This is the South’s unofficial capital of cool.
With more than 250 live music venues in the city limits, it’s no surprise that Austin, Texas, has earned the distinction of Live Music Capital of the World. But beyond beats and rhythm, this city packs international cosmopolitan appeal into its small-town charm. From the chic coffee joints around Huston-Tillotson University to the numerous cocktail bars peppered around Downtown, visitors will find it easy to do as the locals do and live life here with a laid-back approach. Bounce around cultural hubs like the Blanton Museum of Art or meander through the sprawling Roy G. Guerrero Colorado River Metro Park along the Colorado River. When in Austin, it’s all about slowing down and soaking in life experiences.
Explore Austin
- Downtown
- North Loop
- North Austin
- South Congress
Downtown
Overview
Just north of Lady Bird Lake is the busy neighborhood of Downtown Austin. Though it plays host to the city’s historic theaters and museums, the area is also home to some of the city’s newer attractions, including food trucks and live music venues.
Known For
Dining, Bars, Theaters, Museums
North Loop
Overview
Set north of the University of Austin campus, this centralized neighborhood offers a truly laid-back feel, even as its main boulevard teems with life. Popular with the college crew, this neighborhood has funky vintage stores, specialty cafés and innovative restaurants.
Known For
Dining, Bars, Vintage Shops
North Austin
Overview
North Austin has three distinct vibes: shaded residential streets, the low hum of conversation along restaurant-lined Burnet Road and live music spilling from the bars and brewpubs of Rock Rose Avenue. This is also where you'll find the Domain, an all-in-one community for shopping, dining, nightlife and living.
Known For
Bars, Nightlife, Shopping, Dining
South Congress
Overview
From hip specialty coffee roasters to boutiques hawking handmade goods by Austin’s artisans, South Congress’s streets offer the best of the city’s booming food and design scene. After sunset, head to the Continental Club for rock, country and blues.
Known For
Dining, Shops, Nightlife
Stay in The Center of it All
Immerse yourself in your destination at these centrally located hotels.
Find Out Why Austin, Texas, Is the South’s Coolest Capital City
Stroll South Congress Avenue for Local Wares
With a cold brew in hand (and a belly full of breakfast tacos), take to the streets of South Congress to explore boutiques full of made-in-Austin goods. At night, enjoy a sushi spread at an omakase-style restaurant before being serenaded by blues musicians while savoring tangy margaritas.
Visit Downtown Austin’s Art and Music Venues
Begin your morning with a 10-mile hike or bike ride around Lady Bird Lake before enjoying a hearty Southern-style breakfast. Then it’s time to take Downtown Austin by storm. Visit the Texas State Capitol Complex and the Contemporary Austin-Jones Center before ending with live music on Sixth Street.
Enjoy a Slow Morning in the North Loop
Savor a slow morning in North Loop, an area that maintains its neighborly charm. Head north of the University of Texas at Austin campus and visit the borough’s eclectic vintage boutiques before dining at a restaurant headed up by a James Beard Award finalist.