Austin offers at least 11 things more than SXSW.
12. Shop at the Domain
Featuring stores including Anthropologie, Macy’s, Coach, Dillard’s, and many others, the Domain is the best place in Austin to splurge.
11. Try the chips and queso at Kerbey Lane
While the diner also serves pancakes, salads, and other delicious foods, the chips and cheese dip is to die for.
10. Party on Sixth Street
The street, in the heart of downtown Austin, is home to the nightlife that Austinites enjoy.
9. See the bats at dusk from the Congress Avenue Bridge
Watch thousands of Mexican free-tailed bats fly from their home under the bridge into the night from a local restaurant with a beautiful river as the backdrop.
8. Visit the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
The Center is both family-friendly and relaxing. It boasts all sorts of wildlife native to Central Texas from butterflies to flowers to fruits and offers a self-guided tour to suit any time slot.
7. Eat at Torchy’s Tacos
Great tacos for a reasonable price.
6. Visit the South by Southwest
Music, film, and interactive festival. Similar to Austin City Limits, SXSW draws big-name as well as up-and-coming artists, filmmakers, podcasters, actors, etc. and also provides many free events.
5. Attend concerts that are part of Austin City Limits
Austin is the self-proclaimed “live music capital of the world”, and it got the title in part from its two biggest annual music festivals that feature many of the biggest names in music.
4. Fly a kite in Zilker Park
The park is absolutely beautiful and spans many different sections. It is next to a stream and home to a great range of wildlife as well.
3. Attend a University of Texas at Austin home football game
Austinites love the University and football, and show their extraordinary passion at every home game. The stadium holds over 100,000 fans, each of which dress in burnt orange and cheer to their hearts’ content.
2. Tour the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum
With a state-of-the-art IMAX theater, the museum provides a unique and entertaining experience for all its visitors. Texas is the only state that existed as an independent country before joining the Union, and its fascinating story is presented at the Bob Bullock Museum.
1. Visit the State Capitol
Most of the political decisions of one of the largest states in the nation are made here, and it houses a beautiful display of the governors of Texas since its formation. It is rich with artifacts from the state’s history and is also the tallest capitol building in the nation, surpassing the national capitol in Washington, D. C.
