Austin

Austin, the capital of Texas, is the fastest-growing large city in the United States — a college town (University of Texas) turned tech hub and music capital that retains, somewhat against the odds, a genuinely creative and countercultural character expressed in the slogan "Keep Austin Weird." The city's live music scene is the densest in the world per capita, and South by Southwest (SXSW) every March brings the global music, film and tech industries together. Sixth Street and the Red River Cultural District are the main music corridors — venues like Stubb's Amphitheatre (outdoor, beloved), the Broken Spoke (historic honky-tonk), Emo's and dozens of smaller stages keep Austin's identity as the "Live Music Capital of the World." The Texas State Capitol, larger than the US Capitol in Washington DC, is excellent for a free tour. The Blanton Museum of Art at UT Austin and the Bullock Texas State History Museum are both outstanding. Barton Springs Pool — a natural swimming hole fed by cold springs in Zilker Park — is Austin's greatest civic pleasure, beloved by the entire city on hot days. The Colorado River (actually Town Lake) running through the city is lined with hike-and-bike trails. South Congress Avenue and East Austin's bars and restaurants represent the city's evolving food culture. Texas barbecue is a religion here — Franklin Barbecue (arrive early, queue accepted) is America's most acclaimed, but La Barbecue, Micklethwait and John Mueller are also outstanding.