After visiting New Orleans, our journey to the many great American cities heads even further south. This time, we’re going to a place famous for BBQ, music, and being weird – Austin.

Name – The city is named after Stephen F. Austin, who is known as the “Father of Texas.” He was an empresario (someone granted the right to settle on land in exchange for recruiting and taking responsibility for new settlers) who helped lead the colonization of the region. Prior to that, the city was known as Waterloo.

Location – Austin is located in the state of Texas. Just like the name of a very famous song, the city is “deep in the heart of Texas.” The “Lone Star State” is located in the south-central United States, sharing a border with Mexico.

Nicknames – Thanks to its incredible music scene, Austin is often referred to as the Live Music Capital of the World. Another nickname is Silicon Hills, for the many technology and development companies that have come to the city since the 90s.

Year Founded – There’s evidence of human settlement in the region going back over 10,000 years. Long before European settlers arrived, nomadic Native American tribes moved around the area. The Spanish were the first Europeans to arrive around 1730. At this time, Texas was actually a part of Mexico. It won independence and became its own country – the Republic of Texas – in 1836. The city of Austin was incorporated in 1839, Texas joined the US in 1845, and Austin became the state capital in 1846.

Population – According to the 2015 estimate, the population of Austin is around 932,000. For many years, it was the fastest-growing city in the US. It was only knocked out of the top spot last year by Cape Coral-Ft. Meyers, Florida. The city is about 68% White (49% Non-Hispanic), 35% Hispanic, 8% Black, and around 6% Asian.

Transportation – You can get into Austin by plane at the city’s international airport, by train, bus, or of course with your own wheels. There’s a Metrorail system, but it’s mostly useful for commuters who live in the city’s suburbs. For getting around the city, there’s a good bus system, taxis, ride-share apps like Uber, or by rented bicycles.

Famous Places – As the capital city, Austin is home to the Texas State Capitol building. You can visit and take a free tour to learn more about the state’s government and history.

This is also a college town, as the University of Texas is located here. There’s lots to see on campus even if you’re not a student. Check out the LBJ Presidential Library, dedicated to the 36th President of the United States and a proud Texas – Lyndon Baines Johnson.

A great part about Austin is the many outdoor activities that are available. There are quite a few parks, hiking trails, hot springs, and so much more within a short distance from the city.

Culture – The culture of Austin is all about live music. The city hosts plenty of musics festivals throughout the year, including Austin City Limits and South by Southwest. No matter what night of the week it is, you can find just about any type of live music here. Just head down to Sixth Street and go into a place that sounds good.

In addition to live music, there are plenty of museums you can visit. Most of them are on UT’s campus, such as the Texas State History Museum.

Of course, you can’t talk about the culture of Austin – and Texas in general – without mentioning barbecue. You’re never too far away from some great BBQ in this city.

A newer addition to the cultural scene of Austin is the Graffiti Wall. Go check it out and take some photos, or pick up a can of spray-paint and do some work yourself!

Sports – There are no major professional sports  teams in Austin. Not surprisingly, the city is all about college sports. The Texas Longhorns play just about every sport, and the football team won the national championship in the 2005-06 season.

 

Have you ever been to Austin? What did you think of the city? Let us know in the comments below!