Austin

Austin wears its weirdness like a badge of honor, though the city's explosive growth has put real pressure on what made it weird in the first place. Longtime locals will tell you — half-joking, half-mourning — that the city's soul gets a little more corporate every year as tech workers and remote transplants pour in. The "Keep Austin Weird" slogan started in 2000 when local Red Wassenich donated to a radio station and said "because it keeps Austin weird.

" It became a battle cry in 2003 when BookPeople and Waterloo Records used it to fight chain stores moving in. That tension between old Austin and new Austin is still very real. The Texas State Capitol here is taller than the one in Washington D.

C., and Texans will find a way to mention that. Longhorn football is basically a civic religion — burnt orange everywhere on game days.

Austin FC, the city's first major league pro sports team, launched in 2021 and has a cult following at Q2 Stadium. Every evening from late March through November, up to 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats pour out from under the Congress Avenue Bridge at dusk.

It's free, it's bizarre, and it's completely Austin. Kolaches — Czech pastries filled with fruit, sausage, or cheese — are a breakfast staple. BBQ is a serious business, not just a meal.

And Willie Nelson is the unofficial patron saint of the whole city.

Tipping 20% at restaurants and bars is standard. Austin's service industry workers count on it, especially during off-season from big festivals.. Don't say 'SoCo' disparagingly — South Congress Avenue is genuinely cherished, tourist trap reputation and all.

Long-timers just roll their eyes at the wait lines.. Bat watching at Congress Avenue Bridge is a free, casual affair. Show up about 30 minutes before sunset, stand on the bridge or grab a spot on the lawn.

No tickets, no rush.. During SXSW (March) and ACL (October weekends), the city population swells and prices spike hard. Hotels triple.

Restaurants have two-hour waits. Book far ahead or avoid those dates entirely if crowds aren't your thing.. H-E-B is sacred.

Austinites have a deep, almost spiritual loyalty to this Texas grocery chain. Calling it just a grocery store will get you strange looks.. Franklin Barbecue at 900 E 11th St opens at 11am and routinely sells out by 1pm.

People line up by 8am. Bring a cooler, chairs, and something to read. And yes, it's worth it..

The heat between June and September is not a joke. Temperatures regularly hit 100°F+ with high humidity. Carry water everywhere and take the heat seriously..

Guadalupe Street along UT campus is called 'The Drag' — say it right or you'll out yourself as a visitor immediately.

Austin is generally safe for tourists, particularly in the main areas. Downtown, South Congress, East Austin, and the university district are well-patrolled and busy. But look, the overall crime rate is above the national average — about 75% higher per 100,000 residents according to FBI data — so standard urban awareness matters.

Property crime is the bigger concern, not violent crime. Keep bags zipped, don't leave anything visible in rental cars, and use rideshare after late nights rather than walking alone in unfamiliar blocks. The Rundberg area (North Austin near Rundberg Lane) has long been the city's highest-crime corridor and is worth avoiding.

East Riverside and Montopolis are also better avoided after dark. Homelessness is visible throughout the city, particularly downtown. The city has over 5,000 homeless residents.

Most interactions are harmless, though some panhandling can be persistent near Dirty 6th and under overpasses. Texas has open carry laws — licensed gun owners can carry a holstered handgun in public. This surprises some international visitors.

Distracted walking and driving laws exist: texting while driving carries a fine of up to $500. The summer heat (June through September) is a real safety concern. Temperatures regularly exceed 100°F.

Drink water constantly, wear sunscreen, and don't underestimate Austin sun on an afternoon hike at Barton Creek Greenbelt.