Located halfway between San Antonio and Dallas, Austin is the capital of Texas and a destination well known for the significant bohemian element of its population as well as for its vibrant live music scene (it’s regularly touted as the ‘live music capital of the world’). As a tourist destination, it presents a laidback atmosphere and a wealth of sightseeing and cultural attractions.
Enjoying good weather for the best part of the year, Austin has obvious appeal as a vacation destination. Visitors can make the best of the warm climate in any of the numerous scenic outdoor destinations that the city boasts. Zilker Metropolitan Park is a favourite with locals and when the summer heat is beating down, where better to head to than the park’s Barton Springs Pool, an ideal spot for a refreshing dip?
Families love Austin for its wealth of attractions aimed at little ones. Austin’s Park and Kiddie Acres are favourites but there are numerous other sites, including movie theatres, bowling alleys, arcades and public parks. For visitors who enjoy outdoor sports or pursuits, the possibilities are endless, with hiking and biking, golf and fishing to name but a few.
If you’re an avid aesthete or art enthusiast, then you’ll love Austin’s excellent selection of arts venues, among which is the Austin Museum of Art at Laguna Gloria, the South Austin Museum of Popular Culture and the Blanton Museum of Art. There are performance art venues also, with a variety of reputable stage companies presenting professional productions in genres such as traditional theatre, comedy and music.
The city attracts plenty of visitors, both domestic and international, throughout the year and has developed an impressive tourist infrastructure to cater to their needs. Besides a helpful and informative Convention and Visitors Bureau, the city offers a wealth of accommodation options including big names such as Radisson, Sheraton, Hilton and Hyatt Regency. Booking a hotel online in advance is the best way to secure a room.
The city has its own international airport but with a limited number of direct overseas flights, many visitors fly into other US cities and take an onward transfer. Once you arrive, the local public transportation system makes getting around a cheap and simple affair. Alternatively, you can rent a car for extra comfort and convenience.
Austin experiences a subtropical climate, which brings it high temperatures and high humidity for a large part of the year. The city basks in sunshine for over 300 days a year, leaving only a short period in which visiting conditions might not be considered ideal. Summers are usually scorching, winters are mild and the spring and autumn seasons are typically transitional.
Summer is a good time to visit if you are well adjusted to hot weather, with temperature highs between June and September averaging at around 32°C. If you prefer things a little cooler, then spring and autumn are better times to visit, although there’s an increased likelihood of rain at these times so you need to pack a waterproof jacket or an umbrella. Visiting in winter is also possible with only January bringing conditions that could be perceived as cold (lows of around 4°C).
