Austin Insider Blog

This blog, written and curated by Visit Austin staff, shares the things that visitors love and locals can't get enough of.

Day Trip Destination: Johnson City

Just an hour west of Austin, Johnson City is a perfect day trip destination. Whether you are interested in the story of LBJ, outdoor adventures, wineries, art, or science, this area of the Texas Hill Country has a lot to offer. History The town is named after the ancestors of the 36 th President of…

Continue Reading

Historic Austin: West Austin

West Austin is a National Register Historic District, positioned north of Lady Bird Lake and west of downtown. Established in 1853, the district is one of the oldest neighborhoods in the city. Texas Governor Elisha Peace owned several plantations in the region which he later sold to former enslaved…

Continue Reading

Latino Music Month in Austin

There is always a show going on somewhere in the Live Music Capital of the World® and May, Latino Music Month, is no exception. From Cinco de Mayo celebrations and anniversary shows to festivals, we've curated a list of events to attend this month. 5/11/23 La Santa Cecilia Parish Named after the…

Continue Reading

Summer Film Festivals in Austin

Summer is one of the best seasons to be in Austin if you are a film lover. From June through August cinephiles can enjoy a number of high-profile film and television festivals that bring some of most talented voices in visual storytelling to Austin. Each festival offers a unique selection of works…

Continue Reading

Queer Austin: 2 Day Itinerary

Austin is one of the most LGBTQ+-friendly cities in the country, with a perfect score of 100 on the Human Rights Campaign's Municipal Equality Index. But you won’t find just one “gayborhood” here. The community is integrated throughout this inclusive town, which means that LGBTQ visitors will find a…

Continue Reading

Where to Celebrate Juneteenth In Austin

Juneteenth, also known as “Freedom Day,” is a holiday that celebrates the abolition of slavery in Texas. Although the Emancipation Proclamation was made effective in 1863, some states under Confederate jurisdiction did not implement it until years later. It wasn’t until June 19, 1965 that Union…

Continue Reading

Visiting Austin's ColdTowne Theatre

Austin is hilarious. Whether a visitor or a local, you don't have to be a comedic genius to get a kick out of the funny stuff going on around town. In addition to festivals such as the Moontower Just For Laughs Comedy Festival, Austin boasts many locations where you can catch comedy year-round. A…

Continue Reading

How to Get the Full Texas Experience in Austin

Everyone knows that Austin is a bit…different…from the rest of Texas. But that doesn’t mean you can’t get the full Lone Star State experience in the capital! We’ve got great food, proud history, and natural beauty galore, right here in the city limits. Add these activities to your Austin bucket list…

Continue Reading

Indie Meme Film Festival 2023

The 8th Annual Indie Meme Film Festival (#IMFF2023) will be held April 12-16, 2023. Each year, Indie Meme brings together different communities through film to promote cross-cultural understanding, create a dialogue and build a globally-conscious community. The IMFF 2023 continues the tradition of…

Continue Reading

Visiting the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Tucked away in South Austin, the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center brims with native Central Texas blooms and landscapes. Designated as the State Botanic Garden and Arboretum of Texas, the gardens reflect the unique story of former First Lady Lady Bird Johnson’s journey towards beautifying Austin…

Continue Reading