Austin, Texas is the state capital and home to over 700,000 people. We’re also the 13th largest city in the country and Texans through and through. We love our city and it loves us. We work hard and play hard so there is plenty of play here.
If you’re looking for entertainment, Austin has it in spades. Here is just a short list of what’s on offer while you’re here.
Believe it or not, the most popular thing to do in Austin is our Town Lake Hike-and-Bike Trail. It’s a lovely trail that runs through parks, past lakes and is shared by runners, hikers and mountain bikers alike. It’s a great way to take in the city and explore different places. Set aside a sunny day and wander to your heart’s content.
The Zach Theatre complex is a great place to take in a local or national show and offers excellent value for money for all the family. Set opposite Town Lake, it’s easy to get to and is accessible to all. The acoustics are great, the seats are comfortable and the entire experience is a great one, whatever your taste in performances.
Esther’s Follies is something a little different. It’s a magic, comedy and music venue that doesn’t take itself too seriously. It is one of our most popular venues and is well worth a visit. It’s over 18’s only, but only because of its edginess.
Anyone visiting Texas needs to try a horse for size. It’s how our country began and how we still like to live whenever we get the opportunity. There is plenty of guidance and instruction if you haven’t ridden before and some great trails through some amazing country once you’re in the saddle.
The LBJ Presidential Library in Austin offers something a little slower paced but no less satisfying. Whether you agreed with his politics or not, Lyndon Baines Johnson did a lot for our country and this library celebrates that. With several million papers, 2,000 recordings and 5,000 hours of video, this has to be the best LBJ collection anywhere in the world.
When the sun is beating down and you want to cool off, there’s nowhere better to do it than Barton Springs Pool. It’s a natural rock pool over 1,000 feet long, fed by natural spring water. It’s a popular spot at the weekend for sitting, swimming, fishing and all sorts of strangeness. It’s family-friendly though and offers a welcome break from life in the city.
The Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum will teach you all you need to know about the history of Texas and the Old West. It’s next to the University of Texas campus and contains a wealth of information and exhibits from the formation of the state, the hopes on an independent republic, right up to the oil boom.