Austin is a city unlike any other in Texas or the world. Known as a cultural hub for the quirky and offbeat, there is always something unique going on for visitors and residents alike.
====================================================================(in Texas' state capital, which has kept its small-town heart, earning the love with great music, culinary prowess, smart locals, and a sociable streak that is hard to resist.)
+ Though the state capital is a big city, Austin has kept its small-town heart. Highlights include outdoor adventures with a view of the skyline, a live music scene, and a creative streak that shows up in unexpected places. If you visit the city from March through October, you can hardly miss more than a million Mexican free-tailed bats taking to the skies from the Congress Avenue Bridge. Around sunset each night, join the crowd on the bridge, or from a kayak below, to wait for America’s largest urban bat colony to take flight. Austinites have embraced them by gathering to watch the bats each dusk (Not to worry: they are looking for insects). There is lots of standing room, but if you want a more leisurely experience, try the Lone Star Riverboat or Capital Cruises -- for bat-watching tours. After they all fly away, make your way into downtown to check out one of the dozens of live music spots. From dive bars to major music venues, traditional country to experimental rock, there is something for every ear after the sun goes down. The Red River Cultural District, located on the east end of downtown, is considered the heart and soul of the Live Music Capital of the World, but there are hundreds of bars, dance halls, and venues throughout the city, and high-quality performances can be found on any given night. The Continental Club has been hosting acts (including local legend Stevie Ray Vaughan) since 1955. The dance floor is always swinging, and multiple bands pound the boards seven nights a week, with many shows offering free admission. If you’re a fan of the long-running "Austin City Limits" TV broadcast, you will also want to check out ACL Live at the Moody Theater – where well-known bands grace the stage most nights {For a behind-the-scenes look into the iconic venue, daytime tours are offered six days a week.}Another Austin landmark that has been around for decades is the Broken Spoke, a true Texas honky-tonk that has played host to Willie Nelson, George Strait, Dolly Parton, and others. A live country band is on stage every night, playing the classics and contemporary tunes. If you can, try to time your visit around one of Austin’s many live music festivals. The Austin City Limits Music Festival in the fall and South By Southwest (SXSW) in the spring are internationally acclaimed. You can also get your psychedelic on at Levitation – a festival held in the Red River Cultural District each fall that features DJ sets, light shows, and more than a dozen bands. Oktoberfest has been hosted by the German-Texas Heritage Society for generations, guaranteeing an authentic "Próst!" experience.
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