Inside Austin's Vibrant Music Scene

The past and present of the Live Music Capital of the World.

By Patricia Harrison

The many cultures that have called central Texas home for generations contributed to the development of Austin's energetic music scene. In fact, there are more than 100 venues in the metropolis, where stages showcase a bounty of genres, from blues and rock to Latino and punk. Read on to learn more about the city's past and find out where to experience the scene for yourself.

A Brief History
Austin is rooted in folk music—storytelling via ballads, tunes and songs brought to Texas by European immigrants who settled in the area. In 1866, German immigrant August Scholz opened Scholz Garten, now the oldest operating business in Texas and America's oldest beer garden. Since then, hundreds of artists playing a wide variety of genres, including folk, have graced the biergarten's stage.

While blues—a genre that emerged in African American communities of the South after the Civil War—can be traced back to the 1900s in Austin, the sound became more well known in the 1960s and 1970s. During that period, many creatives contributed to the scene's growth, including W.C. Clark, a guitarist, bassist and vocalist known as the "Godfather of Austin Blues," and the late Clifford Antone, the music promotor who opened Antone's Nightclub, where legends like James Brown and Ray Charles have rocked the house.

In the early '70s, the now-defunct Armadillo World Headquarters music venue opened in Austin, bringing a new crowd of influential rock 'n' roll and country musicians to the city. Those singer-songwriters include Janis Joplin, Stevie Ray Vaughan—and Willie Nelson, who is credited for pioneering a hybrid genre of music called "progressive country" or "cosmic cowboy." The mix of traditional country and urban blues and rock became one of Austin's most iconic sounds. Then in 1976, Nelson became one of the first musicians to play on "Austin City Limits," which is now one of the longest running music programs on TV.

Stevie Ray Vaughan Statue in Front of Downtown Austin and the Colorado River

8 Not-to-Miss Venues

Antone's Nightclub
Dubbed the "Home of the Blues," this legendary hot spot on Fifth Street has hosted the likes of Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Gary Clark, Jr.

Skylark Lounge
The Skylark on Austin's East Side is an intimate place to listen to sets by local blues and soul giants such as Soulman Sam Evans and D-Soul Davis.

Eddie V's Prime Seafood
Enjoy dinner and a show at Eddie V's in downtown Austin, where a menu of seafood, steak and cocktails is paired with live jazz (Bonus: happy hour is Sunday through Thursday, 4–6 p.m.).

The Continental Club
Established as an upscale private supper club in 1955, the Continental Club has evolved into a haven for lovers of rockabilly, country, swing, rock, blues and more.

Broken Spoke
If boot scootin' is your forte, venture to the Broken Spoke, a beloved honky-tonk that's entertained audiences since 1964 (it even offers dance lessons Wednesday through Saturday).

Historic Scoot Inn
Like Scholz Garten, the eclectic Historic Scoot Inn is another outdoor biergarten that's remained a fixture in Austin's music scene.

Elephant Room
Descend into the basement of the historic Swift Building on Congress Avenue to catch nightly live jazz in this underground watering hole, whose walls are covered in dollar bills.

Mohawk
Mohawk stays true to its motto—"All Are Welcome"—by hosting a wide assortment of local and touring acts on two indoor and outdoor stages.

Texas Flag Over Congress Avenue

Where to Stay

Tru by Hilton Austin NW Arboretum
Convenience is part of the draw at Tru by Hilton, which just opened this past December 2022 and offers a complimentary daily breakfast, pet-friendly rooms and a 24-hour fitness center. Located in northwest Austin, the property is about 15 minutes from downtown Austin and 10 minutes from shopping and dining at The Arboretum.

Hyatt Centric Congress Avenue Austin
Newly opened in February of this year, the design of this colorful hotel is inspired by Austin's musical past. Rooms are furnished with guitar amp nightstands and vintage concert posters, while live bands play at the rooftop bar. The property is also centrally located on Congress Avenue, home to several live music venues and a bounty of places to eat and shop.

Origin Hotel Austin
Tucked in the growing Mueller neighborhood east of downtown Austin, Origin Hotel is an ideal home base for those who want to reside in a quieter area that's within proximity of all the action. Enjoy rooms decked out in urban-chic accents and grab a bite at Blue Lacy, which serves modern twists on diner-style fare.

Omni Austin Hotel Downtown
This Omni property has all the ingredients for a Lone Star State retreat, from a rooftop pool to prime placement in the Sixth Street Entertainment District. The hotel unveiled a multi-million-dollar renovation in 2021 and the rooms and suites were updated with luxe features, including mid-century modern design elements and Texas-forward décor.   

Book these hotels, and more, using the TSA rate code in the GDS. Non-GDS users can book these hotels using tripXpress.

Rotterdam: Why the Netherlands’ Second City is Worth Making a Detour For

By Jessica Montevago

While much has been written about Amsterdam, the Netherlands second city, Rotterdam, is worth making a detour for. Located in the province of South Holland, Rotterdam boasts a busy seaport, flourishing nightlife and food scene, and striking architecture. Here are a few reasons why the city should be added to you or your clients’ Dutch itinerary.

1. Tulip Fields in Bloom
Come spring, more than a million travelers flock to see the famed tulip fields in bloom, as the Netherlands bursts into the colors of the rainbow. Lisse, the town that’s home to the world-famous Keukenhof Tulip Gardens, is under an hour’s drive from Rotterdam. Less known, the island of Goeree-Overflakkee offers a quieter experience. The hidden tulip fields are about 40 minutes by car from Rotterdam. Visit for free and enjoy the picture-perfect scenery by renting a bicycle and making your way around the island. These fields are run by local farmers, so take care not to damage any tulips along the way.

Cube Houses | Nikolay N. Antonov - stock.adobe.com

2. Awe-Inspiring Architecture
Visitors will find architecture styles spanning post-WWII to the present day, setting it apart from many European cities. To learn more about Dutch architecture and design, head to Het Nieuwe Instituut, which hosts regularly changing exhibitions and events.

The Cube Houses (Kubuswoningen) are one of the city’s most eye-catching architectural attractions. Designed in the late– ‘70s by Dutch architect Piet Blom, the yellow and gray homes are literally cubes, tilted by 45 degrees on their side. Each house in the development was built to resemble an abstract forest, with each triangular roof representing a treetop. Visitors can step inside a fully furnished cube house, thanks to one of the apartment owners that turned his into a museum for public viewing.

De Rotterdam, skyscraper designed by Rem Koolhaas, is described as a ‘vertical city’ and resembles off-set stacked boxes. One of the largest buildings in the Netherlands, it houses offices, residences, shops, and restaurants. 

Another must-see, the Van Nelle Factory is considered an 'icon of Dutch modernism.' The site, which was built in 1925 as a coffee, tea, and tobacco factory, was granted UNESCO World Heritage status in 2014.

3. Flourishing Food Scene

Rotterdam has a dynamic food scene. The former sailors’ settlement of Katendrecht has re-emerged as one of the city’s most vibrant dining districts; and the West-Kruiskade where Asian, Moroccan, Surinamese and Caribbean eateries reflect Rotterdam’s multicultural population. For a taste of fine dining, Parkheuvel was the first Dutch restaurant to be awarded three Michelin stars. The restaurant is located on the park harbor, offering a spectacular view of the river Maas.

The Markthal is the first indoor market in the Netherlands, with over 100 stalls selling fresh fish, meat, and produce. Another impressive example of Rotterdam’s modern architecture, the roof of the market hall is an arch accommodating 228 apartments. The interior façade, meanwhile, displays a massive mural over 100,000 square feet of brightly colored market produce and flowers.

Markthal | nikitamaykov - stock.adobe.com

Where to stay

The Social Hub Rotterdam aims to connect guests to the local community. The Social Hub combines a broad range of facilities – think rental bikes, gyms, bars, restaurants– with flexible accommodation options in a great central location. It’s 12 minutes by tram or metro from Central Station, and a quick walk to local landmarks like Markthal and the Cube Houses.

nhow Rotterdam is housed inside the aforementioned 'De Rotterdam skyscraper. The waterfront location provides stunning views of the river Maas from the floor-to-ceiling windows in the guestrooms to the rooftop terrace. The hotel also has, throughout its 23 floors, 274 guestrooms, 11 meeting rooms, a skyline bar, and a restaurant.

The Slaak Rotterdam, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel, brings the charms of the 1950s to an upscale boutique hotel experience. Located inside a former newspaper pressroom on the edge of the city center, the design-led property offers spacious rooms with retro-style furniture and Restaurant & Bar Didot34 serves food all day.

The contemporary Hilton Rotterdam is a short walk to the Rotterdam Central Station, providing easy transportation to and from the airport. On property, there are a few choices for a bite to eat. Restaurant At JAQ offers all-day dining; there are cocktails and Indonesian fare at TIWYA. The Michelin-starred restaurant, Joelia, by Mario Ridder, offers French-inspired cuisine with a modern twist.

Book these hotels, and more, using the TSA rate code in the GDS. Non-GDS users can book these hotels using tripXpress.