OUT AND ABOUT
ACL LIVE AT THE MOODY THEATER
Home of the historic Austin City Limits tapings, this state-of-the-art live music venue brings in a wide variety of touring acts, from classic rock bands to the hottest comedians. Don’t miss the Willie Nelson statue outside. INSIDER TIP: Spot up-and-coming greats at ACL Live’s little sister club, the more intimate 3Ten ACL Live, which is on the ground floor. 310 Willie Nelson Blvd., 512-225-7999; acl-live.com
ANTONE’S NIGHTCLUB
Austin’s iconic home of the blues was founded by the late Clifford Antone in 1975 and has seen all of the greats in those 40-plus years. Now co-owned by hometown hero, the Grammy-award winning Gary Clark Jr., Antone’s has live music every night, from free weekly residences to hot touring acts that sell out quickly. 305 E. Fifth St., 512-814-0361; antonesnightclub.com
BASS CONCERT HALL
With seating for 2,9000, the University of Texas’s premier performance venue brings the best in comedy, music, and Broadway to Austin. INSIDER TIP: Want to eat before the show without rushing? Each performance features a limited dinner menu with a special cocktail or wine pairing in the third-floor dining area. 23rd Street and Robert Dedman Drive, 512-471-2787; texasperformingarts.org
THE BLANTON MUSEUM OF ART
The University of Texas’s world-class art museum boasts an impressive array of Latin American art. Its recently renovated second-floor galleries are home to its permanent collections, while carefully selected visiting exhibits are found on the first floor. INSIDER TIP: Like the exhibits themselves, the museum’s gift shop is carefully curated, making it a great resource for unique gifts. 200 E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., 512-4715482; blantonmuseum.org
BULLOCK TEXAS STATE HISTORY MUSEUM
Learn the story of Texas while also enjoying smart, diverse exhibits that make you think. Look for special concerts and monthly films about the state. The Bullock’s IMAX Theatre is the first and only Laser IMAX theater in Texas. 1800 Congress Ave., 512-936-8746; thestoryoftexas.com
THE CONTEMPORARY AUSTIN
Contemporary Austin’s newly renovated downtown location at the Jones Center features some of the most exciting artists from around the globe as well as a canopied rooftop patio, perfect for parties. Meanwhile, its Laguna Gloria location at the centuryold Driscoll Villa features the 14-acre Betty and Edward Marcus Sculpture Park. 700 Congress Ave., 512-453-5312; 3809 W. 35th St., 512-458-8191; thecontemporaryaustin.org
THE FRANK ERWIN CENTER
Music’s biggest names come to the UT arena, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. The Erwin Center is also home to the UT Longhorns basketball teams. VIP suites are available for each event. 1701 Red River St., 512-471-7744; uterwincenter.com
HARRY RANSOM CENTER
Housing the archives of some of the world’s most celebrated writers and artists, from Gabriel Garcia Marquez to David Foster Wallace and the Magnum Collection, this internationally known humanities research center and museum puts together compelling exhibits. It’s also home to one of the five complete copies of the Gutenberg Bible in the US. 300 W. 21st St., 512-471-8944; hrc.utexas.edu
THE LONG CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
The Austin Symphony, Ballet Austin, and the Austin Opera all call this beautiful facility home, as so do local resident companies like Austin Shakespeare and the Grammy-winning Conspirare. Its “Terrace Ring” outside overlooking the shores of Lady Bird Lake offers some of the most beautiful views of the city. 701 W. Riverside Dr., 512-474-5664; thelongcenter.org
LYNDON BAINES JOHNSON LIBRARY AND MUSEUM
Explore the Texas-born president’s life and legacy, as well as the impact of the 1960s, at this state-of-the-art presidential museum. INSIDER TIP: When you are in the Oval Office, know that on the other side sits the real offices LBJ used, preserved and intact and used for very special events. 2313 Red River St., 512-7210200; lbjlibrary.org
MEXIC-ARTE MUSEUM
Opened in 1984, this invaluable downtown museum celebrates traditional and contemporary Mexican, Latino, and Latin American art and culture. Its well-appointed gift shop highlights Mexican and Mexican-American fine art. 419 Congress Ave., 512-4809373; mexic-artemuseum.org
PARAMOUNT THEATRE
Austin’s historic downtown theater, more than a century old, is the jewel of Congress Avenue. Join its seasonal series for access to the best tickets, and don’t miss annual events like its Summer Classic Film Series, the Moontower Comedy Festival, and more. INSIDER TIP: Legends like Carol Burnett and Woody Allen have signed the performers’ wall backstage. 713 Congress Ave., 512-472-5470; austintheatre.org
UMLAUF SCULPTURE GARDEN & MUSEUM
This urban oasis is home to the largest collection of work by the late American sculptor Charles Umlauf, who taught at UT for many years. Opened 26 years ago, the Umlauf’s grounds are ideal for quiet walks or festive events. INSIDER TIP: Relax outdoors with yoga classes in the garden on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. 605 Robert E. Lee Rd., 512-445-5582; umlaufsculpture.org
ZACH THEATRE
Expect top-notch local theater at this essential Austin nonprofit. The professional theater company is the longest, actively running in Texas, and one of the 10 oldest in the country. 202 S. Lamar Blvd., 512-476-0541; zachtheatre.org