Texas

Austin

Austin, Texas
Austin, Texas
Texas Hill Country
Texas BBQ, Austin

Why visit Austin

Austin blends live music, outdoor space and bold Texan character. The centre is compact and easy to explore, set around Lady Bird Lake. You can start the day with a swim at Barton Springs or a paddleboard on the water. Afterwards, head to South Congress for coffee, tacos and a look through local shops.

The city has a creative streak that shows in its galleries, murals and independent businesses. Music is everywhere. Small bars and well-known venues host live acts most nights, often with no cover charge. It is a city that takes its music seriously, but keeps the mood relaxed.

Food is another reason to come. Barbecue and Tex-Mex define the local table. Brisket, tacos and queso appear everywhere, from simple food trucks to long-established restaurants.

Just beyond the city, the Hill Country adds another dimension. Rolling countryside, wineries and swimming holes sit within easy reach. Hamilton Pool and the small towns west of Austin make rewarding day trips.

All of this gives Austin a laid-back rhythm. It is lively without feeling overwhelming, creative without trying too hard. Visitors often find that a few days here pass quickly, and that the city is easy to return to.

Longhorn cattle, Texas

Highlights of Austin

  • Discover Austin’s live music scene: Known as the Live Music Capital of the World, Austin hosts hundreds of venues showcasing everything from country and blues to indie and rock.

  • Swim at Barton Springs Pool: A natural spring-fed pool in Zilker Park, where cool, clear water flows year-round beneath shady pecan trees.

  • Explore the Texas State Capitol: One of the largest state capitol buildings in the United States, surrounded by gardens and monuments.

  • Watch the Congress Avenue Bridge bats: At sunset between spring and autumn, over a million bats emerge in one of the city’s most unusual spectacles.

  • Kayak or paddleboard on Lady Bird Lake: Calm waters running through the centre of the city offer a scenic way to see Austin’s skyline.

  • Taste Austin’s food scene: From famous barbecue joints to inventive food trucks, the city’s dining culture is one of the most exciting in the United States.

Bat Country

Austin is home to the largest urban bat colony in North America. Each summer evening, around 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats emerge from beneath Congress Avenue Bridge, creating one of the city’s most unusual wildlife spectacles.

Live Music

Austin has more live music venues per capita than any other city in the United States, earning it the nickname The Live Music Capital of the World.

Good to know

Getting to Austin

Austin is easily reached by air. There are regular flights from major hubs across the United States to Austin–Bergstrom International Airport. From the UK, fly from London to Dallas or Houston, then connect on a short domestic flight to Austin in just over an hour. Seasonal direct flights from London to Austin–Bergstrom also operate, providing a convenient gateway to central Texas.

When to go

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OUR FAVOURITE TIME TO VISIT

March is a spectacular time to explore Austin as the wild flowers erupt across the countryside, it’s also the month for South by Southwest, one of the world’s largest music festivals so you’ll need to book well in advance.

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