What if we told you that Texas isn’t just rocky deserts, tumbleweeds, sleeping Mexicans, and cowboys shouting “Yee-haw!” at herds of cattle… would you believe us? What if we asked you to forget Houston’s skyscrapers, spacecraft launch pads, and oil pumps bobbing in the wind… would you do it? Well, take our word for it. Texas has a romantic, gentle, balanced, and almost European soul. You will find it in the capital city, Austin, and its beautiful surrounding region. To get there comfortably, you have three airports at your disposal—and, of course, our chauffeur-driven taxi services.
Arriving in Austin
Austin has its own international airport (AUS) located about 10 km from the city center. However, it mainly welcomes flights arriving exclusively from within the Americas; intercontinental travelers still tend to prefer Houston’s George Bush Airport (IAH), which is about a three-hour drive from the capital. Austin is also easily accessible via San Antonio Airport (SAT).
Public transport connects all these airports to the capital’s center, but hiring a private vehicle with a chauffeur ensures greater punctuality and precision—and, above all, less stress when navigating the vast distances of Texas. Austin will welcome you with a picture of itself that defies the usual stereotypes. You will quickly fall in love with this understated city, which comes alive with a thousand colors in the autumn.
Keep Austin Weird
“Keep Austin Weird” is the slogan that has become the very symbol of the city—alongside the Longhorn (the region’s iconic long-horned steer)—reflecting the unique, original spirit of its residents. In a state as conservative and often severe as Texas, Austin brings a breath of “Californian-style” eccentricity that makes it fun and vibrant.
The Texas capital’s “weirdness” stems from years of blending hippie and bohemian cultures with a passion for music—ranging from country to great pop and, inevitably, jazz. In Austin, people dance rather than shoot! Here, the focus is on having fun, not just thinking about Bible school on a Saturday night. Unique cafés, lively events, and landmarks that keep pace with the times will make you feel like you’re on an alien planet, worlds away from the typical American Midwest. All you shouls do is to fit right in and help… keep this city weird—a city that, for all its quirks, is also stunningly beautiful.
Your Austin itinerary: what to see in the city?
Austin is a vibrant and unique capital, famous not only for its music, green spaces, and laid-back atmosphere but also for oddities like the bats at the Congress Avenue Bridge! An ideal destination for those wishing to discover a different side of Texas—far removed from towering skyscrapers and more traditional cities—it is a place that should be explored with an open and happy mind.
One of the most interesting places to visit is the Texas State Capitol , an imposing pink granite building that houses the state government. Surrounded by a large park, the building is one of Austin’s landmarks, and visitors can tour its interior. To soak up the city’s atmosphere, a stroll along South Congress Avenue—known locally as “SoCo”—is a must. Here, you’ll find independent shops, restaurants, cafés, and music venues, as well as the famous colorful murals that have recently made Austin a rival to New York! It is one of the best areas to take photos and experience Austin’s creative soul.
Austin is the “Live Music Capital of the World”. In the evening, it is practically essential to visit one of the many live music venues—particularly in the Sixth Street and Red River districts—to enjoy local delicacies (burgers, roast beef, tacos, Migas eggs…) and listen to music late into the night.
A unique experience is watching the thousands of bats emerge from beneath the Congress Avenue Bridge at sunset. In autumn, it is rare to see these “black clouds” rising like giant dark dust from beneath the bridge arches… yet, if you time your visit right, you can capture spectacular photos. To gain a deeper understanding of Texan culture, visit the Bullock Texas State History Museum—dedicated to the state’s history—and the Mexic-Arte Museum. Also, check out Alien Boots, a shop selling every imaginable type of cowboy boot, including hand-painted pairs that have become true works of art.
Nature in Austin
Nature lovers can explore Zilker Metropolitan Park, a vast green space perfect for relaxing, playing sports, or strolling along the Colorado River. The park is also home to the famous Barton Springs—natural pools fed by springs that are a favorite spot on hot summer days.
Autumn colors will also surprise and delight you along the Lady Bird Lake Hike-and-Bike trail; this popular path for walking, running, and cycling runs along the lakeshore and is ideal for water activities like kayaking. Barton Creek forms a sort of “green belt”—a wooded area that embraces the city and conceals spectacular waterfalls within its landscape.
But if you want to experience the romantic beauty of the Austin region, treat yourself to a day in the Texas Hill Country. Located between Austin and San Antonio—about 200 km from the capital’s center and a two-and-a-half-hour drive away—these hills are famous for their karst topography and steep limestone or granite slopes that rise up to 150 meters. Standing out against the landscape are Packsaddle Mountain—rising 240 meters above the Llano River—and Enchanted Rock, the second-largest granite dome in the United States. The scenery is captivating: woodlands, prairies, farms, and massive Longhorn cattle grazing almost everywhere amidst the glow of the sunset!
From Austin to…
Don’t limit yourself to just enjoying the charms of the Texas capital. With Austin as your base, you can plan interesting excursions to the surrounding areas. Houston is a three-hour drive away, while San Antonio is less than two hours away. In just over two hours on the highway, you can reach the spacious beaches of the Gulf of Mexico (Port Lavaca, Corpus Christi, Freeport…), while the famous seaside city of Galveston is a three-hour trip away.
To experience typical Texas towns, head north and visit Waco, Killeen, San Angelo, or Temple. Dallas and the nearby historic city of Fort Worth are 314 km from Austin—a long drive, certainly, but well worth it when you are staying in the deep, romantic heart of Texas!
