Spotlight On: Austin Visitor Center

Groups of up to 100 guests can book the Visitor Center for welcome receptions and private events. Catering is available, and true to form in the Live Music Capital of the World®, the Center is outfitted as a unique live music venue. Groups can book local bands or artists to perform as attendees browse among a wide selection of University of Texas at Austin® merchandise, historical gifts, "Keep Austin Weird" items and more.

Groups can also take advantage of seasonal specials. In conjunction with Latino Music Month during May, visitors can purchase the Austin Music, Vol. 7 CD and receive a free copy of Austin Music Mezcla, a compilation CD featuring some of the city's premier Latino acts. In addition, during National Wildflower Week from May 5-11, shoppers can take advantage of a 15 percent discount on wildflower merchandise. From June 12-15, when the Republic of Texas Biker Rally rumbles back to Austin, the Visitor Center offers an extensive selection of ROT Rally T-shirts, gifts and souvenirs.

A knowledgeable staff is always on hand with information on what's new in Austin and how to tour the city, as well as where to stay, play and eat. Visitors can choose from hundreds of brochures on area events and destinations, then explore further with free Internet access.

Of course, the best way to kick off a visit to Texas' Capital City is to take a tour, and the Visitor Center sells tickets for a wide variety of experiences. Families can embark on Austin Duck Adventures for an open-air ride and a plunge into Lake Austin. Visitors can sit back and relax with a 90-minute bus tour led by Austin Overtures. More adventurous types can hop on a segway and glide around Austin and Lady Bird Lake with SegCity. Tickets are also available for Haunted Texas Tours and the Lone Star Riverboat, and AusTix staffs a booth to provide visitors with discounted tickets to shows at theatres across town.

For a truly unique experience, techie tourists can purchase the GPS Ranger: a personal, interactive tour guide. Using the latest GPS technology, the tour welcomes visitors to explore at their own pace, recognizing the location and launching narration on such notable sites as the Texas Capitol, Ann Richards Congress Avenue Bridge and Austin Museum of Art. An American Sign Language Tour is also available for the deaf and hard of hearing, increasing the city's accessibility to all visitors.

For more information, contact Cheri Winterrowd, 512-583-7255 or cwinterrowd@austintexas.org.

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Austin CVB Mission Statement:
The Austin Convention & Visitors Bureau is charged with marketing Austin nationally and internationally as a premier business and leisure destination, thus enriching our community's overall quality of life.

Austin Visitor Center