Austin, the capital of Texas, is a fun city to visit. It’s got a great college town feel to it as well as good food, live music, and cultural attractions.
My Posts on Austin
Areas:
Attractions:
- Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum
- LBJ Presidential Library
- Texas State Capitol
Introduction to Austin
Austin is the capital of Texas. It was inhabited by the Tonkawa tribe when the first pioneer settlers arrived in 1835. The city was officially founded on December 27, 1839, as Waterloo. It was changed shortly after to honor Stephen F. Austin (1793-1836), known as the “Father of Texas”. The city served as the capital of the Republic of Texas until it joined the United States on February 19, 1846, and continued on as the state capital.
Austin grew in the mid-19th century, becoming a center of education. The population and economy boomed after the Civil War, and the city transformed into a major trading center, especially for cattle and cotton. However, a three-way social segregation system emerged in the early 20th century between, whites, African-Americans, and Latinos. Desegregation occurred gradually in the 1950s and 60s.
In the 1970s, Austin burst onto the national music scene. It became a major technology center in the 1980s, and this sector expanded rapidly in the 2010s.
Overall, Austin is a fantastic city to visit. It’s got a great vibe with amazing live music, good barbecue, and plenty of cultural attractions. As for my personal experience, it’s a shame I only had one full day to enjoy it, but I love what I saw and will definitely be back one day.
Getting There
Although we drove in from San Antonio, the city is served by Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS). You can find flights connecting Austin with all major US cities as well as some cities in Canada and Mexico. Flights from European cities such as London, Amsterdam, and Frankfurt, are also available (as of May 2025).
Where to Stay in Austin
Since most hotels downtown were way above our budget, we stayed on the north side.
Courtyard by Marriott Austin The Domain Area
We decided to stay at the Courtyard by Marriott Austin The Domain Area (formerly Courtyard by Marriott Austin Northwest/Arboretum). Martin was able to talk reception into throwing in breakfast. Anyway, it was clean and very comfortable, and only a short drive from downtown. The only problem was the roads leading to the hotel were a little confusing. We stayed there for three nights.
Where to Eat in Austin
I only had one meal during my stay in town.
Z’tejas (Permanently Closed)
Z’tejas serves decent Southwestern food, including Mexican and Tex-Mex classics. They were quite busy so service was a little slow, but I enjoyed my meal.
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