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| Second Bar |
A gem on the landscape of the great state of Texas is Austin. This city has a great geographical position being close to other tourist destinations such as San Antonio, New Braunfels, Houston and the Texas Hill Country. It is one of the fastest growing metropolitan areas in the country, but still has the feel of a small town. The bohemian arts element of Austin proudly boasts, "Keep Austin Weird."
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| Charcuterie Block |
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| Beer Menu |
If you get the chance to stay in downtown Austin, you might just think you've landed in downtown Chicago or even the French Quarter. The Sixth Street entertainment district is home of some of the best music venues and restaurants in the country. If you're looking for live music, you're in the right place. Stubbs BBQ, known for their smoked meats and amazing sauce is also a music venue which has hosted such artists as Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, Robert Cray, George Thorogood, Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown, Linda Ronstadt and the Fabulous Thunderbirds.
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| Buffalo fried pickles at Second Bar |
The corner of 2nd and Congress is home to several spots to mark on your jaunt to the downtown area. At the JW Marriott, The Corner Bar and Restaurant draws locals every day to its outdoor seating, eclectic menu and cocktails. Osteria Pronto, an Italian restaurant has an incredible menu and is a great place to try a dessert such as their daily gelato selections. For a quick bite, The Burger Bar on Congress is a walk up burger stop with several burgers and a chicken sandwich on the menu. A few pub tables on the sidewalk are available or take your order to go. Across the street, The Second Bar and Kitchen is a must stop on your culinary tour. Try the Black and Blue Pizza, the Buffalo Fried Pickles and the Charcuterie block.
A new shopping and restaurant district attracting attention downtown is the 2nd Street District. New boutiques and modern restaurant and bars are attracting locals and conventioneers. Just up the road from 6th Street, the Warehouse District, is attracting locals looking to avoid the 6th Street crowds, but still seeking fantastic live music. This district is a little more bohemian and less touristy than 6th. Close to downtown and near the University of Texas campus is the LBJ Presidential Library which hosts traveling exhibits, currently hosting The Beatles exhibit.
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| Sidewalk mosaic art |
The Austin downtown skyline is not without its own charm. At the edge of downtown is the Texas State Capital building which is quite reminiscent of the U.S. Capitol building in Washington DC except that it is the color of the natural sandstone of the area. Another difference is the size. A statue was added to the top of the dome on the capitol building called "The Goddess of Liberty." With her addition, Austin's capitol building is taller than the nation's. It's true that everything's bigger in Texas.
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The Grove outdoor cafe on "Restaurant Row"
Just down the road from downtown Austin is an eclectic area called "Restaurant Row." The scenic highway is home to several establishments so you'll have your choice of Mexican, Tex Mex and barbecue joints. We stopped for tacos at a lovely outdoor cafe called The Grove which was shaded by large trees with patio umbrellas to add pops of color.
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| Chicken tacos at The Grove |
An icon of the downtown skyline, is the the Frost Bank Building.
The story is that the architect applied and was rejected from architecture school at University of Texas in Austin. He received his architecture degree from Rice, with the mascot, the Owls. When contracted to design the Frost Bank Building, he designed it so that it looks like an owl from every corner of the building. That's another example of "keeping Austin weird!"
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| The Frost Bank "Owl" Building |
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