Austin City Blog

6 Things You’ll Find Only in Austin

October 19, 2009 // No Comments »

Once just a village on the banks of the Colorado River, then a small college town, Austin is today a center for state government, business, education and of course, technology. The city is a hugely popular destination amongst tourists and, being the 3rd fasting growing city in America, is also a very popular location for people looking to relocate. Every year thousands of people visit Austin for its fabulous mix of natural landscapes, comfortable weather and diverse cultural and historical attractions. There are least 6 things in Austin you cant find anywhere else in America.
1. Nicknamed the “live music capital of the world”, Austin has the most live music venues per capita. There are more than 200 live music venues in a city that has a population of 757,000 people – meaning that Austin is greater than both Las Vegas and New York in this regard. While in Austin one can enjoy a different variety of live music every night of the week. The music scene here is largely centered around the Sixth Street and Warehouse District, with plenty of restaurants and clubs to choose from. There is also the annual music festival known as the South by Southwest, which is held in Austin each year during spring time. Then in the fall one can enjoy a music and arts festival named the Austin City Limits Music Festival, which comes from Austin City Limits – the longest running music show on American TV. These attractions draw a crowd from all over the world – but of course for those with more classical tastes there is still the lyrics opera, symphonic band and the Austin Symphony Orchestra to enjoy.
2. The largest bat colony in the entire urban world. There is a massive colony of Mexican free tail bats that live below the Congress Avenue bridge between the months of March and November each year. The number of bats is estimated at somewhere between 750,000 and 1.5 million, who all enjoy their summers under the bridge – meaning that during these months the population of bats in Austin is greater than the human population here. Every night at dusk you can witness the spectacular sight of bats flocking out from their home to fly over the lack and into the middle of town to find something to eat.
3. The biggest state capitol building Texas is here. Its exterior is constructed from local red granite, and inside you can find a portrait of every single person who has ever served as president for the Republic of Texas, as well as governor of the State of Texas – you will also find the whispering gallery. There is an old local legend that any wish made while standing in the center of this gallery will come true. The Senate Chamber still houses the original desks which were bought back in 1888. Rumor has it that the ghosts and spirits of dead lawmakers can be seen roaming the halls – a great spot to visit if you are interested in the paranormal.
4. The only free presidential library is located in Austin, and it doesn’t charge any fee for admission. The library honors such people as Lyndon Baines Johnson, who was born and grew up in Johnson City, located around 50 miles to the west of Austin, then retired here after he chose not to run for a 2nd term. The building is ten stories high and is home to a museum which holds various displays surrounding the United States throughout the 1960s, gifts that Johnson received from various other heads of state, his papers, speeches and other items from his life and presidency – as well as a fabulous life sized replica of the Oval Office as it was during his time in office. It was at Johnson’s request that the museum became free of admission, as he hoped young people could come and enjoy the library and get a better understanding of their local history.
5. The largest solar array. Gemini Solar Development, a company based in San Francisco, was recently chosen by Austin Energy to create the largest solar power facility in the United States here. The array will remain under ownership of the company, but will be leased to Austin Energy. The array will be able to out put 30 megawatts, which is twice that of the current largest solar array in the country – or enough to supply power to roughly 5,000 houses. The array will be situated on a 300 acre lot just outside of Austin and is being installed as part of a green plan to increase the use of renewable energy sources 30% by the year 2030.
6. The only unusual downside of Austin is that it has the worst traffic congestion of all the medium sized cities in the United States. Residents of Central Texas spend on average 52 extra hours sitting in traffic each year than in other medium sized cities because of this congestion; which costs motorists approximately $1,00 a year. The congestion is largely due to the lack of funding for transportation to build new roads, a lack of planning for urban development as well as a lack of political willingness to offer more public transportation choices. Since 1992 the number of hours spent in vehicles waiting in traffic has more than doubled, and if nothing is done by the year 2040 traffic congestion in Austin will be the worst out of anywhere in the United States, including the notoriously bad New York.

Posted in Austin Culture