The City of Austin was ranked by Forbes as the second most innovative city in the U.S. Austin has nicknamed itself the “Live Music Capital of the World”, and offers an urban yet relaxed environment that makes it one of the most desirable places to live.
Austin Music Festivals and Events
The Austin City Limits Music Festival each Fall and the South by Southwest Music and Media Conference each Spring are two of the largest annual music festivals in the U.S. The outdoor ACL festival was an outgrowth of the popular television program with the same name, which is filmed in Austin before live audiences, and the SXSW festival hosts more than 2,000 performers appearing in close to 100 venues throughout the city. Apart from ACL and SXSW there are dozens of music festivals and events that occur year round, many of which have free admission. Live music can be found every night, such as on 6th St., Rainey St. and South Congress St. Apart from music, there are also film festivals, art walks and much more. From the Trail of Lights held in December to Eeyore’s Birthday in April, there’s always something fun (and usually quirky) to do!
Visit austineventsandfestivals.com and freefuninaustin.com for more information.
Austin Lakes and Parks
The Colorado River flowing through Austin, together with the surrounding Austin Hill Country, create a scenic environment that supports a wide variety of outdoor recreational activities. Water sports, hiking, jogging and cycling are most popular. Apart from the hot summers, Austin’s climate is relatively mild for most the year. This allows for city dwellers to engage in kayaking, paddle boarding, canoeing, on the Colorado River and hiking in the Green Belt and surrounding areas throughout the year. Other favorite spots include Barton Springs, Hamilton Pool, McKinley Falls, the Wildflower Center and Lake Travis. Austinites take pride in being a very active and outdoor community.
Urban Life with a Country Vibe
As one of the biggest cities in Texas, Austin residents benefit from the diversity that an urban area can offer. Locals engage in activities such as latin dance at Esquina Tango, two steppin’ at the Broken Spoke, or swing dance at Austin Swing Syndicate. For those looking for a night life scene the recommended locations are 6th St. or Rainey St. The Alamo Drafthouse is a popular local chain of movie theaters throughout the area. Watch a new release, a cult classic, or a Master Pancake comedy event in one of the six locations. For a more relaxed atmosphere, there are dozens of beautiful parks to enjoy and many local coffee shops throughout the city. For those who love local Austin has several microbreweries for excellent craft beer and even local wineries for scenic wine tasting. Got a dog? Bring ’em along, because Austin is one of the dog friendliest cities in the country! Despite being a major metropolitan area, Austinites take the time to enjoy their surroundings and greet strangers with a smile and a “hello”. With its motto “Keep Austin Weird”, this city is truly unique and a great place to be.