Austin

As well as being the capital of Texas, Austin has a well deserved reputation as the Live Music Capital of the World. This handy guide will help business travelers to make the most of this vibrant city in the Lone Star State.

Getting To Austin By Air
If you’re traveling to Austin by air, you’ll arrive at the city’s Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. This facility is located conveniently just five miles to the south east of Austin’s central business district. Once you leave the airport, it will only take a short time for you to reach your destination.

There are various ways for business travelers to Austin to make their way from the airport to the city. Taxis are readily available at the airport, or you can treat yourself to the luxury of a limousine service, also on hand at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. If you are staying in an Austin hotel, check to see if it offers a courtesy shuttle service to and from the airport, or take a shared ride shuttle bus that provides an easy and cost-effective way to get you to wherever you want to go in Austin.
You can also travel by public transport aboard a Capital Metro bus. Daily services leave the airport’s lower level regularly. For business travelers who need a car while staying in Austin, a number of rental car services are available at the airport.

Traveling To Austin By Car
Traveling to Austin by car is a great way to see Texas. Austin is about 80 miles from the nearest city, San Antonio, to the south, and an even greater distance from other major centers. It is about 200 miles south of Dallas and 160 miles northwest of Houston. The good news, however, is that there are six main highways to get you to Texas or within reach of it, while Interstate 35 will take you straight to Austin if you are traveling from the direction of Dallas.

If you are not coming from Dallas, it makes sense to find out which highway you need when you are planning to drive to Austin. It also makes sense, when you are anticipating a long drive, to make the most of it. Your trip will be more enjoyable if you plan it carefully enough to stop off and see interesting places along the way. From Dallas, for example, you can stop off at the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame Museum in Waco. If you are coming from San Antonio, you can spend some time at the Schlitterbahn Waterpark Resort in New Braunfels. Driving from Houston you can see the historic town of Bastrop, while if you’re traveling from the direction of El Paso in May, you can plan to visit Kerrville for the famous Texas State Arts and Crafts Fair.

Finding Accommodation In Austin
Business travelers in Austin will have no problem finding a place to stay that suits their budgets and requirements. The city has a diversity of accommodation including resorts, hotels, bed and breakfast establishments, historic buildings, and camping grounds. Whether you’re visiting overnight or planning a longer stay, you’ll find a warm welcome in Austin.
If you want a hotel close to the Austin downtown business center, you’ll have plenty of choices. Business people especially won’t have any trouble finding accommodation designed for their needs. Along with luxurious surroundings, you can book a room with high speed Internet access, unlimited local and long distance phone calls within the United States, and a roomy desk to work at.

There is also a great range of bed and breakfast options in Austin. This is a good choice if you know you will be out on business most of the day and would appreciate the company of other guests for a while in the evening when you return. History buffs will find plenty to interest them in the historic lodgings that are available for visitors to Austin, while anyone who enjoys a taste of the outdoors can opt for one of the camping grounds in the area. These range from basic sites where you can pitch a tent to areas where you can park your recreational vehicle and enjoy some swimming and fishing in between business appointments.

Leisure Activities In Austin
When you can take time off from business, there are many things to see and do in Austin. You can go on a guided or self-guided tour of the city, explore its historic downtown areas, or relax and listen to music at one of the many venues available. Alternatively, after a busy morning of appointments, you may want to spend some quiet time in an art gallery or museum. Austin has more than enough of these to keep you busy, offering a wide selection of art and a diversity of museums, with themes including history, science, and fine arts. There are also several museums that are particularly family friendly with activities to interest children as well as their parents.

For the business traveler who wants to keep fit during a visit to Austin, the choices are many. You can get some exercise at a gymnasium or try a range of outdoor sports from tennis to rock climbing. Take time if possible to check out such local attractions as the Austin Zoo, established as a sanctuary for abandoned and rescued animals, or to visit some of Austin’s many historic attractions. These include the Governor’s Mansion in Colorado Street, the Texas Capitol in Congress Avenue at 11th Street, and the Texas State Cemetery in East Austin, with 18 acres representing many aspects of Texas’ history.

Enjoying Music In Austin
With its reputation as the Live Music Capital of the World, Austin has a wealth of entertainment to occupy business travelers when they finish work for the day. Once known on the music scene primarily for its country and blues offerings, the city gained its famous title as Live Music Capital of the World in 1991. This followed research that showed its per capita proportion of live music venues was greater than that of other American cities.

The diverse contemporary music scene in Austin justifies its title. You can enjoy live music from both established artists and up and coming bands at a variety of bars, night clubs, dance halls, and restaurants throughout the city. If your taste tends more to the classical, you will also find plenty of options in Austin, with a calendar of choral music performances and orchestral offerings.
The Live Music Capital of the World is, of course, well known for its music festivals. If you are planning a business trip to Austin, you may be able to time it with a festival featuring your favorite type of music. Among the big events to watch for are the Austin City Limits Music Festival each September, the Mid-Winter Music Festival in February, the SXSX Music and Media Conference in March, and the Austin Chamber Music Festival in July.

Music Districts In Austin
No visit to Austin would be complete without a trip to Sixth Street. You’ll find it in the heart of the city’s downtown area, to the southeast of the Capitol complex. As well as being a historic area, with some buildings dating back to the 1800s, it is the hub of Austin’s music scene with live music and entertainment to be found in its many restaurants, clubs, bars, hotels, and other venues.

In addition to being a place where you’ll hear every type of music, Sixth Street is also a great area for dining out. Juicy Texan steaks, Cajun cuisine, delicatessen meals, seafood, and anything else you care to name is there for the asking. From small cafes to up market restaurants you’ll find it easy to locate an eatery that is right for your budget and your appetite.

Another special place to visit near Sixth Street in Austin is the Warehouse District. Slightly more expensive on the whole than Sixth Street, it also throbs to the sound of live music. The Warehouse District has a number of trendy restaurants that have been created from renovated warehouses, as well as a good selection of bars and clubs. You’ll find most of the Warehouse District’s entertainment venues on Fourth and Fifth Streets from Congress Avenue to Guadalupe.

Dining Options In Austin
Grab a quick hamburger, sit down to an evening of fine dining, or find a meal to suit your taste somewhere between these two extremes. Whatever you feel like, you’ll find it in Austin, whose reputation for good food is second only to its status as the Live Music Capital of the World. As well as the popular entertainment areas of Sixth Street and the Warehouse District, where you’ll find restaurants and other eateries galore, there is a great selection of dining options in all areas of the city.

If you feel like familiar food from a national chain, you’re almost certain to find it in Austin. If, at another time, you find yourself craving traditional Mexican, Irish, Chinese, or Italian food, or the cuisine of various other nations, the eateries of Austin can deliver. You’ll also find good local food everywhere in the city at prices to suit your budget, from low-cost to moderate to expensive but stylish.

In keeping with Austin’s well-known love of music, and to add to the overall dining experience, many of the city’s restaurants also serve up live music with their food. From the heart of the city to the nearby hill country, you’ll find excellent food, quality service, and, of course, plenty of music when you go out for a meal in Austin.

Bus Services In Austin
Getting around Austin on public transport is easy with the help of the Capital Metro public transportation service. The service operates buses and shuttle services throughout the greater Austin area, making it simple for business travelers to get from one appointment to another. As most of the bus routes will take you to the vicinity of many of Austin’s major tourist attractions, they are also a convenient option for sightseeing in the city when you have time to spare.

A popular choice with people visiting Austin is the ‘Dillo, the collective name for the fleet of free, trolley-style buses that operate in central and downtown areas and nearby neighborhoods of Austin. Even if you have a car, it’s worth taking a ‘Dillo if it runs a service to the area you want to visit, as this means you don’t have to worry about finding your way or parking when you get there. Within and beyond Austin, you can also use the Capital Metro service. It has a bus system covering a 500 square mile area, taking in not only Austin but also Cedar Park, Lago Vista, Leander, Jonestown, Pflugerville, Manor, and San Leanna.

If you prefer to drive yourself, you’ll find some free parking in downtown Austin on weekends, public holidays, and after business hours. There is also some limited free parking in downtown garages. State parking lots usually also provide free parking on weekends and after 5.30 pm during the week.

Easy Options For Getting Around Austin
In addition to using buses and cars, there are other ways of getting around Austin. Walking is also a reliable way of traveling if your destination is within walking distance, and a great way of seeing the sights. If you like walking and have free time during your visit to Austin, you can also consider joining a walking tour of the city. You can take a guided walking tour or make your own way through areas of Austin that interest you. While street crime is not a major problem in Austin, you should, as in all big cities, take reasonable safety precautions, especially if you are walking alone at night.

There are some marked bicycle lanes in Austin, useful for visitors who want to keep fit and help the environment while seeing the city sights. While you are not required by law to wear a helmet unless you are aged 17 or younger, it is advisable to do so for your own safety, especially if you are riding in areas where you will encounter traffic. Austin has a number of recreational biking clubs that will welcome visitors who want to join excursions while visiting the city. Alternatively, if you want to sit back and really relax while seeing what Austin has to offer, treat yourself to one of the city’s horse-drawn carriage rides that will take you to various areas including downtown Austin and the waterfront area.


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