Travel Eye on Austin (Texas, USA)

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Overview:

Home of the University of Texas campus, Austin life is closely entwined with the energy and enthusiasm of its students, but this city that has been a state capital since 1838 does not ignore its history. Young people are drawn here too by the array of live concerts that are held frequently around the shores of Town Lake. Most famous of these events is the annual South by Southwest music festival-conference held each March. Visitors wanting to tune in to Austin's live musical repertoire, which spans everything from blues and country to reggae, simply have to drift down the famous Sixth Street strip of pubs and clubs any night of the week.

The Texas state capital is quickly becoming known as a centre for independent arts culture and the nation's premiere city for live music, not to mention a great place to get your BBQ on (that's beef brisket in Texas, just so you'll know). Austin plays host every March to one of the country's hippest and most respected arts festivals: South by Southwest (known as SXSW). Each year this three-part festival showcases some of the edgiest films, bands and internet sites, as well as some that will become tomorrow's must-haves/must-sees.

Austin's laid-back attitude lends itself to the great outdoors, and the city has miles of hiking and biking trails linking parks, preserves and greenbelts adding to the ambience of its leafy streets.

Locality:

Capital of Texas, the city of Austin lies almost in the centre of the state, a big city with a small town feel, young population, casual lifestyle and reputation as a Mecca for live music shows.

Entertainment/Facilities/Attractions/Things to do:

• Downtown Austin -
• Sixth Street is the center of activity and fun in Downtown Austin. Many of the best hotels, restaurants, shops, bars, and music clubs are found on Sixth Street, which is often closed to traffic on weekends for festivals, craft shows, street dances, or parades. Nearby is the State Capitol building on Congress Avenue, where visitors can get a free guided tour.

• East Austin -
• East Austin is the area east of I-35 that lies between Martin Luther King Boulevard to the north and Cesar Chavez Street to the south. East Austin is home to many African-American and Hispanic communities. There are a number of African-American heritage sites, including the George Washington Carver Museum.

• North Austin and the University of Texas -
• Locals call the popular shopping strip along Guadeloupe Street that borders the west side of the University of Texas campus, "The Drag". This area has hip shops, music stores, coffee shops and trendy clubs. There are also several Bed and Breakfasts nearby.

• South Austin -
• A more laid back atmosphere, South Austin is home to the Zilker Hillside Theatre and a number of vintage clothing shops, antique shops, and several great restaurants.

• West Austin -
• Many of the upscale restaurants and affluent residential developments are in West Austin and along the shores of Lake Austin.