Best Western Seville Plaza Inn - Neighborhood

Texas State Capitol Austin Shopping Bass Concert Hall

Austin Adventure.  The Best Western Seville Plaza Inn in Austin, Texas is an ideal place to stay and play when visiting central Texas. The self-proclaimed “Live Music Capital of the World,” Austin is home to the renown music district of Sixth Street, and is only minutes from the Best Western Seville Plaza Inn. Austin is also home to the State Capitol of Texas and the Governor's Mansion, historical links to a bygone era, both of which sit only a short distance from the Best Western Seville Plaza Inn. If you want to explore the beautiful outdoors and enjoy refreshing recreational adventure, Barton Creek and the Barton Creek Pool at Zilker Park are less than 6 miles away, or for a relaxing day trip from Austin, visit Lake Travis.

Sixth Street. Austin's nightlife revolves around this historic district of the city. Up and down the blocks of classic Victorian buildings are nightclubs, jazz clubs, dance clubs, bars and other live music venues, mixed with restaurants and cafes. Monday through Sunday, January through December, live music spills from the storefronts along the street, which even closes to traffic on weekend nights to allow more foot traffic. Mardi Gras, Halloween and New Years find tens of thousands of people celebrating along Sixth Street and the adjoining neighborhood. www.6street.com

Texas State Capitol. This National Historic Landmark was constructed in the 1880's and, at the time, was called “The Seventh Largest Building in the World,” and was then recognized as the second tallest. Looking out over the city from the top of the 311 foot tall building is an exact replica of an original statue called the Goddess of Liberty. The original was made of zinc, stood 15 feet 7.5 inches and weighed around 1,500 pounds and stood atop the dome for almost 100 years. Truly a magnificent construction, among state capitol buildings its floor space is unrivaled, and its peak rises 15 feet higher than the National Capitol.

Barton Creek. This tributary flows 40 miles to the Texas Colorado River from its origin in Hays County, where the two meet in Austin at Town Lake. Zilker Park features Barton Springs and the Barton Springs Pool, a giant man made pool in the channel of the creek and open year round to swimmers and sunbathers. Modest visitors should be aware that in progressive Austin, topless sunbathing is allowed. Upper Barton Creek features water recreation and activities including kayaking, tubing and swimming, among other water sports, mainly during the rainy season. www.bartoncreek.com

Lake Travis. Just up the Colorado River lies Lake Travis, a man made reservoir about 20 miles northwest of Austin and one of the seven reservoirs known as the Highland Lakes. It is a popular destination for recreational fishing, as the lake is stocked with an abundance of largemouth bass, guadalupe bass, white bass, striped bass, catfish and sunfish. Other outdoor recreational activities, including boating, swimming, scuba diving (an experience enhanced by the unusual clarity of the water), picnicking and camping are also very popular in this beautiful Texas oasis. www.laketravis.com  [Top]

Austin Shopping. Austin is home to fantastic shopping, in part because of the vast numbers of  stores, boutiques and galleries, but also due to the unique and eclectic items that can be found. In the downtown Austin area alone, there are over 300 retailers, with the prosperous area attracting more and more every year. A short half hour drive to San Marcos in nearby Hill Country finds the Prime Outlets at San Marcos, with hundreds of brand name stores featuring discount prices. www.primeoutlets.com

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. Founded in Austin by former First Lady Lady Bird Johnson in 1982, this non-profit organization is dedicated to the preservation of plants native to the region. They also work to reintroduce endangered plants that were once common in the area, through planned landscapes. It has since been incorporated into the University of Texas at Austin, and is open to public tours. www.wildflower.org

Governor's Mansion. The oldest executive residence west of the Mississippi, this National Historic Landmark has stood in Austin since 1855. Built by Abner Cook in a classic Greek Revival style, it has withstood the tests of time, and continues to operate in its original configuration. It is open to public tours during the week, Monday through Thursday. For more information, see: www.txfgm.org  [Top]

Bass Concert Hall. At the University of Texas Performing Arts Center, the Bass Concert Hall hosts many world renowned performers and productions. A wide spectrum of musical and theater genres have appeared here, the common thread being their status as world class artists. The PAC draws over 500,000 visitors per year to the diverse array of featured performances. For ticket information and event schedules, please see www.utpac.org

Town Lake. Right in the heart of Austin lies the beautiful Town Lake, a man made reservoir surrounded by lush parks, trails and recreational areas. It is a center for activity of all types in the city, from boating and swimming, to bat watching at the Congress Avenue Bridge, to live music festivals and open air concerts along the shores. Recreational fishing is also prominent, as the lake is stocked with largemouth bass, catfish, and sunfish. www.texasoutside.com/townlake

Schlitterbahn. Literally translated from German as “slippery road,” Schlitterbahn Waterpark Resort is located just 40 miles from Austin. It opened in 1979 on over 65 acres of land along the Comal River, and thanks in part to the Texas heat, draws hundreds of thousands of guests each year. Hours of fun await on the 17 water slides, 7 children's water playgrounds, over 3 miles of inner tube rides, as well as the special premier water attractions. www.schlitterbahn.com  [Top]