Keep Austin Weird? Oh you have to!
Austin is a walkable city and this is the best way to see all of the sights, and you never actually know what sight you will come across! With a clear lack of chain shops/restaurants you immediately feel you are somewhere different (apart from an odd Starbucks, all of the shops and restaurants are independent and chain stores are banished to out of town malls). Famed for being the world’s live music capital, this city does not disappoint. Come nightfall and just before, as you walk through the streets you hear all types of live singers coming from the bars, clubs and restaurants. 6th Street is popular with the young crowd and is Austin's answer to New Orleans Bourbon St, attracting the students from the University whereas the Warehouse District is a little more chilled. Every eating or drinking venue seems to feature a band or artist. And every March this city hosts the famous South By South West Festival when every film and music star in the world descends on Austin to play these little venues.
Food also plays a huge part of Austin's quirkiness, from amazing 5* steak restaurants (ALC Steak Restaurant was amazing!) to BBQ in all shapes and styles, food trucks are everywhere and a breakfast burrito from one is a must! After all of this food, drink and music you may want to get some fresh air and you can do this along the banks of the Colorado River (actually a lake due to dams). Joggers, walkers and bikers use the waterside pathways and kayakers and paddle-boarders float down the river. For those who don't mind chilly water there are lots of swimming places in the river, very popular in the Summer months when it is hot, hot, hot!
A 'must see' are the bats - yes, bats. 1.5 Million Bats live under Congress Avenue Bridge and every evening at dusk they go a-hunting, all 1.5 Million of them and it is a spectacular event not to be missed. You can either stand on the bridge, as hundreds do to watch this or take a "Bat Cruise" which takes you down Colorado River for a little while then brings you back for a bird’s eye view.
You have the State Capitol Building at the other end of Congress Avenue, a copy of the White House in Red Granite, and close by the Bullock Texas State History Museum, all great to get a feel of Austin's and Texas, The Lone Star State's fascinating history.
Where to stay? There are a number of hotels in Downtown Austin, you have your Hyatt, Omni, Hilton, Crown Plaza, Radisson etc which are pretty standard throughout the world, yet in Austin each hotel has something just to remind you of where you are! For example the Radisson Lobby has a Long Horn Chandelier, open fires and a strong smell of leather! For something a little special The W is next door to Austin City Limits, where all of the bigger music stars play their concerts. This hotel has rock star prints in all of their hotel rooms just to give you a reminder that you are not in any old W Hotel.
If you prefer something with a little more history The Driskill is an iconic and historic hotel now a member of The Historic Hotels of America. Cocktails at The Driskill are a must and most will be accompanied by live music - what else?
If you wanted to get out of the city for a day or more, The Hill Country is beautiful with lots of quaint little towns a villages that time forgot makes you feel like you are on a set of a Western and driving through the Bluebonnet fields it takes your breath away.
Or a day out on the old Texas Railroad? Take an old steam train to Burnet, have an amazing BBQ and watch the Burnet Gunfighters Show - you will feel like cowboy/girl!
All in all, Austin has something for everyone. It is 'old style' USA where everyone is friendly, where they dance in the streets because they are in a good mood, where there is always a gentle smell of BBQ and the sound of live music. A visit to Austin heightens every sense you have, makes you feel good and most of all makes you want to protect the quirkiness of this city, so please everyone, help "Keep Austin Weird"!