subject: Austin Informer: What To Do, See, Eat, And Where To Find Hotels In Northwest Austin [print this page] From its renowned live music scene to the delicious Tex-Mex specialties, Austin, Texas is a pure delight for the senses. Shopping. Eating. Or even dancing the night away theres no shortage of things to do, see, hear, and taste in this vibrant Southwestern jewel. But where do you start? And where do you STAY?
First, pick a hotel. Northwest Austin is a good place to start, offering convenient access to everything from the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport to the Austin Museum of Art on Congress Avenue. Hotels in Northwest Austin are also staffed with knowledgeable locals who can give you the inside scoop on whats going on around town. So dont hesitate to ask. Once youre settled in, put on your exploring shoes and jump in to everything Austin has to offer.
To truly experience Austins music scene, Sixth Street is a good place to start. Often closed to vehicle traffic on the weekends, this street is lined with dance clubs, live music venues, eateries and street musicians, plus several tattoo and piercing shops. Music fills the air in this area every night of the week, and visitors can hear everything from country to hip-hop, blues to noise-pop. If you venture north on Red River Street, you'll find some of Austin's best live music venues. Emo's, Stubb's and Red Eyed Fly all reside here.
For a historical perspective on the city, venture over to the Capitol Complex Visitor Center the oldest remaining state office building in Texas. Inside, visitors can view a 20-minute film narrated by Walter Cronkite, titled Lone Star Legacy: A History of the Capitol.
Hungry? Head over to Manuel's for fine Mexican food. If sushi is what you're craving, you will find Kyoto, not far from the Capitol on Congress Avenue, with mouth-watering Japanese food and a variety of sushi options. Hickory Street Bar and Grill is a popular downtown spot thanks to its outdoor patio dining, extensive salad selection and weekend brunches. Or swing by the Elephant Room for drinks and a variety of live jazz music.
Finally, for an overall taste of the city, you have to spend some time in Zilker Park. Enjoy a number of musical, dance and theater events at the Zilker Hillside Theatre, where the Austin Shakespeare Festival is held each year. Or, visit the Zilker Botanical Gardens, where visitors spend the better part of a day enjoying the cactus, succulents, roses, butterflies and special gardens - all for free.
