The city of Austin, whose motto is “Keep Austin Weird” is determined to defy every Texas stereotype there is. The locals fiercely embrace every attribute that makes the capital city unique, from the bat colony living under Congress Bridge to claiming tacos as the ultimate breakfast food to dressing down for almost every occasion. This former hippie town is now a booming city with nearly 2 million people in the greater Austin-Round Rock metro area. A local mover who started serving Austin way back in 1993, testifies that the city has changed drastically over the last 2 decades. Increasingly overcrowded streets (try getting on MoPac at 5 p.m.), the ever-changing city skyline, and a huge influx of new residents moving here from all over the country seem to be the most tangible changes.
Austin has gained its reputation for being a hip and trendy city thanks in large part to its thriving arts and music scene. Thousands of people descend on Austin every year for the Austin City Limits and SXSW music festivals. Many love it so much they decide to stay, while thousands of others move here for the city’s entrepreneurial friendliness, huge tech scene, and stable economy.
The first stop in Austin for most travelers is the Austin-Bergstrom Airport (AUS). This single airport terminal, though small, is top notch. As soon as you step off the plane, you’ll know you’ve arrived in a very special, if not weird, place. Here are some ways that the Austin airport keeps things weird.
Live Music
The city of Austin is known as the Live Music Capital of the World, so it may come as no surprise that Austinites have expanded their love of live music to the airport. Passengers have the opportunity to enjoy more than a dozen live shows every week at six live music stages along the concourse, which includes stages at Earl Campbell’s Sports Bar, Waterloo Records, The Saxon Pub, and Annie’s Café. Grab some local grub and a front row seat to one of the impressive live shows, where you could hear anything from jazz or swing to country music from some of Austin’s finest performers.
Art in the Airport
Austin isn’t just home to great music; it’s also a thriving community for established, as well as up and coming, artists. This city especially embraces the eclectic, with fixtures like the HOPE Outdoor Graffiti Gallery and random art in public places. Airport travelers can also enjoy work from some of Austin’s finest local artisans thanks to the Art in the Airport Program. Some works, like the modern sculptures outside of the baggage claim are permanent installations, while others, like this past summer’s photography display are temporary. If you have time here while awaiting your departure, take a walk down the concourse and see how many pieces of art you can count.
Food & Shopping
The desire to “keep it local” is reflected in the dining and shopping choices at the Austin airport. This may be one of the only airports in the country where you can’t find a Starbucks or a Dunkin’ Donuts. However, you can get your caffeine fix at local favorite, Ruta Maya Coffee which offers coffee grown by Mayan farmers and roasted right here in Austin. If you want something a bit more substantial than coffee and pastry to eat, there are plenty of choices, from the mouth-watering Driftwood-born Salt Lick Barbecue to Maudie’s Tex-Mex. As far as shopping goes, you can peruse a large selection of books at Book People or browse an impressive collection of music at Waterloo Records.
No matter what brings you to Austin, whether it’s a bachelorette weekend for your bestie or a business trip, you’re sure to have a great time in this weird city. It all starts with a welcoming arrival and a warm send-off from the Austin Bergstrom International Airport.