An American Boomtown: Austin

The vibrancy of cities comes in all shapes and sizes. Many believe that what works in internationally known cosmopolitan settings may not be applicable for cities in America that have struggled with embracing walkability. If we look hard enough, we may realize that this type of view should be challenged. Despite the diversity around the globe, all lively cities, downtowns and urban cores have something in common: being pedestrian friendly.

16. The Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum is the presidential library of Lyndon Baines Johnson, the 36th President of the United States. Located on the campus of University of Texas and administered by the National Archives and Records Administration, the LBJ Library features 45 million pages of historical documents.

17. A construction site in the vicinity of the Bullock Texas State History Museum (brown building in background). Named in honor of the 38th Lieutenant Governor of Texas Bob Bullock, the museum is dedicated to interpreting the “Story of Texas”.

18. Traveling on West 15th Street in the vicinity of Lavaca Street.

19. New skyscrapers dot the landscape in the vicinity of Shoal Creek on the west side of Downtown Austin. This area is known as the Market District.

20. Looking south down Guadalupe Street near Republic Square. Created in 1888, the one acre park was one of four public squares laid out by the city’s designer Edwin Waller.

21. The 2ND Street District along West 3rd Street.

22. Looking east down West 2nd Street. The 2ND Street District is located on the left. Austin City Hall is located on the right.

23. Located on the Colorado River, Lady Bird Lake is named in honor of former First Lady of the United States Lady Bird Johnson. Lady Bird Lake was created in 1960 by the City of Austin as a cooling pond for a new city power plant. Today, the 416 acre body of water is primarily used for recreation and flood control.

24. Kayaking in Lady Bird Lake.

25. The Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail along Lady Bird Lake. Named for a former Austin mayor and his wife, the ten mile trail attracts 2.6 million visits a year.

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27. Congress Avenue Kayaks along the Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail.

28. The Rainey Street Historic District features of collection of historic single family homes that have been renovated into restaurants, bars and entertainment venues.

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32. Austin Visitors Center

Article by Ennis Davis, AICP. Contact Ennis at edavis@moderncities.com