Austin Texas Travel Information from ChristmasMarketUSA.com
Let’s talk about Austin, the crown jewel of the Lone Star State. This isn’t just any old Texas town – it’s a vibrant, quirky oasis that’s as comfortable in cowboy boots as it is in Birkenstocks. Trust me, you’re gonna love it.
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Where in the World is Austin?
Table of Contents
Austin sits pretty in Central Texas, about 200 miles south of Dallas and 160 miles west of Houston. It’s the state capital (fancy!) and the heart of Travis County. Picture rolling hills, winding rivers, and more breakfast tacos than you can shake a stick at.
How to Get Your Boots to Austin
By Air
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is your best bet. It’s just 5 miles southeast of downtown and handles over 17 million passengers a year. That’s a lot of folks coming to keep Austin weird!
By Car
If you’re road-tripping (and honestly, why wouldn’t you?), Austin is right on I-35. It’s about a 3-hour drive from Dallas or Houston. Just remember: everything’s bigger in Texas, including the highways.
What Makes Austin, Austin?
- Live Music Scene: They don’t call it the “Live Music Capital of the World” for nothing. With over 250 music venues, your ears are in for a treat.
- Outdoor Paradise: From Zilker Park to Barton Springs Pool, Austin is an outdoor lover’s dream. Don’t forget your sunscreen!
- Food Trucks Galore: Austin’s food truck scene is off the charts. Fancy a kimchi frito pie at 2 AM? You got it.
- Tech Hub: It’s not all cowboy hats and guitar picks. Austin’s a major tech center, nicknamed “Silicon Hills.”
The Famous Austin Christmas Market
Okay, let’s spill the tea on Austin’s Christmas Market. It’s not your grandma’s craft fair – this is a full-on winter wonderland. The Armadillo Christmas Bazaar (because of course it’s called that) has been spreading holiday cheer for over 40 years.
Picture this: 160+ artists and makers, live music (duh, it’s Austin), and enough local flavor to make your taste buds do a happy dance. It’s like Santa’s workshop met South by Southwest and had a really cool baby.
The Armadillo Christmas Bazaar: Where Santa Meets South Congress
The Armadillo Christmas Bazaar isn’t just a market – it’s a full-on festive extravaganza that’ll knock your jingle bells off.
What’s the Big Deal?
Picture this: you’re sipping a craft cocktail, bobbing your head to live music, and shopping for one-of-a-kind gifts. That’s the Armadillo Christmas Bazaar in a nutshell. It’s like if your cool aunt threw a holiday party and invited all her artsy friends.
The Deets
- When: Usually runs for about two weeks in December
- Where: Palmer Events Center (because it’s too cool for the North Pole)
- Cost: Around $10 for a single-day adult ticket (trust me, it’s worth every penny)
What to Expect
- Art Galore: We’re talking 160+ artists showcasing everything from funky jewelry to Texas-shaped cutting boards. It’s like Etsy came to life, but cooler.
- Live Music: Because it’s Austin, duh. Expect at least three live performances daily. You might discover your new favorite band while buying a hand-knitted sweater for your dog.
- Food and Drinks: Local vendors serve up everything from gourmet tamales to craft beer. Pro tip: The hot cocoa is spiked with local whiskey. You’re welcome.
- Santa’s Workshop on Steroids: Imagine if Santa traded his elves for hipsters. That’s the vibe here.
Why It’s Famous
The Armadillo Christmas Bazaar has been rockin’ around the Christmas tree for over 40 years. It’s become such a beloved tradition that some Austinites plan their entire holiday season around it.
What makes it special? It’s the perfect blend of Austin’s weird and wonderful. Where else can you buy a painting of Willie Nelson riding a unicorn while listening to a bluegrass version of “All I Want for Christmas Is You”?
Pro Tips
- Go early in the day to avoid crowds (and snag the best gifts before they’re gone).
- Bring cash – some vendors are old school.
- Wear comfortable shoes – you’ll be bopping from booth to booth all day.
- Come hungry – the food here is no joke.
So there you have it, folks. The Armadillo Christmas Bazaar isn’t just a market – it’s a full-on Austin experience. It’s where holiday cheer meets “Keep Austin Weird,” and trust me, you don’t want to miss it. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to go find that Willie Nelson unicorn painting for my living room.
Where to Crash in Austin
For the Cool Kids: Hotel San José
This place is so hip it hurts. Think minimalist chic with a Texas twist. The pool is Instagram gold.
For the High Rollers: Four Seasons Hotel Austin
Fancy pants alert! Stunning views of Lady Bird Lake and within stumbling distance of downtown. Your credit card might cry, but your body will thank you.
For the Quirk Lovers: Austin Motel
With its, ahem, suggestive neon sign and retro vibes, this place is pure Austin. It’s like the 1950s and the 2020s had a party and you’re invited.
Austin by the Numbers
- Population: About 950,000 friendly faces
- Average Temperature: 68°F (20°C) – perfect for year-round patio sitting
- Number of Tacos Consumed Daily: Approximately eleventy billion (okay, I made that up, but it feels true)
Austin’s History: From Waterloo to Weirdness
Alright, history buffs and curious cats, gather ’round. We’re about to dive into Austin’s past, and trust me, it’s as colorful as a Texas sunset.
The Birth of a City (Spoiler: It Wasn’t Always “Austin”)
Believe it or not, Austin used to be called “Waterloo.” No, not the ABBA song – though that would’ve been pretty cool. In 1839, this little village on the Colorado River hit the big time when it was chosen as the capital of the Republic of Texas. They renamed it Austin after Stephen F. Austin, the “Father of Texas.” (Sorry, Waterloo, you had a good run.)
From Humble Beginnings to State Capital
- 1846: Texas joins the U.S., and Austin becomes the state capital. Yee-haw!
- 1861-1865: During the Civil War, Austin kinda sorta secedes with Texas. It’s complicated.
- 1888: The stunning Texas State Capitol is completed. Fun fact: It’s taller than the U.S. Capitol. Everything’s bigger in Texas, right?
The 20th Century: Austin Grows Up (But Stays Weird)
- 1900s: The dam is built on the Colorado River, creating the series of lakes we know and love today.
- 1930s: The University of Texas at Austin starts to boom. Go Longhorns!
- 1960s-70s: Austin becomes a hotbed for countercultural movements. Hippies, music, and weirdness, oh my!
The Tech Boom and Keeping It Weird
- 1980s: “Silicon Hills” is born as tech companies start flocking to Austin.
- 1990s: South by Southwest (SXSW) kicks off, cementing Austin’s place as a cultural powerhouse.
- 2000: The “Keep Austin Weird” slogan is born. It’s not just a saying, it’s a way of life.
Fun Historical Tidbits
- The Texas State Capitol is made of “Sunset Red” granite. It’s like the building is perpetually blushing.
- Austin City Limits, the longest-running music series in American TV history, started here in 1974. Thanks, Austin, for all those killer performances!
- The world’s first photograph was on display at the University of Texas for decades. It’s like the great-great-grandpa of Instagram.
Austin’s gone from a tiny village to a booming capital city, all while keeping its quirky charm. It’s a place where cowboys and hippies, politicians and musicians, techies and artists all coexist in weird harmony.
Now, doesn’t that make you want to tip your hat (cowboy or otherwise) to this fantastic city? Austin’s not just weird, it’s wonderfully, historically weird. And that’s why we love it.
