Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS)
“The Donut” stands sentry near the Austin airport entrance. A former U.S. Air Force command center, this round building (now a hotel) commemorates the airport’s past life as an airbase. The Austin airport is a short drive to downtown and East Austin, the city’s historic African-American and Latino enclave. Near the airport, McKinney Falls State Park offers a glimpse of unspoiled Central Texas.
Downtown Austin
Downtown Austin’s attractions include The University of Texas at Austin and the Texas State Capitol. Austin also lays claim to another capital: live music. Bars and clubs pack a half-mile stretch of Sixth Street. The gay-friendly Warehouse District is another nightlife hub, as is the SoCo District south of Lady Bird Lake. On summer nights, 1.5 million bats emerge from the Congress Avenue bridge.
Georgetown
With its historic, walkable core, Georgetown embodies small-town Texas. And like any proper small Texas town, Georgetown’s most imposing landmark is its county courthouse, a grand Beaux Arts beauty built in 1911. Downtown’s shops, galleries, and popular summer festival foster the town’s arts scene. Other attractions include Southwestern University, Inner Space Cavern, and Lake Georgetown.
Lost Pines
Lost Pines is a resort development southeast of Austin, in the outskirts of the Texas Hill Country. As its name implies, this region is famed for pine forests. The Colorado River winds through the area, providing a refuge for wildlife and water sports enthusiasts. Nearby, Bastrop affords a taste of Texas through plates of barbecue or Tex-Mex fare at mom-and-pop restaurants.
North Central Austin
North Central Austin is home to thriving Latino neighborhoods, Chinatown, and Highland Mall. Austin’s ethos of egalitarianism is evident here as college students, retirees, and blue-collar workers live side-by-side. FM 2222 leads to Mount Bonnell, which offers panoramic city views. Be sure to visit Threadgill’s on North Lamar, the beer joint where Janis Joplin groomed her voice and persona.
Northwest Austin
As a high-tech incubator, Austin’s northwest fringes give credence to its nickname of “Silicon Hills.” Here, IBM conducts research on microprocessors, while The University of Texas provides seed money and space for promising technologies. Many tech vendors also operate in the area’s office parks. Nearby on Research Boulevard, the Arboretum at Great Hills melds shopping with Austin’s lush terrain.
Round Rock
Although its founding is tied to cattle and railroads, Round Rock’s recent history has been rewritten from bedroom community to economic powerhouse. This suburb is home to Dell headquarters. The computer company’s visible imprint includes its 300-acre campus and the Dell Diamond minor-league baseball stadium. Its influence, however, extends to area tree planting and well-funded city parks.
San Marcos
Between Austin and San Antonio, San Marcos knows how to whoop it up. Locals often point to Texas State University as party central, but geography plays a role in the town’s reputation. Each summer, heat-weary Texans go tubing at the San Marcos River, known for its constant 72-degree waters. San Marcos is also known for its outlet malls, which are among the largest shopping complexes in America.
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