Vacation Rentals in Austin

If you intend to spend a week touring the music venues, restaurants and stores in central Austin, you’ll find plenty of beautifully furnished apartments in the downtown area. Pick from condos near the major shopping areas, or standalone apartments in more secluded areas, with options for nightlife lovers and families alike.

There are also plenty of larger rental home options to check out in the Austin area. You’ll find traditional Texan ranch houses with huge gardens for the kids to play in, suburban homes in quiet neighborhoods, with waterfront locations in suburbs like Lake Travis that are still just a few minutes from the center of town.

The capital of Texas may be an administrative hub, but it’s also a freewheeling global cultural center, hosting two of the biggest live music events on the planet. The city is a delight to visit, with green spaces, welcoming people, fine food and engaging historical attractions.

Getting to a vacation home in Austin shouldn’t be a problem. Bergstrom International Airport is six miles outside town and connects Austin with almost every corner of the USA, with daily services from New York, Los Angeles, Miami and Chicago – among many other places. Amtrak is also an option, with the Texas Eagle route stopping at Austin Amtrak en route from Chicago to San Antonio.

Austin is an easy city to navigate. If you are on the west side of town, use MoPac (also known as Loop 1) to reach most parts of the city, or use I-35 to reach downtown Austin from the east. Most routes are also bike-friendly, while the Capital Metro bus network covers every major central neighborhood as well.

Above all else, Austin is a legendary music city. Almost any night of the year you’ll find Texan Swing and Country performances, while SXSW and Austin City Limits bring world famous acts to town during festival season.

Austin is also a very green city, with unspoiled nature within the city limits. Climb Mount Bonnell for stunning views, take a swim at Barton Springs or wander the trail around Lady Bird Lake.

As Texas’ capital, Austin has seen a lot of history. See the Capitol itself, but don’t miss other historical attractions like the quirky Elisabet Ney Museum and Oakwood Cemetery.

The Texas State Capitol is a must-visit for everyone, not just residents of the Lone Star State. Built in 1888 and boasting 22 acres of grounds, it contains hundreds of artworks.

SXSW (in March) and Austin City Limits (in October) attract world-famous names from music, film and comedy and both have diverse programs that will contain something for everyone.

Austinites adore getting outdoors, and there’s plenty for active vacationers to enjoy. Climb Mount Bonnell, go kayaking on Lady Bird Lake, try some stand-up paddle boarding or splash around with a movie when summer screenings are held at Barton Springs.

Great street food is everywhere in Austin. There’s a strong Mexican presence, so taco lovers will be in paradise, but you’ll find Korean options, pancake trucks, vegan specialists and hot dog sellers too.

The Longhorns are one of College Football’s most popular sides and fans can catch a game at the Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium.

Austin enjoys a superb sunny climate, which is one of the city’s biggest selling points. Rainfall is well below the US average and there are over 220 sunny days every year – almost on a par with Florida. The weather’s great from April onwards, and even mid-winter is mild enough to cycle and see the sights.

Festival season never seems to end either. Aside from SXSW and City Limits, Austin has a vibrant Film Festival (every October) and there’s the Out of Bounds Comedy Festival in September. However, there’s usually something going on, so check the calendar to avoid missing out when you travel.

However, beware of missing out on restaurant or entertainment bookings due to festival crowds, and book ahead of possible. Austin is also a huge college town, so expect bigger crowds when the educational year kicks off.