TRAVEL – Austin, Texas: The southwest capital of fun, food, and music

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SONY DSCJuly 1, 2014
Cecilia Abad
News Writer
Travel

Austin, situated on the edge of Texas’s hillside country and the state capitol of Texas, is considered the “Live Music Capitol of the World.” The city’s laid-back, yet focused community has given Austin its unique style, offering its locals and visitors all the perks of a small town with big city opportunities.

Lodging
For a luxurious stay, check out one of Austin’s finest, the Driskill Hotel, built in the 19th century by Colonel Jesse Lincoln Driskill. The Driskill Hotel has been the vacation spot for former President Lyndon B. Johnson and former Texas governors Sull Ross, Dan Moody, and William P. Hobby, which distinguishes the hotel as a historic landmark. The hotel is conveniently located in downtown; it allows for walking distance to the capitol building, the governor’s palace and Austin’s famous Sixth Street.

This hotel is perfect for guests who want to experience Austin’s luxurious southern style, history and easy access to the city attractions. For a more relaxed but fun stay, try out the Firehouse Hostel. Located just across the street from the Driskill Hotel, it is one of Austin’s oldest firehouse buildings, providing a little history and a nightlife experience to its guests. By night, the hostel becomes a music venue/bar, holding SONY DSClive music seven nights a week. It’s known for its splendid craft cocktails.

Dining
Austin offers an array of dinning options for everyone from restaurants to food trucks. A great place to start is by traveling to South Congress Avenue or Sixth Street. Here you will find a mélange of dining options for everyone’s taste buds. If you’re in the mood for southern cooking, take your family to Woodlands. If you’re looking to experience Austin’s diversity, try R.D. Riley’s Pub, an authentic Irish Pub with excellent food and drinks, located on Sixth Street. If Italian is more fits your taste, share some of the tasty pan pies at Home Slice pizza or got to Vespio. For an upscale restaurant with strong Austin roots, check out Lenior on First Street. The restaurant has splendid décor that reflects Austin’s relaxed atmosphere intermingled with great food and great wine, resulting in a great dining experience.

Things to do
Tour the city by taking the Double Decker bus to visit Austin’s attractions and experience Texas history. Visit the capitol building and governors mansion, conveniently situated together, to get a glimpse into Texas political past and present legislation. If you want a perfect getaway from the city, how about going for a hike or a swim in Zilker Park just a few minutes from downtown. The park stretches for seven miles and is the starting point of Barton Springs Greenbelt.

SONY DSCBarton Springs Greenbelt extends for 190 miles with wilderness and trails along the way. It is home to waterfalls, natural springs, and limestone cliffs, which are great for rock climbing. Additinally, don’t forget to visit Mount Bonnell, Hamilton’s pool cave and Austin’s state parks. If you’re a music junkie, you’ll be happy to know that Austin is home to more than 200 music venues. It’s a host city for several festivals, from SXSW, to Fun Fun Fun Fest, Pachanga Music Festival, and Psych Fest, to name a few.

If you prefer a more personalized atmosphere, why not stroll down Sixth Street or any of the nine music districts in Austin to check out new music, new bars and music venues, and cafes such as Mohawk, ACL Live (Austin City Limits Live), Stubb’s Bar-B-Q, Elephant Room, or Ginny’s Little Longhorn Saloon. No matter what style of music you enjoy, from blues to jazz, rock, or country, Austin has it all. A fun a way to experience Austin’s vibrant nightlife is on a party bike. Reserve a spot for yourself and your friends on the Peddle Party and take Austin by night by strolling on a gigantic bike while drinking and bar hoping. You’ll not only cover much of Austin, but also have plenty of memories to share.

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