If you’ve never been to Austin and are not familiar with the phrase “Keep Austin Weird,” the month of March during SXSW might be the perfect time to get familiar with this quirky part of Texas, which also happens to be the state capital. There is never a shortage of things to do in Austin, but during the massive annual event known as South by Southwest (SXSW) you can multiply your options by a couple dozen points of interest.
Most of which might make your techy heart skip a beat or two.
As a native Houstonian myself, this was only my second time attending this event. SXSW, you see, is kind of a huge deal no matter what part of the world you’re from. Five tracks (or festivals) – Interactive, Film, Music, Comedy and Gaming – take up the entire downtown Austin area for several weeks each year during the month of March. People from as far away as Australia and China come to this event, and the roster of brands who lineup the streets and convention centers, hotels, restaurants and bars, for a chance to showcase their latest innovations in technology runs the gamut from tiny startups to global conglomerates.
It is very hard to see and do everything at SXSW, but half the fun is trying!
I’ll be honest, the first year I attended I was overwhelmed and did not get to see much of anything. That year most of my time was spent wandering the streets of Austin interacting with the massive activations taking place at almost every corner. I still remember the human-sized squirrel mascots that were sitting on some bench casually inviting passersby to download the app they were scrolling through on their iPads. It was very memorable to say the least.
To attend SXSW you have to plan. My recommendation is that you spend a good amount of time before arriving in Austin reading through the event agenda and schedule to find the sessions and activations you really want to see. The official event app is a great resource to filter through this information and to make a personalized schedule for yourself. Keep in mind, however, that in some cases you will have to arrive early to popular sessions to get in line for a seat. SXSW lines can get huge so don’t be surprised if you’re waiting for over an hour to get in!
I waited an hour and a half to attend Arnold Schwarzenegger’s session this year. It was so worth the wait!
You’ll want to make sure you’re fueled up for the long lines and all the walking you will do around Austin. If you’re staying at a Best Western hotel make sure to take advantage of the complimentary breakfast! The free Wi-Fi will also be a huge benefit for getting work done in between festivals. If you’re a Best Western Rewards member you might even be able to cash in your points for a hefty discount on your stay. It’s free to join and once you are a member you are a member for life.
I can’t tell you the number of times my family and I have taken advantage of our rewards points while traveling.
Some of my favorite SXSW moments, this year, included the Mashable party, the interactive houses, Arnold, of course, the futuristic concepts of tomorrow, all the robots, and all the delicious Texas food. There is a food truck park that stays open pretty much around the clock where you can find just about any kind of food you’re looking for. We had Austin barbecue, which is a little different from Houston barbecue, and it was great – in its own way of course.
That’s the thing about Austin during SXSW. It really is hard to think about anything else while you are there immersed in the seemingly endless possibilities of the future.
It’s my favorite time of year to visit Austin!