\
Austin

Austin

State

Texas

Country

USA

Continent

North America

Size

704 KM2

Population

2,053,000

Spending Budget

$780 - $795

Famous For

  • Food
  • Music venues

Best Time to Visit

  • January
  • March
  • April
  • May
  • September
  • October
  • November

History

For hundreds of years, nomadic tribes of Tonkawas, Comanches, and Lipan Apaches camped and hunted along the creeks, including what is now known as Barton Springs. In the late 1700s, the Spanish set up temporary missions in the area. In the 1830s the first permanent Anglo settlers arrived and called their village Waterloo. In 1839, tiny Waterloo was chosen to be the capital of the new Republic of Texas. In October 1839, the entire government of the Republic arrived from Houston in oxcarts. By the next January, the town's population had swollen to 856 people. After Texas was annexed by the United States in 1845, it took two statewide elections to keep Austin the capital city. In September of 1881, the Austin City Public Schools admitted their first classes.In 1893, the construction of the Great Granite Dam on the Colorado River was another milestone in the city's growth. . By 1938, the dam had been replaced by a series of seven U.S. government-funded dams. As Austin emerged from the Depression, the seeds of the city's future as a center of high technology were being carefully planted. By the 1950s, several research laboratories and think tanks had been founded, and began to draw innovative thinkers Rapid growth in the 1970s contributed to more political activity, this time at the local level. Diverse cultural groups have been attracted to Austin throughout its history, including immigrants from Europe, Africa, Mexico, and, most recently, Asia. All of these groups have enriched Austin's civic and cultural life, including its recent development as a mecca for music fans.

Present Day

Capital of Texas, Austin originated as the riverside village of Waterloo, in a buffalo-hunting region occupied by Tonkawa and Comanche peoples. In 1839 it was selected by scouts as the site for the permanent capital of the Republic of Texas and renamed from Waterloo to Austin in honour of Stephen F. Austin, Father of the republic.Austin experienced dramatic growth during the 1990s, fuelled mainly by high-technology industries. Business, research and development, and manufacturing concerns involving computers,computer equipment, telecommunications, software, and biotechnology are among the city’s major employers.The city’s population is ethnically diverse. There are people with European descent, Hispanic, African American and Asian American. The population of the city has also increased exponentially over the years. The city is also one of the world’s perennial tourist destinations. Since 2012, Austin has received more than 20 million out-of-town visitors each year. In 2017, 25.6 million people visited the Texas capital. The reputation of Austin’s unparalleled live music scene is responsible for much of the city’s tourism.Austin is known for its vibrant music scene. Formerly a centre of country and blues music, it now celebrates a variety of genres including rock, folk, jazz, and Latino music. There are more than 100 live music venues across the city. Dozens of local recording studios and record labels make significant economic contributions. The South by Southwest Conference, devoted to music, film, and interactive media, is held each year in March. The city is also a favourite moviemaking location, and it is home to many artists associated with music and film.Austin is also famous of its nickname “Live Music Capital of the World” and the slogan “Keep Austin Weird”.

Future

Austin was recently voted the No. 1 place to live in America for the third year in a row — based on affordability, job prospects and quality of life. It was named the fastest growing large city in the U.S. It ranked No. 4 of the best large cities to start a business. It was chosen among the top 15 cities in the United States to visit. And its home state of Texas took the top spot in a study of the best states for female entrepreneurs.It’s no secret that Austin, Texas is a hotbed for technology, startups and innovation. There are so many tech companies that Austin has been nicknamed “Silicon Hills.” Apple recently announced that it is creating a $1 billion campus with the capacity for 15,000 employees, making it the largest private employer in Austin. A hiring surge from Facebook is turning Austin into the third-largest U.S. hub outside of the company’s Silicon Valley headquarters. And in the past couple of years, Google and Oracle have opened offices downtown. Austin is one of the most significant cities in the country for entrepreneurship and a recognized hub for startups. Austin is a special place with an appealing culture. It has a lot of great parks, river access, hike and bike trails, good food, great music and it has a collaborative tech culture that is warm and accepting of people who are not from here
Must Visit Places ------------

State Capitol

Standing stoically in the heart of central Austin is Texas's legislative center, the State Capitol. Opened in 1888, this pink-granite landmark stands 14 feet taller than the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. Much of the capitol, including the 218-foot rotunda, the chamber of the Hall of Representatives and the governor's receiving room, still look the same as they did when the capitol opened.

Mount Bonnell

For great views, head to Mount Bonnell at Covert Park, which provides sweeping views of the city, Lake Austin and the surrounding hills. The 5.1-acre historic linear park is home to a 775-foot-high outcrop, considered the highest spot in the area. Mount Bonnell is designated a Texas Historic Landmark and is also listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Ziller Metropolitan Park

Sitting across the river from downtown Austin, this beloved 351-acre park buoys Austin's reputation as one of the Best Places to Live. Zilker Metropolitan Park shelters some of the city's most popular attractions – from art museums to swimming holes – as well as several athletic fields and plenty of open space for strolling.

SoCo district

While the SoCo District sits about 5 miles south of downtown Austin, the area plays a vital role in the city’s weird culture. A portmanteau neighborhood nickname, SoCo stands for South Congress and is most known for its namesake South Congress Avenue.

Blanton museum of art

Sheltered on the University of Texas at Austin campus, the Blanton Museum of Art is a must-see for any art enthusiast. Considered as one of the largest university art museums in the country and home to more than 18,000 works of art – ranging from Renaissance and baroque pieces by renowned artists such as Rubens and Poussin to a sizeable collection of contemporary Latin American art.

Sixth Street

A trip to the "Live Music Capital of the World" wouldn't be complete without discovering some of Austin's up-and-coming talent along Sixth Street. After drastic restoration took place in an effort by the National Register of Historic Places to save the area from its grungy reputation, this area became the hub of Austin's music scene in the 1970s.

Barton Spring pools

Nestled in Zilker Park, Barton Springs Pool is a favorite locale among visitors and residents alike. Native American settlers once believed the springs possessed spiritual healing powers, and professional travel writers still refer to Barton Springs as the "soul of Austin" and many visitors say it's an ideal spot to cool off in the summer.

LBJ presidential library

While the thought of visiting a presidential library may sound like a bore, this one is an exception. Dedicated to the 36th president of the United States, Lyndon B. Johnson's library houses all the expected artifacts – including presidential papers – as well as several quirkier exhibits that are just as interesting as the president himself.

Austin Bats

According to experts, Austin is home to the largest urban bat colony in North America. Approximately 1.5 million bats have made the Congress Avenue Bridge their home. The bats settled here after a renovation of the bridge in 1980 created crevices that were perfect for bats to take refuge in against predators. Every spring the Mexican free-tailed bats migrate north to the bridge to give birth and raise their offspring.

McKinney Fall State park

Onion Creek winds through McKinney Falls State Park, providing cool respite for campers hoping to escape the hot Texas sun. In addition to the creek, nearly 9 miles of trails take hikers and bikers around the park’s limestone formations and wooded areas. After an active day, visitors at McKinney Falls can wind down at one of the park’s 81 campsites or six cabins.