Top Destinations : Austin, TX

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Texas State Capitol
The nation's tallest Capitol building, the Texas State Capitol, towers 309 feet. The Renaissance revival-styled Capitol was constructed of red granite and completed in 1888. The 1856 Greek-revival Governor's Mansion sits on the Capitol grounds. For more information, call 512-463-0063; located at 1100 Congress Avenue, Austin, TX 78701.

University of Texas/LBJ Presidential Library and Museum
The sprawling University of Texas campus sits in the north end of Austin, showcasing the Jack S. Blanton Museum of Art and the Lyndon Baines Johnson Presidential Library and Museum. Chronicling one of the most controversial periods in U.S. history, the library contains LBJ tapes concerning the JFK assassination and the Vietnam War, a to-scale replica of the Oval Office and Johnson's black Lincoln limousine. For more information, call 512-721-0200; located at 2313 Red River Street, Austin, TX 78705.

Zilker Park and Botanical Gardens
The 400-acre Zilker Park features the spring-fed swimming hole, Barton Springs Pool, a nature center and botanical gardens. Twenty-two acres of gardens include the Taniguchi Garden, a Japanese landscape with lily ponds, bridges and a waterfall. For more information, call 512-477-8672; located at 22220 Barton Springs Road, Austin, TX 78746.

Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum
Texas state history is preserved in various interactive exhibits, archeological objects and video clips at the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum. The special-effects Spirit Theater takes you through the great Galveston Hurricane and an East Texas oil well gusher. For more information, call 512-936-8746; located at 1800 North Congress Avenue, Austin, TX 78701.

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Guero's Taco Bar

Pull up a stool next to the likes of Emilio Estevez or Quentin Tarantino at Guero's Taco Bar, Austin's relaxed, funky nightspot. For more information, call 512-447-7688; located at 1412 S. Congress, Austin, TX 78704.

Shady Grove
Unplugged music, a spacious outdoor patio and casual Texas fare makes Shady Grove immensely popular among locals and visitors. For more information, call 512-474-9991; located at 1624 Barton Springs Road, Austin, TX 78704.

Paramount Theatre
See a musical or play by the touring theater companies that make their Austin stop at Paramount Theatre, a restored movie palace. For more information, call 512-472-5470; located at 713 Congress Avenue, Austin, TX 78701.

Sixth Street

Nestled between Red River Street and Congress Avenue is Austin's former Main Street, Sixth Street, now lined with bars, theaters, restaurants, shops and galleries. Mostly college and young adult crowds enjoy the traveling and homegrown bands that play nightly in the music venues. To find out who's playing where, pick up a free Austin Chronicle or Thursday's Austin American Statesman.

Threadgill's World Headquarters

Tin signs and Southern cooking make Threadgill's World Headquarters an ideal place to enjoy the live music in the beer garden on weekends. For more information, call 512-472-9304; located at 301 West Riverside Drive, Austin, TX 78704.

Stubb's BBQ
You may have tried the bottled sauce sold nationally, but Stubb's BBQ is a must-see for visitors to Austin. The backyard amphitheatre hosts big-name concerts, while the downstairs theater-bar showcases lesser known acts. For more information, call 512-480-8341; located at 801 Red River Street, Austin, TX 78701.