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Often described as "the oasis of Texas", This thriving community of almost one million people in the heart of  Texas is the seat of the state government, reflecting its Hispanic and African-American roots in an eclectic mix of ethnic heritages and cultures, food and music.
While the big city conveniences of Austin, (second fastest growing city in the America and 16 largest city in the country), are nearby, Austin holds on to a flavor of its humble early period. Within this geographically defined area is a community of hard working and educated, mostly single, young people.
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Austin Culture
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Austin with a very active arts and cultural scene, has more artists per capita than any other city in Texas. Austin, one of only 14 U.S. cities with its own professional ballet, symphony, opera and theater companies, was also home to writer O. Henry, the city formed a backdrop for many of his stories. Austin offers over 30 art galleries and museums, several local dance companies and 35 independent theatre companies.
 Austin is also the "live music capital of the world", listeners from all over tune in to Austin City Limits, PBS's country-western show for some of the best in all night entertainment on Sixth Street. Latino, folk, lyric opera, rock, reggae, jazz, alternative, old time Texas music, rap and blues bands fill the air on any given night all over town in Austin's 100+ clubs, honky tonks, performance halls, amphitheaters and outdoor stages, including Auditorium Shores on Town Lake. Austin's thriving independent film scene showcases hundreds of films every year.
European culture is evident in Austin's historic architecture and in Austin's wineries and brew pubs. Some of the world class places to experience all of the splendor of Austin's rich cultural treasures include:
Museum Of Fine Arts Austin - 823 Congress Ave # 100 Austin, TX 78701-2429 Phone: 512-477-0766
Umlauf Sculpture Garden & Museum - Over 130 sculptures by renowned Austin sculptor Charles Umlauf are displayed in both permanent and changing exhibits. Works may be viewed inside the museum and in the xeriscape garden. Both the museum and the garden are accessible to the handicapped. Fee for admission. Group tours available by appointment. - 605 Robert E. Lee Rd. Austin, TX Phone: 512 445-5582
Trahanatzis Museum Of Fine Art - PO Box 9052 Austin, TX 78766-9052 Phone: 512-323-2552
Austin Lyric Opera - Phone: 512 472-5992
George Washington Carver Museum - Artifacts, community-related photographs, oral histories, videos and archival materials. Traveling exhibits. - 1165 Angelina St. Austin, TX Phone: 512 472-4809
The French Legation Museum - Presented by the Daughters of the Republic of Texas - The residence was built in 1840 and is designed in the Greek Revival style, similar to homes built in southern Louisiana during this time period. The state of Texas purchased the home in 1948, placing custody of it to the Daughters of the Republic of Texas who have restored and opened it up to the public since 1956. - 802 San Marcos Street Austin, Texas 78702 Phone: 512-472-8180 Fax: 512-472-9457
Republic of Texas Museum - Collections of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas which are centered on the Republic of Texas period. (1836-1846) Open Mon-Fri 10 am - 4 pm - 510 E. Anderson Lane Austin, TX Phone: 512 339-1997
LBJ Library & Museum - The Lyndon Baines Johnson Library's Museum, through exhibits, captures the imagination with exotic Head of State gifts and the visual story of a man from the Texas Hill Country and his rise to the American Presidency. Included is Texas history from the 1930's, Landmark Civil Rights Programs from the 1960's and the War in Vietnam. The Library also mounts major historical exhibitions. The archives collection of over 35 million items is available for research. Admission and parking free. Open daily 9 am - 5 pm. Closed Christmas - 2313 Red River St. Austin, TX Phone: 512 916-5137, ext. 274
Elisabet Ney Museum - This is the home and studio of renowned German-born sculptor, Elisabet Ney. On display are many of her works, sculpting tools and furnishings. Weddings and parties may be held at the museum with prior arrangements. - 304 E. 44th St. Austin, TX Phone: 512 458-2255
 Laguna Gloria Art Museum - Changing exhibitions of 20th century American painting, sculpture, graphic arts, photography, decorative arts and architecture. Docents give gallery talks every Sunday at 2 pm; groups may arrange tours by reservation. The Museum Art School, with three multi-purpose classrooms and a ceramics studio offer diverse year-round classes for adults and children. - 3809 W. 35th St. Austin, TX Phone: 512 458-8191
Austin Symphony - The oldest orchestra in Texas! Phone: 512 476-6064
Texas Memorial Museum - A museum consisting of four principal divisions: Anthropology, Botany-Zoology, Geology, and History. A statue of a group of mustangs is in front of the museum. - 2400 Trinity Austin, TX Phone: 512 471-1604
Archer M. Huntington Art Gallery - Two locations at the University - The Harry Ransom Center at 21st and Guadalupe Streets and the UT Art Building at 23rd and San Jacinto. The temporary exhibitions are in the Art Building. - The University of Texas - Austin, TX Phone: 512 471-7324
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Austin Education
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The Austin Independent School District, which has recently received 14 National Blue Ribbons and five Texas State Blue Ribbon awards for excellence in education serves over 76,000 students. St. Edward's University and the Texas School for the Deaf are also located in South Austin.
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Austin History
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Nomadic tribes of Tonkawa's, Comanche's and Lipan Apaches used this land long before the white man had encroached on their camps and hunting grounds along the many area creeks, including today's Barton Springs.
Five scouts went looking for a new capital city for the Republic of Texas and chose this area on the north bank of the Colorado River. A few families lived in a settlement called Waterloo. Stephen Fuller Austin, who is considered to be the "father of Texas," founded Austin in 1823. Austin became the capital of the Republic of Texas in 1839 when the archives and furniture of the Republic were moved here from Houston, then became the state capital, when Texas joined the Union in 1845.
 The current state capital building located at 11th Street and Congress Avenue was constructed in 1888 from Texas red granite from Granite Mountain near Marble Falls, Texas. The height of the dome is 309 feet, 8 inches, seven feet higher than the United States Capitol.
Barton Springs in Zilker Park This park received its name from William (Uncle Billy) Barton who purchased and homesteaded the land in 1837.
Great Granite Dam on the Colorado River was Built in 1893 and a real milestone for the city of Austin. The Dam started producing electricity which allowed for increased manufacturing business.
Rapid growth in the 1970s led to strong neighborhood, environmental and historic preservation, an integral part of the area's modern civic life.
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Austin Housing
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Austin is full of quiet distinctive neighborhoods, pre-WWII subdivisions and a master planned community nestled throughout the city, like Zilker which borders the serene Zilker Park, neighborhoods that remind us of years gone by, like Dawson which was one of the first major developments in Austin build after WWII, a more restful time. Austin's Circle C Ranch, a 4,000-acre master-planned upscale family community that harks back to a more friendly time with it's acres of native grasses and lush tree-covered home sites, and seasonal creeks and golf courses. Austin has grown quite a bit, but has remained a friendly town. Austin are also experiencing growth.
Travis Heights – This older, established neighborhood is bordered by Riverside Drive on the North, I35 on the East, Congress Ave on the West and Oltorf on the South. Homes in this area are primarily 1920’s cottage-style with attractive features like hardwood floors, arched entryways, wooden double-hung windows, high ceilings and vintage details. Houses tend to be relatively small (800-1500 square feet) but packed with charm. Prices in this area start at around $200,000 and go up from there.
SOCO (South Congress). This trendy area borders Travis Heights and Congress Avenue on the East side, runs West to Lamar Blvd and South to Oltorf. SOCO has undergone a rapid transformation over the last 10 years and is now a burgeoning Mecca full of restaurants, music venues and eclectic shops. The first Thursday of each month is designated "First Thursday" (… oddly enough…) and South Congress is transformed into a venue for a street fair with live music, food and drink. The homes in this area are much like those in Travis Heights.
Zilker Park/Barton Hills. Another older and very central part of Austin, this area features both cottage-style and 1970’s ranch style homes. Located between MOPAC, Town Lake, Lamar Blvd and Oltorf, this neighborhood is home to Zilker Park and Barton Springs Pool and features many bars, restaurants and shops along Barton Springs Road and Lamar Blvd. Homes here range from $200,000 to $1,000,000 with the average price being around $250,000.
Western Oaks. This area features both newer homes and older ranch-style homes. It is located South of William Cannon between MOPAC and 290. Easy access to shopping on both Brodie Lane and at the "Y" in Oak Hill and a suburban family atmosphere make this area very attractive for young families. Home prices start in the $150’s.
Circle C. This is an up-scale suburban family neighborhood with an outstanding pool and roller-blade/biking Veloway. Homes here were build primarily in the late 80’s and early 90’s, range from 2500 to 4000 square feet, and the average price of a home is $300,000. MOPAC, Slaughter Lane, Rt 1826 and Rt 45 demarcate this area.
St. Edwards. Just south of SOCO, this area centers on St. Edward’s University (the setting for the 1988 movie D.O.A. starring Meg Ryan and Dennis Quaid). This area is becoming more and more like SOCO, but is more affordable. There is a new artist’s enclave with studios, coffee shops, music venues and architectural supply shops. Homes in this area were built primarily in the 50’s and 60’s. Extensive renovations are underway on many homes, and they are usually priced below $200,000.
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Austin Lifestyle
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Austin, a casual town, with it's small town ambiance, is distinctly Texas with equal numbers of pickup trucks and SUVs and you will see everything from black tie to blue jeans, even in the most upscale restaurants or at the Opera. Historic structures, antiques, car parts, ethnic foods, from barbeque to sushi, fun outdoor festivals like Eyesore's Birthday, Farmers' Market, and Cinco de Mayo and arts, musical styles, remarkable parks, corner cafes, the hill country, and the people, attract homeowners who are nature-loving, sophisticated and laid-back, all reflecting Austin's multicultural makeup. Austin's atmosphere cannot be captured anywhere else.
There is something for every taste in Austin, and it is just as varied when it comes to shopping or outdoor activities. "First Thursday Events," a barefoot friendly street party on a historic avenue. Austin is a historic place that's ready for the future, ready for new growth and ready for a rebirth and the call of its wild cowboy spirit. It is a city rich in history full of hope for the future.
Austin's technology oriented economy based on computers, peripherals, electronics and semiconductors, and software offers homeowners an excellent set of employment options. Some of the biggest names in the computer industry, including: Dell Computer Corporation, Motorola, Inc., IBM, Tivoli Systems, 3M and WorldCom are located within Austin's city limits. The University of Texas has a campus in Austin which also employs a good number of Austin's residents. Austin is also a transshipment point for a large agricultural area.
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Austin Nature
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Austin has the largest urban bat population in North America. From spring through fall up to 1.5 million Mexican free-tail bats (Tadarida brasiliensis) take to the air every night. August is the best month to see the bats when the newborns start coming out with their mothers. The best place to see the bats is at the new Congress Avenue Bridge. The Bridge spans across Town Lake, where a canoe rented for front row seat to watch the million plus bats fly out from under bridge.
Mount Bonnell, one of the highest points in Austin at 785 feet above sea level and 99 stone steps leading to the top, a large climb, but worth every step. 3800 Mount Bonnell Road, about 1 mile past West 35th Street.
Barton Springs Pool, a stunning natural habitat. rivals Auditorium Shores, Blunn Creek Wilderness Park and Zilker Botanical Gardens as one of South Austin's most popular family locations.
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Austin News
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Search for "Austin TX" - How Texas Is Dominating the Recession - The Atlantic
| Jul 31 2010, 4:00 PM ET Comment SAN ANTONIO, TX -- No state is thriving in the wake of the Great Recession. |
- Consumers Say Free Trials from Auction Agency are Anything But Free - The Wilson County News
| Comment on this article Austin, TX - BBB has issued an F rating to Auction Agency, an Austin-based company which lists foreclosed homes and automobiles for sale on the Internet. |
- It's Lovely. Really It Is. - Keeping Austin Free
| Fashion, beer and live music! Does it get any better? P.S. This is a kid friendly event so bring 'em if you got 'em! |
- Music Festival - Keeping Austin Free
| Come join us for the first Austin Bazaar Music Festival at the US Art authority in Austin, TX on July 31st! We have labored to craft quite a line-up for you and best of all it is FREE. |
- Mary Linda Childers Cooper - Paris Texas
| Mary Linda Childers Cooper, 68, of Reno passed away peacefully Tuesday, July 27, 2010, at her home in Reno. |
- 10 Great cities for young adults - KSHB-TV Kansas City
| The options for young adults in Kansas City are ample. With a wide array of entertainment venues, a popular art district and a promising job market, therea s plenty of opportunity for Generation Xa ers in the a oeParis of the Plains.a Kiplinger, a Washington-based business publication, agrees. |
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Austin Recreation
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Austin offers some of the finest recreational resources in the country and running right through the middle of this beautiful city is the beautiful Colorado River surrounded by a hike and bike trail, with canoeing, a gazebo, ducks and turtles and amazing skyline views from the bridges. Some of Austin's best recreational hot spots include:
Austin Children's Museum - Educational and entertaining exhibits and programs geared to children. Tues - Sat 10 am - 5 pm and Sun noon - 5 pm. Fee for admission - 1501 West Fifth Street Austin, TX Phone: 512 472-2499
Austin Zoo - Exotic and domestic animals. Daily 10 am - 6pm. Free for admission, children under 3 free. - 10807 Rawhide Trail Austin, TX Phone: 512 288-1490
The Governor's Mansion - The oldest building in the Capitol complex, completed in 1856 and one of the oldest in the city. Tours are conducted every 20 minutes form 10 am - 11:40 am Mon-Fri, but groups and official functions control the schedule. Groups of 10 or more must call ahead for reservations. Admission is free. - 1010 Colorado St. Austin, TX Phone: 512 463-5518 or 512 563-5516
University of Texas Tower - Atop the Tower is a 56 bell carillon which chimes the quarter hours and strikes the hours on a 3 ½ ton bell. The bells are played from an electrical keyboard on the 3rd floor. The tower is 27 stories high. - UT Campus Main Building and Tower, Austin, TX
The Circle C Ranch - sports a challenging golf course and the Swim Center was home to the 2001 Summer National Championship Team. Recreational amenities in South Austin also include a multi-purpose recreation center and a tennis center with 10 outdoor hard courts.
 The Neill-Cochran Museum House - A realistic blend of Greek Revival architecture and native Texas materials makes this house a unique feature of Austin; Built in 1855, it served as a family home when it was purchased by The National Society of The Colonial Dames of America. It is now maintained as a furnished Museum House and for study groups, seminars and functions of the Society. - 2310 San Gabriel Austin, TX Phone: 512 478-2335
Zilker Gardens - Contains many botanical highlights such as the Biblical Gardens, Rose garden, Oriental Garden, Garden of the Blind , Water Garden and more. - Barton Springs Road in Austin
University of Texas - Campus tours are offered at no charge on weekdays - 11 am and 2 pm. Also on Sat. at 2 pm. Tours begin at the Main Tower information desk. Prominent buildings on campus are: Texas Memorial Museum, Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center, LBJ Library and Museum, the Littlefield House (c 1893) and Battle Hall (1911) - Austin, TX Phone: 512 475-7348
Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center - Collections of 20th century British, American and French literary materials, photography, film, theater arts, and visual arts. Open Mon - Fri 9 am - 4:30 pm Free admission - Located at the University of Texas in Austin Phone: 512 471-8944
The Old Bakery and Emporium - The Hospitality Desk provides information about the attractions of Austin. The Gift Shop offers reasonably priced handcrafted items. The Confectionery is an old-fashioned coffee shop that offers friendly service, sandwiches, pastries, breads, coffee and soft drinks. Open year round Mon - Fri 9 am - 4 pm closed weekends. - 106 Congress Avenue Austin, TX Phone: 512 477-5961
Austin Nature and Science Center - Exhibits include: Central Texas ecology, the Discovery Lab, wildlife exhibits, and a wildlife garden. Trail walks are available. Exhibits open Mon - Sat 9 am - 5 pm and Sun noon - 5 pm. Free admission - 301 Nature Center Drive Austin, TX Phone: 512 327-8180
Barton Springs in Zilker Park - The springs rise from limestone strata that are a part of Balcones Fault, and have been a favorite camping and picnicking site for generations. The City of Austin purchased the land surrounding the springs for a park in 1917. The water flow varies from 15 to 42 million gallons daily. - Barton Springs Road in Austin.
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Austin Transportation
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Ben White Freeway, a wide, newly renovated, modern road provides South Austin homeowners with easy access to Downtown Austin, winding its way around South Austin into the Hill Country suburbs.
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Austin Weather
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The climate for Austin is temperate with about 300 days of beautiful sunshine each year. Austin's The average low temperature is 58°F. The average high temperature is 79°F. Austin's average annual rainfall is 32" per year and the average temperature is 68°F.
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