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Neighborhood in Austin, Texas
Photo: Larry D. Moore, CC BY 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
A must-see for new visitors to Austin. A large source of pride for the city and the state, the State Capitol is a beautiful building wrapped in Texas pink granite. Independent-minded Texans take pride in the fact that the State Capitol is actually 14 feet taller than the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. Unlike many other state capitols in America, Texas's is as welcoming as the state's people, and is completely open to the public seven days a week. It's interesting to stroll through the halls, look at the paintings and sculptures, and peek into the legislative chambers. And it's free! In addition, it is worthwhile to stroll around the grounds and look at the monuments. The Texas African American History Monument, somewhat to your left if you are approaching the Capitol from the south, is particularly large and impressive, and presents interesting information about important African American Texans and Black Texans' fights for Texas and for equal rights. There are several other monuments, including a nice one of a cowboy, one of a pioneer woman, one to Tejanos and a large memorial to Confederate soldiers. You can see some little official photos of all the memorials at the Capitol Grounds Monuments page.
This is one of the nicest museums in Austin. There is probably more than you want to know about Texas history here. They have free lockers and the IMAX theater is also here.
Austin Museum of Art
Reflecting the unconventional spirit of Austin, AMOA-Downtown offers informative and informal art experiences oriented towards the interests of a broad general audience. The galleries serve as the Museum's primary exhibition site and present continually changing exhibitions and education programs that showcase an array of twentieth-century and contemporary art. To complement the art on view, the Museum presents a broad range of accessible, interdisciplinary, and hands-on public education programs for school children, families and adults. AMOA-Downtown also features the Community Room, a place for activities and private functions with gallery access.
Ann W. Richards Congress Avenue Bridge
Yes, that's right, bats. Austin's Congress Avenue bridge is home to about 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats. This is the largest urban bat colony in the world and one of the largest Mexican free-tailed bat colonies in North America. The bats are generally active at dusk every evening between March and November. In years when there has been a drought, the bats leave early (when there is still light), and can be a quite impressive sight. In years when there has been plenty of rain, they leave so late it is difficult to see much. Best place to see them is near the Austin American Statesman's parking lot, or you can pay for boat tours to see them from underneath the bridge. Towards the end of bat season, when the colony's young are flying for the first time, pedestrian crowds can become rather dense. Try to arrive at least an hour before dark if you want to have a good, unobstructed view.
Focused on the collection, preservation, and interpretation of Mexican, Latino, and Latin American art and culture.
milk + honey spa is a modern, elegant, design forward day spa in the heart of the 2nd Street District. It is a good option for travelers looking for a massage, facial, or nail treatment.
House Park Skatepark
A 30,000-square-foot public, concrete skate park next to the ACC Rio Grande Campus.
9th Street BMX Park
Since the 1990s, the south side of Duncan Park has been used as a BMX bicycle jumping/trail spot. It has been hand built by the local riders with very minimal involvement from the City of Austin and absolutely zero compensation.
Stateside at the Paramount
Feature a wide variety of plays and acts, from Broadway touring shows to Chinese acrobats to plays and unique dance companies.
Offers an entertaining Saturday Night Live-like comedy skits (Th-Sa). In the 6th Street entertainment district, it's a great way to start an evening. Reservations recommended.
Managed by the Austin Improv Collective. You can always find improv comedy there.
The venerable PBS show was filmed at Studio 6A in the Communications Building B at the University of Texas from 1976 to 2010. In February 2011, it moved to the Moody Theater at 310 Willie Nelson Blvd in Downtown Austin.
This BBQ restaurant has some of the best selection of live music in Austin, thanks to Charles Attal, one of the owners, who is recognized nationally for his music booking business. Crowded on Sundays.
An Austin original that has survived despite many hardships. Considered by USA Today to be one of the best Blues clubs in the nation, Antone's continues to be a launching pad for dozens of new artists each year.
Voted Best Dance Club 2003-2008 in the Austin Chronicle Readers' Poll.
Live music venue featuring local and national talent. 8PM-2AM live music everyday. 5-9PM weekday happy hour featuring local ales on tap.
Four locations. A movie theater with full restaurant service. Downtown always has an eclectic array of cult and foreign films and a good beer and food menu, and serves liquor. They also have a dizzying number of specialty shows and film festivals. Their other locations show more first run movies with the same excellent food and beer menu.
Huge screen, 400 seats, with 2-D and 3-D capability.
Various theaters. A membership organization bringing the best of cinema to Austinites. Many screenings open to the public. Check the website for current programs and community film announcements.
ALC
Delicious steaks in a relaxed atmosphere (for a steakhouse). Great bar, appetizers, and sides too. Not especially cheap, but some of the best steaks in town.
Feast on ground flat-top burgers, inventive handspun shakes and addictive fry creations in a stylish sidewalk setting. Be sure to try their signature Big Mouth Burger, topped with blistered peppers, jalapeno jam, bacon and zesty cheddar.
Over 21 only. Bar that serves juicy 3/4 pound patties of certified Angus Beef. Also available: chicken sandwiches, hotdogs, veggie sandwiches, etc. Everything is slooooow-cooked so expect 45 min. to an hour waits for food at peak times, but it's worth it. Dark decor, eccentric jukebox, and nice back garden.
Combining regional ingredients and recipes from every corner of Texas with crafted tequila cocktails and locally-sourced beers, Corner brings a modern, uptempo spirit to a laid-back space overlooking the South Congress neighborhood. Don't miss the Slow-Roasted Pork Shoulder Sandwich, accompanied by quince jelly and manchego cheese or the festive Taco Bar.
Gus's fried Chicken
Fried chicken.
Decent BBQ very close to the Austin Convention Center downtown. BBQ plates, sandwiches, and side dishes.
Asian fusion restaurant with many vegetarian and vegan options, including summer rolls, vegetarian curries, and sweet potato noodles. Tofu is available on most entrees.
This eatery is focused on serving fresh, tasty salads. Choose from the menu or make your own! A few of their soups are vegetarian and/or vegan.
Serving up American food menu at three Austin locations, all of which have large outdoor decks for those who prefer to dine or enjoy an adult beverage with nature.
Indulge in authentic, quality Italian food hand crafted with passion and served with class. Don't miss the signature Pollo Al Mattone, the inventive pizza selections and the impeccable wine list.
The oldest continuously operating restaurant and also the oldest business in Texas, started just after the Civil War. Good German and other hearty fare. As the name implies, Scholz Garten also has a biergarten and serves many different types of beer. A traditional Democratic party hangout where Ann Richards is supposed to have plotted her successful run for governor. In the middle of it all, the Capitol is a few blocks away and the University of Texas is just north.
Quintessential BBQ joint located near downtown. In addition to the great BBQ, the kitchen turns out some great side dishes, which are often overshadowed by the smoked meats. This unique venue has two concert venues, one indoor and one outdoor that can accommodate over a thousand people.
Get your red on. Serves the national dish of Texas, chili, in all heat ranges as well as other great Texan-American fare. This downtown neighborhood chili parlor is reportedly the local Republican hangout when "The Lege" is in session. Featured in Quentin Tarantino's movie "Death Proof."
More of a bar than a coffee house, serves smores.
A hostel in Austin's oldest standing firehouse. Dorm rooms, "euro-style" private rooms (shared bath), and suites (private bath) available. The hostel also has free wifi, free computer terminal, free breakfast, laundry facilities, and locker storage.
A comfortable hotel for the budget-minded traveler. Amenities include pool and free hot breakfast.
Meeting facilities which can accommodate up to 600.
The oldest hotel in the city, built in 1886 by a cattle baron. Beautiful architecture, marble floors, high ceilings, and the best upscale bar in the city. Try out the 5-star Driskill Grill at lunch time or visit the bakery.
City-owned hotel.
Has a spa, rooftop pool and bar, and an onsite restaurant.
Awesome selection of novelty, themed, and era-reminiscent toys, candy, and stationary.
Across the street from Waterloo Records, this locally owned bookstore has two stories of books with lots of quiet corners to sit down for a read. Largest independent bookstore in Texas. Great selection of books on Texas history and architecture.
Known around town for having local artists play in-store. Wide selection of music, everything from Blues to Electronica to Country. Has a wall dedicated to local musicians, great if you need a real country fix, not that sugary syrup they play on the radio.
Austin has a vibrant pedicab community of bicycle taxis that operate during the evening hours on and around the 6th street entertainment district. A pedicab can be a fun way to get around as well a scenic experience.
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