No article on Austin could be complete without mentioning the music scene. There is always a band playing in this city, everywhere from the airport to the local grocery store. One of the city's pleasures is stumbling across a band playing, so check out Sixth Street, Red River Street, and the Warehouse District clubs and bars for local music. If you have children, take them over to Central Market, where bands play outdoors.
Many visitors come to Austin specifically for the big music festivals, SXSW (April) and Austin City Limits (October). SXSW is a two week film/music/technology festival that in 2010 drew around 100,000 people. Austin City Limits' 2010 lineup includes The Eagles, The Strokes, Phish, Muse, M.I.A. The Flaming Lips, Sonic Youth, Band of Horses, Norah Jones and more than 50 other acts. The outdoor three-day event takes place at Zilker Park and draws up to 65,000 people daily. Neither festival is for the faint of heart!
If you're a movie lover, you'll want to check out one of the Drafthouse locations around the city (though the downtown location is the most well-known). In 2005, "Entertainment Weekly" named the Drafthouse the No. 1 movie theater in the country. In addition to, well, movies, the Drafthouse hosts sing-a-long events, themed movie nights like Anime Night, Lord of the RIngs marathon viewings and comedic commentary on movies called Master Pancake Night. The Drafthouse has a full dinner and drink menu, as well.
Austin residents are a healthy lot, and the city has bike trails all throughout for the numerous bikers. The biggest trail is the Lady Bird Bike and Hike Trail, a 10-mile trail surrounding Lady Bird Lake open to walkers, bikers and families. Austin has more than 193 miles of scenic paths, marking its dedication to a healthy lifestyle.
In the summer, take advantage of Austin's several swimming holes. Krause Springs, Blue Hole and Hamilton Pool are just a few of these. Inner tube rentals are available for those seeking to laze along the Guadalupe River.
If the University of Texas Longhorns are playing, it's worth checking out a game at the stadium, although getting a ticket isn't easy.
Austin's vintage shops uphold the funky vibe for which the city has become known. Many of the shops are located in South Austin along South Congress Blvd. A few of the popular shops around here are Uncommon Objects, Goodie Two Shoes, New Bohemia and Lucy in Disguise with Diamonds, which has costumes as well as vintage clothing.
Buffalo Exchange and Toy Joy are fun shopping venues as well, both located near the UT Austin's campus.
If you have kids, Austin has plenty of options for families. In addition to the above ideas, take the kids to Congress Bridge around sunset for one of Austin's most popular events. More than a million bats make their home there and when the sun goes down, they come out to feed. The result is a swarm of bats swirling around, filling the sky.
Also check out the Austin Children's Museum and the University of Texas Science Center, named Best Museum for Kids in Austin by Nickelodeon in 2009.
