Exclusive Austin Travel Packages
Booking a trip to Austin just got easier. Browse the Advanced Reservation Systems, Inc. (ARES) booking engine on www.austintexas.org and find travel packages for both the adventurous and romantic types. If you're looking for a weekend of tours and sightseeing, then the package A Hip Way to Tour Austin is for you. Choose to stay at Embassy Suites Austin Downtown or Holiday Inn Austin-Town Lake and experience Gliding Revolution's Austin City Segway Tour. Tack on optional attractions, such as the East Austin Segway Ride, Capital Cruises' private lunch or dinner cruise on Lady Bird Lake and the bat-watching cruise at sunset.
For the traveler looking for a romantic getaway, check out Experience the Romance of Austin package. Book a stay with Hilton Austin and enjoy a private lunch or dinner cruise, courtesy of Capital Cruises. Round out the weekend with optional segway tours of downtown or East Austin. The optional attractions are available for an additional cost. Book your trip to Austin today by visiting www.austintexas.org.
SXSW: It's Not Too Late to Rock
The South by Southwest Film, Music and Interactive Conferences and Festivals return to Austin, March 12-21. The following hotels still have some availability, and are just a few minutes from all the new gadgets, feature films and killer shows you'll read about in the newspaper this March when SXSW descends. So go ahead – tap into that creative energy and take on one of the most influential multimedia experiences in the world.
• Hampton Inn Austin Downtown (SXSW Interactive only)
• Hampton Inn Austin Airport
• Kimber Modern Hotel, call for reservations: 512-912-1046
• The Mansion at Judges' Hill (March 13-21 only)
Texas Hill Country Wine & Food Festival:
25 Years of Fun and Flavor
The Texas Hill Country Wine & Food Festival, one of the nation's most flavorful culinary happenings, celebrates its 25th anniversary from April 15-18. This landmark event features the crème-de-la-crème of Texas chefs; red and white varietals from area wineries; and the best in barbecue, Tex-Mex, southwestern and fusion cuisine.
Highlights of the annual event include the Texas Culinary Masters dinner, during which celebrity chefs from Texas showcase their finest recipes; the Stars Across Texas grand tasting, where guests sample from more than 200 Texas restaurants and wineries; and the Sunday Fair, which offers chef demos, tastings and family activities in a lovely park setting.
Tickets for events are sold individually, so the Texas Hill Country Wine & Food Festival is accessible at any price range. Visit www.texaswineandfood.org for ticket and event information.
Authentic Austin: Heritage Boot and Carmelo's
Explore two of Austin's downtown legends, the cowboy-chic Heritage Boot and Italian extraordinaire Carmelo's. Heritage Boot carries not-your-ordinary cowboy footwear; each unique pair of boots is handmade with colorful stitching and intricate designs. Check out the various styles at www.heritageboot.com. For a taste of authentic Italian cuisine, head over to Carmelo's, known for its fresh local ingredients and a sumptuous dessert cart. Learn more about the reliable eatery and its extensive menu at www.carmelosrestaurant.
"Austin Music, Vol. 9" Drops Feb. 19
Starting Feb. 19, visitors can experience the Live Music Capital of the World®, then take it home with them. "Austin Music, Volume 9," the new limited-edition compilation album featuring local bands, will be available for $11.99 at the Austin Visitor Center, Waterloo Records or online at www.austintexas.org. Tracks from stars like Willie and the Wheel, Ben Kweller and Jimmie Vaughan highlight the collection alongside industry newcomers like The Daze, Sarah Jarosz, Tje Austin and Ryan Harkrider, whose "Nobody Ever Wants to Leave" was named Austin's Official Song for 2010.
In addition, the album also helps visitors navigate the city's vibrant live music scene with a mini-guide to Austin music that includes an events calendar, information on venues and entertainment districts, where to find food and live music together, and additional Austin music resources. For more information, visit www.austintexas.org/music.
Harry Ransom Center Showcases "Making Movies"
Get a behind-the-scenes look at motion picture history with the exhibition "Making Movies," running from Feb. 9–Aug. 1 at the Harry Ransom Center. With more than 350 items on display, the exhibit showcases the collaborative process that is filmmaking. Catch a glimpse of costumes from "Gone with the Wind" and "Taxi Driver," screenplays from "Lord of the Flies" and "Shakespeare in Love," storyboards from "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" and "Top Gun" and more. Materials from the Harry Ransom Center's film collections also include original pieces from acclaimed producer and director David Selznick, actor Robert De Niro, screenwriter Ernest Lehman, among others. Find out more at www.hrc.utexas.edu.
Hit the Road for the Austin Marathon
This Valentine's Day (Feb. 14), "Love Austin, Run Austin" with the 19th annual Austin Marathon. One of the city's signature events, the Austin Marathon invites runners at all levels to participate in this unique race, which features live music by nearly 40 Austin bands along the way. The course winds through some of Austin's most scenic areas, including Lady Bird Lake, Congress Avenue and the University of Texas campus.
The 2010 Austin Marathon is a Boston Marathon qualifier race, and the course is one of the fastest in Texas. Race organizers have set up discounted hotel rooms blocks for runners and their supporters, so it's easy to save on accommodations for race weekend. And according to Runner's World magazine, Austin is the coolest marathon host city in America – so lace up your shoes, and hit the ground running!
For more information, visit www.youraustinmarathon.com.
