4 Best Sights in Austin, Texas

Most of Austin moves at a relaxed pace, but here, just 14 miles southeast of downtown, things speed up considerably. The Circuit of The Americas, set on 1,500 acres, was primarily built for Formula One Grand Prix racing, and when F1 rolls around as part of a 19-country worldwide tour, 500 million pairs of eyes are suddenly on Austin and thousands of global travelers arrive in the capital city. A wide range of other motor-racing events also take place here, including NASCAR, and the grounds have hosted ESPN’s X-Games. The 14,000-seat amphitheater is a year-round venue for countless big-name music acts, from Taylor Swift to the Rolling Stones.

Austin bleeds burnt orange, and nowhere is that more evident than at a UT football game at Darrell K. Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium, on the campus of the University of Texas. Originally constructed in 1924, this massive stadium—it can hold over a whopping 100,000 fans—has been the official home of the Longhorns from the very start. Score tickets to a fall game or join one of the hundreds of tailgate parties and locally sponsored fan-centric events at or around the stadium.

Though most people think Austin’s sports teams only wear burnt orange, a little ways north, the colors are all red, white, and blue. Dell Diamond is home to the Round Rock Express, a minor league baseball team that feeds into the Texas Rangers. And while it’s fun to catch a game under the wide-open sky and bright lights, the stadium itself is worth the trip alone. The state-of-the-art facilities have everything you’d expect—huge jumbotrons and a pool-party area sit behind the outfield—and some things that you might not, like a rock-climbing wall and bungee trampoline. Tours are held year round every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 9:30, 10, and 10:30, and also while the team is on the road during the summer.

The home of the Austin Football Club, the city's first major professional sports team, is a state-of-the-art soccer stadium located just north of downtown off Burnet Road. There are clear-bag restrictions at the gate, and staff is helpful and informative when it comes to navigating the facility. You'll find an amazing selection of local food stalls, including Black's BBQ, Bao'd Up, and Taco Flats, just to name a few. Check the Austin FC schedule to catch a home game. You'll see fans decked out in green throughout the city as they make their way to the stadium. A bevy of local restaurants, bars, and breweries are nearby for pre- or post-game celebrations.