Austin Visitor Center Celebrates First Year

The Austin Visitor Center celebrated its first anniversary at the Sixth Street address on March 1. The Visitor Center moved from Second Street to 209 E. Sixth Street to provide easier accessibility to a greater number of visitors.

“Walk-in traffic and sales have steadily increased,” says Ty Pearson, director of the Visitor Center. “Furthermore, two new retail stores opened within one block of us. We hope our success is a catalyst for additional daytime business moving to the area.”

In its first year, the Center posted a 41 percent increase in retail sales. In addition to new merchandise and tours, the center also sells tickets for local events. AusTix, which staffs a booth at the center, now sells discount tickets to a larger variety of performances. Tickets are also available for tours with Seqcity, Austin Ghost Tours, Austin Duck Adventures, Lone Star River Boat, Capital Cruises and Austin Overtures. Most recently, the center added a terminal with Internet access so visitors can check email and book hotel rooms online.

Austin Fine Arts Festival

McWilliams Appointed to Arts Commission

APEC Comes to Austin

Single in the City 101

“For bars/restaurants swarming with singles, cruise SoCo along Congress Avenue. Other hot spots: Oslo, for metrosexuals and the women who primp like ‘em; Iron Cactus for tequila shooters; and Cuba Libre for manicures and martinis, followed by men."

Messing with Texas

“It’s true: Austinites are as varied as buttons in a jar, ranging from left wingers to conservative cowboys to technology gurus (Michael Dell) to movie stars (Sandra Bullock) to pro athletes (Lance Armstrong). Celebrities and unknowns relish the casual atmosphere, fantastic food (especially barbeque at County Line or Salt Lick) and internationally renowned music and film scenes.”

Weekend Away-Austin

Texas

Whole Foods Market