Book a flight to Austin with Qatar Airways

A trip to Austin really ought to feature a visit to the Boston Springs Pool. Set in the heart of Austin and swathed by the beautiful backdrop of Zilker Park, this is widely thought of as Austin’s ‘jewel in the crown’. The natural springs that feed the pool were discovered in the 17th century by Spanish explorers. In the 1920s the pool was built and people still come from far and wide to enjoy the temperate waters. Boston Springs Pool is also home to the Barton Springs Salamander, which is an endangered species.

For the full story of Austin’s past, head over to the Bullock Texas State History Museum. Set over three stories and packing in an astonishing array of exhibits, the Museum will cheerfully prove to younger visitors that history can be a fascinating subject.

If you’re finding that there’s too much to see and do on your trip to Austin, then drop into the Austin Visitor Center, located in the downtown part of the city. A perfect introduction to Austin for first-timers, there are helpful staff who will introduce you to all the major sites as well as hidden gems such as Mayfield Park, the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center and the historic Driskill Café.

It would be almost rude to travel to Austin and not spend at least one evening listening to live music. You don’t have to travel far to find bands and singers plying their trade; music seems to be everywhere you go, from groups performing in grocery stores to singing on the corner of the street. However, if you want to see music in a large venue, seek out places such as the Moody Theater, the 29th Street Ballroom and the Austin Music Hall.

The best way to get to know a culture is to spend some time investigating its arts galleries and museums. Austin is packed with both, recording Texan history through fact and fine art. The Mexic-Arte Museum cheerfully straddles both worlds, celebrating Mexican and Latino culture. A well-kept secret is the Umlauf Sculpture Garden, which combines art and nature to create a magical experience and your trip to Austin should include a trip to the Gray Duck gallery in the South Street district.

If you’re travelling to Austin with a view to sampling the local food, you’ve made a great choice. The city is packed with restaurants serving up delicious dishes from virtually every corner of the globe. However, if you want a true taste of Texas, look out for Tex-Mex restaurants. Given Texas’ proximity to Mexico, it’s no surprise that there are plenty of Mexican influences in the local cuisine. 

A staple of Tex-Mex food is barbecued meat and the streets are often heady with the savoury smoke from grilling lamb and beef. Chillies feature fairly heavily in most dishes and you can enjoy tacos, enchiladas, burritos and tortillas, served up with fragrant rice and accompaniments such as guacamole and spicy salsas.

In addition to excellent food, a trip to Austin will bring you into contact with some of the best shopping experiences you’ll ever have. Whatever you want, whatever the price range, you’re sure to be able to find it in Austin. The Downtown district is the place to go; it’s the city’s shopping headquarters. There, you’ll find shopping malls, upmarket stores, designer goods, chic boutiques and street markets.