9AM and 3:30-7PM weekdays, though IH-35 through town can be jammed at other times as well. Austin's traffic is among the worst in the nation in terms of hours of delay per year, so allow plenty of extra time during the morning and evening commute.

There are two major north-south expressways: I-35 (non-standardly called "IH-35") and Loop 1 (also called the MoPac Expressway for the former owner of the railroad which runs along it, Missouri-Pacific - or "Slo-Pac" for anyone who has experienced it at rush hour). There is only one true major east-west freeway in Austin, south of the city center, known as Ben White or US 290 West/Texas highway 71. The freeway section of 290 West/Ben White runs from I-35 to just east of Oak Hill. Freeway extensions are being constructed east on 71 to the airport, and the beginning stages of construction are taking place west towards and past Oak Hill. Hwy 183 runs from the southeast corner of the city near the airport to the northwest suburbs, bridging MoPac and I-35 in North Austin.

Oak Hill is the point at which TX 71 and US 290 split apart and go in separate directions, and in case this isn't confusing enough, some people make the distinction between 290 West and 290 East because at I-35, 290 East heads up the interstate, and then continues on to the east in North Austin. There is a second freeway that runs from the Northwest side of the city down to the Southeast side of the city past the airport. This freeway is called US 183, and in North Austin it may also be referred to as Research Boulevard. Most of it is freeway now; however, there are still several major intersections which are being constructed and turned into freeway.

I-35 has no loop that circumnavigates the city, so watch out for aggressive, confused drivers. Also, keep your eyes open for the upper deck/lower deck split between Airport Boulevard and Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard; it's confusing, and accidents occur there frequently. Drivers going through Austin without stopping, or those who wish to avoid the chaos of the lower deck, should use the right two lanes as the deck split approaches, in contrast to other cities where through traffic uses the left lane. On the northbound side, traffic entering I-35 at Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard goes directly to the upper deck.

Out-of-towners be warned: on-ramps on I-35, especially the lower deck, are very short. Signage is also not that dependable, as you may not have adequate time after an exit sign to get to — or avoid — the exit. On-ramps can quickly become exit-only lanes, and lanes can split several times with little notice. Consider avoiding I-35 altogether unless you are driving out of town.

Austin has a mostly completed network of toll roads, see Central Texas Turnpike System[dead link] and Central Texas Regional Mobile Authority. These include SH 130, an Austin bypass east of town; SH 45, an east-west artery in North Austin; the North MoPac extension; the US 183A bypass of Cedar Park and Leander; and SH 45SE in far south Austin. TxTag accounts are available for commuters. There has been significant opposition and accommodations have been made in some areas. Both US 183A and MoPac are rather deceptive — if you keep going north on either 183 or MoPac, the freeway seamlessly transitions into a toll road and the signage is rather poor. To avoid the toll, you must keep a sharp eye out and get off the main lanes. Even worse, all tolls on 183A are "TxTag Only" meaning that you cannot pay cash. This trend will likely extend to all Austin tollways in the near future.

Parts of the city are subject to flooding at times during the year; see #Stay safe for warnings about driving across shallowly flooded areas.

Parking

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Parking in the city center can be difficult; look for municipal parking garages, as officers will ticket you in the blink of an eye (check meters, though, because many are free in the evenings, on weekends, and on major holidays). Worse yet, vehicles illegally parked in private parking areas are very quickly towed, so make sure that you don't park in spots marked no parking.

Parking is free in the Texas State History Museum garage near UT after hours and on weekends.

By taxi

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There are several cab companies on call if you'd prefer to avoid the driving hassle.

See

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The University of Texas Tower

Take a beautiful stroll around The University of Texas at Austin. While there you might want to visit the Blanton Museum of Art, the Harry Ransom Center, Texas Memorial Museum of Science and History, or view the public art around campus. The famous UT tower may or may not be open; inquire at the university. If it is, it is worth a look for the breathtaking views and history lesson. It is a tour though so you need to make reservations (see the previous link). The theater and music departments are both well regarded and have performances throughout the school year. If you visit during football season, you can see the Texas Longhorn football team play at Darrell K. Royal Texas Memorial Stadium.

The Texas State Capitol is a must-see for new visitors to Austin. Unlike many other state capitols in America, Texas's is as welcoming as the state's people, and is completely open to the public seven days a week.

In addition, Downtown Austin has a striking, unique skyline that is in some ways even prettier at night, when the buildings are lit up in different colors. Among the places from which you can see excellent views of the skyline are South Congress Avenue across the Colorado River, Stephen F. Austin Drive, West Cesar Chavez Street and several bridges.

Do

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This is a huge city article, so detailed listings go in the district articles. This article should only provide a brief overview.

Tours

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Theater companies

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  • Rude Mechanicals (Rude Mechs). Original pieces are always engaging. Their production values are over the top (10-foot tesla coils on stage), and always make you interested to be watching theater. 
  • Pro Arts Collective. They do everything: theatre, dance, hip-hop, musicals, festivals and more. 
  • Teatro Vivo. Dedicated to producing quality bilingual theatre. Reflects the heart and soul of the Latino reality. 
  • Salvage Vanguard. Original musical pieces in conjunction with the Golden Arm Trio's Graham Reynolds are not to be missed. 
  • Different Stages. One of Austin's oldest repertory companies. 
  • Refraction Arts. They dabble in multiple mediums. Always interesting. 
  • the dirigo group. These critical darlings do original and established work. 
  • Loaded Gun Theory. Original pieces. 

Theaters

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  • 1 Paramount Theater (Stateside at the Paramount). Feature a wide variety of plays and acts, from Broadway touring shows to Chinese acrobats to plays and unique dance companies. Paramount Theatre (Q7756086) on Wikidata Paramount Theatre (Austin, Texas) on Wikipedia 
  • 2 Esther's Follies, 525 E 6th St, ☏ +1 512-320-0553. Offers an entertaining Saturday Night Live-like comedy skits (Th-Sa). In the 6th Street entertainment district, it's a great way to start an evening. Reservations recommended. Esther's Follies (Q5401115) on Wikidata Esther's Follies on Wikipedia 
  • 3 The Hideout, 617 Congress Ave, ☏ +1 512-443-3688. Managed by the Austin Improv Collective. You can always find improv comedy there. 
  • 4 The ColdTowne Theater, 4803 Airport Blvd, ☏ +1 512-814-8696. Plenty of comedy, ranging from stand-up to sketch and improv. 
  • 5 Zach Theatre (Zach Scott). Dave Steakley is artistic director. If you are looking for solid musical theatre, this is your venue. They also have a lock on Christmas plays. Zach Theatre (Q8063851) on Wikidata Zach Theatre on Wikipedia 
  • 6 The Blue Theater, 916 Springdale Rd. Managed by Refraction Arts and featuring theatre, music, film and dance. 
  • 7 The Vortex, 2307 Manor Rd, ☏ +1 512-478-5282. Bonnie Cullum is artistic director. Original musicals and operas and plays. Some of the most delightfully weird stuff you'll see. 
  • 8 The Mary Moody Northen Theatre, 3001 S Congress Ave., ☏ +1 512-448-8484. Sitting atop a hill with gorgeous views of downtown, this professional Equity house at St. Edward's University allows college students and seasoned actors to work together creating exceptional theatre at a great value. 

Spoken word

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  • 9 Austin Poetry Slam. 8:30PM, every Tuesday night at the 29th Street Ballroom. 

Music

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KUTX Austin Music Map[dead link] (warning: sound; mute at bottom left)

Austin is the "Live Music Capital of the World"[dead link]. If you're into the bar and club scene, head to Sixth Street during the later hours for a wide selection of venues, many of which also feature live music. Sixth street is not by any stretch the only place to see music. It can in fact, become very crowded, and is generally the most tourist filled part of town. By ordinance for the protection of workers and public enjoyment, all public buildings in Austin are clean air zones, including bars. Smoking is prohibited except in rare separately ventilated areas, making Austin one of the few cities where a large and varied selection of music can be experienced smokefree.

  • 10 The Cactus Café, 2247 Guadalupe (at 24th St.), ☏ +1 512 475-6515, . M-Th 11AM-midnight, F 11AM-2AM, Sa 8PM-2AM (hours may vary during school breaks). A great place to hear many local artists. Much of the music that is played there seems to be singer-songwriter. It's musically akin to Austin City Limits and unlike Austin City Limits you can probably get in to the Cactus Café. 
  • 11 Austin City Limits, . The venerable PBS show was filmed at Studio 6A in the Communications Building B at the University of Texas from 1976 to 2010. In February 2011, it moved to the Moody Theater at 310 Willie Nelson Blvd in Downtown Austin. 
  • 12 Stubb's BBQ, 801 Red River, ☏ +1 512 482-8422. This BBQ restaurant has some of the best selection of live music in Austin, thanks to Charles Attal, one of the owners, who is recognized nationally for his music booking business. Crowded on Sundays. 
  • 13 Antone's, 213 West 5th, ☏ +1 512 320-8424. An Austin original that has survived despite many hardships. Considered by USA Today to be one of the best Blues clubs in the nation, Antone's continues to be a launching pad for dozens of new artists each year. 
  • 14 The Saxon Pub, 1320 South Lamar Blvd, ☏ +1 512 448-2552. M-Sa 11AM-2AM, Su noon-2AM. An awesome live music venue. The Saxon hosts live music throughout the week and even has a "no cover" happy hour until 7PM. Look for the giant knight and neon guitar. 
  • 15 Hole in the Wall, 2538 Guadalupe St.. Unique UT campus area club. Great Live Music. Usually no cover. Unique mix of students and z's, craftsman and construction workers, gays, and professionals. 
  • 16 Elysium, 705 Red River (Take I-35 to exit number 234B, 8TH), ☏ +1 512 478-2979. Voted Best Dance Club 2003-2008 in the Austin Chronicle Readers' Poll. 
  • 17 Mohawk, 912 Red River (Intersection of East 10TH and Red River). Live music venue featuring local and national talent. 8PM-2AM live music everyday. 5-9PM weekday happy hour featuring local ales on tap. varies based on performer. 
  • 18 Broken Spoke, 3201 S. Lamar Blvd, ☏ +1 512-442-6189, . price=cheap cover, generally. Longtime honky tonk, family friendly with great music. One of the "last true dance halls in Texas," according to their website. 

Film

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  • The Alamo Drafthouse. Four locations. A movie theater with full restaurant service. Downtown always has an eclectic array of cult and foreign films and a good beer and food menu, and serves liquor. They also have a dizzying number of specialty shows and film festivals. Their other locations show more first run movies with the same excellent food and beer menu. 
  • 19 Regal Cinemas Arbor 8 at Great Hills, 9828 Great Hills Trail (in the Arboretum area), ☏ +1 844-462-7342. Even though it is owned and operated by mainstream Regal Cinemas, the Arbor 8 shows art and foreign films. 
  • 20 IMAX Theatre, 1800 Congress Ave, (At Bob Bullock Texas State Historical Museum), ☏ +1 512-936-4629. Huge screen, 400 seats, with 2-D and 3-D capability. 
  • Austin Film Society. Various theaters. A membership organization bringing the best of cinema to Austinites. Many screenings open to the public. Check the website for current programs and community film announcements. 

Enjoying the outdoors

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Place include Barton Springs Pool, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, Zilker Park, McKinney Falls State Park. There are numerous parks all over the city and in the surrounding suburbs that are very popular with the residents of Austin. A significant number of these parks are pet friendly.

Cycling trails at a number of locations including Walnut Creek Municipal Park, Lady Bird Lake Hike and Bike Trail and The Veloway. There are also a couple of BMX and skate parks downtown.

  • Town Lake Boat Rental. Rent a canoe or kayak and enjoy the natural world in the heart of the city. 
  • 23 Tubing the San Marcos River, 170 Charles Austin Drive, San Marcos, ☏ +1 512 396-5466. San Marcos, 25 miles south of town on I-35. There is no more quintessentially Central Texan thing than enjoying a summer afternoon lazily floating down the river. The Lion's club of San Marcos rents tubes at around $8/person or canoes at $10/each. They take you to the river and pick you up. 
  • 24 Lake Austin Boat Rentals, 5019 N Capital of Texas Hwy, ☏ +1 512 862-4333. Rent a pontoon or wake boat and enjoy the natural world in the heart of the city. (updated Feb 2021)
  • Town Lake Hike & Bike trail. A big loop around Town Lake, beautiful scenery while getting a good workout. Runs alongside Zilker park. A good place for biking, running, walking, or taking the dog out for a nice run. Relatively easy hike. 

Spectator sports

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  • University of Texas Longhorns. Austin is a university town and Texas sports are taken very seriously. Home of the 2005-06 National Football Champions. UT also has strong basketball and baseball teams, in particular. 
  • Professional sports. Before 2021, no major professional sports team played within the city limits. That changed when Austin FC began play in Major League Soccer in the brand-new Q2 Stadium in northwest Austin. Four minor-league teams, plus one top-level team in a minor US sport, play in the suburbs. The H-E-B Center, in the suburb of Cedar Park, is home to basketball and hockey teams. In basketball, the Austin Spurs play in the NBA G League, serving as a farm team for the San Antonio Spurs. In hockey, the Texas Stars play in the American Hockey League as the top affiliate of the NHL's Dallas Stars. The Round Rock Express, a baseball team affiliated with the Texas Rangers, play at Dell Diamond in another suburb, Round Rock, in Triple-A West. Before the arrival of Austin FC, the city was home to two lower-tier teams, but one folded and the other went on hiatus before relocating to Fort Worth. In 2023, Austin FC will start a new reserve side that will play in MLS Next Pro, a league started in 2022 made up mostly of MLS reserve sides. Finally, in rugby union, Austin Elite competes in Major League Rugby, the top level of that sport in the US; that team shares Dell Diamond with the Express. 
  • 25 Formula 1, Circuit of the Americas. This 3.4-mile track hosts Grand Prix or Formula One motor racing and other races such as MotoGP (motorcycles) and NASCAR (stock cars). The complex also features a soccer stadium and a karting track. The next F1 races are 18-20 Sept 2024 then 17-19 Oct 2025. (updated Jun 2024)

Other

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  • 26 Austin Steam Train Association, Burnet Depot or Cedar Park Depot, ☏ +1 512 402-3830. Runs several tours aboard the Hill Country Flyer steam train into and around Texas Hill Country. The train makes short half hour jaunts as well as a 30 mi (48 km) circuit on weekends March through December. The Steam Train Association owns a live steam train, but it has been out of commission since about 2000. The train still runs though, just using a borrowed diesel engine. It is still nice, but not as attractive as it used to be. Adults $33-38, child $23-28; first class adult $39-55, child $28-39. (updated May 0209)

Events

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Festivals arranged by month. The mammoth South by Southwest (SXSW) festivals are in March. The major Austin City Limits Festival is in October.

  • Lunar New Year Festival. February. 
  • ABC Kite Festival. March. The oldest continuous kite festival in the USA. Hundreds of kites will dance in the sky the first Sunday in March (10AM to 5PM). Admission is free. Everyone is welcome whether they fly a kite or just enjoy the spectacle that must be seen to be believed. Kite flying demonstrations will be held all day and delicious food of all kinds will be prepared fresh at the event. See kite ballet, kite battles, kite buggies and giant kites over 50 feet long. Come compete in both youth and adult kite contests with your homemade kite. Trophies are awarded to the winners. Proceeds from vendor sales go to break the cycle of child abuse. Free parking and shuttles. Come on down to Zilker Park and enjoy "Kite Day". Zilker Park is at 2200 Barton Springs Road. Rain date is the following Sunday. 
  • Austin Chocolate Festival. March. The festival will include up to 20 vendors including chocolatiers, bakeries, patisseries, restaurants, hotels, caterers, authors, and resorts. The participating vendors will offer samples to festival guests. Guests will also enjoy and participate in chocolate competitions and demonstrations. It was founded in 2006 and benefits Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Tickets for the Austin Chocolate Festival are available for purchase online in advance at the festival website. For more information, volunteer, vendor or sponsorship opportunities please visit the website. 
  • South by Southwest (SXSW) Film Festival. March. Beginning before and overlapping the SXSW Music Festival. SXSW Film is a significant industry conference, but also hosts many film screenings. South by Southwest (Q959755) on Wikidata South by Southwest on Wikipedia 
  • South by Southwest (SXSW) Interactive Festival. March. Spotlighting cutting-edge technologies and digital creativity, SXSWi features five days of presentations and workshops, networking events and special programs. 
  • South by Southwest (SXSW) Music Festival. March. One of the biggest music festivals in the United States, with more than 1,400 performers playing dozens of venues around Austin for four days. The wrist bands are loved by college students here, but be warned that you'll be turned away at the door at many of the venues even with one. You can still get into some of the larger venues without a wristband if you'd simply like to sample a band or two and check out the atmosphere; you can usually pick one "official" venue where you think you'll like all the bands, and then go early and pay the cover. Hardcore music fans usually make a week long calendar and plan to arrive at different venues for different acts. 
  • Wildflower Center Art and Artisans Festival. March. The annual Wildflower Days celebration begins with the Art and Artisans Festival devoted to arts, crafts and nature. This early spring event features the work of local artists and artisans, all working with a nature theme. You will find watercolors, metalwork, pottery, jewelry, photography, woodwork and more, all lovingly made by hand. Highlights include children's activities in the Little House as well as book signings and special discounts at the store. Then, add some leisure to your arts - dine on tasty cuisine at the Wildflower Cafe and enjoy entertainment provided by local musicians. 
  • Texas Round-Up & Street Festival. April. The Texas Round-Up 10K, 5K and Family Mile is held annually in Austin on the last Saturday in April. Race weekend begins with a health and fitness expo showcasing vendors and sponsors. The race is followed by a fitness festival where families can enjoy live music, food, fitness demonstrations and family-friendly activities. Many participants spend months training for Texas Round-Up, and for several participants, the Texas Round-Up is their first race, making the events a very special accomplishment and a true celebration of healthy living. 
  • Dragon Boat Festival. April. Running since 1999 with growing participation and attendance; held centrally on Town Lake. In addition to the friendly, competitive races, the festival will include many other cultural exhibitions, vendors, and kids activities. Free admission to the public. 
  • Eeyore's Birthday Party. April. Held on the last Saturday of every April to ring in spring, there are few things that seem so "Austin" as Eeyore's Birthday Party. It is a unique event: a free-form hang-out of several thousand people. sitting, walking, playing music, beating drums, eating, drinking beer, playing games. Be yourself. there are families, dogs, tattoos, costumes, hotties, hippies, gay, straight, black, white, brown, red, tan. and a statue of Eeyore dressed like the Statue of Liberty. The drum circle is massive and the beat vibrates throughout the central city. It ends when the sun goes down and everyone leaves peacefully. 
  • Moontower Comedy Festival. April. Moontower Comedy and Oddity Festival brings to Austin some of the funniest, wittiest and oddest world-class comics from around the globe. This marathon of side-splitting nights throughout the city is slated to bring over 60 comedians doing everything from stand-up and sketch to improv and musical comedy. National headliners, up-and-comer and local Austin-based comedians ensure that there are options for every type of comedy fan, from die-hards to those just looking for a fun night. 
  • Old Pecan Street Festival. May & September. East Sixth Street (formerly Pecan Street) from Congress to IH-35 and adjacent streets are closed to traffic to host over 240 arts, crafts and other vendors. Several music stages offer live music. 
  • Austin Food + Wine Festival. April. A uniquely Austin 3-day Texas wine celebration - rain or shine! Wineries from Lampasas to New Braunfels and Fredericksburg to Dripping Springs have bloomed from a pioneering few, into an internationally awarded and recognized wine region. The number 2 wine destination in the nation, second only to Napa! Together they have created the annual Austin Wine Festival, the first of its kind in Texas. (updated Mar 2018)
  • Austin Gay Pride. September. Austin's single largest LGBT event includes a festival at Fiesta Gardens park and a parade that goes through the Warehouse District. 
  • Austin Bamboo Festival, ☏ +1 512 477-8672. August. Zilker Botanical Garden. This annual event features tours of the Taniguchi Japanese Garden, traditional dances, bamboo crafts and flute music. 
  • Austin City Limits Festival. October. An annual six-day (two weekends of Friday, Saturday, and Sunday) outdoor music festival. It brings together more than 130 bands on eight stages, including rock, country, folk, indie, Americana, hip-hop, reggae, and bluegrass, and attracts a crowd of about 65,000 music-lovers each day. A great mix of big names and local acts, but be prepared to deal with the heat. 
  • Texas Book Festival. October. Has reached national prominence, in part due to support from Honorary Chairperson Laura Bush. 
  • Austin Film Festival. October. Conference and film showings. Austin Film Festival (Q4823084) on Wikidata Austin Film Festival on Wikipedia 
  • Lone Star Vegetarian Chili Cook-Off. November. The annual vegetarian cook-off began in 1989. Its mission is to show a healthy lifestyle can be as familiar as traditional, homemade chili – and a lot more fun! All of the chili is purely vegan (no animal products). The cook-off is open to all entrants. It is open to the public for tasting and mingling; admission enables you to taste all the different chili (and includes zoo entrance fee)! There will be lots of chili to taste, lots of interesting people to meet, guest speakers, great door prizes, live music, and many educational booths and exhibits. Half of the proceeds benefit the Austin Zoo, a rescue zoo providing sanctuary to displaced animals. 
  • Austin Jewish Film Festival. Takes place annually in January, presenting a cinematic examination of Jewish life and culture 
  • Cine Las Americas International Film Festival. Takes place in April, presenting the best in Latino and Indigenous cinema. The Festival presents approximately 100 films with screenings in theaters throughout Austin 
  • All Genders, Lifestyles, and Identities Film Festival. Takes place annually in September. aGLIFF (formerly the Austin Gay and Lesbian International Film Festival) is the oldest and largest gay & lesbian film festival in the Southwest and one of the Top 5 Film Festivals of its kind in the nation 
  • Austin Bicycle Film Festival. Takes place annually in September. The Bicycle Film Festival is a celebration of bicycles through film, art and music 
  • Austin Asian American Film Festival. Takes place annually. An innovative Asian/Asian-American film festival committed to celebrating the best in independent Asian cinema from around the globe. The festival highlights the complexity and vitality of Asian/Asian-American communities through cutting-edge narrative, documentary and experimental films. 

Learn

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Austin is one of the premier educational areas in the nation. The University of Texas at Austin is one of the best universities in the world, public or private. The flagship institution of the University of Texas System, it is also one of the largest universities in the world, both in terms of endowment, and in terms of student population. UT has been the largest university in the United States, but has intentionally limited enrollment and now ranks in the top five nationally. The red-tiled roofs of the "Forty Acres," as it is known, shelter many cultural and entertainment institutions. The campus is beautiful and vibrant, and visitors are welcome.

Austin is a college town as well as a government and high-tech center. It draws its population from all over, and many students decide to stay. This gives Austin a high level of general education and a diverse cultural scene.

Buy

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Austin is very proud of its local stores. Great places to shop are South Congress (SoCo), The Drag, (Guadalupe, from 17th to 38th, along the West side of the UT campus) and South First. North Loop[dead link] also has a few fun and funky shops, but you'll probably have to ask a local (or several) how to get there. There are several antique stores on South Congress. Half-Price Books with five locations around town is a Texas-based chain whose stores offer exceptional value for your dollar, and have an extremely diverse selection. A peek in these stores will show you what Austinites are really reading.

Austin is home of the original and the world headquarters of Whole Foods. Their flagship store is downtown at W. 6th St. and Lamar, in the same building as their brand-new corporate headquarters. They have several other stores around town as well. The flagship store is a destination in and of itself.

Austin is also home to the original Central Market, near Lamar and 38th St., and a second location at Lamar and Westgate, down south. Both have live music in their dining areas on weekends.

Whole Foods and Central Market have a large selection of fresh fruits and vegetables, wines, beer, cheese, free-range meats, and seafood. The Whole Foods flagship store downtown and the 38th St. Central Market locations have a varied selection of gelato. The "mothership" Whole Foods (as locals call it) is the largest in its chain, boasting six mini-restaurants with dishes prepared to order (seafood, vegetarian, BBQ, Italian, Asian, and pizza). Spirits live music at night, and an ice rink on top during the winter.

Trader Joes (211 Walter Seaholm Dr Ste 100, open daily 8AM-9PM) has a store located in Downtown Austin that is very convenient for those who are staying downtown and has a large selection of vegetarian and vegan products.

Wheatsville Food Co-op[dead link] (original location 3101 Guadalupe, open daily 7:30AM-11PM, new south Austin store 4001 S. Lamar Blvd) is now a thriving cooperative grocery and has been around for over 30 years. Their focus on food issues guaranteed an excellent selection of ethically produced products including organics, vegetarian, vegan, free range meats and eggs, fair trade, household items, bulk foods and a full service deli. The store is a much smaller than the large supermarkets and provides a much more personal grocery experience. "King of the Hill" made fun of the earnestness of the place by having Hank eat "faux fu" (a more ethical form of tofu) from the place.

HEB is one of the largest private (not publicly traded) corporations in America, has many supermarkets around town. They have great selection. Most markets have specialty, organic, and ethnic foods. Many are open 24 hours. Their newest large-scale supermarkets include everything from furniture to electronics to books to eggs.

Randalls (owned by Albertsons), the second largest supermarket chain in town after H-E-B, has a few locations open 24 hours.

Austin also features a large variety of ethnic grocery stores, including Chinese, Vietnamese, Japanese, and, of course, Mexican.
This is a huge city article, so detailed listings go in the district articles. This article should only provide a brief overview.
  • 1 MT Supermarket, 10901 N. Lamar Blvd, ☏ +1 512 454-4804. Daily 9AM-9PM. 68,000-square-foot Vietnamese and Chinese grocery supermarket, part of the 180,000-square+foot Chinatown Center. (updated Jan 2022)
  • 2 99 Ranch Market, 6929 Airport Blvd. Chinese groceries. (updated Jan 2022)
  • 3 H-Mart, 11301 Lakeline Blvd. Korean and Chinese grocery store. (updated Jan 2022)
  • 4 Asahi Imports, 6105 Burnet Road, ☏ +1-512-453-1850. Japanese grocery store. (updated Jan 2022)
  • 5 Fiesta Mart, 3909 N. Interstate 35. Mexican groceries, strong selection of other international fare. (updated Jan 2022)
  • 6 Barton Creek Farmers Market, 2901 S Capital of Texas Hwy, ☏ +1 512 280-1976, . Austin's largest and most acclaimed farmers market located in the Barton Creek Mall parking lot, meets 9AM-1PM every Saturday. (updated Jan 2022)

Eat

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When you visit Austin, or if you decide to live here, you'll have no shortage of interesting and satisfying places to eat. Austin's restaurants are a feast for the mind and the palate. The listings below are only a sampling of the diverse and plentiful Austin restaurant scene.

Austin has many high-end, destination restaurants, but it also has many high-quality, unique, and inexpensive restaurants where the locals eat, drink, and socialize every day (all day). It's a town built for living in, and the affordable, excellent restaurants show it. Just so you know you're in Texas, Austin has a large number of places serving Texas Barbeque and Tex-Mex; many of them are venerable, famous, and exceptionally good eating.

Austin is vegetarian-friendly, and many restaurants have a good selection to choose from. Most supermarkets such as HEB, Fiesta and Randall's offer inexpensive prepared food. In addition Austin was one of the first US cities to help spawn the whole food truck trend and has many food truck parks like St. Elmo Public Market, The Picnic, Thicket Food Park, 5000 Burnet, or Mueller Trailer Eats[dead link] where large numbers of food trucks congregate. Many of these food trucks offer diverse offerings that are also easy on the wallet such as tacos, döner kebabs, vegan fare, pad thai, po-boy sandwiches or Venezuelan arepas. Some popular food trucks include East Side King, Chi’lantro, Hey Cupcake![dead link], and the Peached Tortilla.

While Austin has dining options ranging from casual to upscale, most of the popular restaurants skew towards the budget end of the spectrum. There's a good chance the restaurant you want to visit has counter or quick-casual service and does not accept reservations. Part of the reason behind this is the fact that many popular restaurants started out as food trucks and then later built brick-and-mortar locations. Many of these places require that you pay up front, including tipping. When presented with the tipping step, bear in mind that Austin housing has become relatively expensive for service industry workers.

Consequently, many popular restaurants also have long lines (e.g., Franklin Barbecue). While some people enjoy striking up conversations in these famed lines, you may find yourself wanting to actually eat rather than talk. Austin's restaurants tend to follow trends (e.g., BBQ, tacos, pizza), so plan on some nearby alternatives if the idea of standing in 100°F heat for an hour for a burger isn't your idea of fun.

Local burger chains that you can find in numerous locations around Austin include P.Terry's who serve hormone free, antibiotic-free beef (Veggie burgers and quality chicken burgers, better than the regular burgers, are also available); and Mighty Fine with short menu but not short on taste.

If you're going to Austin looking for barbecue, you're going to the right place. Austin is home to multiple of the best barbecue restaurants in the state.

There are numerous Japanese restaurants in town (if you are looking for the real thing, most Japanese restaurants in town also are Korean or Chinese run). If you see bulgogi or other Korean fare it's likely a Korean restaurant. These places are pretty good and if you're not really into sushi, it's great to also have the option to eat Korean food.

Austin is home to a variety of excellent Mexican restaurants. Everyone in town has his/her favorite so if your looking to find a good one just ask the locals.

  • Baby Acapulco's is a well-known Tex-Mex restaurant serving out of 4 locations throughout the Austin area. A fun place for happy hour with a more upbeat and younger crowd. The famous purple margarita will do you just fine. But they serve a limit of two so drink responsibly!
  • Chuy's Restaurant an Austin institution with great Tex-Mex food. The North Lamar location is somewhat out of the way, but also tends to have the shortest wait times. Call ahead because the wait can sometimes be extremely long, though there are free chips and salsa to help make up for it.
  • Maudie's with 6 locations is great local Tex-Mex chain with locations spread across the city. Excellent tacos, enchiladas and chili rellenos. Serves breakfast all day. Gluten Free Menu available upon request.
  • Lupe Tortilla's is a really delicious and affordable Tex-Mex with great margaritas and their queso is the best in town, and be sure to try the flour tortillas (which are as big as your plate).
  • Serranos a homegrown Tex-Mex restaurant with five area locations around town offering a great selection of tasty Tex-Mex dishes. The food and service are consistently good for a reasonable price. For something different try the enchiladas con huevos.

"Torchy's Tacos has amazing tacos of every kind, including breakfast tacos. Try the green chile pork or the democrat.

Other local offering found in multiple locations around the city include:

  • Amy's Ice Creams where the atmosphere is lively and the employees are friendly. Add a fruit or candy "crush'n" to your ice cream for even more flavor. The location on Burnet Road, aside from being right beside the Amy's production facility, also features a burger joint - Phil's Ice House. Try the sweet potato fries and the burger sampler.
  • Kerbey Lane Cafe an Austin favorite offers legendary pancakes and an extensive vegan menu that includes breakfast tacos, chai pancakes, tofu cheesecake, and more. Also try the queso and Dave's enchiladas. Breakfast all day.
  • Opal Divine's serving up American food menu at four Austin locations, all of which have large outdoor decks for those who prefer to dine or enjoy an adult beverage with nature.
  • Thundercloud Subs a local sandwich deli with over 27 locations around town. Known for its 'Keep Austin Weird' atmosphere and 'Thunder sauce'.
  • Whole Foods Market Cafea vegetarian-friendly grocery store with numerous food bars offering vegan and vegetarian options. Whole Foods' flagship store is in Austin.

Because the weather gets bitterly cold only now and then, there is usually lots and lots of outdoor dining through the winter to such an extent that it is the rule rather than the exception that a place where you want to eat will have some kind of porch or back area that's open to the air, sometimes with heaters in the winter.

Drink

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Austin is coffee mad. The coffeehouse culture is strong and growing here in Austin, and you can hear poetry and live music at quite a few of these places, as well as getting light eats. Coffeehouses are where the liberal heart of Austin beats for all to see. Free wireless Internet connections are very common (and available at many other businesses as well). There are a number of local chains including Caffe Medici.

Most gay and lesbian bars and night clubs are downtown with the highest concentration in the Warehouse district.

For alcohol Austin's main strip is on 6th Street downtown. But like most entertainment districts that get raves in the media, it's a little overhyped. Check out the nearby Warehouse District and Fourth Street if you don't want quarter wells and million-dollar sorority girls.

Most grocery stores (especially HEB and Central Market) carry a variety of Texas beer. There are several microbreweries operating in Texas, and you can expect to find their beer at outlets with moderate to wide selections:

There are also small brewpubs serving their own house-brewed beers to the local cognoscenti, many in the North Loop area.

Sleep

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Individual listings can be found in Austin's district articles

Many hotels sell out for Austin festivals, particularly South By Southwest. Book well ahead for anything downtown.

Stay safe

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Austin is one of the safest major cities in the US. However, this does not mean that there is no crime. As with most American cities, credit cards are accepted nearly universally, especially for nightlife. Therefore, for convenience and safety, it's inadvisable to carry large amounts of cash. The number for police, fire, and medical services is 911.

In many parts of Austin, there are beggars on the street corners, particularly off of the freeways, who will hold signs asking for money (panhandling). Consider donating instead to a legitimate charity, like Meals on Wheels, the Salvation Army or Austin Atheists Helping the Homeless.

There is a district around 6th St. and Red River that houses a large homeless shelter known as the Arch. This area is generally safe during the day, but often filled with panhandlers at night. They can be fairly aggressive and sometimes follow people traveling alone. In addition, groups of muggers sometimes target intoxicated bar patrons who dare to depart on their own.

There is generally a large, visible police presence (mounted, foot, and cruiser) at night in the 6th St. area. They are quite willing to let belligerent drunks dry out overnight in the city jail, but are able to offer free voluntary rides to "The Sobering Center" for nonviolent intoxicated persons who require a safe place to sober up. They do, however, provide a safe and secure area to enjoy yourself and Austin's famous live music.

In the Rundberg area, you should not walk alone on the streets by yourself, especially around the I-35 area. Austinites tend to avoid this area.

Because surrounding hills concentrate the water, some streets in Austin and the surrounding area are prone to flooding during periods of heavy rain. These areas are typically marked as 'low water crossings' but in any event do not drive or walk across moving water. "Turn around, Don't drown" is a well known, local saying. Each year several people are killed as they are swept away by flooding. You will also see many flood control structures built into the landscape. Small, dry low places with bounding berms during the dry season, these are dangerous places to be in but keep Austin safer when the rains come.

Cope

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Consulates

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Radio

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FM

Go next

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  • Hill Country Flyer, ☏ +1 512 477-8468. A scenic 2-hour train ride through the Hill Country to Burnet, where the train stops for shopping and dining. The ride is especially scenic during mid-spring when the hills are covered in bluebonnets. The train is normally pulled by an old steam engine which is under restoration. In the meantime, the route still runs, pulled by a 1960s diesel engine.
  • San Marcos - 32 miles south of Austin, San Marcos is the home of Texas State University and its Aquarena Center, as well as two massive outlet malls that have more than 350 shops.
  • New Braunfels - 48 miles south of Austin, this town is best known for its German culture and heritage, not to mention the Schlitterbahn, persistent in being voted the world's best waterpark.
  • River Tubing - several cold, spring-fed rivers run through Central Texas and are popular places to float down a river in an inner tube. Several outfitters provide tubes and transportation up or down the river. Rivers include the San Marcos River, the Comal River, the Guadalupe River, and others to varying degrees.
  • Hippie Hollow, county park offering clothing-optional bathing since the 1960s.
Routes through Austin
Dallas ← Temple ←  NE  SW  → San Marcos → San Antonio
Waco ← Round Rock ←  N  S  → Kyle → San Antonio
Clinton ← Cedar Park ←  N  S  → Luling → Refugio
El Paso ← Dripping Springs ←  W  E  → Brenham → Houston
Brady ← Bee Cave ←  W  E  → Bastrop → Jct W E


This city travel guide to Austin is a usable article. It has information on how to get there and on restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please feel free to improve it by editing the page.
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