Austin is the live music capital of the world. Home to hundreds of live music venues; you’re guaranteed to leave with a memorable soundtrack for your Texas vacation. Austin also regularly finds itself at the top of ‘ideal places to live in America’ listicles and is widely regarded as a tech and creativity hub for start-ups and hipsters.

While other parts of Texas are all denim and dusty boots, Austin is a little bit different in that regard. Austin is emerging as an epicentre of cool, so feel free to step it up a notch. Another thing you should know is that Austin is hot, so light, breathable layers are your best bet for staying cool.

If you’re looking for an easy base for exploring, Downtown is ideal as it’s walkable or just a short drive to major sites. The Downtown area boasts plenty of bars, restaurants and live music venues, so you don’t have to travel too far from home for a bite and a beer. Now you’ve got a base, it’s time to talk to-do lists.

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Austin is quickly gaining a reputation as one of the world’s most liveable cities. Not only is it the live music capital of the world, but there’s a creative energy and foodie buzz that’s putting it firmly at the top of traveller’s to-do lists.

The busy tourist season coincides with the 10-day annual South by Southwest (SXSW) festival, which takes place mid-March and has become a barometer for trends in music, art and culture, and Austin City Limits (ACL) in October. If your interest in Austin is outside of these two events, best avoid town during these times, as even the locals tend to vacate during the peak periods.

Check out some live music, roll out a rug in Zilker Park, take a dip in the Barton Springs Pool, learn about Texan history at the Bullock Texas State History Museum, look to the sky at dusk for bat feeding, hit the Dirty Sixth for a little late night revelry, check out the Texas State Capitol, eat your bodyweight in Texas BBQ – and that’s just the beginning!

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