Austin
Around Austin
Photo: Larry D. Moore · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Metro area · Texas · 2.6M people
Austin
Locals say Central Texas · “ATX”, “Live Music Capital of the World”, “Bat City”
Austin · Round Rock · San Marcos · Georgetown
Live music, breakfast tacos, and the Hill Country
Burnt orangeVerdeHill Country green
Welcome to Central Texas, where the music is loud, the tacos are plentiful, and the sun shines bright. Whether you're here for the festivals or the food, you'll find a community that loves to be outside and enjoy life. Get ready to explore the greenbelts, float the rivers, and discover your new favorite spot.
Clubs for Austin
No clubs for Austin yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Austin. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Austin. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Texas State Capitol Granite dome and seat of state government
- Zilker Park Large urban park with Barton Springs Pool and festivals
- Barton Springs Pool Natural spring-fed swimming pool, always 68°F
- Lady Bird Lake Reservoir on the Colorado River, popular for kayaking and running trails
- Congress Avenue Bridge Home to the world's largest urban bat colony
- University of Texas Tower Iconic tower on UT campus, lit orange for victories
- Outdoors Hike the Barton Creek Greenbelt
- Outdoors Paddleboard on Lady Bird Lake
- With kids Thinkery
- With kids Austin Zoo
- Evenings Bar-hop on Rainey Street
- Evenings Dance at a honky-tonk
- Locals love Live music venues
- Locals love Swimming holes
Through the year
- South by Southwest (SXSW) March March: massive music, film, and interactive festival
- Austin City Limits Music Festival October October: two weekends of music in Zilker Park
- Texas Book Festival November November: author readings and signings at the Capitol
- Austin Film Festival October October: screenwriting and film screenings
- Pecan Street Festival May and September May and September: arts and crafts fair on Sixth Street
Central Texas has hot summers and mild winters. Spring and fall are the best times to be outdoors. Summers can be scorching with occasional thunderstorms, while winters are usually mild but can have ice storms. Best: Spring and fall are the best times to be outdoors.
Talk like a local
- “Town Lake”
- Old name for Lady Bird Lake
- “The Drag”
- Guadalupe Street near UT, full of shops and food
- “SoCo”
- South Congress Avenue, known for shopping and food
- “Dirty Sixth”
- The rowdy stretch of Sixth Street with bars
Getaways
- Fredericksburg Hill Country wineries, peach stands and Main Street.
- San Antonio River Walk and Alamo
- Kerrville Guadalupe River and Hill Country scenery
- Brenham Blue Bell Creamery and historic downtown
Local flavour
Teams
- Austin FC MLS
- Texas Longhorns NCAA
- Texas State Bobcats NCAA
- Round Rock Express MiLB
- Texas Stars AHL
Also rooting for Dallas Cowboys (NFL), San Antonio Spurs (NBA), Texas Rangers (MLB), Houston Astros (MLB)
Eat and drink
- Breakfast tacos A morning staple, often with migas, bacon, or potato and egg
- Brisket BBQ Smoked low and slow, often served on white bread with pickles and onions
- Queso Melted cheese dip, often with ground beef or chorizo
- Kolaches Czech pastries filled with fruit, sausage, or cream cheese
- Tex-Mex A regional style of Mexican-American cuisine, including enchiladas, fajitas, and nachos
- Craft beer From local breweries like Austin Beerworks, Jester King, and Live Oak
Where people go
- Live music venues From intimate clubs on Red River to honky-tonks like the Broken Spoke
- Food trucks A ubiquitous sight, serving everything from tacos to gourmet doughnuts
- Taco stands Often family-run, serving breakfast tacos and al pastor
- BBQ joints Smoke-filled pits, often with a line out the door
- Honky-tonks Dance halls with live country music and two-stepping
- Swimming holes Natural spring-fed pools like Barton Springs and Hamilton Pool
- Greenbelts Urban trails and parks like Zilker and the Barton Creek Greenbelt
- Lakes Lady Bird Lake and Lake Travis, popular for kayaking and paddleboarding
Heritage and traditions
Austin is proud of its vibrant live music scene, tech innovation, and a unique blend of Texas tradition with a progressive, 'Keep Austin Weird' spirit.
This time of year in Austin
- Longhorns football tailgating Fall Fall Saturdays are filled with tailgating and UT football.
Say it like a local: “Keep Austin Weird” — Embrace the quirky, unconventional culture of Austin.
Festivals
- Eeyore's Birthday Party April A quirky, free celebration with costumes, drum circles, and games.
- Austin Reggae Festival April Reggae bands, Caribbean food, and a family-friendly vibe.
- Texas Hill Country Wine & Food Festival April Showcases local wineries and chefs.
- Austin Pride August LGBTQ+ parade and festival with a festive atmosphere.
- Trail of Lights December A drive-through or walk-through holiday light display at Zilker Park.
- Zilker Kite Festival March A family event with kite flying, contests, and music.
Landmarks with a story
- The Driskill Hotel Opened in 1886, a landmark of Austin history and architecture.
- Texas Governor's Mansion Official residence of the governor, with historic significance.
- Bullock Texas State History Museum Tells the story of Texas through exhibits and artifacts.
- LBJ Presidential Library Houses documents and exhibits about President Lyndon B. Johnson.
- The Paramount Theatre Historic theater from 1915, hosting films and performances.
- St. Mary's Cathedral Catholic cathedral with a rich history in downtown Austin.
Food traditions
- Tamales at Christmas Families gather to make tamales for Christmas Eve, a beloved Texas tradition.
- Frito pie at a football game A classic Texas snack: Fritos topped with chili and cheese, often eaten at tailgates.
- Big Red with barbecue Pairing the red soda with brisket is a local custom.
- Sopaipillas with honey A sweet Tex-Mex dessert, often served at the end of a meal.
- Sunday brunch at a food truck park Gathering at spots like The Picnic for a variety of food trucks.
Music and arts
- Outlaw country music Willie Nelson and others shaped this genre in Austin.
- Austin blues scene Stevie Ray Vaughan and local clubs kept blues alive.
- Indie rock scene Bands like Spoon and Explosions in the Sky call Austin home.
- Murals and street art Colorful murals on South Congress and throughout the city.
A little history
- 1839 Austin founded as Waterloo
- 1883 University of Texas established
- 1974 Austin City Limits TV show first aired
- 1984 Dell founded in Round Rock
- 1970s Outlaw country movement with Willie Nelson
Rivalries
- Longhorns vs. Aggies College football rivalry
- Austin FC vs. Houston Dynamo Texas soccer derby
- Longhorns vs. Sooners Red River Showdown
- Texas State vs. UTSA College football rivalry
- Game day Longhorns football tailgating
- Game day Austin FC supporter culture
- Outdoors Hiking at Mount Bonnell
- Outdoors Swimming at Hamilton Pool
- With kids Bob Bullock Museum
- With kids Blanton Museum of Art
Central Texas accent with a drawl, using 'y'all' and 'fixin' to'. Spanish words like 'que pasa' occasionally mix in. Locals often say 'Keep Austin Weird' to celebrate the city's unique character.
Only here
- Congress Avenue Bridge bat colony: the largest urban bat colony in North America.
- Keep Austin Weird slogan—a local mantra for preserving uniqueness.
- Austin City Limits TV show: the longest-running music series in television history.
- Eeyore's Birthday Party: a quirky, free community celebration.
New here? A few tips
- Bring sunscreen and stay hydrated; summers are hot and humid.
- Learn to love breakfast tacos—they're a local staple.
- Traffic on I-35 is bad; use MoPac or Loop 360 to get around.
- Embrace the weird; locals are friendly and open-minded.
- Take advantage of the greenbelts and parks for outdoor recreation.
Make this page better
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Nearby
Every areaTexas Hill CountryTexasWhere the hills meet the sky and the BBQ is slow.La GrangeTexasWhere Czech heritage meets Texas charm.Milam CountyTexasWhere the Brazos bends and the prairie meets the skyGonzalesTexasWhere the first shot for Texas freedom still echoes.Killeen–TempleTexasWhere the Hill Country meets the heart of Texas.FredericksburgTexasLocal rooms for Texas Hill Country.San AntonioTexasWhere the River Walk meets the Hill CountryBrenhamTexasWhere the bluebonnets bloom and the ice cream is always sweet.
Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.