| If you asked Austinites what is special | | | | Hills. Zilker Metropolitan Park is |
| about their city, you would get a | | | | Austin's most beloved park and is |
| potpourri of answers. For those who like | | | | located here. It consists of 351 acres |
| live music, Austin calls itself the | | | | and offers a variety of recreational |
| "Live Music Capital of the World. There | | | | opportunities and family events. Barton |
| is more live music here than in New | | | | Springs pool is a natural spring fed |
| York, Los Angeles, or Chicago. In early | | | | pool with a year round temperature of 68 |
| spring, musicians and independent film | | | | degrees. It also contains the Zilker |
| makers come from all over the world to | | | | Botanical Gardens and Austin Nature and |
| be a part of South by Southwest Music | | | | Science Center. Every spring kids of all |
| and Film Festival. The festival has | | | | ages gather for the Zilker Park Kite |
| gained international attention and is a | | | | Festival. Zilker Park also has a |
| fun place to see new talent as well as | | | | miniature train ride and canoe rentals. |
| seasoned performers. Even if you miss | | | | There are also many hiking trails |
| getting a badge to the fifty stages for | | | | throughout the park. In the summer, the |
| live music performances, you can still | | | | Zilker Hillside Theater hosts concerts |
| be part of the fun by walking around the | | | | ranging from Jazz to Country. Also, it |
| downtown area and hearing the music | | | | is the site of the Zilker Summer Musical |
| wafting from the different clubs. | | | | and Shakespeare in the Park. Pack a |
| Austin is also known as "Silicon Hills" | | | | picnic dinner and bring a blanket to sit |
| because of the many major technology | | | | on the hillside and enjoy the show. |
| corporations that have located here. | | | | The Downtown District stretches from the |
| Many new residents have moved here | | | | Texas State Capitol to the Congress |
| because of the job opportunities | | | | Avenue bridge. Each evening from March |
| associated with these high-tech | | | | through November, you can watch a |
| companies. | | | | million Mexican free-tailed bats emerge |
| New arrivals to Austin have fun | | | | from beneath the bridge. It's quite the |
| exploring the different areas of town. | | | | social event every evening. You can |
| Just south of the River is called SoCo | | | | watch from the Four Seasons Hotel or |
| for South Congress. It is an eclectic | | | | Shoreline Grill or join the crowd on and |
| collection of antique and artsy shops | | | | under the bridge. |
| and places to eat and listen to music. | | | | Austin has a couple of campaigns, one |
| It's not unusual to see bumper stickers | | | | for supporting local businesses and the |
| that promote 'Keep Austin Weird' in this | | | | other for keeping Austin beautiful. |
| part of town. The residents consist of | | | | Don't be caught throwing your trash on |
| politicians, old hippies, cowboys, | | | | these streets. They mean it here when |
| bubbas, and tekkies. They all seem to | | | | they say 'Don't Mess with Texas.' |
| get along just fine. | | | | Believe me when I tell you that it will |
| A little West is an area known as Barton | | | | cost you if you get caught. |