Austin didn’t earn the title of “Live Music Capital of the World” by happenstance. On the weekends, local watering holes play host to various acts, from all genres. 

In October, the city holds the Austin City Limits music festival, which has been ranked among the best festivals in the nation. Additionally, South by Southwest (SXSW), which takes place in March, is another good time to hear some of your favorite acts as they take to the stages of some of Austin’s most famous venues. 

What are those venues? Check them out:

Music

+ Mohawk
+ Saxon Pub
+ Continental Club
+ Emo’s
+ The Elephant Room
+ ACL Festival

Austin’s outdoors scene is tops in Texas, with miles of hiking trails and hundreds of acres of greenspace located inside the city limits, within view of the downtown skyscrapers. Zilker Park is an urban gem, located just south of downtown. It is home to oceans of grass, soccer fields and volleyball courts. The Park has access to some of Austin’s other draws: the historic Barton Springs swimming pool and the downtown Hike and Bike Trail on Town Lake.

Here’s the full list of my favorite activities in the city:

Activities for everyone

+ Bat Bridge
+ Mt. Bonnell
+ Hill of Life Hike
+ Thinkery
+ SXSW
+ Zilker Park
+ Barton Springs Pool
+ Lake Travis

Art isn’t just a tourist attraction in Austin. It’s part of our soul and creative spirit. And there’s no better way to plug into that aspiring energy than with a visit to some of the city’s top art museums, galleries, performing arts spaces and annual art events.

Arts & Culture

+ The Contemporary Austin
+ Laguna Gloria
+ Umlauf Sculpture Garden
+ Art in Public Places
+ Austin Mural Tour
+ Blanton Museum
+ LBJ Presidential Library