Journey right into the heart of Texas and you will come across its capital city, Austin.
The beautiful city is nestled on the banks of the Colorado River, creating a pleasant natural ambience that not many other cities in the state can boast.
Water is a constant theme here, with three other man made lakes, Lady Bird Lake, Lake Austin and Lake Walter E. Long, scattered throughout the city. They give off a relaxing vibe, making Austin the ideal place to visit for a much needed holiday.
Austin is known as the Live Music Capital of the World and this is clearly evident through the 200 live music venues that can be found here.
It is also a city that doesn t take itself too seriously and it is because of this that it can boast itself as a hot spot for creativity with a thriving art community.
It is simply bursting with exciting things to do, see and experience and all of these are just waiting for you to discover them.
1. Zilker Botanical Garden
The stunning Zilker Botanical Gardens are set on 22 amazing acres that overlook the picturesque Zilker Park Fields, bordering Barton Springs Road.
Although the name may suggest otherwise, these botanical gardens are actually comprised of several different gardens. These include the Cactus and Succulent, Yeriscape, Herb and Fragrance, Rose, Azalea, Butterfly and Taniguchi Gardens.
The lush, peaceful grounds are perfect just for wandering around and are perfect for inspiration of any sort. Highly regarded as the jewel in the heart of Austin , they truly are magnificent and simply cannot be missed.
2. Austin Children s Museum
This is no doubt one of the most fabulous experiences for children in all of Austin. A visit here will give them the opportunity to learn about everything from dinosaurs to computers and beyond.
The museum aims to educate and entertain the curious minds of children and their grown ups, through the creation of innovative learning experiences. It is places like these that inspire the next generation of creative problem solvers so a visit here should definitely be a must.
3. Austin Ghost Tours
Since Austin is steeped in so much history, it should come as no surprise that there are some scary stories to be told and haunted locations lurking in the city streets.
The Austin Ghost Tours take tourists on a journey downtown to experience the ghosts of the city s past. Be thrilled with stories of Jack the Ripper and tales of murder and mayhem.
The spooks and haunts of the past will raise the hair on the back of your neck and chill the very core of you.
These tours are a wonderful way to learn about Austin s secret history but be aware that they are not for the faint hearted.
4. Austin City Limits Music Festival
Anyone who loves live music and who likes nothing more than to attend a good old fashioned music festival will be thrilled to discover the Austin City Limits Music Festival. This is one of the biggest music festivals in the country and always features an extensive line up of big name performers and up and coming artists.
This is a festival that draws in fans from across the country. And the great thing is, is that it is just not the music that can be enjoyed here. While taking in the sounds of some of the world s best musicians, you can make your way to the Austin Eats Food Court to fill up on food from some of the city s favourite eateries.
You can also check out some great local artwork at the SoCa Art Market. This is a great cultural experience that simply cannot be topped.
5. Elisabet Ney Museum
While in town you should drop by the former home and studio of German sculptress, Elisabet Ney. This beautiful home is open for public exploration and is interesting because it houses her tools and several personal items that she treasured.
This building was one of the first buildings erected in the Hyde Park neighbourhood because it offers an insightful look into Austin s unique history.
Texans love Austin and once you visit, you are bound to as well. There is so much to see and do here that you will never run out of options. This is a place you will want to come back to again and again.
Christine Barton
Author Resource:-
Christine Barton is a blogger and content writer for Jurnii Car Rentals (http://www.jurnii.com), America's new travel focused online rental car company. He writes frequently for the Jurnii blog (http://www.jurnii.com/blog) and enjoys travel in the U.S and abroad.
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