Austin FAQ's
Questions About Austin? You've Come to the Right Place
Austin certainly has plenty to keep even the most active local or visitor busy. So, whether you need a little help culling down all of our information, events and suggestions, or just can't find what you're looking for, you've come to the right place. We've organized our frequently asked questions into easy-to-scan categories to get you on the right path quickly. Find out when to tour the Capitol, where to go for live music, can't-miss places to shop and much, much more.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
The Basics
- What are the top 10 things to do in Austin?
- Where is the Austin Visitor Center?
- Where are the Austin Convention Center, Palmer Events Center and Travis County Expo Center?
- What's the weather like? What is the average monthly temperature in Austin?
- How far is it from the airport to downtown?
- Is it safe to walk downtown?
Q: What are the top 10 things to do in Austin?
A:
- Barton Springs- Three acres in size, the pool is fed from underground springs and water temperatures remain a constant, cool 68 degrees year-round. 2101 Barton Springs Road (located in Zilker Park) Austin, TX 78704
512-476-9044
http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/parks/bartonsprings.htm - Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum- From rare artifacts to interactive displays, the Bob Bullock Museum creatively tells the story of Texas. 1800 N. Congress Ave., Austin, TX 78701
1-866-369-7108
http://www.thestoryoftexas.com/ - Texas State Capitol- With more than 1 million visitors per year, the Texas State Capitol ranks as one of Austin's most popular attractions. Completed in 1886, the Texas State Capitol is the largest in square footage of all state capitols and surpasses the national Capitol in height by 14 feet. 1100 Congress Ave. Austin, TX 78701
512-463-0063
http://www.tspb.state.tx.us/spb/plan/tours.htm - Warehouse and Sixth Street Entertainment Districts- Four blocks of Fourth and Fifth Streets comprise the Warehouse District. The buildings have been renovated from warehouses to trendy, distinctive hot spots. Austin's Sixth Street is widely known for its unique blend of dance clubs, live music venues, restaurants and bars.
- Congress Avenue Bats- Only in Austin will you find millions of bats and thousands of humans all hanging out under the same bridge every night. Austin boasts the largest urban colony of Mexican free-tail bats in North America with a population of 1.5 million. The sunset exodus of the bats creates a nightly spectacle from March through October with onlookers watching as the nocturnal creatures emerge from beneath the Congress Avenue Bridge. First Street & Congress Avenue; Bat Conservation International
512-327-9721
http://www.batcon.org/ - Highland Lakes- Austin stands as the gateway to seven Highland Lakes that stairstep 100 miles through the Central Texas Hill Country. Area lakes offer a variety of aquatic adventures, from sailing on Lake Travis to water-skiing on Lake Austin and canoeing along Town Lake.
- Town Lake Hike & Bike Trail- Ten miles of trails border Town Lake in downtown Austin and serve as a social hub for runners, walkers and cyclists.
- SoCo- One of the hippest Austin hangouts is SoCo, a colorful stretch of Congress Avenue lined with funky shops, trendy dining spots, unique accommodations, art galleries and music venues. On the first Thursday of each month, merchants keep their doors open until 10 p.m., playing host to an array of events and activities.
South of the Congress Avenue Bridge
http://www.firstthursday.info/ - Harry Ransom Center- Home to the Gutenberg Bible and the world's first photograph, the HRC also archives 30 million literary manuscripts, 1 million rare books, 5 million photographs and more than 100,000 works of art.
471-8944
http://www.hrc.utexas.edu/ - The Lyndon Baines Johnson Presidential Library- The life and legacy of LBJ are on exhibit at the nation's most visited presidential library. University of Texas, 2313 Red River Street
512-916-5137
http://www.lbjlib.utexas.edu/
Q: Where is the Austin Visitor Center located? When is it open?
A: The Austin Visitor Center is located at 209 E. Sixth Street.
Hours: Daily, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Closed on Christmas, New Year's, Thanksgiving and Easter.
To learn more about Austin's warm welcome and the Visitor Center, click here.
Q: Where are the Austin Convention Center, Palmer Events Center and Travis County Expo Center located?
A:
- Austin Convention Center - 500 E. Cesar Chavez between Trinity and Red River Streets
- Palmer Events Center - South of Lady Bird Lake at the intersection of South First Street and Riverside Drive
- Travis County Expo Center - 7311 Decker Lane (northeast Austin)
Q: What's the weather like?
A: Austin's weather is generally temperate, with an average temperature of 68.5°. Our winters are mild, spring and fall are glorious, and the summertime is sunny and bright.
Q: How far is it from the airport to downtown?
A: It's a mere seven and a half miles, less than 15 minutes drive time (or about four songs' worth).
Q: Is it safe to walk downtown?
A: While FBI statistics point to Austin as one of the safest cities in the country, visitors should use the same precautions they'd use in any other large city.
Where to stay
- How many hotel rooms are in Austin?
- How many hotel rooms are located downtown?
- What is occupancy tax in Austin?
- How do I book a hotel room?
Q: How many hotel rooms are in Austin?
A: There are 30,000 hotel rooms in the metro area.
Q: How many hotel rooms are located downtown?
A: There are 7,000 downtown hotel rooms currently.
Q: What is the occupancy tax in Austin?
A: 15%
Q: How do I book a hotel room?
A: Visit our booking engine.
Facts & Stats
- How many tourists visit Austin annually?
- What are the area's major industries?
- Where can I find more facts about Austin?
Q: How many tourists visit Austin annually?
A: 19.7 million visit the Austin MSA.
Q: What are the area's major industries?
A: According to the Austin Chamber of Commerce, the top industries are:
- Professional and Business Services
- Retail Trade
- Education and Health Services
