Austin, the state capital, is located in central Texas. It is recognized as one of the fastest growing cities in America. Some of the growth is due to the fast growing technology sector.
This is a city of unique history, culture, the arts and delicious food.
It is also a mecca for entertainment and was named the “Live Music Capital of the World ®” back in 1991. Whether you jam to country, jazz, samba, rock or reggae Austin is the place to go. Austin’s packed with more music venues per person, than anywhere else in the United States.
Austin Music Scene
Live music is playing all over Austin. At “Listen to Texas”on Wednesdays local performers take the stage in the Oak Garden at Güero’s Taco Bar. This is one of the ongoing series of events sponsored by Sun Radio. You can also show up every night at the Broken Spoke or the Little Longhorn Saloon to enjoy some honky-tonk, boot-scootin’ music.
The Barracuda is all about punk-rock. Both the Empire Control Room & Garage and the Mohawk feature up-and-coming singers and songwriters. And every Tuesday Barbarella is a down home dance club, that transforms on Thursday nights into a rock-and-roll experience.
Festivals
Austin is host to a variety of the most popular music festivals in the country. And make no mistake music is a part of every kind of festival in Austin.
Irish music resonates at the Austin Celtic Festival. Reggae takes the stage at the Austin Reggae Festival. And Samba music ramps up at Emo’s for the Carnaval Brasileiro.
The Austin Area Jazz Festival, Levitation, UTOPiAfest and the Old Settler’s Music Festival attract thousands of eclectic music lovers.
There’s a certain nostalgia at Willie Nelson’s 4th of July Picnic when Willie and his friends celebrate. The event ends in a firework show. And of course the Fourth of July Fireworks & Symphony is amazing where the Austin Symphony gives a performance followed by fireworks over Lady Bird Lake.
Hundreds of diverse bands show up annually to events like the Urban Music Festival, SXSW, Art City Austin, Austin City Limits Music Festival, and the Viva La Vida Festival & Parade.
At Rodeo Austin the cowboys compete in the arena. There are also nightly concerts. At the Republic of Texas Biker Rally motorcycles parade and live music plays. During Austin PRIDE Festival the LGBTQ community comes alive in downtown Austin.
Food
The Picnic, Austin’s outstanding food trailer park, is over on Barton Springs Road. This is where Austin’s most popular food trailers are parked. Kebabalicious, Trudy’s, Acai Hut, Coat & Thai, Cannone Cucina Italiana,The Mighty Cone, Steel City Pops and Hey Cupcake! are all open for business.
Arlo’s has delicious vegan fare. Moonshine Patio Bar & Grill specializes in Southern cooking.
Austin is famous for barbecue. Stubb’s Bar-B-Q, Micklethwait Craft Meats, Franklin Barbecue and la Barbecue are experts at briskets and ribs.
Tex-Mex is the comfort food of Texas. And Austin is the place to find it. If you want sizzling fajitas or some hot and cheesy enchiladas head over to Cielito Lindo Mexican Cuisine or Marcelino Pan y Vino.
History
The Texas Capitol Visitors Center provides free guided tours of a well preserved historic Austin. You can tour the Texas State Capitol building or take a downtown walking tour with the Otocast app. It’s time to enjoy the history and culture of Austin up close.
There are also some amazing museums that include the famous writer O. Henry’s residence and the Susanna Dickinson Museum (she survived the Battle of the Alamo).
