Austin City Limits

The Austin City Limits Music Fest (ACL Fest) is held each year at the City of Austin's Zilker Park, and features more than 100 musical artists, local food, souvenirs, activities for children, and more.

Texas happens to be the battiest state in the country. It is home to 31 of the 47 species of bats found in the United States. Not only does it hold the distinction of having the most kinds of bats, it also boasts the largest urban bat colony  at Congress Street Bridge in Austin. 

The Texas Capitol building in Austin is widely recognized as one of the nation's most distinguished state capitols. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1970 and designated a National Historic Landmark in 1986.

Dazed and Confused is a 1993 American high school comedy film written and directed by Richard Linklater. The film features numerous actors who would later become stars, including Matthew McConaughey. The centers around groups of Austin teenagers during the last day of school in 1976.

Named in honor of Eeyore, a character in the Winnie-the-Pooh stories, Eeyore's Birthday Party is a one-day festival taking place annually in Austin since 1963. The even features attendees in colorful costumes, and giant drum circles. 

Founded in 2018, the Austin Football Club was the first major professional sports team to play in Austin, which prior to 2021 was the largest city in the United States with not professional sports team.

 The Greenbelt runs along Austin's Barton Creek for miles.  A must for outdoor enthusiasts and athletes in the city, it offers  hiking, biking, rock-climbing, bouldering, swimming, and good old fashion sunbathing. 

The official salute of the University of Texas Longhorns, the gesture is meant to mimic the shape of the head and horns of a Texas Longhorn cattle, which is also the UT mascot.

This famous bit of graffiti appears on an outside wall of Jo’s Hot Coffee in the South Congress neighborhood of Austin. Story has it, it is a love message from a local artist to her partner and co-owner of the coffee shop.

On November 22, 1963, when Kennedy was assassinated, Lyndon B. Johnson was sworn in as the 36th United States President. Johnson was born on August 27, 1908, in central Texas, not far from Austin. 

Coined by a local librarian, and aimed at retaining the unique spirit of Austin while supporting the community, this slogan has appeared on bumper stickers, t-shirts and more. 

Known as the "Live Music Capitol of the World" due to having more live music venues per capita than anywhere else in the nation, Austin is also home to some of the largest music festivals in the world including South by Southwest (SXSW) and Austin City Limits Music Festival (ACL). 

Though he wasn't born in Austin, Matthew McConaughey has become Austin's favorite son. Beginning with his acting debut in the Austin-based film Dazed and Confused, this esteemed UT alum has deep ties into the city including being a professor at his alma mater, the University of Texas, and part owner of Austin FC.

The historic music venue and café was many things over the years until it became the premier place for music in Central Texas in 2000. Originally located in far south Austin, it was demolished in 2022, and the owners opened a new venue in Round Rock, TX under a new name.  

Austinites hold their oak trees in high regard for the shade, clean air, and natural beauty they provide. One famous member of the species, a stately live oak, stands near the east bank of the Colorado River, and is known as the Treaty Oak. For centuries, its spreading branches have observed Indian war councils and dances, religious ceremonies, important conferences, and the signings of pacts and treaties.

Also known as the "360 Bridge," this arched bridge stretches across Lake Austin, making this stretch of roadway one of the most beautiful stretches of roadway in all of Texas. 

The Pennybacker Bridge was the second bridge in the world to be built with a cable support system, and has become an iconic wedding proposal spot due to its  surreal beauty, especially at sunset. 

Austinites are passionate about their queso, and fierce debates rage as to where the best spot is to enjoy this cheesy delight. A dip consisting of melted cheese, peppers and tomatoes, this gooey goodness can also contain  toppings for added flavors such as guacamole, black beans, beef, or chorizo. Queso is typically served with a side of tortilla chips, but any cheese dip delivery mechanism will work... Even a spoon!

The Rainey Street district has developed into one of the trendiest areas in all of Austin. This urban tract has become an entertainment hot spot full of quaint bars, hip hotels and live music galore in a small corner of downtown Austin.

Perched on the banks of the western shore of Colorado river in downtown Austin, the Stevie Ray Vaughan Memorial is a bronze sculpture honoring this Austin resident who is today considered one of the most influential musicians in the history of blues music, and one of the greatest guitarists of all time.

A stretch of Lake Austin that flows five miles through the heart of downtown Austin, Town Lake - aka Lady Bird Lake - is a reservoir constructed by the city in 1960 on the Colorado River.  Paddleboarding, kayaking, canoeing, and rowing are all popular activities on the lake.

The University of Texas, located in central Austin, is the oldest and largest member the University of Texas System. The university houses numerous museums and libraries, including the LBJ Presidential Library. Considered as a sports powerhouse, UT Longhorn sports teams have one many NCAA championships.

Possibly coined as early as the mid-1800s, the term refers to the brilliant purple sunsets that sometimes occur west of Austin. Those who have been lucky enough to catch this atmospheric phenomenon say it only last for a brief few minutes, and as such, has rarely been photographed. 

Though not originally from the area, Willie Nelson moved to Austin in the early 1970s and quickly helped put the Austin music scene on the map. Willie has been such an influence on Austin a bronze sculpture of him stands in Downtown Austin, Texas along Willie Nelson Boulevard. 

Coined by an infamous Austin DJ, the term ATX was originally intended to refer to local Austin hip hop artists, but was rapidly embraced by all Austinites and has sustained the test of time.