Unique Austin Experiences for Tourists

Austin, Texas, is known for many things, the most important being that it is the capital of Texas. Austin has a present nightlife with an extremely popular live music scene focused around eclectic musical styles, and some of the best breweries around. If you’re more of a daytime person, then Austin has some of the loveliest scenic attractions in Texas.

Aside from being the capital, Austin is also known for being the most livable city in Texas. To be such a large city in such a dry climate, there are enough nature escapes to go around. All in all, Austin is a gem of a destination that should be next on your list of places to visit. And who knows? Austin might end up being a place that you’ll want to stay longer than you expected.

The great outdoors

Austin has some worthwhile nature attractions to visit while you’re in the area. Lady Bird Lake is a body of water that is a part of the Colorado River and spans 416 acres of the Austin area. Most of the shorelines on Lady Bird Lake are open to the public for activities like canoeing and kayaking, and there are miles of trails that are perfect for walking and biking. The Pedestrian bridge — found on the main pedestrian path—crosses the river and connects downtown Austin with the southern shore, so you can have a nice lunch downtown and walk it off after on a lovely scenic route through nature.

While swimming in Lady Bird Lake is strictly prohibited, the Barton Springs Pool in Zilker Park is one of the many great swimming holes in Austin perfect for cooling off from the summer heat. This wading area is a spring-fed pool that covers three acres and maintains an average of 70 degrees year-round! It is also a protected habitat for the Barton Springs Salamander, an endangered species that is only found in this specific water reservoir. If you need a day to escape the summer heat, then the Barton Springs Pool is the perfect place for you to refresh and get a little exposure to the local wildlife while you’re at it.

The capital city

If it’s your first time in Austin, a.k.a the capital city, you can’t go the whole trip without visiting the Capitol Building. Completed in 1888, this National Historic Landmark covers 22 acres of grounds and monuments and is home to the State Governor and the Texas Legislature. This impressive structure stands at 308 feet tall and is ranked as the sixth tallest capitol building, which is even taller than the U.S. Capital in Washington, D.C.!

Tourists and visitors can stroll the park through the scenic Great Walk, which features a tree-lined path and numerous monuments such as the Texas African American History Memorial, the Vietnam War monument, and a bronze statue of a Texas Ranger, as well as a small-scale Statue of Liberty. You can enjoy a free tour of the Capitol Building anytime — except holidays — and are also welcome to take a self-guided tour anytime the capital is open.

Unique nightlife

Austin, Texas, has over 250 music venues and is designated as the Live Music Capital of the World. There is a wide range of musical talent with anything from country to hip-hop, and everything in between including blues, alternative, and even electronic music.

“Austin City Limits” — both a music festival and a music performance television show — are defining factors of the Austin music scene. Austin City Limits as a television show, also known as ACL Live, is the longest-running music series in American television history. Austin City Limits Music Festival takes place over two weekends during the month of October in Zilker Park on the shores of Lady Bird Lake.

Some other great places to catch live-music performances are The Paramount Theatre on Congress Avenue, the Frank C. Erwin Jr. Special Events Center at the edge of downtown, as well as at collegiate sporting events. Other prominent live-music venues in Austin include the Elephant Room and the Broken Spoke.

Fancy living

If you end up falling in love with Austin but don’t have the funds for a vacation home, there might be some options before making the full commitment to a permanent move. Landing is a network of apartments all over the U.S. that is redefining what apartment living means. With a Landing membership, you are given new freedom with flexible leasing and the option to transfer apartments with a 30-day notice.

So if you’re on the fritz about moving to a new area like Austin, you can now move there with peace of mind knowing that you’re moving into a fully furnished apartment with a flexible lease. If you end up not enjoying full-time living in Austin as much as you thought, then there is a full network of apartments nationwide for you to choose from and move into.

Austin, Texas, is an area full of new and unique experiences just waiting to be discovered. For lovers of music and art, food, beer, and nature, the Austin area has it all. So when time allows and things begin to open back up, you should get to know its rich history and impressive sites. After that, if you decide that Austin might be the next place you want to live, then consider a living situation that is both comfortable and flexible with your timeline. Browse our available Austin apartments today!