Are you visiting Austin for a business trip, seeing a friend, or planning on a vacation in ATX? Well, here are 12 things to expect when visiting Austin, Texas! If you are not sure where to begin with, let us lead you the way to the quirky, hip, and beautiful city of Austin!
1. Music
Austin’s music scene is one of the things you will want to look forward to in your visit. Aside from being known as the Bat City, we are also the Live Music Capital of the World! Don’t be surprised if you hear music once you arrived. Austin’s music will greet you from the airport to grocery stores, and anywhere you go. We have over hundreds of venues where you can listen to free, live music.
2. Food
Who doesn’t love food? You’ll never go hungry on your Austin visit since we got a lot of fine and casual dining restaurants to food trucks around the area! Visit the legendary Franklin Barbecue by James Beard Award Winner, Aaron Franklin. Uchi by James Beard Award Winner, Chef Tyson Cole is a Japanese contemporary restaurant you’ll definitely wouldn’t want to miss.
There are over a thousand of food and trailer trucks in Austin too! For an Asian influenced dish, visit Three Little Pigs at 6507 Burnet Road, or if you are looking for a Mediterrean food truck, check out Abo Youssef at 2101 Manor Rd. If you are looking into a healthy type of dining, you’ll want to head over Leaf at 78701. Check out our review for Leaf Austin!
3. Events
Austin, Texas is thriving with numerous events every single day, wherever you go. One of our famous events are South by Southwest, also known as SXSW. Almost 2,000 bands and artists gather for the event in more than 100 stages in central Austin. If you are looking for a fit and fun activity, the Austin Marathon and Half Marathon happens around mid-February.
If you are looking for food festivals, we also got it! The Austin Food and Wine Festival is open to food and wine lovers during mid-April, unless you are under 21 or the Pecan Street Festival where you can bring in the young ones! For F1 fans, the Formula One World Championship takes place in the Circuit of America (COTA) during mid-November!
4. Nightlife
One of the things to expect when visiting Austin, Texas is the vibrant nightlife. From dance parties, jamming to local bands, club, or eating your heart out at the food carts, name it, Austin has it! The Sixth Street, known to locals as Dirty Sixth, is one of the most famous entertainment districts in Austin and a definition of a party town. Many bars, clubs, and music venues can be found in the area.
Visit the Bat Bar, a multi-level bar and dance club with live music every night! Dance the night away at The Volstead, a classic vintage cocktail lounge inspired by New Orleans. The Blind Pig Pub is known in 6th Street for over 10 years, and has great staff, live music, a unique selection of local draft beer and adult beverages!
5. Getting Around
While getting around ATX is mostly done by driving, there are more options if you are into the thrill of public transportation to get around the city. If you are coming from the airport there are a lot of car rental companies at the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. The CapMetro or the Capital Metro Bus Line is ATX’s public bus system with over 3,000 bus stops and 53 routes. Download their app that can be useful on your visit!
You can also get on the MetroRail that connects a 32-mile line stretch from Leander to Downtown Austin. You can also rent a bike, or if you want the convenience, you can book an Uber of Lyft.
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6. What to Wear
Temperature on summer days can reach up to 100 degrees and around 60 degrees during winter. Wear anything that can keep you comfortable during your trip. From dresses, to tank tops, jeans, skirts, plaids, name it. If you’re heading for festivals and events in the area, it’s best to have a fanny pack with you on your trip, or anything that suits your style. Austin is “weird”, yes, and go wear anything you want!
7. Bring a Swimsuit
One of the popular things to expect when visiting Austin, Texas are the swimming holes and springs. Never forget packing a bathing suit, a rash guard, swimsuits, or your swimming trunks! You’ll definitely will want to take a dip in the cool springs and pools in Austin! There are several swimming holes in the area. Barton Springs is one of the popular swimming spots in Austin, found within the grounds of Zilker Park! For a full guide, view our list of the Best Family Swimming Spots in Austin, Texas.
8. Beer / Breweries
We love drinking. There’s a lot to love about our craft beer. There are more than 50 breweries in ATX that you can visit. Zilker Brewing Co. is one of the notable breweries in the area, they are focused on crafting quality beer.
9. Weather
Austin has a subtropical humid climate and it can get up to 100 degrees during the summer, in winter, the weather can drop below freezing. The heaviest rains occurs during May and September. Rainfall averages at around 33 inches each year.
10. Touch of Nature
ATX also has incredible nature attractions. Watch the sunset with your family or significant other, hike, camp or bike around the parks and hills. Swim in the springs and holes. Austin is rich when it comes to natural attractions that will help you relax and relieve stress from the busy city. Some attractions are McKinney Falls State Park, Jacob’s Well, Hamilton Pool in Dripping Springs, and the Inner Space Cavern!
11. Austin Lingo
ATX is found in the south of the US, so you might be thinking are you going to hear lots of howdy and ya’ll’s? Probably. Keep Austin Weird is the city motto, the creative and vibrant culture of the city is preserved by the locals. If you want to blend in, know some slang and lingo used in Austin. Some of it are Dirty Sixth for the Sixth Street which is a wide stretch of clubs and bars.
Alamo, a movie theater chain. SoCo, or the South Congress district---it thrives with fancy restaurants and shops! Austin natives aren’t called Austiners, Austinators, Austinians, but are called Austinities. Know more slang by talking and socializing with the locals!
12. Traffic
ATX has a traffic congestion of 28%, not as bad as Dallas, TX. Traffic delays during rush hour are usually about 34 minutes to an hour if there is rain.
The areas affected are usually MoPac near Downtown, Southwest near MoPac, and Hwy. 290, on I-35 south of Hwy. 290, and Northwest on Hwy. 183. Although you can take toll roads that will be needing payment. The city has started to expand its public transportation by adding new buses and commuter trails!
Austin, Texas is a lively and vibrant city you’ll enjoy. We hope that these Things to Expect When Visiting Austin, Texas will help you on your visit! If you find the city a wonderful place to move in, let us help you in your journey in finding your dream home in the city of Austin! Start by checking out beautiful home listings here!
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