Austin

Austin is a city of about 1,054,000 (2026) surpassing Fort Worth to become the 4th most populous city in Texas. It is the capital of Texas and a college town, and also a center of an alternative culture away from the major cities on the US coasts, though the city is rapidly gentrifying with its rising popularity. Austin's attitude is commonly emblazoned about town on T-shirts and bumper stickers that read: 'Keep Austin Weird.' Austin is also marketed as the 'Live Music Capital of the World' due to the large number of venues.

Austin weather is generally nice most of the year; activities are generally not limited by season. However, be prepared to deal with the long, hot summers if you are visiting between May and September. Daily high temperatures are typically between 90 and 100 °F (32-38 °C), and the average heat index factoring in humidity is 101°F during the day and 77°F at night. It's not uncommon to have a heat index upwards of 113°F. Drink plenty of water and avoid prolonged outdoor exposure during summer. Central Texas winters are short; snowfall is rare but ice storms can occur.

Capital Metro operates bus and commuter rail services. Local fares cost $1.25 per trip, with a 24-hour pass for $2.50. Express buses and MetroRail fares are $3.50 ($7.00 for a day pass). The E-Bus and Night Owl services serve entertainment districts. Bicycle sharing is available via Austin B-Cycle with stations downtown and near the university. Ride-hailing services and taxis are also widely available.

Take a beautiful stroll around The University of Texas at Austin, visiting the Blanton Museum of Art, the Harry Ransom Center, Texas Memorial Museum of Science and History, or the iconic UT Tower (reservations required). The Texas State Capitol is a must-see, completely open to the public seven days a week. Downtown Austin's skyline is especially striking at night from South Congress Avenue across the Colorado River.

Austin is one of the premier educational areas in the nation. The University of Texas at Austin is one of the best universities in the world, public or private. The flagship institution of the University of Texas System, it is also one of the largest universities in the world, both in terms of endowment and student population. The campus is beautiful and vibrant, and visitors are welcome.

Austin is very proud of its local stores. Great places to shop are South Congress (SoCo), The Drag (Guadalupe from 17th to 38th), and South First. Half-Price Books offers exceptional value. Austin is home of the original Whole Foods flagship store downtown at W. 6th St. and Lamar, and the original Central Market near Lamar and 38th St. Both offer live music on weekends. Wheatsville Food Co-op is a thriving cooperative grocery with organics and bulk foods.

Austin has many high-quality, unique, and inexpensive restaurants including Texas Barbeque and Tex-Mex. The city is vegetarian-friendly and a pioneer of the food truck trend. Food truck parks like St. Elmo Public Market, The Picnic, Thicket Food Park, 5000 Burnet, and Mueller Trailer Eats offer diverse, wallet-friendly options. Popular food trucks include East Side King, Chi'Lantro, Hey Cupcake., and Peached Tortilla. For barbecue, Franklin Barbecue is famous but has long lines. Coffeehouse culture is strong, with free wireless Internet common. Austin's main drinking strip is 6th Street, along with the Warehouse District and Fourth Street. Craft breweries include Independence Brewing, Live Oak Brewing, (512) Brewing, and Jester King Craft Brewery.

Many hotels sell out for Austin festivals, particularly South By Southwest. Book well ahead for anything downtown. Accommodation options range from budget hostels to upscale hotels; consult district pages for specific listings.

Austin is one of the safest major cities in the US, but credit cards are accepted nearly universally, so avoid carrying large amounts of cash. The emergency number is 911. Panhandlers are common off freeways; consider donating to legitimate charities. The area around 6th St. and Red River has a homeless shelter; avoid walking alone there at night. The Rundberg area near I-35 should be avoided on foot. Some streets flood during heavy rain; do not drive or walk across moving water. In summer, heatstroke is a risk; stay hydrated and limit time outdoors.

Hill Country Flyer scenic train to Burnet; San Marcos (32 miles south) with Texas State University and outlet malls; New Braunfels (48 miles south) with German heritage and Schlitterbahn waterpark; river tubing on San Marcos, Comal, or Guadalupe Rivers; Hippie Hollow clothing-optional park. Also accessible via I-35 to Waco or San Antonio, and US 290 to Houston.