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Live Music Capital of the World Tour

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Stevie Ray Vaughan, Willie Nelson, Janis Joplin--these renowned musicians harnessed the creative energy of this city and packaged it musically. Now, thousands of music fans and struggling musicians flock to the "Live Music Capital of the World" for the vast number of live music venues and the city's rich history.

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Author: Tara

Day 1 - Austin

For your own taste of Texas music, embark on a two-day journey beginning with an authentic Mexican breakfast at El Sol y La Luna on the South Congress strip. From there, spend some time mulling over memories at the Texas Music Museum before making your way to Iron Works Barbecue for some of the city's best pork ribs. Although the legendary Armadillo World Headquarters is long gone, pay tribute to the live music venue once frequented by Willie Nelson, ZZ Top and Ray Charles by checking out the historical plaque. Next stop: the Stevie Ray Vaughan statue just a few minutes' walk away, along the southern shore of Lady Bird Lake (previously known as Town Lake) and just west of the South First Street Bridge. Finish your night with a down-home meal and some live music at Threadgill's before taking a nightcap and a two-step at the Continental Club, just steps away from your cozy room at the Austin Motel.

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Austin Motel

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1220 South Congress Avenue
Austin, TX 78704

Phone:

+1 512 441 1157

Sol y La Luna (El)

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Location:

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600 East Sixth Street
Austin, TX 78701

Phone:

+512 444 7770

Texas Music Museum

Location:

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1109 E 11th St
Austin, TX 78761

Phone:

+1 512 472 8991

Iron Works Barbecue

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Location:

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100 Red River Street
At E. First St
Austin, TX 78701

Phone:

+1 512 478 4855 / +1 800 669 3602

Armadillo World Headquarters Plaque

Location:

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505 Barton Springs Road
One Texas Center
Austin, TX 78704

Phone:

+1 512 474 5171 (Tourist Information)

Stevie Ray Vaughan Statue

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Location:

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Riverside Drive & South First Street
Auditorium Shores
Austin, TX 78746

Phone:

+1 512 327 1838

Threadgill's

Location:

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6416 North Lamar Boulevard
Austin, TX 78752

Phone:

+1 512 451 5440

Continental Club

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Location:

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1315 South Congress Avenue
Austin, TX 78704

Phone:

512-441-2444

Day 2 - Austin

Sixth Street and Red River are both valuable avenues for the local music scene. Get a close-up look at them beginning with the Mohawk Lounge, a laid-back, lodge style bar that books emerging indie acts on their small stages. Just one block south on Red River is the legendary Stubb's Barbecue, a popular meat-and-potatoes eatery and well-known live music venue, named by Rolling Stone as the 'Best Rock Club in America' in April 2008. Continue walking south and you'll find Emo's, the premiere hang-out for the alternative and punk crowd on the corner of Red River and Sixth Street. With three stages, Emo's pulls in a barrage of music fans on a nightly basis, particularly since it's one of the few venues that allows for customers under the age of 21. A couple blocks west on Sixth Street perched just above the Cajun restaurant named Roux, sits the Parish Room, a frequent stop for touring singer/songwriters and other more mellow acts. Reggae fans will want to stop by another SIxth Street venue, Flamingo Cantina, for a peek before heading over to the dark and initially off-putting Casino El Camino for a thick and juicy burger. Don't let the 'we don't care about you' vibe deter you. This bar/burger joint attracts just as many for the blase attitude as it does for the surprisingly tasty food. Continue on for more music-related fun with a stop in Wild About Music, a music-themed gift shop and art gallery located on West Sixth Street near Congress Avenue. Once you've stocked up on souvenirs, continue west to the intersection of Fifth Street and Lavaca. At this corner you'll find the iconic Antone's, the unofficial "Home of the Blues" in Austin. Everyone from Sandra Bullock to Matthew McConaughey stop by this no-frills venue for some live music entertainment. When your stomach starts calling, drive south for a taste of Tex-Mex with a side of live tunes at Jovita's before dancing the night away at the true Texas honky-tonk dance hall known as the Broken Spoke.

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