Austin is the capital of the state of Texas and the thirteenth most populous city in the United States. It was settled in the 1830s and has grown steadily since then, and now boasts nearly two million people in the metropolitan area with 800,000 of those people living inside the Austin city limits. Introduction to Austin, Texas - Culture - Location & Orientation - Climate & When to Visit - Sightseeing Highlights - Ghost Tours - Haunted Hearse Tours & the Museum of the Weird - Austin Steam Train - Austin Zoo - Austin Duck Tours - Dinosaur Park - Texas Capitol Building - Inner Space Cavern - Adventure Tour - Explorer Tour - Wild Cave Tour - Pioneer Farms - Lady Bird Lake - Lake Travis - Zilker Botanical Garden - Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - Fall Creek Vineyards - Museums - Austin Children's Museum - Texas Natural Science Center - Umlauf Sculpture Garden and Museum - Texas Music Museum - National Museum of the Pacific War - French Legation Museum - State Parks - McKinney Falls State Park - Pedernales Falls State Park - Bastrop State Park - Lockhart State Park - Recommendations for the Budget Traveler - Places to Stay - Austin Motel - Adams House Bed and Breakfast - Hostelling International - La Quinta Inn Austin - Americas Best Value Inn - Places to Eat - Ruby's BBQ - Sandy's - Casino El Camino - Java Noodles - El Pollo Regio - Places to Shop - Flashback Vintage - Blue Velvet - Spring Frost Boutique - Big Bertha's Bargain Basement - Ross Dress For Less