By Robert Macias
Austin Expert, about.com
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If this is not your first visit to Austin, you're probably looking
for new sights to see. Check out our list of 20 suggestions below.
1. Congress Avenue Bat Bridge
Spectators gather nightly from March to November to watch a cloud of 1.5 million bats emerge from beneath the bridge.
2. 6th Street
A seven-block stretch full of historic two-story buildings transformed into shot bars, music venues and dance clubs.
3. Austin City Limits Music Festival
ACL turns Zilker Park into a sprawling outdoor concert venue featuring big-name acts over two weekends in October.
4. Barton Springs Pool
Surrounded
by tree-covered hills and limestone cliffs, the three-acre, spring-fed
pool stays at a refreshing 68 degrees F year-round.
5. South Congress[post_ads_2]
Wide,
pedestrian-friendly avenue, also known as SoCo, lined with
one-of-a-kind clothing boutiques, food trailers, antique stores and
bars.
6. South by Southwest Music Festival
Held in mid-March, SXSW brings more than 2,000 bands to Austin to perform at 100 venues over four days.
7. Zach Theatre
On
its three stages, Zach presents a wide-ranging selection of original
musical comedies and dramatic plays, many written by Texans.
8. Texas State Capitol
Made
of beautiful pink granite, the hilltop building encompasses 360,000
square feet, making it the biggest state capitol in the U.S.
9. ACL Live at The Moody Theater
When not in use as a studio for PBS’s Austin City Limits, the 2,700-seat facility holds concerts by top-tier bands.
Though
known for its topical, fast-paced musical satire, Esther’s Follies also
earns raves for the magic tricks performed between skits.
11. Lady Bird Lake Hike and Bike Trail
Verdant scenery along the 10-mile trail draws runners and bird watchers, and the Stevie Ray Vaughan statue attracts blues fans.
Using
dioramas, interactive video displays and more traditional exhibits, the
museum explores everything from Native Americans to the oil boom.
The
center features gorgeous flowers in spring and 279 acres of peaceful
ponds, native Texas trees and drought-tolerant plants year-round.
From
the Civil Rights Act to politically incorrect phone calls, the library
presents a balanced view of a larger-than-life president.
15. The University of Texas at Austin[post_ads_2]
Beyond
educating 50,000 students per year, UT contributes significantly to
Austin’s entertainment options, with several on-campus theaters and
sports stadiums.
16. Circuit of the Americas Racetrack
The only site in the U.S. hosting Formula 1 races, Austin’s track attracts the best drivers and their jet-setting fans.
Major
donations by James Michener and other arts patrons helped build an
impressive collection of Baroque and Latin American art.
18. Paramount Theatre
The
ornate 3,040-seat theater, built in 1915 and beautifully restored in
1979, hosts red-carpet movie premieres, ballets, concerts and plays.
19. Mount Bonnell
One of the highest points in Austin at 775 feet, the hilltop offers panoramic views of downtown and Lake Austin.
20. Emma Long Metropolitan Park
In addition to a popular lakefront beach, the park has 1,000 wooded acres and trails where off-leash dogs are welcome.
