About Austin Texas

While in Austin, you will likely tour the state Capitol, but there are some other sites that can't be missed! Something you don't see just anywhere happens near the Congress Avenue Bridge where, on summer evenings, (August is best) thousands of Mexican bats fly on the hunt for mosquitoes. This is a favorite local and tourist attraction. Austin is the capital of Texas, but it has also been called the "live music capital of the world" due to the more than 100 live music venues including the largest running music show on television, "Austin City Limits. These venues have kept the legacy of Texas musicians such as Stevie Ray Vaughn and Willie Nelson alive and kicking. Recommended are: Antones for blues, The Broken Spoke is a country and western dance hall and Wild About Music is a combined art gallery and gift shop a few blocks from the Capitol. And on those hot summer nights, the state's most popular swimming hole is here in Austin, the Barron Springs, which is located in Zilker Park (512) 476-9044. Tours of the city should also include: Incredible Victorian structures and the view of the pink granite Capitol building, which is beautifully lit at night. The Driskill Hotel - an historic palace, newly renovated where Lyndon Johnson kept a suite during his political career. The Governors Mansion - open for tours from Monday through Friday from 10:00 to 11:40 a.m. (512) 463-5518. The free London B. Johnson Library Museum is the most visited of the nine presidential libraries (512) 916-5136. Bats, music, politics, and swimming holes - it seems Austin has something for everyone! For more information, contact the Austin Convention and Visitors Bureau. Known for its casual and playful nature, Austin is the playground of Texas. Situated at the center of the Lone Star State, it stands as the gateway to the Texas Hill Country and the Highland Lakes. As the state capital and home to the University of Texas, the city supports a politically charged and culturally rich environment. It's hip, trendy, and high-tech. A large creative population-primarily musicians and artists-enhance its eclectic nature.

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