Communities

At the end of the 19th century, in one of his short stories, the great American author O. Henry referred to the then small town of Austin as the “city of the violet crown.” In a single phrase he captured the striking violet sunsets that often surrounded Austin in the evenings. Today Austin is a vibrant city that successfully combines politics, education, high tech, and live music. It’s a place that was built with spare parts from the Wild West, pop culture, and Americana. It’s urban, and it’s rural; it’s a big city but somehow retains a small-town vibe; it’s rich in history, but forward-looking; it’s progressive but laid back.

Austin wouldn’t be what is is today without the surrounding Hill Country. This lush region at the center of the state is lined with vast rolling hills spotted with fields of wildflowers, grazing cattle, and little historic towns founded by German pioneers who brought their accordions and schnitzels to the Wild West. Folks from all over come to the region’s sleepy hamlets to hunt for antiques, ride horses, explore caves, go wine-tasting, and hide out in bed-and-breakfasts.
Given half a chance, Austin and the Hill Country are guaranteed to suck you in and take you for a spin, like a cow in a twister on the plains. Where else can you see Willie Nelson perform, go wine-tasting, explore underground caves, visit the Alamo, see ancient dinosaur bones, dance to German polka music, and catch a Mexican rodeo all in one weekend? Nowhere else but deep in the heart of Texas.