Austin is the state capital of Texas, an inland city bordering the Hill Country region. Austin is by any standards a big city but somehow the state capital has kept its small-town heart.

Residents of Austin are known as Austinites. They include a diverse mix of government employees, college students, musicians, high-tech workers, blue-collar workers, and a vibrant LGBT community. The city's official slogan promotes Austin as "The Live Music Capital of the World," a reference to the city's many musicians and live music venues.

The city easily earns its title with two music festivals, South by Southwest (SXSW) and the Austin City Limits Festival, earn international acclaim, but quality live performances go down every single night in one of the countless clubs, bars and restaurants.

Its many parks and lakes are popular for hiking, biking, swimming and boating. A popular hike-and-bike trail loops around Lady Bird Lake and links to a creekside greenbelt, adding water sports to the mix. The trail is one of the state’s oldest and longest urban paths, with a 2014 boardwalk addition closing the gap between Interstate 35 in the east and Mopac Expressway to the west.

The cuisine scene never takes itself too seriously. All those busted-up food trucks, some of them serving the most superbly flavored bites in the country. The line at what may be the best barbecue joint in the US is a communal party, with staff selling beer to the outdoor queue.