Downtown Austin

 

Austin’s dynamic Downtown area combines history with vibrant contemporary culture. Blocks of grand Victorian architecture show off the heritage of the Texas state capital, while dramatic skyscrapers and hip live music venues showcase the spirit of one of the United States’ most exciting modern cities. Downtown’s housing options are diverse, with neighborhoods of well-maintained 19th-century properties and sleek high-rise condominium buildings alike.

Downtown has a vast array of places to shop, dine, and enjoy. Austin’s most popular retail and entertainment area is the 2ND Street District, where you’ll find big-name brands and boutiques sharing the street with long-established classic eateries and new buzzworthy dining hotspots.

Austin’s music scene is world-famous, and the ACL Moody Theater is its most iconic venue. From up-and-coming indie acts to internationally-renowned touring bands, Downtown has exciting performances every night of the week.

If you’re looking for a phenomenal view, the stylish midcentury LINE hotel’s P6 bar and restaurant serves Mediterranean-style small plates and high-quality cocktails in a colorful space with a rooftop deck overlooking Lady Bird Lake.

Sites of historical interest include the dramatic Texas State Capitol building--the largest state capitol building in the United States. Regular guided tours are available of this awe-inspiring structure. To see even more beautiful old buildings, stroll down Congress Avenue, which runs from the Capitol building to Congress Bridge.

At sunset, crowds gather on the bridge to take in the city lights and the spectacular sight of up to 1.5 million bats flying up to the sky. Bat watching season peaks in mid-August, an event celebrated with live music and dozens of food and arts and crafts vendors setting up stalls for Bat Fest. The whole Downtown area is wonderfully walkable, and rickshaws provide an exciting way to quickly get from one point to another while taking in the sights.