Welcome to the Live Music Capital of the World®
Come discover Austin’s famed restaurants, vibrant arts and culture, renowned museums, stunning waterfront, groundbreaking music, over 300 parks and green spaces, and iconic structures designed by legendary architects — all within over 100 vibrant, ethnically diverse neighborhoods that are the heart and soul of Texas.
By October, Austin’s temperatures will be in the 60s at night but the 80s during the day. We’re casual, even during the workday. Layer your clothes and be comfy.
Live bands will be all over, so follow your ears! Some of our longest-lived music venues are Scoot Inn, Emo’s and The Continental Club. (As of this writing, not all venues have reopened after their COVID-19 closures, so check back when we get closer to the event dates.) Parker Jazz Club is lovely, but reservations are required. The Austin City Limits Music Festival, featuring a diverse lineup of acts, 8 stages and 100+ performances, takes place over the two weekends before and after the conference.
For those of you fond of brew, be sure to visit (512) Brewing Company, Hops & Grain, Austin Beerworks or one of our other local craft brewers. If you really love beer, you might visit the breweries. You can do so individually or on a tour from Austin Brewery Tours.
Most of us can’t party all the time, so take a break to stroll and people-watch. Afternoons and evenings, head down Rainey Street or South Congress Avenue (SoCo). Saturday morning, hit the farmers’ market at Republic Square to try charcuterie from Belle Vie Farm & Kitchen and treats from Cake and Spoon (justifiably famous for their bourbon banana cream pie, also sold at the equally famed Franklin Barbecue).
A short walk away is the award-winning Central Library, more of a community experience than a library. Grab a drink from the coffee bar and head to the rooftop garden for a great view.
It’s no secret that Austinites love the Congress Avenue Bridge and its bat colony. Peak bat-watching season will have passed by the time ALA rolls into town, so before making an excursion to the bridge, check for updates at the Austin Bat Refuge website.
Our motto, “Keep Austin Weird” (in a good way), is our badge of pride. Check out Casa Neverlandia, the Museum of Natural & Artificial Ephemerata, the Museum of the Weird or hearse tours with Haunted ATX. Movie geeks, come down early for Fantastic Fest, a genre film festival presented by Austin’s own Alamo Drafthouse.
In the Zilker Park area, the outdoor Barton Springs Pool is a brisk 68 to 72 degrees year-round. A short walk east is the lovely Umlauf Sculpture Garden. You’ll also find many local restaurants and food trucks on this stretch.
We are ready to welcome you — see you soon! ALA’s Austin Chapter