In Austin, the capital of Texas, you can stand on a downtown bridge at dusk and watch the world’s largest urban bat colony emerge in a flowing stream of black silhouettes as they leave their roost beneath the bridge to hunt insects. The spectacle unfolds against burnt-orange skies and draws applause from onlookers. Canoe and kayak riders on the dammed Colorado River—commonly called Lady Bird Lake—view the bats from below, where the flight appears like a nightly, star-filled ballet. This unforgettable scene draws roughly 50,000 visitors to Austin each year.
For a different connection to local wildlife, take a dip with an indigenous endangered species at Barton Springs Pool. This historic, eighth-of-a-mile natural spring-fed pool near downtown maintains a year-round temperature of about 68 degrees. While swimmers occasionally glimpse the rare, pale salamander that inhabits the springs, most visitors come for reliable cool water, a relaxed atmosphere and the pool’s reputation as Austin’s living room. Barton Springs attracts dedicated swimmers, sunbathers and nature lovers through all seasons.
Austin embraces its unofficial motto, “Keep Austin Weird,” and resists expectations of a conventional Texas image. Yes, barbecue is central to the food scene, and you’ll find ranch houses and grazing livestock on the city’s outskirts, but urban life is dominated by cyclists and a lively cultural mix. The city blends university-town energy with a hip, modern sensibility. Neighborhoods have transformed into vibrant entertainment districts—Rainey Street, East Austin and South Congress (SoCo) are notable examples—while the stately granite Texas Capitol presides over the cityscape.
Dining in Austin ranges from inventive casual to refined. Restaurants led by James Beard Award-winning chefs share the culinary landscape with inventive bars, diverse museums, miles of hike-and-bike trails and top-tier spas. For a standout Sunday brunch, consider Fonda San Miguel for deeply satisfying interior Mexican cuisine served in an artistic setting; the private dining room is a memorable choice for weekday meetings. For an impressive business lunch, Loro Asian Smokehouse and Bar—born from a collaboration between Tyson Cole of Uchi and Aaron Franklin of Franklin BBQ—pairs smoked meats with Asian flavors for a distinctive experience.
Music is integral to Austin’s identity. The city produced stars such as Janis Joplin, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Willie Nelson and now hosts major festivals like Austin City Limits and South by Southwest. Beyond the festivals, about 300 music venues—ranging from stylish clubs to intimate dive bars—offer live performance nightly. The Continental Club on South Congress Avenue is a storied venue where music is constant and surprises are common; styles shift from country to funk to gospel and local and visiting talent share the stage.
If you want to pair music with a tasting tour, consider a guided excursion like Twisted Texas Tours, which combines visits to local distilleries and breweries with live on-board music and lively narration. Wine enthusiasts should explore the nearby Texas Hill Country, an hour from Austin, where rolling hills dotted with wildflowers, orchards and small towns hide more than 100 wineries. Many vineyards welcome visitors for tastings and tours amid scenic countryside.
© LAKE AUSTIN SPA RESORT
Where to stay depends on purpose and taste. Golfers often choose Omni Barton Creek, a large resort about 20 minutes from downtown with multiple pools, upscale dining and extensive championship golf. The Four Seasons Austin, on the banks of Lady Bird Lake, offers refined city hospitality with waterside leisure, a renovated pool with a cocktail trailer, lawn games and moody hanging lights that create a relaxed evening atmosphere; its restaurant Ciclo features memorable dishes such as a tequila-marinated, flambéed Texas Wagyu tomahawk steak. For a restorative, waterside retreat, Lake Austin Spa Resort provides a secluded setting accessible by boat or car, with nearly 100 treatment options, water activities and programs suitable for day visits or overnight stays—an excellent choice for team getaways and wellness-focused escapes.