What to do in Travis County, TX

The locals have divided Sixth Street into West, Dirty and East. The “dirty” bit is the often seedy nightlife section between Congress Avenue and Interstate 35. Live music is the main attraction here, with new bands and solo artists every hour. Sixth Street really shines during the famous SXSW festival, a music and theatre extravaganza. Fancy yourself in the Wild West when you pop into the Driskill Hotel or Buffalo Billiards next door. Also don’t miss the Alamo Drafthouse in The Ritz, a historic theatre.

Both the state's legislature chambers and the offices of the Governor of Texas occupy the Texas State Capitol. Standing tall and dignified, the structure is built in the 15th-century Italian Renaissance-Revival style, with a cylindrical granite dome, held up by large granite columns.

A local recreational park just across Lady Bird Lake in the heart of the city, Zilker Metropolitan Park is sometimes hailed as Austin's most-loved park. And with good reason too. The vast green lawn offers plenty of activities for the whole family, so be prepared to spend an entire day here.

Lady Bird Lake is a man-made reservoir formed in 1960, and has since become a well loved recreational attraction. A sprawling 190 hectares in the centre of Austin, the lake divides the city evenly. Motorboats are prohibited on the lake (except for electric motors under 5 horsepower), so the calm, still waters are an ideal spot for kayakers and canoers. The massive population of fish in the lake make this a popular spot for recreational fishing. There are daily limits on the fish you can catch and keep, so check the Texas Parks and Wildlife website for details.

South Congress is a lively stretch of road, lined with trendy boutiques, cafés, food trucks and funky shops. SoCo has some of Austin’s most iconic live music venues and the Continental Club is a good place to start. Allens Boots, another favourite, sells authentic western wear. Architectural gems range from the futuristic Torchy's Tacos building to the historic Texas State Capitol. Head to the “Bat Bridge” at sunset for a spectacular show of nature in the warmer months.