Austin, in south-central Texas on the banks of the Colorado River (there are two in the U. S.), is the capital of Texas. In 1838 Mirabeau B. Lamar, while camping along the banks of the Colorado River, fell in love with the beauty of the area. When Lamar became president of the Republic the following year, he sent Edwin Waller to build a new capital on the banks of the river. It was named for Stephen F. Austin, the father of the Republic. The city is home to the main campus of The University of Texas. Today Austin is not only a state capital and university town but also a thriving international high tech center. Diverse cultures have influenced the arts and launched a youthful harmonious spirit throughout the city. Population: 1,124,988 people in the metropolitan Austin area. 642,994 within Austin city limits. TRANSPORTATION Austin-Bergstrom International Airport Eight miles from downtown and the State Capitol. Prime position near the NAFTA Highway (Interstate Highway 35). www.ci.austin.tx.us/austinairport. General Information (8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday) 512/530-ABIA Parking Information (24-hour number) 512/530-3300 Taxis: American Yellow 512/452-9999, Austin Cab 512/478-2222, Royís Taxi 512/482-0000, Rent-A-Car Advantage 800-777-5500 Alamo 800-327-9633 Avis 800-331-1212 Hertz 800-654-3131 PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION Buses Capital Metro. Rideline. 512-474-1200 WEATHER Austin has a very temperate climate with mild to warm winters but hot and humid summers.Days of sunshine: 300 days, Annual precipitation: 32 inches. Average Daily High/Low Temperature: • March - May: 80°f / 59°f, 27°c / 15°c • June - Aug.: 95°f / 74°f, 35°c / 23°f • Sept. - Nov.: 82°f / 59°f, 28°c / 15°c • Dec. - Feb.: 60° / 39°f, 17°c / 4°c Click for a current weather forecast for Austin, TX. ATTRACTIONS THE AUSTIN SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA www.austinsymphony.org 512/476-6064 or call toll-free 1-888-4-MAESTRO, fax 512/473-8743. Symphony Square 1101 Red River Austin, TX 78701 512/476-6064 888 462-3787 Symphony Square is a complex of four 19th century limestone buildings that is home to the Austin Symphony Orchestra and Cafe Serrano; it is the site for the Symphony's Summer Music Festival and Children's Day activities. Open during the day; the restaurant hours are posted. AUSTIN ZOO Home To over 78 species and 250 animals. Open Daily. 512/288-1490 BARTON SPRINGS POOL The cities premier natural treasure and always 68 degrees. A great dip for locals and tourists. Information: 512/476-9044 CAPITAL CRUISES Take an enchanting and relaxing cruise on Town Lake. 512/480-9264 CONGRESS AVENUE BATS 512/478-0098 The Congress Avenue Bridge is the summer home to the spectacular nightly exodus of over a million Mexican free-tail bats. EAST SIXTH STREET E. Sixth Street/Congress to Interstate-35 Clubs Restaurants make up this mini New Orleans filled with bustling street life, and lots of live music. Tours. 512/478-0098 HISTORIC STEAM TRAIN Enjoy a Steam Train Ride through the historic Texas Hill Country. Information Reservations: 512/477-8468 MOUNT BONNELL 3800 Mount Bonnell Rd. At Rt. 2222 After the climb up 99 stone steps enjoy the view of one of Austin’s highest points. It is also Austin’s oldest attraction. Curfew at 10 p.m. OLD BAKERY AND EMPORIUM 1006 Congress Avenue Austin, TX 78701 512/477-5961 A National Register of Historic Landmark that houses a gift shop and more. Open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Weekend hours vary. TEXAS GOVERNOR'S MANSION 1010 Colorado Austin, TX 78701 512/463-5516 (24-hour recording with updated information) Mon.-Fri., beginning at 10 a.m. Groups require advance reservations. TEXAS STATE CAPITOL 11th and Congress Austin, TX 78711 512/463-0063 Mon.-Fri., 7 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sat, Sun, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Closed major holidays. CAPITOL VISITORS CENTER 112 E. 11th St. (southeast corner of Capitol grounds) Austin, TX 78711 512/305-8400 Take a tour or just stroll the most historic landscapes in the state. This 26 acre complex is home to gardens, statues and memorials. Open seven days a week, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Closed on major holidays. ZILKER BOTANICAL GARDENS 2220 Barton Springs Road Austin, TX 78746 512/478-6875 Open daily, 8:30 a.m.-sunset. Closed Christmas Day, New Year's Day and Thanksgiving Day. MUSEUMS, GALLERIES, LIBRARIES AUSTIN CHILDREN'S MUSEUM 201 Colorado Street Austin, TX 78701 512/472-2499 Fax: 512/472-2495 Hours: Tues.-Sat., 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun, noon-5 p.m. Free admission Wed, 5 a.m.-8 p.m. AUSTIN MUSEUM OF ART — DOWNTOWN WWW.AMOA.ORG 823 Congress Ave. Austin, TX 78701 512/495-9224 Fax: 512/495-9029 In the heart of downtown Austin, modern and contemporary art from throughout the world. Free for Museum members and youth through 12 years. $3 for General Admission, $2 for 55 years and over, & college students. Thursday is $1 day. AUSTIN MUSEUM OF ART - LAGUNA GLORIA 3809 West 35th Street Austin, TX 78703 512/458-8191 Fax 512/454-9408 The Driscoll House, a landmark Mediterranean-style villa, is located on twelve acres on the banks of Lake Austin. The Driscoll House (museum) is temporarily closed for restoration. The sculpture garden and Art School remain open. AUSTIN NATURE & SCIENCE CENTER 301 Nature Center Drive Austin, TX 78746 512/327-8180 Fax: 512/327-8745 Austin's living science museum! Indoor Open Mon.-Sat., 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun, noon-5 p.m. THE BOB BULLOCK TEXAS STATE HISTORY MUSEUM On the corner of Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. and N. Congress Ave. Austin, TX 78711 512/936-8746 Experience the Story of Texas through a variety of program and exhibits. GEORGE WASHINGTON CARVER MUSEUM 1165 Angelina Street Austin, TX 78702 512/472-4809 Fax: 512/708-1639 The first museum in the State of Texas dedicated to African-American history and culture. Hours: Tues.-Thurs., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Fri.-Sat., noon-5 p.m. Closed Sun.-Mon. CENTER FOR AMERICAN HISTORY, THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS Sid Richardson Hall, Unit 2 Austin, TX 78712 23rd and Red River (just south of LBJ Presidential Library) 512/495-4515 Fax: 512/495-4542 Mon.-Sat., 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; closings for holidays posted in advance. DOUGHERTY ARTS CENTER GALLERY 1110 Barton Springs Road Austin, TX 78704 512/397-1468 Fax: 512/397-1460 Mon.-Thurs., 9 a.m.-9:30 p.m.; Fir., 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m.; Sat, 10 a.m.-2 p m. Closed Sun. Tues.-Sun., 1-5 p.m. Closed holidays. JACK S. BLANTON MUSEUM OF ART at THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS 23rd and San Jacinto, Art Building (temporary exhibitions) 21st & Guadalupe Harry Ransom Center (permanent collections) Austin, TX 78712 512/471-7324 Fax: 512/471-7023 One of the most prominent university museums in the U.S. Over 14,000 works span the history of Western civilization. Both locations, Mon.-Sat., 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun, 1-5 p.m. Closed University holidays. LYNDON B. JOHNSON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM 2313 Red River Austin, TX 78705 512/916-5136 Fax: 512/916-5171 The largest of the nation's presidential libraries. Daily, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free admission. LADY BIRD JOHNSON WILDFLOWER RESEARCH CENTER 4801 La Crosse, Austin TX 512/292-4200 Enjoy the lovely landscape in this 42 acre garden. Enjoy a cappuccino in the Wildflower Cafe. MEXICO-ARTE MUSEUM 419 Congress Avenue Austin, TX 78701 512/480-9373 Fax: 512/480-8626 Mon.-Sat., 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Closed major holidays. O. HENRY MUSEUM 409 East 5th Street Austin, TX 78701 512/472-1903 Fax: 512/472-7102 Wed-Sun, noon-5 p.m. HARRY RANSOM HUMANITIES RESEARCH CENTER 21st and Guadalupe, University of Texas Austin, TX 78713-7219 512/471-8944 Fax: 512/471-9646 Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. REPUBLIC OF TEXAS MUSEUM 510 East Anderson Lane Austin, TX 78752 512/ 339-1997 Fax: 512/339-1998 Mon.-Fri., 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Sat, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. TEXAS MEMORIAL MUSEUM 2400 Trinity Street, University of Texas Austin, TX 78705 512/471-1604 Fax: 512/471-4794 Natural history museum built in 1936 that displays Texas’ natural history and various historical artifacts. Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sat, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Closed major holidays. TEXAS STATE LIBRARY & ARCHIVES 1201 Brazos Austin, TX 78701 512/463-5514 Fax: 512/463-5436 Houses the Texas State Archives, Genealogy Collection and Reference/Documents Collection. Mon.-Fri., 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Genealogy Library, Tues.-Sat., 8 a.m.-5 p.m.