Some Great Things to Do In Austin, Texas
July 24th, 2009. Published under Outdoors. No Comments.
Austin is not only the capital of the Lone Star State and its heart, it is also a wonderful place for visitors to come and spend some time relaxing and playing with their families, Texas-style! Here’s a little bit about Austin and some of the great things to do there during your stay.
A Little History
Located in the geographical heart of Texas, Austin straddles the green plains of the eastern part of the state as well as the great American southwest. Today, it is the 15th largest city in the country, but its beginnings were much more humble.
The banks of the mighty Colorado were inhabited by the Comanche and Apache tribes until the arrival of white settlers in 1830. Originally called Waterloo, the growing community was renamed Austin (after prominent Texas Stephen Austin) in 1839 and was made the capital city of the newly created Republic of Texas. When Texas was admitted to the union in 1848, Austin remained at its head.
What To Do
If you are planning on visiting, there are plenty of places in downtown Austin that are worth exploring and getting to know. Here are just a few.
– Lady Bird Lake
Many visitors love to get a bit of local flavor by going where the locals like to go, and Lady Bird Lake is a great place to start. Located on the southern border of downtown, this lake was named after former President Johnson’s wife. Tourists can rent a kayak, canoe, or rowboat and relax on the clear, calm waters for a few hours and take pictures of Austin’s magnificent skyline too. There is no danger of getting run over by power boats or water skiers either: they are not allowed!
– The Museums
Like any great American city, Austin has its own selection of cultural delights for people of all ages and tastes. The Austin Museum of Art on Congress Avenue has a modest yet diverse collection of pieces that celebrate 20th century as well as contemporary American artists. Works by sculptor Dale Chihuly as well as painters Jacob Lawrence and Andy Warhol are part of the museum’s permanent collection.
The Mexic-Arte museum is a natural addition to a city that values its Mexican and Mexican-American heritage. The influence of this culture throughout the state cannot be understated, and the works of art on display here are a fine representation of the very best of Mexican fine arts.
– The BBQ
There are a bunch of barbecue restaurants in the downtown area, as should be expected in Texas! One of the local favorites is House Park Bar-B-Q on West 12th Street. It is said that diners leave smelling like mesquite: yum! The prices are extremely reasonable and its atmosphere is most definitely family-friendly. If you are interested in soaking up local color and getting a real taste of Austin, this might be a great place to have lunch.
Hill Country Accommodations(http://www.texasvacation.com/)is a Wimberley and Austin Vacation Rentals. Art Gib is a freelance writer.