19th February 2009
Eight places you have to check out when you’re in Austin
Austin is a vibrant, creative city and lives up to its motto: Keep Austin Weird. Austin’s musical heritage can be felt – and heard – on every corner, with venues ranging from two-stepping honky-tonks and rowdyrock’n’rollbars to jazz clubs and concert halls.
Its outdoor space buzzes with activities and options like Zilker Park offering canoeing, kayaking and paddle boarding, and architectural highlights like Texas State Capitol building and Driskill Hotel
We’ve put together our favorite things to do in Austin to make the most of the city during SXSW.
Austin’s Bat Coloney
What: Largest Bat Coloney in North America
Where: South Congress Bridge
When: At sunset
SoCo
What: Trendy street of retail and restaurants, the heart of the weird and wonderful of Austin
Where: South Congress Avenue (between Riverside Drive and W Johanna Street)
When: Any time!
Zilker Park
What: Botanical Gardens with kayaking, canoeing, paddle boarding and generally a nice park
Where: Barton Springs Road
When: Park opening hours are 5am – 10pm and the boathouse activities are open 9am – 7pm.
State Capitol
What: Texas State Capitol Building
Where: 1100 Congress Avenue
When: Mondays to Fridays 7am-10pm and Sat & Sun 9am-8pm
Rainey Street
What: A delightful street of old homes, converted to bars and restaurants
Where: Rainey Street
When: Any time!
Broken Spoke
What: One of the last original Texas Honky Tonk dance halls, for live music and dancing
Where: South Lamar
When: Tuesday, 11am-11:30pm; Wed & Thurs, 11am-12am; Fri & Sat, 11am-1:30am
Lady Bird Lake Train
What: Running and bike trail through downtown Austin
Where: Along Colorado River
When: Any time!
Alamo Drafthouse
What: Movie theatre with food and drinks
Where: Six locations around Austin
When: Any time!