Austin Flights And Sights

Austin, where it's not unusual for perfect strangers to strike up a conversation, prides itself on giving all comers a warm welcome: punks and honky-tonkers, environmentalists and SUV drivers, cowboy boots and Birkenstocks. In spite of being the Texas state capital and home to the University of Texas, Austin maintains its small-town feel and green spaces. Whether you're looking for posh shopping or line dancing, you're welcome to ""do your thing"" in Austin.

Things to Do

Austin is home to the largest State Capitol in the U.S. The pink Renaissance Revival building's dome, while smaller than the U.S. Capitol's, is taller. (Like they say, everything's bigger in Texas.) Since Austin prides itself on being a little different, why not visit the Bat Bridge? Crowds of people hang around the Congress Avenue Bridge for the star attraction -- the evening flight of the million bats who live beneath the span.

Shopping

Downtown Austin's shopping district sells a mix of goods, from local hot sauce to indie music, from Western wear to Texas folk art. SoCo, or South Congress, is home to art galleries, funky clothing boutiques and bargain antique stores. The real fun in SoCo comes on First Thursdays each month, when the shopping district throws a street festival to attract customers. Live music and entertainment (jugglers, magicians, street theater -- who knows?) keep things lively until 10 p.m. (or later if everyone's having fun).

Nightlife and Entertainment

Antone's has always been synonymous with the blues. When Etta James or Edgar Winter head to Austin, it's Antone's they're heading to, although Willie Nelson and other country acts have been known to show up, too. Honky-tonkin' is the name of the game at The Broken Spoke. Expect cowboy hats, cowboy boots and lots of two-steppin'. The Backyard serves good barbecue and draws big names from all music genres.

Restaurants and Dining

Home-style cooking is the rule at Threadgill's, an honest-to-goodness Austin restaurant dishing up chicken-fried steak, fried okra and ham with Jezebel sauce. It's a favorite venue for Austin's musicians. Americana lives at Shady Grove, with its yellow-pine Texas roadhouse decor. The food says Americana, too: Meatloaf, chili and fried catfish. Sit outside on the restaurant's large patio in summer and, on Thursday nights, listen to free live music when Shady Grove Unplugged features musicians going acoustic.

Choose from a number of American Airlines flights to Austin and get ready to see the best of The Live Musical Capital of the World. In addition to music, there is a wide range of things to do in Austin, so there's something for everyone.

Nature lovers will be in heaven with all the outdoor activities in Austin, and the weather here makes it possible to be outside year-round. You'll find room for just about every kind of outdoor fun at Zilker Park. It is home to the Zilker Botanical Gardens, the Austin Nature Preserve and the Umlauf Sculpture Garden and Museum. Plus, there's a disc golf course and sand volleyball. Many locals will tell you that one of their favorite things to do in Austin is to cool off in Barton Springs. This three-acre pool is fed from underground springs and averages a refreshing 68 degrees. You could even rent a canoe or kayak and paddle on Lady Bird Lake. Zilker Park is also the site of the annual Austin City Limits music festival (often called simply ACL).

Speaking of music, you really can't visit here without a stroll down Sixth Street. Of all the activities in Austin, this is perhaps the most well-known. The most popular stretch runs from immediately west of I-35 down several blocks to the historic Driskill Hotel, at the corner of Sixth and Brazos. You'll hear live music in virtually every bar and restaurant you pass. Venues have also popped up along Fifth and Fourth Streets, so it's fun to plan an evening to wander.

Another of our favorite things to do in Austin is to visit the Capitol. It's the largest state capitol building in the country (did you expect anything else from Texas?) and it's crafted from distinctive pink granite quarried from the state. The architecture is impressive and you can take a guided tour to appreciate the interior as well. The Capitol is located a few blocks south of The University of Texas campus, another city landmark.

Fly to Austin with American Airlines and enjoy this relaxed, friendly city. Whether you're looking for a quick weekend getaway or you have an entire week to spend exploring, this is a perfect destination.