Nowadays when people think about Austin, Texas the first thing that usually comes to mind is music. While Austin does have a great music scene, it has so much more to offer. If you’re planning a trip to Austin, this post will give you some ideas for what you should add to your itinerary.
Food
It would be a crime to visit Austin and not indulge in barbecue. One of Austin’s most popular barbecue spots is Franklin Barbecue. How popular? If you visit expect to wait in line for four to five hours. While waiting that long sounds outrageous, nearly every visitor agrees that it’s worth it. Many people bring alcohol with them to make the wait more bearable. la Barbecue and Micklethwait Craft Meats are two other popular barbecue spots. But if you want to eat at any of these spots, be prepared to wait in line.
Austin has numerous Tex-Mex restaurants that are worth visiting. Yet the city also has many restaurants that specialize in authentic Mexican cuisine. El Naranjo is known for its moles and strong drinks. You also can’t go wrong with Fonda San Miguel. This restaurant has been around since 1975 and is a great place to visit for Sunday brunch. Check out this list of the city’s most authentic Mexican restaurants.
Bats
Austin is home to the largest urban bat colony in the entire world. The bats make their home under the Congress Avenue Bridge. During July and August, up to 1.5 million bats fly out from under the bridge in search of insects to eat. The experience is free and all you have to do is stand on the bridge at sunset. Or you can take a ferry ride on Lady Bird Lake. You’ll get to see the bats and tour the city at the same time. For more information, visit Lone Star Riverboat Cruises.
Movies
According to directors Quentin Tarantino and Richard Linklater, the Alamo Drafthouse is one of the best movie theaters in the world. In recent years the Alamo Drafthouse has expanded to other locations, but Austin is still its headquarters. The cinema chain is famous for its policy on customer behavior. It strictly enforces a rule of no talking or texting during films. Customers who break this rule are warned and even ejected from the cinema. But don’t worry! The cinema is also known for its fun events and its quirky movie selection.
Nature
Austin and the surrounding area features many great hiking and swimming spots. You can explore Longhorn Caverns, go swimming at Hippie Hollow (clothing optional), bike the loop of Lady Bird Lake, or go swimming in Barton Springs Pool where the spring-fed waters are always 70 degrees.
To learn more about Austin, visit the city’s official site: http://www.austintexas.org/visit/.
