There is a reason Austin is know as the “Live Music Capital of the World.” Not only are there over 120 live music venues to choose from, each spring Austin hosts South by Southwest (SXSW), a world renowned 10-day, music, film and multimedia festival. SXSW offers hundreds of concerts and film viewings, plus a multimedia and music exposition with discussion panels and workshops focused on all three industries. Many other music and art festivals are held throughout the year around Austin, including the Austin City Limits Music Festival, Blues on the Green and the Old Pecan Street Festival.
The University of Texas' Performing Arts Center attracts artists and performers from around the world. The Long Center for the Performing Arts will soon service more than 250 Central Texas performing arts groups. The newly renovated Frank Erwin Center offers everything from major concerts to the Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus. The Austin Symphony, Ballet Austin and the Austin Lyric Opera, all offer performances and concerts year round.
Austin is known for having some of the best Mexican food and barbeque in the south. Some of our favorite Mexican restaurants include Guero’s Taco Bar, Chuys, and Fonda San Miguel. Our favorite barbeque restaurants are The Salt Lick and County Line. Offering the best sunset in Texas and over 40 outdoor decks, the Oasis is our favorite place to take people who have never been to Austin. A complete list of Austin restaurants can be found at Austin360.com.
Museum buff’s will have a long list to choose from including the LBJ Presidential Library and Museum, the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum, the Republic of Texas Museum, the Texas Memorial Museum, the Austin Children's Museum, Elisabet Ney Museum, the Umlauf Sculpture Garden and the Austin Museum of Art-Downtown. There are many more to choose from at the Austin Museum Partnership. The Texas State Capitol offers daily tours and is a great starting point for exploring Texas history.
Austin’s area botanical gardens and nature centers include the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, Zilker Botanical Garden, Austin Nature Center and Mayfield Gardens.