African American neighborhood history museum features artifacts, community-related photographs, oral histories, videos and archival materials.
Rotating exhibits can be seen at the center; permanent displays include a Gutenberg Bible and the first photograph ever taken.
This 1,938-acre state park in the Hill Country has four miles of river frontage. You can canoe, fish, swim, tube, picnic, hike and camp. There's also a mountain biking and equestrian trail.
Austin's dog island is an accidentally perfect place for a dog park, hemmed in by the upper end of Lady Bird Lake, where they can go for a dip. The entire park is off-leash.
Austin's largest city-owned park has a leash-free area between City Park Road, the west park boundary fence, Turkey Creek and the top ridge of the bluff line overlooking Lake Austin.
The hilltop park with the former swimming pool was adopted by a village of dog owners who believed their pets could form their own communities around a leash-free zone.
Rugged park that has been restricted during drought conditions. The off-leash area is behind the restrooms all the way to the creek.
Dining al fresco gets the "Keep Austin Weird" treatment at South Austin Trailer Park and Eatery. But it's more than a gimmick. The food's really good here; that's why you often have to stand in line.
It has a Gutenberg Bible and holdings that include documents of authors such as John Steinbeck, Tennessee Williams and Norman Mailer, along with Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein's Watergate notes.
For shopping and dining downtown, try 2nd Street. Get a new outfit at Estilo or Minx or buy your dog a sweater at Lofty Dog. Eat at Taverna, Crú Wine Bar or La Condesa. Park at City Hall.
The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, operated by the University of Texas, showcases the beauty of Texas' Hill Country, as well as South and West Texas, in 16 gardens.
South Congress Avenue - SoCo - embodies Austin's spirit. Browse homegrown shops like Creatures, Allens Boots and Mi Casa. Check out art at Yard Dog. Grab a marg at Güero's Taco Bar or coffee at Jo's.
Adjacent to the popular coffee shop Jo’s sits the San Jose, which oozes charm and comfort. You’ll love the SoCo scene and the upscale decor.
Not only will you feel like home, but you’ll feel like you’re in Texas. This eclectic home even has a yard with some chickens.
With 375 higher-end hotel rooms and a heated rooftop swimming pool, the Omni is a good place to stay, whether it’s for business or pleasure.
Austin’s Four Seasons is located right on the lake, yet is walking distance to most of Austin’s downtown attractions (except, maybe when it’s 100 degrees outside).
This is the granddaddy of luxury hotels in Austin. Located right at Sixth Street and Congress Avenue, the Driskill has been showing off the best side of Austin since 1886.
A very nice course cut out around a development in Buda. Just enough for a challenge for serious golfers, but wide enough fairways for your once-in-a-while player.
The best of the Austin-owned courses, Clay and Kizer are right next to each other but offer vastly different experiences. Clay is tree-lined and Kizer is water-lined. Either way, pick your hazard.
This old, nine-hole course in the heart of North-Central Austin has a wicked par 5, a reachable par 4 and a lot of people taking mulligans. Great fun for a short round.
Rolling hills and five different tees will challenge any golfer. Some stunning views from atop the courses well-manicured hills and tee boxes.
The Longhorns baseball team plays in a stadium that would be the envy of most professional minor league clubs. Head to the Disch if you want to hear the “ping” of an aluminum bat
Anyone who visits Austin should see the Whole Foods flagship store. After all, it started here. All kinds of food, beer, natural beauty and health goods and tiny restaurants dot the headquarters.
Indie bookseller since 1970, BookPeople is a winner of Bookstore of the Year by Publisher’s Weekly. Employee-written reviews, a coffee shop and tons of book signings and events make it a must-see.
The music store hosts frequent in-store performances of big name and up-and-coming musicians. Waterloo Records is a must destination during South by Southwest and Austin City Limits Music Festival.
Located on The Drag, the flagship University Co-op provides not only textbooks and school supplies for the more than 50,000 students who attend the UT, but also branded clothing, memorabilia and more.
This University of Texas museum offers traveling exhibitions, programs and activities and a permanent collection of more than 17,000 worldwide works. Closed on Mondays. Free admission on Thursdays.
Found inside the Texas Union Building, the Cactus Cafe is a true music-listeners venue. See the next big singer-songwriter in this intimate venue.
The perfect amount of shade for the kids and the parents combined with plenty to do. One of the few half-dome jungle gyms in Austin (remember those?)
Parents can eat a sandwich and sip iced tea (or a glass of wine) while the little ones attack the well-shaded playground.
