Austin Dances to Different Drummer
Texas' capital is a city of paradoxes. Austin's culture is down home, yet
sophisticated. Laid back, but bustling with energy. Traditional and avant-garde at the same
time. During the past decade, Austin also has been awash in a shower of superlatives: number
one in "coolness", one of the most-wired cities in the U.S., the nation's best-read and most
computer-literate city, the most fit city in the U.S. Nonetheless, its denizens still embrace the
offbeat, remain environmentally attuned and pursue what is "cool" like residents in no other
Texas city.
Watching, Waiting & the Pursuit of Nature
Where else would restaurant wait staff and customers alike pay homage to the setting sun with
the clanging of a bell and a standing ovation? Or turn out by the thousands on shore and aboard
river boats to watch a million Mexican free-tail bats take flight at dusk? Only in Austin - at The
Oasis on Lake Travis, an internationally famous, multidecked outdoor eatery/ bar west of town
where margaritas flow, and at the Congress Avenue Bridge over the Colorado River where the
largest urban bat colony soars like ribbons of smoke in a frenetic pursuit of mosquitoes.
Austin is indeed blessed with outstanding vantage points from which to watch Mother Nature at
her best or to take in the glimmering city skyline and prominent landmarks. On Loop 360, one
can enjoy a breathtaking view of the city from an overlook near Wild Basin or climb to the
pinnacle of Mount Bonnell that rises above the winding Colorado River. And, at night, 17th
century-old, cast-iron Moonlight Towers loom into the sky, casting a ghostly glow for four
square blocks on the urbanscape.
Austin's love affair with nature manifests itself in numerous ways - from the city's beloved
Barton Springs, a popular swimming hole for generations, and the Balcones Canyonlands
Preserve, an environmentally sensitive home to endangered species, to Lady Bird Johnson's
internationally renowned, non-profit Wildflower Center that showcases the Texas Hill Country
native plant species and is home to North America's largest rooftop rainwater harvesting
system.
Another worldwide symbol of the city's reverence for things natural is the 500-year-old Treaty
Oak on Baylor Street, a sole survivor of a grove of live oaks where legend has it that Stephen
F. Austin, the Father of Texas, signed the first boundary treaty with Tonkawa and Comanche
Indians. Almost killed in 1989 by a bizarre poisoning that resulted in the criminal prosecution of
the perpetrator, the remaining one-quarter of the tree that lives is testament to the concerted
efforts of an international team of foresters and the outpouring of love from well-wishers who
flocked to the site to sign a giant get-well card and leave other totems.
Landmarks, Food & Festivals Reflect Cultural Diversity
Historic structures, ethnic foods and cultural festivals serve as palpable reminders of Austin's
multicultural makeup. Predominant cultures that hold sway over the local culture are the French,
Germans, Hispanics, African-Americans and Anglos.
Visitors can get a good feel for the city's multi-ethnic heritage with a visit to such historic
landmarks as the German Free School Building, the French Legation Museum, Scholz's Beer
Garden, Jourdan-Bachman Pioneer Farm, Lorenzo de Zavala State Archives and Library,
Huston-Tillotson College and the Metropolitan African-American Methodist Church.
The Hispanic culture has made a major mark on Austin cuisine as reflected by the immense
popularity of Tex-Mex restaurants like Chuy's, Guero's, the Texas Chili Parlor and Matt's El
Rancho that serve fajitas, chili con carne, enchiladas and other specialties. That influence also
extends into the latest local culinary rage, nuevo Southwestern cuisine, where chile-inspired
dishes and black beans reign at such hot spots as the Granite Cafe, Z Tejas, Brio and Jeffrey's.
A number of Austin festivals, too, have links to the city's ethnic heritage and international
holidays. February brings the bawdy Carnaval Brasileiro, where costumed revelers party into
the wee hours in the Rio de Janeiro tradition. Fiesta Gardens on Town Lake hosts two
Mexican independence-inspired festivals - the Cinco de Mayo Festival each May and Diez y
Seis de Septiembre Festival on Sept. 16.
African-Americans turn out to celebrate their freedom each June at the Juneteenth Freedom
Festival, which has been held for more than 30 years. The following month brings Bastille Day
at the French Legation, the city's oldest standing building, where celebrants dine on French
pastries, sip gourmet wines and enjoy French fashions and performers. And in October,
celebrate the German heritage of Texas at German-American Day held at the German Free
School Building, originally built as a schoolhouse by German immigrants in 1857.
Austintatious Events, Eats, Drinks & Shops
 Visitors and locals alike can enjoy dozens of other unique festivals and events throughout the
year, many of which hue to the zanier side of life. Annual events pay tribute to a Texas
singer-songwriter (Jerry Jeff Walker's Birthday Celebration in March), a sad donkey (Eeyore's
Birthday Party in April), mystery meat (Spamarama in April) and a famous 19th century
short-story writer (O. Henry Pun-Off in May).
Also not to be missed each year are: the Kite Festival at Zilker Park, Old Pecan Street Arts
Festivals, Austin Symphony Fourth of July Concert, South by Southwest Music and Media
Conference, Austin/Travis County Livestock Show & Rodeo, Halloween on Sixth Street,
the Great River Raft Race, Zilker Tree Lighting & Trail of Lights and the Armadillo
Christmas Bazaar.
Though festival eats can be a treat during certain times of the year, a host of tasty local
specialties like pit barbecue (ribs, brisket, German sausage and pork) dished up at Stubb's,
Sam's and the Salt Lick; Southern-style eats like chicken-fried steak and black-eyed peas
found at Threadgill's; and vegetarian offerings prepared naturally by such laid-back eateries as
Mother's Cafe, Magnolia Cafe, Eastside Cafe and West Lynn Cafe can be enjoyed
year-round.
In recent years, Austin has seen its share of microbreweries and brewpubs, as well as several
award-winning wineries, pop up in and around the city. Locals are quenching their thirsts with a
variety of specialty brews served in such trendy brewpubs as the Copper Tank, Waterloo
Brewing Co. and the Bitter End. And, in recognition of the growing university town's unbridled
thirst for good beer, Belgian brewer Pierre Celis has moved his venerable Celis Brewery to
town.
The European wine-making tradition brought to the Texas Hill Country in the 19th century is
enjoying a Renaissance as more and more wineries make their home in the Austin area.
Complimentary tours, tastings and seasonal grape stompings are offered at Slaughter-Leftwich
Vineyards near Lake Travis and Hill Country Cellars in Cedar Park, located just north of town.
And each spring, renowned chefs and vintners demonstrate their expertise in Austin at the
three-day Texas Hill Country Wine and Food Festival.
As for shopping, visitors can find one-of-a-kind finds in traditional and unique shopping venues,
from malls and park-like centers to galleries and sidewalk markets.
Come to Austin and find out why locals refer to it as "the center of the known universe." It's a
world of fun.
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