CHECK OUT AUSTIN'S NEIGBORHOODS

Take advantage of lively areas and points of interest surrounding the Austin Convention Center District and four headquarter hotels just steps away. Meeting attendees can look forward to exploring entertaining after-hours gatherings in spectacular places throughout downtown.  

• The Red River Cultural District hosts concerts and sporting events at the Moody Center. Both big-name acts and locals perform live at bars and clubs throughout Red River. Here, the Live Music Capital of the World® showcases a range of diverse sounds. Stubb's Bar-B-Q's local live music legacy dates to Willie Nelson and Johnny Cash singing for their supper at the original location. Also, be on the lookout for acts-in-the-making popping up at Cheer Up Charlies, Mohawk and Empire Control Room.

• If you’re looking for nighttime action, head to Sixth Street, arguably one of the most famous nightlife districts in Austin. Enjoy inexpensive drinks, dancing, and music from sunset through 2 a.m. Street traffic is closed for pedestrians Thursday through Saturday nights. Dance on the rooftop at Maggie Mae's (currently under renovation) and enjoy people-watching below as you listen to live bands. Other favorites include Firehouse Lounge (the bar is hidden behind a bookcase), the Velveeta Room for comedic acts or The Blind Pig Pub for live music. 

• The unique Rainey Street entertainment district is lined with historic houses converted into bars with personality. You'll find local brews, great food trucks and rousing games of corn hole. Rainey Street is perfect for a laid-back night of socializing over live music with co-workers, meeting attendees or new friends. Check out the variety of sausages and beers on the Banger's menu. Walk the block to check out these other spots on Rainey: Half Step, Lustre Pearl and Idle Hands. Make it a Sunday Funday and begin the morning with mimosa specials at any of the Rainey Street bars, then stop at Icenhauer’s to dance to a live band during Super Soul Sundays.

• As the name suggests, many of the bars and restaurants in the Warehouse District are renovated warehouses. More mature crowds hang here, and live entertainment and good food make for dynamic nightlife scenes and gorgeous rooftop views. Hear live outdoor music nightly at The Courtyard. Also check out skyline views from Speakeasy, cocktails at retro-inspired basement lounge Dumont's Down Low, or get your dance on along Rainbow Row at Rain on 4th or Oilcan Harry’s.

• 2nd Street boasts locally owned shops, restaurants and entertainment venues. The nightlife scene is trendy, chic, luxurious and sophisticated, perfect for the cocktail-sipping, upscale crowd. The longest-running music television series in U.S. history – Austin City Limits — is filmed live at ACL Live at the Moody Theater, a concert hall that fits 2,750 people. For a low-key evening, check out ACL Live's smaller sister venue 3TEN. Head to Lamberts for slow-smoked barbecue in a restored historic building, or Violet Crown Cinema before heading out for the evening.

With 1,000 live music performances a year greeting people arriving at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, the city’s welcome party starts early in the music mecca. Dining, shops and over 15 hotels nearby are among airport amenities. Just 7.5 miles to downtown and the Austin Convention Center, the airport offers convenience to travelers with various shuttles, public transportation and ride share services available. About a 15-minute drive from the airport, Circuit of The Americas entertains with concerts and sporting events such as Formula 1, NASCAR and motorcycle races. 

Get swept up in Central Austin’s college culture at The University of Texas at Austin. The campus is a gem worth exploring. Visit UT’s museums that focus on history, humanities and art. The grounds and architecture of the newly renovated Blanton Museum of Art are as stunning as the nearly 21,000 pieces of artwork inside. While you’re near campus, try some of the most popular places to eat and drink. Stop by Torchy’s Tacos for a breakfast taco, Dirty Martin’s Place for burgers and Hole in the Wall for live music and drink specials. At the south end of the UT campus, the four-block Texas Capitol Mall turned a former street into a walkable park with great views of the Texas State Capitol.

East Austin is a favorite among hipsters looking for a more alternative vibe. Stroll this area east of Highway 35 on Sixth Street to experience food trucks, casual and quirky bars, graffiti-style murals and alternatives for live music, dancing and dining. Celebrate an all-out fiesta at Suerte. Post up on the patio overlooking East Sixth Street and dig into elevated Mexican cuisine like carnitas with black bean puree and jalapeno cremosa, sided with a rosé or amber lager. Neighborhood favorites also include cocktails at Whisler's or The Liberty and live bluegrass, country and Americana music nightly at The White Horse (don't forget your dancing shoes!). Head to Mueller for boutiques, big-box stores, thrift shops and the Texas Farmer’s Market. You’ll discover great places to eat and drink, whether it’s morning coffee, Southern lunch fare or late-night snacks.

Shoppers will want to head 25 minutes north of downtown to Domain NORTHSIDE, where you can pop into trendy stores like 7 For All Mankind, Reformation and Free People, then have dinner at Flower Child. Explore the hoppin’ Rock Rose nightlife district with a pint at Jack & Ginger’s or a rooftop drink at 77 Degrees. The park-like Arboretum features a collection of stores that include Pottery Barn and Orvis. But it’s also worth checking out for the nearby dining and nightlife options. Enjoy a drink on the overlook at the Renaissance Austin Hotel's Knotty Deck & Bar. Another can’t-miss shopping destination is The Domain, filled with stores ranging from Aeropostale to Gucci and Rolex. Take a break from shopping to eat, perhaps at Gloria’s Latin Cuisine or Punch Bowl Social. Time your visit to The Domain to coincide with professional soccer matches, concerts and festivals at Q2 Stadium and its amphitheater.

From South Congress (or SoCo) to South Lamar and South First Street, this district below the river gets its funky flair from locally owned shops, restaurants and nightclubs. South Austin also boasts some of the most photographed and famous street art in the city. Along popular South Congress Avenue, see colorful murals while stopping in fun shops and restaurants. Hit up The Continental Club, an iconic Austin live music venue on South Congress, for local staples from the rock and blues scenes, as well as national touring artists. Other South Austin faves include The Golden Goose for craft cocktails or Loro for a unique Asian smokehouse-meets-Texas-barbecue flair owned by the chefs behind Franklin BBQ and Uchi. Get a two-step dance lesson at Broken Spoke or listen to live tunes seven nights a week at Saxon Pub. While you’re in the area, check out what’s happening at the Palmer Events Center, where special events range from roller derby action to symphony concerts, tradeshows and conferences.

Experiences in West Austin range from fun water activities at Lake Austin to resort spa treatments, hiking and beautiful views in the Texas Hill Country. At Laguna Gloria, part of The Contemporary Austin art museum, stroll the grounds on the banks of Lake Austin and admire art in the Betty and Edward Marcus Sculpture Park. Get a double dose of history and nature by exploring Mayfield Park and Mount Bonnell, where you can watch colorful peacocks strut, see historic buildings and walk 106 limestone steps to the top of the mountain. West Sixth Street, often called the "Market District," is known for dancing, dining and open-porch bars. Popular stops include Irene's and Ranch 616. Raise a toast to the man in black at Mean Eyed Cat, a Johnny Cash-themed bar, or two-step at Donn’s Depot in an old train car.