Austin Basics

Introduction

When Austin is mentioned in casual conversation, all eyes light up. Those who have been to Austin can’t help but chime in with enthusiasm, and those who have never been have heard only amazing things about this alluring city in the heart of Texas. What makes Austin so memorable and so popular? Austin is the most diverse city in Texas, and probably all of the American South. It is the land where John Wayne meets Andy Warhol. Here cowboys drive pickup trucks with abstract murals painted on the side, Christmas lights are on year-round, bizarre landmark art is everywhere, and hip youngsters and old country folk two-step together in honky-tonks.

Given half a chance, Austin is guaranteed to suck you in and take you for a spin, like a cow in a twister on the plains. Where else can you see Willie Nelson perform, go wine-tasting, explore underground caves, visit the Alamo, see ancient dinosaur bones, dance to German polka music, and catch a Mexican rodeo all in one weekend? Nowhere else but deep in the heart of Texas.

PLANNING YOUR TIME

If a long three- to four-day weekend is all you have to explore the town, it can help to plan your time a little. However, the best way to experience Austin is to let yourself meander. For the weekend traveler you can plan to spend most of your time right in the downtown area where all that you could ever want is within arm’s reach. Most attractions are within walking distance, and those that aren’t are easily accessible thanks to the free Dillos (they look like San Francisco cable cars) and the Capital Metro bus system. On foot or on Dillo, in a weekend you can check out some of the galleries and museums, walk around Lady Bird Lake, poke your head into some of the great curiosity shops on South Congress Avenue, and eat some great Tex-Mex. Above all plan on staying up late, walking down 6th Street, and catching some live music at the many varied venues downtown. Music is absolutely everywhere, and is usually good, often great.

If you plan to be in Austin for a couple weeks or longer, I would suggest a whole different approach to planning your time. Figure out where you would like to stay and settle in. Make a home base where you can leave your things and not worry too much about anything. Immediately upon checking in and unloading your luggage grab a free copy of the Austin Chronicle and look through the music and events pages. There’s so much going on that there’s bound to be something of interest for everyone. Once you’ve made some mental notes on events to catch, take your time exploring the town and scouring the surrounding area. Catch one of the creepy Ghost Tours downtown, hike in the Green Belt, relax at Barton Springs, take a ride on Lady Bird Lake in an authentic double-decked paddle-wheel riverboat, and spend half a day out at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. After all this, if you still have a day to spare take a road trip out into the Hill Country.