Austin
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Keep Austin Weird | Unofficial city slogan
Why visit
Austin pairs a serious live-music scene (SXSW in March, ACL Festival in October, plus 250+ venues year-round) with excellent Tex-Mex and barbecue (Franklin Barbecue's legendary line). Visit October through April when the Texas heat backs off. Float the Barton Springs Pool spring-fed swimming hole. It's 20°C year-round.
When to avoid
July to September deliver brutal Texas heat. Highs over 38°C with stifling humidity. SXSW in March packs hotels and triples prices. Traffic on I-35 is really terrible. Try to avoid 7-9am and 4-7pm rush hours. A route through Austin needs enough margin for hours and delays to change. For Austin, closures and movement deserve attention, whether the place is small and quiet or large and slow to cross.
