University and The University of Texas at Austin.
ANN RICHARDS CONGRESS AVENUE BRIDGE —From March to October spectators converge at sunset to watch the bats’ mass exodus from underneath the bridge. This is one of the largest urban bat colonies in the nation. Infor- mation kiosks are on the north and south shores of Lady Bird Lake by the bridge. Barton Springs Road and Congress Avenue. 512/327-9721.
www.batcon.org.
AUSTIN CITY LIMITS TOUR —PBS’ longest running pro- gram, Austin City Limits, was first broadcast from the KLRU studios on The University of Texas at Austin cam- pus in 1976. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame designated the original studios (and show) a historic rock ’n’ roll site. Today, the studios are downtown at ACL Live at the Moody Theater. Tours of the original location (2054 Whitis, Unit B) are available. See website for a taping schedule and ticket details. Free. 310 W. Second St., Willie Nelson Blvd. 512/471-4811.
www.austincitylimits.org.
AUSTIN DUCK ADVENTURES —Tour historic sites and scenic streets of Austin and then, in the same vehicle, splash into Lake Austin for a leisurely cruise. Tours depart from the Austin Visitor Center. Admission charge. 209 E. Sixth St. 512/477-5274.
www.austinducks.com.
AUSTIN MUSEUM OF ART AT LAGUNA GLORIA — Visitors can stroll the 12-acre grounds overlooking Lake Austin and take in the scenic sculpture and historic gar- dens. Admission charge. 3809 W. 35th. 512/458-8191.
http://thecontemporaryaustin.org.
Lady Bird Lake, which runs through the heart of Austin, is a magnet for outdoor activity. travel information TRAVEL INFORMATION CENTER S
The Texas Department of Transportation oper- ates travel information centers for the conve- nience of the traveling public. Uniformed, pro- fessional travel counselors welcome visitors and provide a wealth of free literature, information and suggestions to make every Texas trip more pleasant. Open 8 a.m.-5 p.m. daily, and 8 a.m.- 6 p.m. from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. TO SPEAK to a professional travel counselor
for travel information and trip planning assis- tance call 800/452-9292 from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Central time daily.
www.txdot.gov.
FOR 24-HOUR highway condition information call 800/452-9292 or visit
www.drivetexas.org.
AUSTIN/CAPITOL: Located on the State Capitol grounds in the old General Land Office Building. 11th Street and Brazos Street. 512/463-8586.
GETTING THERE
AUSTIN-BERGSTROM INTL. AIRPORT
www.austintexas.gov/airport
SAN ANTONIO INTL. AIRPORT
www.sanantonio.gov/airport
MORE TRAVEL INFORMATION ON PAGE 7.
AUSTIN POP. 843,729
AUSTIN NATURE AND SCIENCE CENTER —Educational exhibits feature science, natural history, botany and native Texas animals. A Dino Pit offers visitors a chance to un- earth replicas of fossils found in Texas. The adjoining preserve offers hiking and nature trails. Free. 301 Nature Center Drive. 512/974-3888.
www.ci.Austin.tx.us/ansc.
ALT. 550 MAP P-17/JJ-13
AUSTIN VISITOR CENTER: 602 E. Fourth St. 866/462-8784.
www.austintexas.org.
In 1839, scouts searched a broad area of wilderness for a new capital city site for the Republic of Texas. They chose a location on the Colorado River that was occupied by a four-family settlement. Called Waterloo, it was renamed to honor Stephen F. Austin, the “Father of Texas.” In Septem- ber 1839, the Republic’s archives and furniture were trans- ported from Houston to Austin by 50 ox-drawn wagons. Today, the city bills itself as the “Live Music Capital of
the World.” Austin has more than 250 live music venues around the city. The music reputation is further solidified with the South by Southwest Music, Film and Interactive conferences in March and the Austin City Limits Music Festival in October. Other events include the Austin Marathon in February;
Austin Food + Wine Festival and the Moonlight Tower Comedy Festival in April; Austin Film Festival in October; Fun, Fun, Fun Fest and Formula 1 United States Grand Prix in November; and the Armadillo Christmas Bazaar in December. The outdoors are important here, the city offers more
than 19,000 acres of parkland. Amenities include easy access to hike and bike trails, as well as mountain biking trails. There also are opportunities for paddling, boating and fishing. City tours are available by cycle, train, Segway, horse-
drawn carriage, water or on foot.
www.austintexas.org. The Presidential Corridor via U.S. 290, then Texas 21
to Texas 6 connects the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum in Austin with the George Bush Presidential Library in College Station. The city is home to Austin Community College,
Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, Concordia University at Austin, Episcopal Theological Seminary of the Southwest, Huston-Tillotson College, St. Edward’s
132 PHOTO: WILL VAN OVERBEEK/TXDOT
AUSTIN OVERTURES SIGHTSEEING —“Austin in 90 min- utes” is a narrated van tour of more than 30 historical and cultural attractions on a 30-mile route. Tour passes by his- toric downtown, State Capitol, the UT Campus and East Austin, plus provides a scenic drive to the edge of the Hill Country. Daily tours from the Austin Visitor Center. Admission charge. 209 E. Sixth St. 512/659-9478.
www.austinovertures.com.
AUSTIN ZOO AND ANIMAL SANCTUARY —This rescue and sanctuary zoo in southwest Travis County offers hands-on encounters with a variety of animals. It includes pony and train rides and a picnic area. Admission charge. 10807 Rawhide Trail. From U.S. 290 west, turn on to Circle Drive. 512/288-1490.
www.austinzoo.org.
BALCONES CANYONLANDS NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE —See MARBLE FALLS.
BREWERIES —Adelbert’s Brewery, Circle Brewing Com- pany, Hops and Grain Brewery, Independence Brewing Co., Jester King Brewery, Live Oak Brewing Company, South Austin Brewing Company and Thirsty Planet Brew- ing Company. See BREWERIES AND DISTILLERIES listing.
BULLOCK TEXAS STATE HISTORY MUSEUM “THE STORY OF TEXAS” —This state-of-the-art museum traces Texas history from before European exploration to the early 1970s. An IMAX® Theatre features 2-D and 3-D films. The Texas Spirit Theater’s “Star of Destiny” includes 3-D images, special effects and shaking seats. Free for children under 5. Underground garage parking available; call the museum for bus, RV and other large vehicle park- ing information. Admission charge. 1800 N. Congress Ave. at Martin Luther King Boulevard. 512/936-4649.
www.thestoryoftexas.com.
CIRCUIT OF THE AMERICAS (COTA) —The world’s new- est home for high performance motorsports racing. The track is the only purpose-built facility in the country de- signed for Formula 1 racing and is the host circuit for the United States Grand Prix through 2021. Track also hosts V8 Supercars World Championships and MotoGP. Open
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