Welcome to Austin, Texas, America’s fastest growing cities, according to Forbes! This city has an energy all its own, exuding vibrant and warm charisma, and abundant opportunity for relaxation or growth. It’s no wonder that U.S. News and World Report agree that this is THE BEST place to live in America and it holds the #1 spot on the list of America’s Best Cities! With all of these HUGE accolades, would you believe that this is only the tip of the iceberg?
Austin is a Runner’s Fitness Paradise
Austin is also known as one of the healthiest/ physically fit cities in America, due, in part, to the presence of so many athletic personalities engulfed in the cityscape. To wake up and see a multitude of fit, healthy, young joggers, cyclists, and walkers committed to cardiovascular improvement is not a rare sight to behold.
Dedicated to improvement and growth, Austin hosts many events dedicated to health and fitness, such as the Austin Marathon, Half Marathon, and Cap10K, and the prestige that comes with taking part in these events is second to none. As a visitor, you’d be tempted to befriend a jogging passerby and jog with them just to absorb the scenic, visceral beauty that is Austin, and take a grade A selfie, accentuated with an Austin photo print, to set it all in stone.
A group of runners and joggers pass by the Stevie Ray Vaughan Memorial Statue on beautiful sunny day on the Lady Bird Town Lake hike and bike trail
Austin is a Lake and Watersport Wonderland
Not only that, but Austin is home to the famed Lady Bird Town Lake and its capability to make you one with nature again, as you trek and traverse the many running and hiking trails it encompasses. The amazing aesthetic appeal of nature can be enjoyed in all its primal beauty year-round due to Austin’s naturally sunny skies and mild climate, so pay Lady Bird Town Lake a visit and BE SURE to stop at the Boardwalk Trail Running Bridge and indulge in the majestic skyline view (Might I add that you should probably take a couple photos and get a few Austin photo prints, because there is no way anyone will believe you when you tell them about the view, otherwise)during those tranquil twilight hours, and if you ever find Austin too warm on that particular day, remember that Austin is home to many boat tours and water sport, whether it be Lady Bird Town Lake, or Lake Travis, you can find a way to cool off.
A silhouette of a couple on a stand-up paddle boards (SUP) at sunset on Lady Bird Lake in Austin, Texas
Visit the Texas State Capitol and Congress Bridge Bats
As you roam around the various sights of Austin, you can make a day of visiting the Texas Capitol building, which was built in 1888, and houses the offices and chambers of the Texas Legislature and the Office of the Governor. After visiting the Capitol building, make your way to see the Congress Bridge Bats, Austin’s #1 tourist attraction, which attracts around 100,000 visitors annually. From there you could always pay a visit to Zilker Park, and after, Barton Springs Pool. Needless to say, the chances of you running out of things to do and see in Austin are next to nil.
Hundreds of people gather to see the world’s largest urban bat colony emerge from under Congress Avenue Bridge Bats during a spectacle sunset
Austin is Famous for its BBQ
After making a day of sightseeing, you’ll probably be a tad famished. You’re in luck, because it just so happens that Austin is also home TO THE #1 BARBECUE RESTAURANT IN THE COUNTRY, FRANKLIN’S BBQ! Make sure not to get a barbecue stain on your retro Austin t-shirt, though, because Austin’s thriving night life is about to reach its apex, and right after you nab that gorgeous Austin wall art, you’ve got to hit the town!
6th Street Entertainment and Bar District
Downtown Austin is ranked #1 based on the number of bars per capita in the entire country! Austin’s 78701 postal code is home is 88 bars! That’s 1 bar for every 67 people, according to RealtyTrac. While in Austin’s downtown district, you should pay attention to Sixth Street, one of Austin’s more historic street and home to the entertainment district of Austin’s urban downtown core.
The 6th Street Entertainment District is home to Austin, Texas, world famous rooftop lounges, pubs and bars.
Austin is the Festival Capital of the World
If bar-hopping doesn’t appease your desire to have fun, then you’ll be happy to hear that Austin is the festival capital of the world and they take pride in the “Keep Austin Weird” cultural mentality and the “Keep Austin Weird” retro t-shirts, which means that there’s never dull apparel, or a dull moment! Austin is also home to the psychedelic cosmic cowboy music scene of the 70s and 80s! With events like the ACL Music Fest, SXSW, F1 Racing, and Bat Fest, you’ll never have to search long for something that piques your interest.
If that wasn’t enough, Austin is also home to Hippie Hollow Park, located in the northern part of the city, AND GET THIS, it is the only legally recognized nude park in Texas. If that’s not relaxation, then I don’t know what is, but we can’t condone selfies, or Austin photo prints from our gift shop, in this instance! Might I add, after letting it all “hang loose”, you should pay a visit to South Congress Avenue, Austin’s hip, fun, easy-going art district.
Austin is a Top city for high-tech and entrepreneurs
Whether you’re a visitor, a business person, an entrepreneur, a tech wizard, or a scholar, there’s something for you here! With the largest university in the world, the University of Texas, and being labelled as THE TOP CITY FOR START-UPS and ENTREPRENEURS, Austin is the place to be, especially with the city being home to the silicon hills of the tech world. So, hop on a bus, a plane, in your car, or on your Harley and head to Austin. If you’re “high on your hog” and enjoy the wind blowing through your hair, then maybe you should come to the Republic of Texas Biker Rally. If you’re more of an urban art enthusiast, then walk the streets and see all of the iconic wall art, graffiti, and murals that other urban artists have given us the privilege of seeing.
Keeping it Weird in Austin
No matter your hobbies, or interests, Austin has something for you. Invest in yourself, your growth, and your quality of life and experience the deep heart of Texas, Austin. There’s so much to see here and so much to do, that I couldn’t possibly label the plethora of viable options without writing a novel titled “Things to See and Do in Austin, Texas”, which might just be something we need to start offering at our Austin gift shop. Even then, I might be awarded a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records for having the longest book ever written, and then we have to find the space in the gift shop to store said book, along with our photo prints, t-shirts, and wall art. We hope to see you soon and share some of our lifestyle with you! Maybe, after experiencing all that is Austin, you’ll decide to move here, as well!
Live it like a Local
Remember to relax, enjoy life, kick your feet up, put your hair back, and bask in the little moments of life. But, more importantly, remember to “Keep It Weird”, and before you leave our beautiful city, come find something to keep your Austin vibe alive in our Austin, Texas gift shop. Sometimes all we need is a memento to keep a memory burning in the back of our minds, and our gift shop offers a great selection of our cool retro Austin t-shirts, awe-inspiring Austin photo prints, and brilliant Austin wall art. Whether it’s for yourself, or for loved ones who didn’t get to experience Austin, we have something here for you!
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