Deep in Texas hill country lies a state capitol where locals parrot the motto "Keep Austin Weird," mom-and-pop shops flourish aplenty, and old-time rock and roll spills out of collegiate bars.

Editor's favorite watering hole: At the Alamo Draft House, you get to order brew (like local Shiner Bock) while gazing on the silver screen. This is a great, chill place to catch a flick in comfort, yet share the experience with a larger crowd. The drinks flow as fast as the movie projector spins.

Best place to make a splash: Framed by pecan trees, treasured Barton Springs Pool is the place to beat the Texas heat. Three acres fed by underground springs make for delightfully refreshing water temps. Native Americans once used the sacred powers of the waters for healing purposes.

Local flavor: There are two main tastes in town: Tex-Mex and barbecue. For the former, go to Guero's, Polvo's, or student-favorite Trudy's North Star Restaurant & Bar. For the latter, head a bit a-field to the Salt Lick for every kind of meat under the sun--and be sure to smother it in the "five-alarm" secret sauce.

Did we mention it's free? At the onset of dusk, the city's bats emerge from beneath Congress Avenue Bridge in dramatic fashion. For those who aren't squeamish, it's an absolutely incredible spectacle to see thousands and thousands (some say millions) of freetail bats suddenly unleashed into the night.

Where to blow a paycheck: You can find all sorts of antiques, footware, and vintage clothing shops--plus University of Texas "hook 'em horns" garb and other Lone Star State chotchkes--along South Congress (SoCo) Avenue, which is also home to the legendary Continental Club.

Place we love, even if it's touristy: There's a reason why everyone flocks to Sixth Street: With live music spilling out of practically every nook and cranny, the city's hills are alive with the sound of rock and roll, blues, jazz, punk, and hip hop--and soon enough you'll find your newly-bought cowboy boots stomping to a fresh beat.

The real deal: The best evidence that mom-and-pop shops still thrive in Austin is at Book People, an independent bookstore that blows the cover off of the big chains with its fun and funky atmosphere, personalized feel, and Austin-style spirit of expression.

Natural history lesson: The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center mixes natural and political history. An environmental champion, the former first lady was fond of flowers and gardens, and her legacy lives on at these botanical gardens committed to conservation.
 

Editor's Austin Picks

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