Austin is the state capital of Texas and is home of the University of Texas’s flagship campus.

Austin is known for its live country, blues and rock music scene and is home to the Circuit of the Americas which has hosted every Formula One race since 2012.

Apart from the live music scene and being one of the new homes for Formula One fans in the US (Miami and Las Vegas having been added to the F1 calendar in recent years), the parks and lakes around the city offer good options for hiking, biking and swimming.

For all of us food lovers out there, Austin is known as the place to sample some Texas BBQ food, and street food lovers. we’re not short of options here either.

Texas State Capitol Building

The Texas State Capitol building is widely recognised as one of the USA’s most distinguished state capitols.

It sits on 22 acres in Downtown Austin. A lot of it is some well landscaped lawns that you can walk around and appreciate.

You can do a free 30 minute guided tour which runs daily.

Or alternatively you can do what I did and do your own little tour. With it being the largest capitol building in the US, you’d imagine that there’s a lot to pack into a 30 minute guided tour.

Sixth Street

Sixth Street is the entertainment district of Austin.

It’s closed to traffic from Thursdays through to Saturday night so the nightlife takes over the street.

I stayed a 20 second walk around the corner from the main strip, and I swear until I knew about Sixth Street I wouldn’t have guessed it was the entertainment district despite being walking distance from it.

Although Sixth Street had a questionable reputation, it had plenty to do and plenty to see. It’s Austin’s version of Bourbon Street in New Orleans.

It has good street food options as well and the good thing is the easy access I had because I was staying nearby.

What I couldn’t get out of my head was seeing a lot of first aid stands. I’ve seen these around whether it’s been abroad or at home. But here there was more than you’d expect.

Fast forward to next morning and I’ve got up early to go watch the Formula One and the football. As soon as I step out I see police tap around the block, and a policeman stops me to quiz me about my intentions. I asked him what happened and in a blasé way just said “Oh someone got shot last night and died.”

Well how fucking comforting to know this happened on the doorstep of where I was staying. Now I understood why there were so many first aid stations on Sixth Street.

I was a bit freaked out for a lot of the morning. By the time the Formula One and the football finished and I went back, everything was cleared up.

I went back to Sixth Street for some food at one of the street food trucks. The sooner I got that out of the way the better. I felt fine but when you hear of things that happen it can be unsettling.

I guess for us Brits we’re not use to hearing of these things because of the difference in gun law here compared to the US.

It’s easy to say now but don’t let that put you off experiencing Sixth Street. Generally I felt fine and enjoyed some live music and all the street food I could eat.

Rainey Street

Rainey Street is your alternative to Sixth Street.

Renovated houses turned into bungalow bars, the majority of these were originally built between 1885 – 1937, before the tucked away street became a popular night (and day) spot.

It’s more laid back compared to Sixth Street. If Sixth Street is Austin’s version of Bourbon Street, then Rainey Street is Austin’s version of Frenchman Street in NOLA. Obviously I’m not saying they’re exactly the same in description, but you get the jest of what I’m trying to get at.

It was fun going to both areas to experience different night life. If I had to pick my preference it would be Rainey Street.

The street food options here were different compared to Sixth Street. It didn’t feel like I could get the same thing here, so another appeal of coming here.

Street Art Tour

You can do a self guided street art tour in Austin

You can download a map off https://downtownaustin.com/explore/downtown-mural-map/ which shows you the locations of each stop, and on the VisitAustin website for more information. There’s plenty around to admire and to keep you busy.

If you’re planning to see everything, you’ll be covering a lot of miles but it’s worth it.

It was a good day to ride an electric scooter all over Austin, and take our time and stop off for breaks at a few beer gardens as well.

I’ve done my fair share of street art tours around the world and this is up there as one of the most enjoyable one.

Bat Watching

I bet you weren’t expecting me to talk about this!

Yes this is an actual thing and it’s one of the most popular attractions in Austin. I didn’t have a clue about this before I arrived.

From mid March to early November, during sunset, people gather on Congress Avenue Bridge and beyond to witness North America’s largest bat population fly out from beneath the bridge and form a dark cloud as they head into the sky.

The celebration of Austin’s unofficial mascot takes place in August. I guess Austin finds any excuse to celebrate and party!

I enjoyed watching this so much I forgot to take photos or videos.

This is something unique to do if you find yourself struggling for ideas for things check out during sunset time in Austin.

Barton Springs

Within the 358 acre Zilker Park lies one of Austin’s crown jewels, Barton Springs.

Measuring three acres itself, Barton Springs is a set of four natural water springs.

It serves as home to the endangered Barton Springs Salamander and is listed as a federally protected habitat.

In recent years Barton Springs has seen a record number of visitors reach 800,000. It’s a beautiful and peaceful area. A place to switch off from and get away from downtown Austin.

A word of warning, if you don’t handle cold water well, you’re unlikely to spend much time in the water, and more of it sunbathing.

In the two or so hours I was there, I don’t think I spent more than 15 – 20 minutes in the water. It was fresh but jeez was it cold. I realised visiting here I’m more of a hot springs person, but sunbathing in nature isn’t the worst alternative.

Food

Now we’ve already spoken about street food vans on Sixth Street and Rainey Street. You have many options there.

But we haven’t spoken about BBQ food. We are in Texas after all and your Texas experience wouldn’t be complete without having BBQ food.

If you ask someone living in Austin which is the place to visit, it’ll be Franklin Barbecue. It’s the one tourists will be directed to.

On their website it says that it’s open from 11 until sold out which is usually around 2pm – 3pm, which is a pretty small window to get food.

I risked it having watched the F1 and the football at a nearby hotel before going to Franklin Barbecue. Unsurprisingly there was a long queue. There was a member of staff who would come out every 5 minutes to update everyone the chances we had of getting brisket. I didn’t know until then that brisket was the number one thing people desired and it made me want it more.

I felt for the member of staff because he probably gets a lot of shit, yet he’s only the messenger. Rather him than me.

I got in and was able to get brisket and sausage with potato salad. My first taste of Texas BBQ and I loved it! A meat eater’s dream.

Another place I came across is Terry Black’s Barbecue. This isn’t too far from Barton Springs by Uber. I got there when it wasn’t too busy.

By the time I left the queue had gone into the car park, so if you’re want to come here you’re good as long as you’re here before lunch time.

I preferred Terry Black’s to Franklin. It’s looks nicer and bigger inside, and the food was as good as Franklin. The brisket, sausage, ribs, mac n cheese and potato salad went down a treat.

If you don’t want to go early to Franklin Barbecue to ensure you get your pick of the food, or go later and wait in the queue, there is La Barbecue which is the sister restaurant of Franklin.

I didn’t get the chance to go though I’ve heard good things about it, but there’s always a next time to get a chance to compare the three.

Having been to Austin, San Antonio and Dallas, of the three my favourite is Austin. That’s not a negative reflection on the other two cities.

I imagine you’re thinking I’m a bit crazy for saying this after the story about the shooting outside of where I was staying.

I didn’t want to judge a place by what had happened one late evening. It’s well known that the US has its fair share of gun related issues. I’ve been back and forth to the US since 2012 and been to over a dozen states.

Not once have I had any issues in the US. Americans have been nothing but welcoming and good to me. Of course you’ll come across the odd person here and there and have unpleasant experiences. You’ll experience this where ever you go.

Austin is a vibrant place with a lot going on to keep you busy for more than a weekend.