Austin Neighborhoods, Locations and Districts

(Austin, Texas - TX, USA)

Austin, the unassuming capital of Texas, is a compact and hip town that has become the cultural capital of the state, where the focus is on music. The downtown district of Austin lies just north of the Texas Colorado River, not to be confused with the famous Colorado River farther north.

Austin's most important areas from a tourist's point of view are Congress Avenue, which bisects downtown from the south; historical East Sixth Street, running east from Congress Avenue; and Guadalupe Street, known as 'The Drag', which runs parallel with Congress Avenue three blocks to the west.

Bremond Block District

Located in the centre of downtown Austin between West 7th, Guadalupe, San Antonio and West 8th streets, Austin's Bremond Block was an upper class neighborhood in 19th century Victorian Austin. The Bremond Block district was the brainchild of Austin banker Eugene Bremond, who liked his family and friends so much that he developed the whole block of land and built them all elegant homes within it. One of the oldest homes here is the 1854 Phillips-Bremond-Houston House on Guadalupe.

Congress Avenue District

Congress Avenue (Austin's main street) and Congress Bridge at its southern end, encompass one of the most intriguing districts of the city. The grand Austin State Capitol building stands at the northern end of the avenue, while the bridge over the Texas Colorado River lies to the south. Austin's Congress Bridge is famous for being home to over one million Mexican free-tail bats that snuggle up into the depths of the structure's underbelly and make an appearance just before dusk in one fell swoop, to feast on Austin's offering of insects. Shoal Beach, at the northeast corner of the bridge, has the best vantage point for this nightly event.

Downtown Austin

Downtown Austin covers an area of roughly one square mile that runs from the I-35 in the east to North Lamar Boulevard in the west and from Town Lake (Texas Colorado River) to the south and Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard to the north. Austin's downtown district can be described as fashionable and cosmopolitan or historic and chic, and it appeals to all types of visitors. The district is a remarkably diverse area with government, business and tourism building sitting together and it is here that you will find most of Austin's top sights.

East Sixth Street District

Formerly Austin's main street and once known as Pecan Street, historic East Sixth Street is the most atmospheric part of the city, covering a nine-block area that has been undergoing restoration for many decades. There are restaurants, theaters, live music venues and shops galore here, and the area just east and west of Austin's Congress Avenue bustles with activity by day and night.

Guadalupe Street District

More popularly known as 'The Drag', one-way Guadalupe Street, stretching from the university to Town Lake, is one of Austin's most trendy areas and it is here where you will find the majority of the city's most fashionable boutiques and restaurants.

Zilker District

Arguably the most picturesque area of Austin is Zilker Metropolitan Park and Barton Springs Road, situated next to Barton Hills and on the south shore of Town Lake, southwest of downtown. The park itself is home to many of the Austin's major attractions, including the beautiful and refreshing Barton Springs, Austinites' premier summer retreat. Easily accessible, the Zilker district of Austin is constantly being redeveloped and improved.