Top Rated Attracties in Austin

One part vaudeville and one part stinging political/social satire, this place has been amusing and delighting its guests, as well as the pedestrians who pass by its front-stage windows and observe its goings-on, since the late 1970s. A troupe of multi-talented performers write, act, sing and dance their way across a broad and constantly updated comedic map that pokes fun at our elected officials, celebrity icons, and regular citizens. It is not all for laughs, though; a magical act comes on a couple of times per show to startle and captivate your senses. This is a true downtown institution.

Patrons will enjoy a huge variety of activities at Zilker Park. You can check out the hike and bike trails, picnic facilities, Zilker Botanical Garden, canoe rentals, soccer fields, sand volleyball courts, riverboat rides on Town Lake, concerts, festivals and even a miniature train. The wide-open stretches of grass in this park are just minutes from the downtown area. There is plenty of room and various diversions for the kids, so you can get a suntan, take long walks by the river or just curl up with a book down by the river.

This venue, south of the river, is a throwback to the 1950s. Roots rock and country reign supreme in this bar, where one can often find men in leather jackets and classic Cadillacs out front. With live music nightly, tributes to Elvis, and celebrations of Hank William's birthday, this place is great for dancing, drinking and kicking back on the high stools. Happy hours feature some of Austin's favorite songwriters. The venue has broadened its range of live music to include occasional indie rock.

This company knows how to push the limits and still keep the traditional form. The traditional Christmas production of The Nutcracker always brings a smile to patrons' faces. Each year an innovative twist or take on this classic ballet provides a new perspective on this timeless work. Ballet Austin is very familiar with the eclectic nature of the Austin arts scene, and keeps that in mind when developing the seasonal productions.

Constructed using sustainable technology, ACL Live at The Moody Theater is a state of the art facility hosts a variety of musical acts throughout the year. With a capacity to hold more than 2,700 guests among three levels of seating, this venue has drawn musicians such as Willie Nelson, Robyn, the Gipsy Kings and more. If you've ever watched Austin City Limits Live on television, you'll no doubt recognize this Austin staple.

As the home of the Frontera Theatre company (which puts on the annual FronteraFest), this stage is the perfect place to catch a performance. Whether you like plays, dance, interpretive readings or even experimental projects, this theater has a show for you. The intimate environment (seats up to 80) is also often used for performances appropriate for children. Located in the middle of Hyde Park, one of Austin's more bohemian neighborhoods, the theater is a wonderful extension of the eclectic Austin way of life.