Residents of Austin are known as "Austinites," and include a diverse mix of university professors, students, politicians, lobbyists, musicians, state employees, high-tech workers, blue-collar workers, and white-collar workers. The main campus of the University of Texas is located in Austin. The city is home to enough large sites of major technology corporations to have earned it the nickname "Silicon Hills." Austin's official slogan promotes the city as "The Live Music Capital of the World", a reference to its status as home to many musicians and music venues. In recent years, many Austinites have also adopted the unofficial slogan "Keep Austin Weird"; this refers partly to the eclectic and progressive lifestyle of many Austin residents, but is also the slogan for a campaign to preserve smaller local businesses and resist excessive commercialization
During the 1880s, Austin gained new prominence as the state capitol building was completed in 1888, and claimed as the 7th largest building in the world.[24] In the late 1800s, Austin expanded its city limits to more than three times its former area and the first granite dam was built on the Colorado River to power a new street car line and the new "moon towers.".[24] Unfortunately the first dam washed away in a flood on April 6, 1909.[38] It was finally replaced in 1940 by a hollow concrete dam[39] that formed Lake McDonald (now called Lake Austin)and which has withstood all floods since. In addition, the much larger Mansfield Dam was built by the LCRA upstream of Austin to form the flood-control lake, Lake Travis.[40] In the early 1900s, the Texas Oil Boom took hold, creating tremendous economic opportunities in Southeast Texas and North Texas. The growth generated by this boom largely passed by Austin at first, with the city slipping from 4th largest to 10th largest in Texas between 1880 and 1920.[24]
Beginning in the 1920s and 1930s, Austin launched a series of civic development and beautification projects that created much of the city's infrastructure and parks. In addition, the state legislature established the Lower Colorado River Authority that, along with the City of Austin, created the system of dams along the Colorado River that formed the Highland Lakes. These projects were enabled in large part by the fact that Austin received more Depression era relief funds than any other Texas city.[24]
After the mid-1900s, Austin became established as one of Texas' major metropolitan centers. In the late 20th century, Austin emerged as an important high tech center for semiconductors and software. The University of Texas emerged as a major university.[41]
The 1970s also saw Austin's emergence in the national music scene, with artists such as Willie Nelson and venues such as the Armadillo World Headquarters. The long-running television program Austin City Limits and the annual South by Southwest musical festival helped to solidify the city's place in the music industry.[11]
2. Texas capital Building
112 East 11th Street
Austin, TX-78701
512.305.8400
Capitol Visitors Center :
Monday - Saturday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Sunday Noon - 5:00 pm
Capitol Visitors Center Giftshop:
Monday-Friday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Saturday 10:00 am- 5:00 pm
Sunday Noon - 5:00 pm
My first idea, when visiting the Capitol, was to visit the Visitors Center first as it was closest to the parking lot, but on Sundays it doesn't open until later. So, I discovered the Capitol Building first. Honestly, it doesn't really matter...
The Capitol Visitors Center is more of a Texas History museum than anything else. They have different movies of Texas when it was becoming a (country first!) state. They have small rooms and areas but I didn't explore all of them because I'm pretty claustrophobic.
They have lots of fun things for kids, though. Plenty of games and historical problem solving games. Check out the pictures and travelogue for details.
The building is in the restored 1856-57 General Land Office building. The three-story castle-like structure reflects the mid-19th century mock-medieval revival architectural style and is the oldest state office building in Texas.
They also have a really cool traveler center where you can pick up hundreds of Texas travel brochures.
Admission is free, and self-guided tour information and pamphlets are also available. Self-guided tour literature and pamphlets are also available in Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Italian, Russian, Korean and Spanish.
The remains of Austin's First Texas Statehouse can be seen on the Capitol grounds, near the present State Capitol building. This was also the site of the first classes ever held by the University of Texas at Austin in 1894. , the remains of Austin's first state house is directly across from the current State Capitol Building.
The ruins only amount to a few remains of the old foundation. However, there are about eight Texas historic markers at this site honoring not only the old capitol but also key figures in Texas history.
After the current capitol building opened in 1888, classes for the Austin High School were held in the old capitol for about a dozen years - until the first Austin High School building was completed in 1900. The old capitol was razed in 1899 and bricks from it were used in construction projects throughout Austin.
3.Ausin Zoo
10807 Rawhide Trail
Austin, TX 78736-2716
(512) 288-1490
austinzoo.org
This is a beautiful animal sanctuary. It is very natural, rocky terrain, and it is not glitzy or showy. This zoo is all about caring for and loving the animals. I respect and admire such a place. Most zoos are all about profit and what they can sell you in the gift shop. This place gives you an opportunity to show your children that there are people and places left in this world that care about animals and life. I have read the other reviews, including the nasty one from the people with a dog. Shame on you for targeting this animal sanctuary and for not being responsible adults. Austin Zoo, keep doing what you are doing and try to ignore the irresponsible schleps of the world. Great job!!!!
I visited yesterday for the first time with my husband and infant daughter. I had already done my homework an wasn't expecting a flashy zoo. It was about what I expected. The cages were well-kept and clean and we saw a few handlers cleaning out the cages, feeding animals, and even playing with the ring-tailed lemurs. I guess we were just there at the right time. The paths were a bit rocky and unpaved, but we managed just fine with our run-of-the mill Graco stroller and there were LOTS of other families there with strollers and none seemed to mind.
We didn't interact with the staff much, but the lady who took our admission fee was friendly enough. The cages were well marked with the names and ages of the animals and information about their natural habitats and sometimes information about their backgrounds/where they were rescued from.
We didn't ride the train as it seemed sort of a waste with a small infant who wouldn't get much out of it. Maybe when she's older. We saw it go by and it was packed and everyone seemed to be having a good time. The roaming peacocks, chickens, and guinea fowl were neat and there was a colorful rooster perched about 20 feet up in an oak tree, which the kids at a birthday party found very exciting.
Our baby loved watching the monkeys and prairie dogs, who were very active and playful. All in all, we had a terrific time and plan to return when she's older. If you don't go expecting a for-profit zoo experience, then you won't be disappointed!
they were in the zoo since they found upon arriving that pets weren't allowed: what a GENIOUS idea! And, it amazes me how that is NO ONE'S business! I'm sure if that man was compelled enough to love his pet to bring along on a family trip to the zoo, he wouldn't have left it in danger. Strangers are allowed around the animals in the zoo daily. Get over it and mind your own business. Gas is expensive, and the kids would have been disappointed, and the dog was left with a family down the street from the zoo-AND? Get over yourselves. This zoo needs an immediate and thorough staff makeover.
4.Mount Bonnell Park
3800 Mount Bonnell Drive,
Austin, TX 78731
(512) 974-6700
Hours: Daily7am – 10pm
austinparks.org
Getting there: From MoPac Expressway in Central Austin, take the 35th Street exit and head west. Proceed past Camp Mabry on the right and veer left in the fork on the road onto Old Bull Creek Road. Turn right onto Mount Bonnell Road and lumber up the the hill and look for parking on the left when reaching the crest.
The Hike: Mount Bonnell is more of a tourist spot than a hiking destination. Nevertheless it does provide a short trail to go along with the spectacular views that draw so many people there. The trail begins at the stairs leading up to the summit of Mount Bonnell, marked by the waypoint "Trailhead" on the topo map.
Mount Bonnell is generally considered the highest point in Austin at 775 feet, a fact which may or may not be true in the future as Austin expands in all directions. The peak is named for George Bonnell, who served as Commissioner of Indian Affairs for the Texas Republic. He first moved to Austin in 1839.
From the main trailhead these stairs lead to the top of Mount Bonnell. Known universally as Mount Bonnell, the peak actually resides in Covert Park, a name with which few Austinites would identify. The park is named in honor of the person who provided the land on which it sits, Frank M. Covert Sr. The park was transferred to the City of Austin in 1939, exactly 100 years after the arrival in Austin of the man who provides the name for the park's peak.
This pavilion marks the top of Mount Bonnell. it can often get crowded.
The hike is not particularly difficult - people of all athletic abilities "hike" it every day. But the initial stair climbing is a bit of a workout. This initial stretch of the trails accounts for most of the 190 feet of elevation gain encountered.
A pavilion sits at the top of the mountain offering sweeping views, particularly to the west into the Hillcountry. Downtown Austin can be seen to the southeast, but you may have to find an ideal spot in order to get a completely clear view. Mount Bonnell served as a popular picnic spot as far back as the 1850's.
From the southern side of Mount Bonnell, looking south down Lake Austin.
Most of the people who visit Mount Bonnell congregate here at the pavilion and along the natural rock steps to the south. The "steps" are large slabs of rock that slope downward. Some of the steps are somewhat significant and require a bit of care. A couple of different Lake Austin views are possible from this vantage point.
Although the trail at Mount Bonnell is short, there is quite a bit of stairs to climb, both natural and man-made.
Heading back up to the pavilion, the trail continues to the north. Like the south side, the trail here slopes downward, but the trail is composed of dirt and gravel and not the rough slabs of rock. There are somewhat fewer people here, but the views are every bit as exhilarating as those found south of the peak.
The northern trail strays a bit farther from the peak than the southern spur and then makes a sharp right turn and dumps out the hiker at the northern edge of the parking area. On busier days parking here may be easier the entrance at the waypoint "Alt-TH" can be used as a trailhead.
5.Zilker Park Boat Rentals
2201 Barton Springs Road,
Austin, TX 78746-5736
(512) 478-3852
zilkerboats.com
Zilker Park Boat Rentals was established in 1969, shortly after Howard Barnett drove across the Lamar Street bridge and noticed the beauty and serenity of Town Lake (now Lady Bird Lake). He wanted to share that beauty with the town he loved, so he opened a canoe rental on the banks of a creek, just downstream from Barton Springs Swimming Pool. He and his wife, Dorothy, and their four-year-old daughter rented out their nine canoes on weekends while Howard worked for the Texas Park and Wildlife Department. Together they built the business to the environmentally friendly and family oriented establishment that it is today. With over 100 canoes and kayaks and reasonable prices, Zilker Park Boat Rentals is the perfect place to bring friends and family to enjoy a relaxing outing on the water.
SUMMER AND EARLY FALL HOURS
Weekends: 9 A.M. until dark*
Weekdays: 10 A.M. until dark*
Starting Nov. 28, 2009
FALL AND WINTER
As Weather Permits
Weekends: 10 A.M. until dark*
Actually, we want all the boats locked up and employees out of the park by dark for safety reasons. "Dark" is relative to the seasons.
Please call before coming down to make sure that we are open when the weather is questionable.
RATES $10.00/ hour $40.00 All Day. Cash only. No credit cards, no personal checks.
Load limits for canoes: Three adults, or two adults and two small children.
Picture ID required for rental.
6. Austin Memorial Museum
2400 Trinity St
Austin, TX 78705
Neighborhood: University of Texas
Hours:
Mon-Fri 9 am - 5 pm
Sat 10 am - 5 pm
Sun 1 pm - 5 pm
Terrific free museum on the UT Campus. Designed in the 30's by Paul Cret, it has a stunning grand hall, Italian terrazzo floors, brass railings on their graceful stairway, with art deco sconces and grillwork in their elevator. Cold blasting AC!
4th level: the interactive section that changes. Right now it's Explore Evolution (score one for science).
3rd level: TX fauna--stuffed specimens in dioramas. Kinda cool and creepy.
2nd level: flying pterosaur skeleton overhead! Gems and minerals, fossils, and gift shop. Some pretty decent science/nature-related toys and books in there. They have a 20% off sale in the fall. Check the website.
1st level: fossil records from TX, "discovery drawers", a non-working microscope, a paleontologist doing his/her work. One day, when we asked, she said she was examining fragments from a cave dig: teeny tiny bat bones and teeth.
Great trip with kids when it's sweltering out. You can play and picnic under live oaks and among fake dino vertebrae next to the Glen Ross dino track exhibit.
Park for free (at home or away from campus) and take the bus in. It's half the fun.
This small museum is located on the UT campus, and is easy to get to. Consisting of four floors, you can view then entire museum in an hour. When you first enter, you are in the Great Hall, with a pterodactyl skeleton suspended above. This room has some nice gems and quartz, plus bugs, bones, etc. It is sort of a showcase of their collection. The other floors have exhibits showing dinosaur bones, fossils, dioramas of wildlife scenes, aquatic exhibits, evolution, etc. There is also a Paleo-lab, where you can see how the paleontologists do their thing.
There's a lot to learn about at the Texas Memorial Museum, and it is pretty interesting for K-Elementary school kids, especially if they like dinosaurs. Our 5-year old was really digging it, and our 3-yr old had a good time as well. I'd recommend starting at the 4th floor and ending in the 1st floor (basement), as the 1st floor has the most impressive exhibits. Nice to end on a good note! Oh, there's also a small gift store as well.
Admission is free, but parking in the garage next door will cost you:
0 - 30 minutes: No Charge
31 - 60 minutes: $2
61 - 90 minutes: $4
91 - 120 minutes: $6
Over 2 hours: $8
Barron F.'s thorough review is accurate. The Texas Memorial Museum had lots of unique specimens and ancient things that are once-in-a-lifetime viewing opportunities. You can spend hours here! It's good for groups and free. There are four floors, each with a theme. My favorite floor was the third (the one above the ground floor) with all the fauna displays. Children should enjoy this and have lots of questions.
7.Zilker Botanical Garden
2220 Barton Springs Road,
Austin, TX 78746-5737
(512) 477-8672 ()
zilkergarden.org
Admission: Admission Free
Weekends & Holidays Parking $3
For the most garden varieties in Austin you should go to Zilker Botanical Gardens (477-8672) to enjoy 22 acres of plants and flowers, which include a Xeriscape Garden, Cactus Garden, Organic Garden, Rose Garden, Oriental Garden, Fragrance Garden, and Butterfly Trail. Guided group butterfly tours are available with advance notice. The various gardens integrate flowers, shrubs, handsome trees, natural grottoes, and fountains with lagoons into a design that creates an environment of inspiration, beauty, and tranquillity. Educational opportunities for people of all ages are offered through displays, research programs, and specialized gardens.
Xeriscape Demonstration Garden showcases the 7 Xeriscape principles: reduce turf, use native and low-water-use plants, improve the soil, water efficiently, practice good maintenance, use mulch, and use good landscape design. The garden displays over 50 native and low-water-use plants, including trees, shrubs, ground covers, and wildflowers. This garden is maintained by the Xeriscape Garden Club. This club meets monthly on the third Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. at the Austin Area Garden Center, 2220 Barton Springs Road. Call 370-9505 for information.
Taniguchi Oriental Garden is a special 3-acre area created by Isamu Taniguchi over an 18-month period with no pay. He dedicated it to the city of Austin and the University of Texas in appreciation for the help given to his family. The oriental garden is a delicate balance between earth and water. This peaceful garden includes an authentic teahouse with a great view of downtown and a "bridge to walk over the moon." This bridge provides the perfect spot to admire the more than 22 lotus blooms that grace the pools of water, and it personifies the poetic sensitivity of the ancient Orient. The honeycombed rock lining the waterfalls and pathways throughout the garden are native, having come from the Lake Travis area.
Forty four garden groups hold their meetings at the Austin Area Garden Center. Call for information on specific areas of interest. Many of these groups have special shows throughout the year. The Florarama Festival, usually held in May, the Spring Rose Show, and the Bonsai Show are only a few examples of what the Austin Area Garden Center has to offer.
The Zilker Park Botanical Gardens are located on 2220 Barton Springs Road in Austin, Texas. The parking area and gardens are on the north side of Barton Springs Road. If you are coming from I-35, you can exit Riverside Drive and head west. Turn left onto Barton Springs Road. The garden entrance will be on your right when you pass Stratford Drive.
Parking is free and conveniently located to the garden entrance. The parking lot is a little small and may fill up during special events; if this is the case you may need to park in another area of Zilker park south of Barton Springs Drive and walk to the garden entrance.
8.Austin Downtown 6 th street
From jazz, blues, and country to rock, hip-hop, beat, progressive, metal, punk and derivations of these, there's something to whet everyone's musical pallete. Live music of every genre abounds. Great food is a staple on 6th Street, featuring such regional staples as chili, ribs, and Tex-Mex plus steak, seafood, cajun-cooking, and deli
Sixth Street is Austin's entertainment showpiece, and deservedly so. Great events like the Austin Mardi Gras celebration, SXSW, The Republic of Texas Bikers Rally, the Pecan Street Festival and Sixth's Street infamous Haloween celebration all make for great times with great people.
Going West from the entertainment area, West Sixth Street offers another suprise with antique stores, art galleries, hair salons, restaurants, and lot's of eclectic shops.
Sixth Street draws an eclectic bunch including endless streams of mostly single UT students, the YUP's, the burb's, some interesting street folk,and lot's of out of town visitors. From film folk to politicians, to music men and women, Sixth Street rubs elbows well. It's not uncommon to spy some celebrity type taking in the sights on 6th. Dress code, yeah right. You'll see cowboys and punks, surfers and suits. On Halloween anything goes, and during Mardi Gras in February, everything goes.
6th Street! That's Austin's bar district located in the heart of downtown. There are a variety of clubs and bars to choose from. On Friday and Saturday nights, the street is blocked off from traffic so you can wander from bar to bar with ease. You'll find a pretty young crowd down there, gererally from 18-23 years old. There are several colleges and Universities in the area including the University of Texas and Southwest Texas State University. They provide most of the regulars on 6th.
9.Austin Children Museum
201 Colorado Street,
Austin, TX 78701-3922
(512) 472-2499
austinkids.org
Hours:
Tuesday - Saturday: 10am-5pm
Community Night Wednesdays: 5-8pm
Sunday: Noon-5pm
The Museum is closed on the following holidays in 2010:
New Year's Day Easter Sunday
Memorial Day Independence Day
Labor Day Thanksgiving Day
Christmas Day
Admission:
Adult*: $6.50
Children 2 yrs.and up: $6.50
Children 12-23 months: $4.50
Children under 12 months: FREE
Parking $4
Tips for Your Visit•If you prefer to visit the Museum when it's less crowded we suggest afternoon visits and No Tour Tuesdays. The first Tuesday of every month (No Tour Tuesdays) is reserved for family visitors. ACM does not book school or group visits on the first Tuesday of every month. This limits the number of visitors in each gallery and provides a special time when children and their accompanying adults can learn as a family. You may also call the Museum before your visit to inquire about a specific day, we can provide general information about Museum activity and School Visit bookings.
•The Museum has one small area where we allow snacks and drinks. We recommend that you consider your mealtimes when you plan your visit. There are many restaurants and cafes in the 2nd Street District. The Museum staff can direct you to family and kid friendly eateries.
•Unfortunately the Museum does not have lockers or areas to store personal belongs. Please plan accordingly.
•The Museum is wheelchair accessible at the main entrance (2nd & Colorado). Elevator access is available on both floors. In addition, a teletouch phone (TTY) is available for visitors and staff.
•The Museum has a Family bathroom for our visitors' convenience, in addition to Men's and Women's bathrooms.
•Please change your baby’s diaper in the changing stations located inside the Museum bathrooms.
•All children must be accompanied by an adult age 18 or older at all times.
Flu Season Information
•The Museum’s exhibits and galleries are routinely cleaned. You may see staff cleaning portions of the Museum during your visit. Please excuse us as we make our space clean and safe for everyone.
•If you or your child have the flu or symptoms of the flu, please stay home and enjoy the Museum another day!
•For your convenience, hand sanitizer dispensers are located at the Museum’s entrance, in the Rising Star Ranch exhibit and in the hallway by the bathrooms.
•For more information from the CDC on how to prevent the flu visit: http://www.flu.gov/
10.The Aquarium On 6th
403 East 6th Street,
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 499-8003
Hours:
Today 8pm – 2am
Mon 9pm – 2am
Tue 8pm – 2am
Wed 8pm – 2am
Thu 8pm – 2am
Fri 8pm – 2am
Sat 8pm – 2am
Sun 9pm – 2am
As it feels like a perpetual frat party. remember the days where you had to shout to talk to the person next to you, that the line to the keg stretched around the block, and strangers "accidentally" bumped up your breasts? you can relive those days again at the aquarium! overcrowded, it's nearly impossible to get a drink. and men assume that since you're there, you must be looking to be groped. the bouncers must have learned their sales techniques in the border towns -- if I make you feel hot, like I want to flirt with you, you'll come into my bar and spend money. Does that trick honestly work on anyone? And if it does, do you really want to meet them?
So, so. Mostly college crowd, which is fine for me, but not so much for others. Of course there's actually an aquarium, but it wasn't anything spectacular. I was really expecting something larger and cooler, but it was basically just a medium-sized tank on the wall. The balcony overlooking the ground floor was nice-- and they played Asher Roth's "I Love College", which was a really nice touch.
We went on a Sunday night before Labor Day, so it was presumably more crowded than your average Sunday. $5 for a well whiskey and coke. My friends were disappointed in the lack of attractive females there, but they say that typically the Aquarium is the place to go if you're in to that sort of thing.
On my 21st birthday I had my first shot of the night at Paradise...or was it Treasure Island that was next door? One of those fruity named places! Anyways, after leaving here we went directly next door to The Aquarium and from that point up until I graduated I believe any time I went out I started my night of rif-raf at The Aquarium.
This place for some reason had almost a euphoric feel to it if you were there at just the right time with the right people. There was never a shortage of good looking girls, cheap (but good!) mixed drinks and beers on tap. The entire staff was cool from the barhands up through the owners...or at least this was the case back in my time on the 40 Acres.
I can honestly say that some of the best times I had downtown as a college kid occurred at this place, no doubt.
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