Austin, Texas
Austin is a college town that grew into a capital and never quite stopped trying to be both. The food is good. The music is everywhere — not just on Sixth Street, but in coffee shops, breweries, the Continental Club at midnight, the back patio of a barbecue joint at 2pm. The Colorado River cuts through downtown and people swim in it.
You can spend a week here without doing the same thing twice. Hike the Greenbelt in the morning, get tacos on the East Side, hear a songwriter you've never heard of at a 60-seat room that night. Or skip all of that and float Lake Travis with a cooler. Both versions of Austin are real.
It's grown a lot — traffic is real, summers are hot, and the city you read about ten years ago isn't quite this one. But the bones are still here. Live music every night of the week. Tex-Mex done right. Hill Country starts where the city ends.
Homes in this location.
What's around.
- Barton Springs Pool · downtown · Three-acre spring-fed pool, 68°F year-round, the heart of Austin in summer.
- Zilker Park & the Greenbelt · downtown · Park, hiking trail, swimming holes — a green spine through the city.
- South Congress (SoCo) · downtown · Shops, food trucks, Home Slice pizza, Continental Club for music.
- Franklin Barbecue · East Austin · The barbecue. Get there early or order ahead — the line is real.
- Lake Travis · 30-45 min · Boat rentals, cliff jumping at Hippie Hollow, sunset at The Oasis.
- Mount Bonnell · 15 min · Highest point in Austin, short hike, best view of the river.
- Texas State Capitol · downtown · Free tours, taller than the U.S. Capitol, worth an hour.
- Rainey Street · downtown · Old bungalows turned into bars and food trucks — less of a scene than Sixth, more of a hangout.
Getting here.
Getting here
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) is 15-20 minutes from downtown. Most major airlines fly direct from coast to coast. Ride-share is plentiful in the city; you'll want a car for Hill Country day trips.
Best seasons
Spring (March-May) and fall (October-November) are ideal — mild, dry, and the city is at its best. Summer is hot but Barton Springs and Lake Travis exist for a reason. Winter is mild and underrated.
Weather
Hot summers, 90-100°F+ from June through September. Mild winters, 45-65°F. Spring brings wildflowers and the occasional storm. Pack layers most of the year.
Quick answers.
Do we need a car?
For downtown and South Congress, no — ride-share is fine. For Hill Country, the lakes, or anywhere outside central Austin, yes.
Where's the actual music scene?
Continental Club, the Saxon Pub, White Horse, Mohawk, Stubb's. Skip Sixth Street unless you want a college bar.
Is Franklin Barbecue worth the wait?
Yes, but order online if you can — saves 2-3 hours.
What about ACL or SXSW?
ACL is two weekends in October — book months ahead. SXSW is mid-March — same. Prices spike, the city fills up.
Can we swim in the river?
Yes — Barton Springs is the classic. Lady Bird Lake is for paddling, not swimming.
How bad is traffic?
Bad at rush hour (7-9am, 4-7pm). Plan around it.