Visiting Austin

When it comes to U.S. cities, Austin has it all: an abundance of live music, funky shops, incredible southern cuisine, and awe-inspiring historical sites. Nature lovers and history buffs will find plenty of activities within the city limits and the nearby Texas Hill Country.

Here’s our list of some of the best things to do and see in Austin.

Enjoy Live Music

Visitors will find live entertainment around nearly every corner of “The Music Capital of the World.”

Old 6th Street

Old 6th Street is the original live music area of downtown Austin. Nicknamed “Dirty 6th Street,” the strip is often compared with New Orleans’ Bourbon Street. But don’t let the touristy vibe deter you. You’ll still find plenty of incredibly talented musical acts in the street’s many clubs.

Rainey Street District

The Rainey Street District delights bar hoppers with watering holes located in former homes. Be sure to stop by the Lustre Pearl, the area's original converted home, established in 1997.

The Drag

Popular with college students, The Drag sits on Guadalupe Street near the University of Texas. While you’re in the area, check out the masterpieces at the Blanton Museum of Art, located on campus.

Music Festivals

Austin is home to a few of the most celebrated music festivals in the U.S. Austin City Limits is the longest-running live music series in television history, and the producers host a world-class festival in October at Zilker Park.

Every March, South by Southwest (SXSW) takes place, celebrating music, film, and culture. The festival was founded in 1987 and attracts over 400,000 visitors each year.

Explore the City’s Weirdest Spots

South Congress Avenue

The area around South Congress Avenue was the original bohemian neighborhood responsible for the “Keep Austin Weird” movement. The area has become a popular hipster hangout with a mixture of funky and upscale boutiques, gourmet restaurants, and live music venues. Make sure you stop by The Continental Club, where bluesman Stevie Ray Vaughn launched his career.

Museum of the Weird

Located in Austin’s 6th Street entertainment district, the Museum of the Weird is one of the country's last remaining “dime museums.” Exhibits hail back to the days of carnival sideshows with shrunken heads, two-headed chickens, and freakshow stars, as well as Bigfoot, the Loch Ness Monster, and other legendary creatures.

Uncommon Objects

If you’ve been looking for quirky costume jewelry, retro decor, or just about anything else, head straight to Uncommon Objects. The indoor flea market is a kitschy antique collector’s paradise jam-packed with curiosities.

Visit Austin’s Historical Sites

Texas State Capitol

When Texans do anything, they go BIG. The Texas State Capitol is no exception. The building towers over 300 feet, dwarfing the federal Capitol in Washington, D.C.

Historic Scoot Inn

Established in 1871, The Scoot Inn remains the oldest continuously operating beer hall in central Texas. The historic bar features an outdoor music venue and serves a wide range of craft beers from Austin’s many microbreweries.

Congress Avenue Bridge

The Congress Avenue Bridge is one of the most recognizable sites in Austin’s downtown area. Home to 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats who reside under the bridge. You can see them take their nocturnal flight from March until October when they head south-of-the-border.

Texas Governor’s Mansion

Since 1856, the stately mansion has been the official residence for Texas governors and their families. The Governor’s Mansion has been completely restored and offers guided tours from Wednesday through Friday between 2-4 pm.

Pioneer Farms

Pioneer Farms features six historical-themed areas demonstrating how European settlers lived in central Texas during the 1800s. Visitors can try their skills at traditional crafts like ceramics, carpentry, blacksmithing, and leatherworking.

Indulge in Authentic Texas Grub

Franklin Barbeque

This establishment sits near the top of any Best Barbeque List. Anthony Bourdain described the brisket as “supernatural.” The restaurant is only open for lunch Tuesday-Sunday from 11 am until sold out. If you can’t make it to Austin, you can have Franklin’s BBQ shipped to any location in the U.S.

Gus’s World-Famous Fried Chicken

In 1953, the Bonner family opened their first fried chicken establishment in Mason, Tennessee. Grandpa Na’s fried chicken recipe became so popular that the family opened locations in Memphis and Austin. In 2001, GQ magazine included Gus’s Fried Chicken in their list of the “Top Ten Meals in the United States Worth Flying For.”

Admire the Art

Roadhouse Relics Studio

Roadhouse Relics Studio, home to celebrated Texas artist Todd Sanders, offers custom-painted and neon signs, art prints, and postcards. While you’re in the area, you’ll want to get a selfie with Sanders’ famous “Greetings from Austin” mural.

Elisabet Ney Museum

Admission is free at this local museum, featuring sculptures by German artist Elisabet Ney, who relocated to Austin in 1882.

The Cathedral of Junk

Local artist Vince Hannemann began assembling items in his backyard in the 80s. Hanneman’s collection of recycled art is open to visitors by appointment only.

Explore Austin’s Natural Beauty

Lady Bird Lake

Lady Bird Lake offers plenty of hiking paths, including the 10-mile long Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail. Motorized watercraft are prohibited, but kayak, canoe, and paddleboard rentals are available at nearby Zilker Park. While you’re at the park, you can stroll through the botanical gardens and take a dip in the Barton Springs Pool.

Emma Long Metropolitan Park

With its sandy shore, Emma Long Metropolitan Park is one of Austin’s best places for swimming and sunning. The family-friendly park features campsites, picnic tables, and plenty of local wildlife.

Austin Nature and Science Center

Located on the west side of Zilker Park, the Austin Nature and Science Center has been teaching visitors about the natural environment since 1960. The center features educational programs, recreational activities, and hands-on nature exhibits.

Texas Hill Country

The Texas Hill Country makes a perfect day trip or overnight stay. You can get there in 2 hours by renting a car or taking a guided tour. Austin’s buses and trains also head to the Hill Country, stopping in San Antonio.

Wine connoisseurs can tour over 45 vineyards in the quaint town of Fredericksburg. Music lovers can’t miss tiny Luckenbach, the legendary home of Outlaw Country stars like Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings. If you sing or play, you can even participate in a jam session around the fire inside the Luckenbach post office building.

Getting Around Austin

Since Austin is entirely flat, the city's live music clubs and top attractions are all accessible by foot. You can also travel between neighborhoods via Austin’s light rail system.

You won’t want to be hauling your bags around when you’re exploring the Lone Star State’s most exciting cultural hub. Fortunately, Stasher offers secure, convenient, and affordable luggage storage throughout Austin. You can store your bags at any of the company’s vetted StashPoints for just $6 per day with no size or weight restrictions.