Welcome to Austin, Texas, home to the best food, music, and greenery in all of Texas. Now you might expect me to mention the Capitol building or the annual Austin City Limits music festival, but did you know that Austin is home to over one million Mexican free-tail bats? Or that the University of Texas at Austin has a pond smack dab in the center of campus with dozens of friendly turtles? However, if you aren’t a bat or turtle enthusiast, don’t worry. There are still plenty of things for you to enjoy. So, sit back and relax as I give you an exclusive, insider’s tour of the best city on earth.
First up on our tour, the thing that everyone loves most: food. Austin was named one of the top twenty foodie cities in America and is home to some of the best restaurants and food trucks in the state. Austin’s food is as diverse as its people; whether you’re searching for a healthy salad or some Korean kimbap, Austin has it all. And if you’re like me, with a huge sweet tooth and even bigger disregard for the freshman fifteen, then places like Voodoo Donuts, a restaurant famous for its quirky donuts, or Lick Honest Ice Cream, a local favorite, are perfect for you.
Now that you’ve eaten your way through the city, you can work off all of the extra calories by exploring some of Austin’s many green spaces. Despite being one of the largest cities in Texas, Austin has over 300 parks, making it the perfect place to take your dog or rowdy kid. The most popular park by far is Zilker, but if you’re looking for somewhere less crowded, Mueller Lake Park and the Waller Creek Conservatory are also great places to see. Austin truly is the best place if you’re looking to get in touch with your nature-loving self without leaving the comfort of the big city.
“Lake at Mueller park” by Michael Coté is licensed under CC BY 2.0
Next up are the aforementioned bats. During the summer and autumn, Austin’s Congress Avenue Bridge becomes home to the largest urban bat colony in the world. At dusk, you can stand on the bridge or take a scenic boat cruise and watch as the bats emerge from the bridge and disappear into the city to fight crime…I mean insects.
“Congress Avenue Bridge” by Stuart Seeger is licensed under CC BY 2.0
And finally, perhaps my favorite thing about Austin is its walls. Despite how odd that may sound, Austin’s walls are the perfect tribute to the city’s liveliness. The many young artists that have made Austin their home have left murals that capture the spirit of the city. On more than one occasion, I have stopped at a random wall for an impromptu photo shoot with friends. So, if you really want to experience Austin, take a walk through downtown. Snap some pictures next to an artsy wall. Stop at a food truck. But most of all, let yourself wander. This city never fails to amaze.
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