Austin Guide » More About Austin: Overview
Overview
The city of today grew from a small settlement dating to the 1830s, which got an immense boost in prestige when it was chosen as the home base for the Republic of Texas. The settlement on the Colorado River ultimately chose its name to honor Stephen F. Austin, the "Father of Texas" who embarked on a long struggle with Spanish and Mexican authorities before finally succeeding in bringing American settlers to populate the new territory.
His perseverance resulted in a city now distinguished by a gorgeous, attention-grabbing Capitol building, the lovely flagship campus of the University of Texas system, and an independent civic spirit that strives to cultivate what's unusual, worthy, and distinctive. As proof of such character, the city happily promotes its "Keep Austin Weird" movement, which supports small local businesses while simultaneously combatting the influx of corporate, big-business initiatives. In addition, the town revels in its population of bats (yes, bats), whose huge numbers draw folks to summertime Austin and mesmerize them for the extent of their stays.
Thanks to a location in Central Texas with the Hill Country to its west, Austin is incredibly convenient to Lakes Town, Long, Austin, and Travis. As a result, recreation is always in close proximity, making hot, humid summers bearable and adding life to the expansive landscape. The terrain is also conducive to other athletic pursuits, including running, biking (what else in a town where Lance Armstrong lives!), and, by extension, competing in local triathlons. Beyond that, if you're intrigued by the prospect of enjoying the outdoors in the altogether, Austin lays claim to Hippie Hollow, a public, county-run, clothing-optional beach.
Aside from delighting in its "weirdness," Austin takes great pride in its musical heritage. An unexpectedly large number of clubs populates the town, especially along Sixth Street, and Austin City Limits, the venerable public television show, regularly broadcasts the city's – and the nation's – best performers. So great is Austin's esteem for the genre, in fact, that the city's official nickname is "The Live Music Capital of the World." Austin's arts mix also includes a substantial selection of festivals and arts organizations – not to mention a broad creative community – all of which provide the capital city its own special brand of energy and interest.
Complementing the allure of music and culture is the town's variety of signature sights. Tops among them are the Blanton Museum of Art, UT's impressive, light-filled facility that showcases the area's most substantial art holdings, and Zilker Metropolitan Park, a much-frequented green haven that comes complete with botanical and sculpture gardens and a refreshing, spring-fed pool. A plethora of restaurants also suits a populace schooled in vibrant flavors and satisfying experiences. They put forth everything from barbecue and casual Tex-Mex to exceptional French fare and sublime, chef-driven regional cuisine.
It's no wonder, then, that Austin is such a livable community (Money magazine concurs, having honored it in a 2006 listing), as amenable to good times as it is to bettering the lives of its citizens and breaking free of standard molds and expectations. The city even boasts a nationally-recognized "green" program that rewards residents for building and outfitting their homes and companies to be energy-efficient and gentle to the planet.
This entrancing juxtaposition – a bureaucratic capital that's simultaneously so forward-thinking – is absolutely typical of Austin, a city that unites office towers and storefronts, politicians and hippies, lawmaking and art-making. Welcoming and effusive, it's well-suited to vacation or relocation. Just make sure to don your burnt orange and cheer on those UT Longhorns – that's non-negotiable!
