Looking for an exciting, music filled getaway, and don’t mind a hot climate? Head to Austin Texas this summer. It’s going to be hot: pack light clothes, some comfortable shoes, a cowboy hat, a toothbrush…but leave the Ipod behind, because Austin is not only the capital of Texas, but renowned as the Live Music Capital of the World, and you’re going to want to soak this up.
Home to the Texas Longhorns, this University Town in Central Texas receives an average of 300 days of sun, boasts of world famous summer festivals, over 200 live music venues and outdoor parks, and a progressive community that loves their quirky shopping centers as much as their hiking trails. Texas may conjure images of John Wayne and twang music, George W. and tumbleweed, but Austin’s mod and vigilant urban scene is an anomaly eager to defy any traditional expectations.
Start your weekend early and fly in on a Thursday afternoon; check-in, drop your luggage, step into your swim trunks, and purge yourself of salty fingers and airplane-clam with a dip in Barton Springs, a 1,000 foot long spring-fed pool that maintains a comfortable year-round temp of 68 degrees. Toss a Frisbee disc, check out the Botanical Gardens in the 360-acre Zilker Park, or simply soak up some U.V. rays until the sun sinks and a hankering stomach requires satiating. From there, settle into a romantic dinner for two before a five-course menu at the local connoisseur favorite Jeffrey’s Restaurant and Bar, or for something more casual, roll up your sleeves for some savory ribs, classic potato salad, and a margarita filled happy hour at Austin’s lakeside County Line BBQ.
If the night feels young, hit one of the ubiquitous music venues bumping on any night of the week or peruse South District’s eclectic shops for vintage jewelry and outdoor art shows. For something more upscale, head downtown to 2nd street district for the trendy shops or don a tie or a fancy dress and let a ballet performance enchant your evening. But whatever you do, rest easy; the morning, before the heat hits and limbs grow lazy, is the perfect window to adventure into Austin’s outdoor scene. Explore the Barton Creek Greenbelt by foot or bike, kayak around Lady Bird Lake, or practice your golf-swing on some of the nation’s most esteemed courses.
Real Travelers Dungroovin enjoyed their trip to Austin last summer, especially listening in on the music scene:
“At night we soak up the live music that is literally everywhere, in bars, on patios, in restaurants, in gardens, parks, city squares, rock, jazz, blues, folk C&W whatever you desire, it’s a great great place.”
On any given night, Austin’s going to be vibrant and loaded with entertainment, but when a city that’s known for its electric nightlife throws a party, you don’t want to miss it. Thousands flock to Zilker Park for the three-day world famous Austin City Limit Music Festival (Oct 2-4th). Featuring 130 bands across 8 stages, Austin’s music scene culminates into a cultural celebration of world music with local cuisine, arts and crafts, so awesome PBS made a television show to keep the tradition going all year round. The Austin Film Festival (Oct 22-29th) features film premiers, advanced screenings, and independent films; film and screenplay seminars and competitions draw actors and aspirers alike in this annual week long celebration of animation.
No comments:
Post a Comment