Austin is the capital of the state of Texas. It has a population of around 760,000 people, and is part of the Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos metropolitan area, which has a population of 1.7 million people.
Austin was founded around 1830 when pioneers established a settlement by the banks of the Colorado River and called it Waterloo. Just nine years later, Waterloo was chosen to become the capital of the Republic of Texas. It was also renamed Austin in honor of Stephen F. Austin, the man instrumental in the creation of the state of Texas.
Interstate-35 at Austin, Texas http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:AustinInterstate35Skyline-May2010.jpg LoneStarMike
Austin developed in the 19th century. In addition to being the center of government, it is also the site of the University of Texas. It suffered an economic setback during the Great Depression, but in the subsequent decades became home to several major companies including Dell, Whole Foods Market and Freescale Semiconductor. In 2006, it came in second in a poll by Money magazine as the "Best Places to Live".
Travel to Austin
By Plane
The Austin Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) has direct connections with 39 domestic destinations including Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Cincinnati, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, El Paso, Fort Lauderdale, Houston, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Memphis, Nashville, New York City, Orlando, Phoenix, Salt Lake City, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, Tampa and Washington, DC.
The most budget way to get out of the airport is to take the Capital MetroBus Route 100 which takes you from the airport to the city. Your other alternatives include taking the taxi, limousines and airport shuttles.
By Train
Amtrak has a railway service between Chicago and San Antonio that passes through Austin.
By Bus
Greyhound Bus has bus services connecting Austin with several major cities. Their station is on IH-35 near Highland Mall. You can catch Bus No. 7 from there to reach downtown Austin.
Goodall Wooten House, a structure on the National Register of Historic Places in Austin, Texas http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Goodall_wooten_house2_2007.jpg Larry D. Moore
Travel within Austin
You can explore downtown Austin on foot, if you are fit enough to walk 1 or 2 miles. Many of the sights are in the downtown area. Otherwise, you can take the Capital Metro bus.
Places of Interest in Austin
Texas State Capitol This beautiful capitol building is the largest in the United States, even taller than the one in Washington, D.C.
University of Texas There are several sights within the university you might want to visit, including Blanton Museum of Art, Harry Ransom Center, Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Library and the Texas Memorial Museum of Science and History.
Ann W Richards Congress Avenue Bridge The main attraction of the bridge are the bats.
Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum This is the best place to go in Austin to learn about the history and culture of Texas.
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