Arts & Entertainment

There's always something to see or do in Austin. World-class museums, live performances, festivals, sporting events and a thriving local arts scene mean that your calendar need never be empty. Austin boasts a professional symphony, ballet, opera and theater, and dozens of galleries showcasing local, regional and international artists. The city truly is a cornucopia of art, culture and expression.

Museums

Austin Museum of Art French Legation Museum LBJ Presidential Library and Museum
Austin Nature and Science Center George Washington Carver Museum O. Henry Museum
Blanton Museum of Art Harry Ransom Center Texas Memorial Museum
Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum Jourdan-Bachman Pioneer Farm Umlauf Sculpture Garden & Museum
Elisabet Ney Museum Austin Children's Museum

Performing Arts

Ariel Dance Theatre Austin Vocal Arts Ensemble Paramount Theatre
Austin Chamber Music Festival Ballet Austin The State Theatre
Austin Civic Chorus Bass Concert Hall Univ. of Texas Performing Arts Center
Austin Lyric Opera Frank Erwin Center Zachary Scott Theatre
Austin Playhouse Long Center for the Performing Arts Zilker Hillside Theater
Austin Symphony Orchestra Palmer Events Center Over 120 live music venues

Festivals

Austin City Limits Music Festival Austin Film Festival South by Southwest Music, Film, & Media Conference & Festival
Old Pecan Street Arts Festival Texas Book Festival Fun, Fun, Fun Fest
Zilker Kite Festival Old Settlers Music Festival Republic of Texas Biker Rally
Star of Texas Fair & Rodeo Livestrong Austin Marathon

Sports

Austin Toros
NBA D-League Basketball Team 		Texas Longhorns
Big 12 Conference College Sports
Round Rock Express
AAA Baseball Team		 Texas Stars
AHL Ice Hockey Team

Resources for Exploring Attractions & Planning Activities

The daily paper, the Austin American-Statesman, offers an online entertainment guide called Austin 360.

The local 'alternative' weekly, the Austin Chronicle, provides a round up of upcoming events including live music listings, arts events, etc., as well as a city guide.

Online visitor's information is provided by the Austin Convention and Visitor's Bureau (while you're there, check out the CVB's Live Music page for a jukebox of Austin music) and Texas Tourism.

Author of The Rise of the Creative Class, Richard Florida named Austin as one of the top creative cities, and patent activity in the region topped 2,300 new patents in 2006 alone.