Austin, TX, USA

City History

Here is a brief history of Austin:

• Austin was founded in 1839 after the Mexican-American War. It was established as the capital of the new Republic of Texas.

• In 1850, Austin became the capital of the U.S. state of Texas. This led to steady growth and expansion of the city. Important government buildings were constructed in the 1870s and 1880s.

• In the early 20th century, Austin‘s economy was diversified. It became an important center for oil, aerospace, and high-tech industries. Major companies like Dell, IBM, and Hewlett-Packard established operations in Austin.

• Austin experienced tremendous growth after World War 2, emerging as a vibrant, progressive city. The population tripled in the 1960s and 1970s. This led to some urban sprawl and traffic issues.

• In the 1970s, Austin developed a unique live music scene. It became known as the “Live Music Capital of the World.” Major music events and festivals were established. • Since the 1980s, Austin has grown into a major metropolitan area while still retaining its quirky, liberated culture. It has diversified into a hub for government, technology, business, finance, and tourism.

• Key events include becoming the first Gulf coast city to enter the Union in 1845, hosting South by Southwest in 1987, designating 6th Street as a pedestrian mall in 1980, and frequent battles over urban development and preserving green spaces.

Top City Attractions

Here are some of the most popular tourist attractions in Austin:

Texas State Capitol: Texas‘ iconic capitol building with visible pink granite walls and a copper–covered dome. Free to explore. Hours: Mon-Fri 7am-10pm, Sat-Sun 9am-8pm. Address: 1100 Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78701. Phone: 512-463-0002. Website: tlc.texas.gov

Zilker Barton Springs Pool: Cool off in the historic Barton Springs Pool fed by 64–million-year-old springs. $12 for park admission. Hours: Daily 8am-sunset. Address: 2201 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78746. Phone: 512-824-7370. Website: austinparks.org

6th Street: Nightlife center with live music venues, bars, clubs and restaurants along Red River Street and 6th Street. Free. No set hours. Address: Runs along 6th St from I-35 to Red River.

Reverchon Park: Grassy field where Austin’s Fourth of July events are held and outdoor music/events take place throughout the year. Free. Variable hours depending on events. Address: 350 E 51st St, Austin, TX 78751. Phone: 512-974-6797. Website: austintexas.gov/parkfinder/reverchon_park

Lake Travis: 15-mile long lake surrounded by hills, offering boating, swimming, kayaking, sailing and hiking activities. $-$$ depending on activities. Never closed. Address: 1901 FM 3406, Lago Vista, TX 78645. Phone: 512-972-2675.

Day Trips

Hill Country Wine Tours: Enjoy winery hopping and tasting amazing wines along the Hill Country’s scenic backroads. About 1.5 hours from Austin. Wine tasting fees vary at each winery. Hours: Most wineries open 11am-6pm except Sundays. No specific address, tour departs from various pickup locations in Austin. Phone: (512) 483-WINE. Website: http://www.hillcountrywinetours.com

Bastrop State Park: Texas‘ oldest state park with pristine beaches, lakes, rivers and forests. About 45 minutes from Austin. : $7 entrance fee per vehicle. Hours: 8am-sunset. 1148 Beach St, Bastrop, TX 78602. Phone: (512) 332-8800. Website: https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/parks-map

Lake Travis Boat Rentals: Boat rentals on 32 mile-long Lake Travis – great for cruising, skiing, tubing and sightseeing. About 1 hour from Austin. : Boat rentals start at $165/day. Hours: 8am-6pm. Rentals depart from several locations around Lake Travis.

San Marcos Premium Outlets: Over 100 brand name stores including Nike, Coach, Kate Spade and more with big savings on designer clothes, shoes, handbags, fragrances and accessories. About 45 minutes from Austin. Admission and parking are free. Hours: Monday-Saturday 10am-9pm, Sunday 11am-6pm. Address: 449 E Interstate 35, San-2175. Website: www.premiumoutlets.com/outlets/sanmarcos

Blue Hole Regional Park: Unique park known for swimming and cliff diving in a 36-acre spring lake. About 25 minutes from Austin. Cost: $3 per person entrance fee. Hours: 8am-6pm. Address: 17171 Blue Hole Rd, Wimberley, TX 78676. Phone: (512) 847-5283. Website: www.thebluehole.org

Local Transportation

**Bus** Capital Metro Fares range from $1.75 to $6 depending on distance. operates daily from 4 am to 12:50 am. https://capmetro.org/

**Light Rail** Capital Metro Fares range from $1.75 to $3.75 depending on number of zones. operates daily from 4 am to 12:50 am. https://www.capmetro.org/app/

**Train** Amtrak Fares start at $19 one-way. Operates daily trains throughout the day and night. https://www.amtrak.com/home.html

**Bike Share** Healthy Streets Fares start at $5 for 30 minutes. Bikes available 24 hours a day/7 days a week. https://www.bcycle.com/app

**Car services:**

Taxi: Fares vary based on distance, ~$2-3ft, etc.): Fares similar to taxis, paid through mobile apps.

Car rental: Starting around $30-40 per day. Links: Uber: https://www.uber.com/ Lyft: https://www.lyft.com/ Enterprise: https://www.enterprise.com/ Hertz: https://www.hertz.com/rentacar/reservation Avis: https://www.avis.com/

Airport

**Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS)** 3600 Presidential Blvd, Austin, TX 78719. (512) 530-ABIA (2242). https://www.austintexas.gov/department/austin-bergstrom-international-airport

**Ground Transportation**:

•Taxi: 15-20 min ride, $25-35 fare. Companies include Yellow Cab and Ricky‘s Taxi.

•Rideshare: Similar time and cost to taxi. Services include Uber and Lyft. https://www.uber.com/global/en/cities/austin/

•Bus: Metrolink bus route 100 provides service to downtown Austin, fare is $1.25. Trip time is 20-30 min depending on traffic. https://www.capmetro.org/

**Executive Airport (TKI)** 5300 Airport Blvd, Bastrop, TX 78602. (512) 279-3157.

Primarily serves small private planes and corporate jets. No major commercial flights available. Ground transportation limited – recommend taxi or rideshare for ~45-60 min trip to Austin depending on traffic and final destination in the city.

Climate

Austin, Texas has a humid subtropical climate with hot, humid summers and short, mild winters. Some key facts:

• Summers are long and hot, with average high temperatures around 95 F (35 C) and high humidity. Triple-digit heat indices are common in the summer.

• Winters are short and mild, with average high temperatures in the mid 60s F (18 C) and lows rarely below freezing.

• Austin gets some rainfall throughout the year, with the most rain from May to August during the summer thunderstorm season. Flooding can sometimes be an issue.

• Although snowfall is rare, Austin does see a few snow flurries or light snow cover a few times in the winter. Significant accumulations are unusual though.

• The city is also at risk of droughts due to its semi-arid climate. Periodic droughts and water restrictions are not uncommon.