Inside Austin, the Texas city that prides itself on staying weird

This article was produced by National Geographic Traveller (UK).

‘Keep Austin weird’. You’re bound to see the city’s slogan within a day of touching down in the Texan capital. Whether on a sticker, a mural or someone’s T-shirt, it appears as if summoned to bring visitors on board. After all, Austinites are proud of their home just the way it is — a little bit wacky but with a whole lotta heart.

While the skyscrapered Downtown area has been transformed in the past decade — this was, until 2024, the fastest-growing US city for 12 consecutive years — Austin’s managed the near-impossible feat of preserving its free-spirited, rebellious vibe. Here, tech entrepreneurs wear cowboy boots, maverick diners with neon signs offer playful takes on classic barbecue, and the Texas State Capi