Playful, Fun Little-known Facts About Austin

Austin, where the music scene hums, tacos are a way of life, and the motto “Keep Austin Weird” is embraced wholeheartedly. But beyond the bats and breakfast tacos, there’s a whole other side to the Texas capital.

Let’s uncover some of its facts and hidden gems:

1. Bat City: Austin boasts the largest urban bat colony in North America. Their nightly emergence from under the Congress Avenue Bridge is a spectacular sight!
2. Live Music Capital: With over 250 live music venues, Austin truly earns its title as the “Live Music Capital of the World”
3. Swimming Hole Hotspots: Barton Springs Pool is a beloved natural swimming hole fed by underground springs, while Hamilton Pool offers a waterfall grotto.
4. Cathedral of Junk: A testament to Austin’s eclectic spirit, this backyard wonder is made of over 60 tons of random, repurposed objects.
5. Official “Weird” Designation: Austin’s commitment to individuality made it the first city to officially adopt the slogan “Keep Austin Weird.”
6. Hippie Hollow: This clothing-optional park on Lake Travis is an ode to Austin’s free-spirited vibe.
7. Moonlight Towers: These historic towers, once used to illuminate the city, now cast a unique glow and are beloved Austin landmarks.
8. Leslie Cochran: A homeless, cross-dressing icon, Leslie embodied the “Keep Austin Weird” spirit and even ran for mayor several times.
9. Filmmaking Hub: Austin’s a major film scene, home to the South by Southwest (SXSW) festival and director Richard Linklater (“Dazed and Confused”).
10. Tiny House Trendsetter: Spur, Texas, not far from Austin, is considered the first “tiny house friendly” town in America.
11. World’s Largest Pecan Statue: Roadside attractions are alive and well! In nearby Seguin, you’ll find a giant pecan monument.
12. State Capitol Dome: Did you know the Texas State Capitol is taller than the US Capitol building in Washington D.C.?
13. Breakfast Taco Obsession: These delicious, portable meals are practically a food group in Austin, fueling mornings citywide.
14. Eeyore’s Birthday Party: This annual celebration of Winnie the Pooh’s gloomy donkey friend is a quirky, only-in-Austin event.
15. Armadillo HQ: The armadillo is Austin’s unofficial animal mascot, and the Broken Spoke honky-tonk even hosts “World Championship Armadillo Races”.