Austin Lodging in a Nutshell |
by Wendy Maxey, Managing Editor |
 In the heart of Texas, tucked away amid the tumbleweed and twang, the oil refineries and rolling hills, there’s a capital city that’s been found out.
I’m sure you’ve read a million and one destination guides that start out with the same hook - “There’s a certain magic about (plug in your city here).” I’m going to try my best to avoid using those words, although it’ll be difficult in my mission to describe Austin,
Texas.
Austin, rated No. 3 on Money magazine's "Best Places to Live" list, has become a hotbed for tourists. If it's a great place to live, it’s an even better place to visit. Apparently millions of travelers agree. With more than 14 million visitors per year, Austin is the fourth most visited spot in the Lone Star State.
What's so appealing about Austin? It’s certainly not dusty roads or Southern sleepiness, although that is part of the city’s charm.
Maybe it has something to do with the music. It is the "Live Music Capital of the World." Or maybe it has something to do with the food. Where else can you get a mix of down-home barbeque (complete with paper plates) and authentic Mexican? Maybe it's the people. Austin is home to the most highly educated people per capita in the U.S., and follows Silicon Valley as the No. 2 high-tech city in the nation. Or, you could blame the surge of visitors on Austin's picture-perfect surroundings. Mother Nature took her best shot at this Texas gem.
Whatever it is, Austin has it - and travelers have discovered it. In fact, so many travelers have discovered Austin that officials had to build a new airport. With passenger traffic four times the national average, the new Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is surpassing all expectations in its few months of operation.
Where are all these folks shacking up? According to Texas Monthly, there are more than 2,000 economical, 6,900 moderate, 3,000 first-class, and 3,100 deluxe Austin hotels. This influx of tourists is good news for hoteliers - local residents might not like it, but hotel owners are in their prime.
The following is some advice on where to stay in Austin, depending on what type of traveler you are. This city does boast a few distinct neighborhoods, including Sixth Street, downtown, the area surrounding University of Texas, Northpark, Southpark, and the Hill Country. Keep in mind that it’s beneficial to have a car in this city. Although you can rely on your feet downtown and around Sixth Street, you’ll need some wheels to see the surrounding area.
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