The 'Live Music Capital of the World' as Austin is sometimes known, is in south-central Texas. A vibrant and modern city, Austin was named after Stephen F. Austin, the "Father of Texas," and was founded in 1838. The pink granite Texas State Capitol, built in 1888, is the most visible structure. The Colorado River, which slices through Austin, has been tamed into a series of picturesque lakes, including two within the city limits. Since the 1960s, this laid-back and progressive city has been a haven for artists, musicians and writers.
Many visitors come to Austin specifically for the music. Local musicians are known for their innovative re-workings of Texas’ country, folk and R&B heritage. Austin has a symphony, ballet and opera companies, dozens of theaters, dance companies, vocal ensembles, and orchestras. Art museums, galleries and beautiful gardens of sculptures add to the rich cultural mix. Austin operates a Yellow Bike Program, which repairs old bicycles, paints them yellow and makes them available free for public use. This combination of high tech industry, light manufacturing, and abundant cultural resources has given Austin the reputation of being one of the southwest’s most livable cities.
