All About Austin

Longhorn country. Scenic Hill Country. Relaxed lifestyle. College town. Bustling political center and capital city. And let's not forget Willie and Waylon and Jerry Jeff. They all aptly describe the City of Austin, Texas.

Sitting at the northeastern edge of Texas Hill Country, Austin landscapes are beautiful year round. The best time to go is during "bluebonnet time"--in April, when the hillsides and roadsides are blanketed with the Texas State flower and other colorful wildflowers. Texans come from all over the state every year to enjoy the beauty of rolling hills of blue flowers.

Bluebonnet Trails of Austin

With its lakes and beautiful parks, Austin scenery and outdoor activities Natural Pool in Austin

are a favorite of residents and visitors. Dams on the Colorado River created Town Lake close to downtown and Lake Austin on the west side of town. Zilker Park at Town Lake is full of "must-see" attractions.

Austin has some uniquely different places to visit. Believe it or not, hundreds of people gather nightly at Congress Avenue Bridge. It is a summer home to more than one million of Mexican freetailed bats that come out around dusk each night and eat insects. MacGregor Park (also known as Hippie Hollow) has ledges and hiking trails; but it is best known for its swimming spot, which permits nude sunbathing.

Under the Moon and the Sun in Austin

The Lyndon B. Johnson Library (with over 35,000 exhibits) is the largest Jake's in Austin

presidential library in the U.S. It is located on the campus of the University of Texas. The historic Driskill Hotel (on Sixth Street in the entertainment district) was where LBJ and Lady Bird Johnson always chose to stay while in town. Its beautiful historic architecture is a drawing point for tourists in the downtown area.

LBJ Tourist Attractions at Austin

If you're an LBJ admirer, you might also enjoy spending a day in nearby Johnson City (President Johnson's childhood home) and at Johnson Settlement (where his grandfather was a cattle driver). Then go on to the LBJ National and State Historic Parks in Stonewall (which is Texas peach country) to tour LBJ's ranch.

Originally named Waterloo, the city's name was changed by Mirabeau B. Lamar, Girls Playing on Austin Statue vice president of the Republic of Texas. On a hunting trip in the area, he decided to make it the capital city. Lamar changed the name to Austin, after Stephen F. Austin, who started early colonies in Texas. The city became the Texas state capital in 1850.

Austin, Texas State Capital

The Capitol Building (built in 1888) is the second largest state capitol in the U.S. and has a dome higher than the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC. Standing on top of the dome is a statue of the Goddess of Liberty. You can tour the building and even watch the legislature if it is in session. The Capitol Complex Visitors Center (formerly the General Land Office) is the oldest government office building in the state. Now it serves as the Texas History Museum. The beautiful Governor's mansion, built in 1853, also offers morning-only tours (the Governor actually lives there).