46 CIT Y PROFILE austin KEEPING IT WEIRD AUSTIN BY LAURA GELDER
Bigger than Washington’ DC’s Capitol Building, this beautiful domed building shows off the proud independence of ‘Confederate Texas’.
CIRCUIT OF THE AMERICAS
TEXAS STATE CAPITOL
Just outside Austin is the USA’s first Formula One track, which also stages music concerts and other sporting events throughout the year.
SIXTH STREET
B
ritish Airways’ decision to fl y direct from the UK to Austin was a vote of confi dence in the city – and little
wonder. With an estimated 150 people moving there daily the population is projected to increase from 1.8 million to 3.8 million over the next 10 years.
But America’s fastest-growing city isn’t playing by the usual growth rules because it’s not corporate giants like Starbucks or McDonalds that have kick-started the economy; instead it is local and independent traders and Austin’s creative live music scene that is fuelling the growth. The city’s catchphrase is ‘Keep Austin Weird’ and the city
is certainly a departure from what most Brits would imagine as ‘Texan’. Here, you’re just as likely to see the LGBT community’s rainbow fl ag fl uttering from a stoop as you are the confederate stars, and it’s not just country music that drifts out of the bars but an eclectic mix of just about every sound you can think of. Even the restaurant scene in Austin is done differently,
TRAVEL 2 OFFERS FIVE NIGHTS FROM £799PP, FLYING WITH DELTA AND STAYING AT THE
THREE-STAR RADISSON HOTEL & SUITES IN A DOUBLE ROOM ON A ROOM-ONLY BASIS WITH RETURN TRANSFERS. 0800 0224 302 –
travel2.com
with some of the best eateries found in converted trailers, ranging from hotdogs and tacos, Mexican-Korean fusion food, Vietnamese soup and cup cakes. I spent an evening in the up-and-coming Rainey Streey
area, where historic wooden bungalows have been converted into bars and restaurants. We sampled No Va’s menu of coconut ginger houmous, slow-braised pork and mac ‘n’ cheese with a locally-made water melon vodka.
Dates for the diary
South by Southwest takes place each March in hundreds of city-wide venues. On show is a mix of fi lm, music and interactive festivals and conferences which act as a platform for creative debate. As well as showcasing original music, independent fi lms and emerging technology, this year’s headline act was Lady Gaga while Kaelis served barbeque from a food truck to promote her album Food. There were also live streamed talks from ‘whistleblowers’ Julian Assange and Edward Snowden.
Cool hotels
I stayed at the hip W Hotel. Like everywhere else in Austin, dogs are as welcome as people in the dimly-lit concrete and steel reception. My stylish room provided me with all the usual mini bar accoutrements (water, Diet Coke, etc) but also a can of pure oxygen, an indie music CD and designer condoms – still ‘keeping it weird’. By day, guests can soak up the sun at the pool and by night the Living Room area comes alive with DJs. Head to the Record Room to choose from 8,000 vinyls or the fl oor-to-ceiling red velvet comfort of the Secret Room for a cocktail.
www.sellinglonghaul.com
Paddle boarders, kayakers, runners and dog walkers take advantage of this green and peaceful city centre lake and its trails.
SOUTH CONGRESS LAFAYETTE CEMETERY
You might feel left out here if you don’t possess a designer tattoo, but mingle among the ‘inkies’ for the street’s nightlife and live music.
LADYBIRD LAKE
A collection of cool shops ranging from retro barbers to cowboy boot outfitters, book shops and a flamboyant fancy dress store.
The details
TIME ZONE: GMT -6 CURRENCY: US$ - £1=US$1.62 VISAS: British passport holders must register with ESTA before departure SEE:
austintexas.org GETTING THERE: BA operates the only direct flight.
batraveltrade.com
SAMPLE DEAL
One of Austin’s funky food trucks in SoCO - or South Congress
HIGHLIGHTS
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72