There’s always something playing in Austin, the Texas capital city and Live Music Capital of the World®. As the gateway to the Texas Hill Country, Austin offers urban hiking trails, legendary barbecue, and farm-to-table cuisine. The city has more than 200 live music venues where on any given night the sounds of rock, country, indie, and Tejano music echo throughout the streets.
With more than 300 sunny days each year, Austin locals and visitors spend plenty of time outdoors. Fall in Austin offers the perfect balance of bright blue skies and mild temperatures, making Austin a great place to take a hike in the Hill Country, ride on local cycling trails, or sit outside and enjoy live music. The average high temperature for November is 72°F and the low is 50 °F.
Austin may be known as the Live Music Capital of the World®, but Austin is also home to a wonderful ballet, world-class museums, one-of-a-kind shopping, and beautiful outdoor spaces.
Austin began as a settlement named Waterloo. Immigrants from Germany, Sweden, and Mexico were the area's original settlers, but extreme periods of growth followed the renaming of the city and establishment of the state capital in 1839. In 1883, Austin became a college town with the founding of the University of Texas at Austin. Austin is now the fourth largest city in Texas.
Explore Austin's eleven diverse entertainment districts, where you'll find everything from trendy shops and restaurants to cool live music venues, renowned museums and galleries, and scenic outdoor destinations. Downtown you can explore six of these districts:
2nd Street District is home to celebrated restaurants, entertainment venues, and most of the downtown shopping.
Rainey Street is filled with renovated houses that have been converted into bungalow bars filled with craft beers, live music, and dog friendly venues. Visit Emmer & Rye, hailed by Bon Appetit as one of the best restaurants in the country.
Red River is the place to see live music on some of the hottest stages in town.
Sixth Street is filled with restaurants, bars, and entertainment venues that are all distinctly Austin.
Warehouse District is the home of Austin City Limits, the longest running music series in American TV History and a popular venue for live music performances. You’ll also find Contemporary Austin, a museum highlighting contemporary art from all over the world, and Lady Bird Lake, home of the famous Congress Avenue bats.
West Sixth Street is a destination for decadent dinners, craft beer, shopping, nightlife, and sporting events. You might see a pedal-powered beer pub bike crawl cruising by as you stroll by independent book and record stores, boutiques, and 24-hour diners. Whole Foods Market’s flagship store is located here.
Whether you are searching for luxury labels or vintage finds, Austin has a place for you to shop. Charming retail districts dot the various neighborhoods that make up Austin. The JW Marriott Austin is located near the 2nd Street District, offering walkable shopping during your stay. Don’t forget to pick up a pair of cowboy boots to cap off your visit!
Austin offers an abundance of outdoor activities. And with 300+ days of sunshine and an average temperature of 68 degrees, being active outdoors in Austin comes naturally.
Take some time away from tech to walk around the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail, a 10-mile trail system that winds around Lady Bird Lake, located just a short walk from JW Marriott Austin. Here you’ll see hikers, bikers, and walkers enjoying the sunshine. You can also grab a kayak or canoe and get on the water to cool off on a hot day. If visit during sunset you might even get a chance to watch the Congress Avenue Bridge bats.
By foot, bus, or amphibious vehicle, there is a city tour for you.
Austin is not only the cultural and economic pride of Texas, but also one of the nation’s best golf destinations. Thanks to GOLF Magazine, Austin can add "The Best Golf City in America" to its list of titles.
