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Aure

Aure is a typical coastal municipality of the county of Møre og Romsdal in Norway, with many beautiful small islands. Most of the population of 3,600 live near the coast. Tustna merged with Aure in 2006.

Get in
Aure is about 150 km west of Trondheim along E-39, between Orkanger and Kristiansund. At the Hennset ferry dock, take the ferry to Arasvika and follow the signs towards Aure or Mjosundet - both ways will take you to Aure as the road circles the island of Ertvågøya.

There are frequent bus routes connecting Aure to Kristiansund and Trondheim, although your own car is the best way to get around and travel at your own speed. Local buses are scarce and there is normally only one or two buses daily. Hitchhiking is a cheap way to travel and the local people are normally friendly and helpful. Cycling is a nice way to move around the varied landscape, although steep hills can be challenging.

See

 * The
 * The
 * The

Do
Aure’s coastline is almost 300 kilometres long. Unique possibilities for angling from the shore and from the many bridges and sounds. Fishing from boats for herring, mackerel, saithe, cod and pollock. Great hunting for red deer in the large forest and mountain areas. Excellent fishing for freshwater trout and sea trout.

The scenery on Tustna is dominated by the coastal mountains. These over 900-metre-tall mountains, which rise straight up from the shore, form a chain in a north-south direction. Great walking, with several paths ascending to the summits, which offer fantastic views of the ocean and the fjords.

Sleep
Many farms rent out rooms or flats. There are also various guesthouses.

title: Aure


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Aurillac

Aurillac is a city in Auvergne, France.

Get in
Aurillac is served by regional TER trains from Clermont-Ferrand and Brive-la-Gaillarde via smaller towns within the region. There's also a direct night train from Paris, as of 2024 it has departures twice-weekly.

Do
Aurillac is known for its annual international street theatre festival which takes place at the end of August.

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: Aurillac


text:
Aurora

There's more than one place called Aurora:

Canada

 * Aurora (Ontario) - a town in Ontario, Canada.

Philippines

 * Aurora (province) - a province in Central Luzon

United States of America

 * Aurora (Colorado) - the third largest city in Colorado.
 * Aurora (Illinois) - the second largest city in Illinois.
 * Aurora (Minnesota) - in city in Minnesota
 * Aurora (Missouri) - a small town in Missouri.
 * Aurora (Nebraska) - a city in Nebraska.
 * Aurora (Ohio) - a city in Ohio.
 * Aurora (Oregon) - a city in Oregon.

title: Aurora


text:
Aurora (Colorado)

Aurora is a city of about 400,000 of the Denver Metropolitan Area in the western U.S. state of Colorado. The city lies immediately east of Denver in Arapahoe, Adams, and Douglas counties. In 2008 it was named the "All American City."

Understand
Aurora originated in the 1880s as a town called Fletcher, taking its name from Denver businessman Donald Fletcher who founded the town. He and his partners staked out 4 sq mi east of Denver. He left two years later during the silver crash, leaving the community with a huge water debt. Inhabitants decided to rename their township Aurora in 1907. It has been growing ever since then and at one time was the fastest growing city in America.

Climate
Aurora has all four seasons of weather. Remember that it is very near the Rocky Mountains and weather can change very quickly from starting out sunny to snowing within a few hours.

Spring usually comes around May. There is still a chance of snow but usually the snow won't stick because of temperature at that time of year.

 * [Aurora municipal website.

By car
Renting

With Aurora's considerable sprawl, car rentals are the most convenient form of transportation for visitors. Local companies tend to offer better prices, but national chains might be more convenient as far as return policies and hours.Rental companies include most major car rental chains

Weather conditions The colder weather months (November–February) often bring snow and ice to area roads. Visitors who park their cars should be prepared in case their car is "snowed in" by snow removal trucks. Also, pay strict attention to parking rules and snow emergencies to avoid being towed away at the car owner's expense. During the winter months, a snow brush, ice scraper, and plenty of windshield washer fluid is essential, and many natives opt to carry a shovel, some sand, and a bag of ice melt/road salt in the trunk just in case.

By plane
By plane then you are coming from Denver International Airport which isn't too far away. Denver International Airport,. Commonly referred to as DIA. It is about 20 miles to the east of downtown Denver. Frontier Airlines, United Airlines, and Southwest Airlines all maintain hubs at the airport in Concourses A, B, and C respectively. Most other major domestic carriers also have service here.

Get around
You can get around with local transit via RTD. The new light rail R line runs in a north-south direction and is a useful way of getting around. , near the Aurora Mall, is the preferred station for changing between local buses and light rail.

See
Aurora has over a dozen historical sites to see ranging from historical farms, buildings and homes.

Events

 * Fourth of July Spectacular
 * JavaFest
 * Asian Annual Film Festival
 * KidSpree

Eat

Aurora has many typical fast food joints: Wendys, Five Guys Burgers and Fries, McDonalds, Burger King, Taco Bell etc.

Budget
There's a number of restaurants serving the cheap and filling Vietnamese dish Pho throughout Aurora and the surrounding area. Each restaurant however tends to use different names for the dish.

Connect
Aurora is part of the 303 and the 720 area codes.

Emergencies
Like the rest of the United States, the emergency number in Aurora is 911. This will connect you to the local emergency services (police, medical, and fire). If you need to report a crime to the police, such as a burglary (not in progress), minor assault (no injuries and not in progress), car theft, etc. Dial +1 720 913-2000 and request for police assistance.

The Aurora Police is the main police force.

Consulates

 * 🇸🇻 El Salvador

Stay safe
As in any city, use common sense. Simply using caution and avoiding any situation in which you are uncomfortable will keep you out of trouble.

title: Aurora (Colorado)


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Aurora (Illinois)

Aurora is the second-largest city in the U.S. state of Illinois, located about 35 miles west of Chicago. It's at the very edge of Chicagoland and, situated on the Fox River, has many opportunities for urban, suburban, and rural recreation. Often overlooked, Aurora in fact has many surprisingly interesting attractions and a downtown unlike that of a typical suburb. It is probably best known for being the setting of the "Wayne's World" movies.

By car
Aurora is just off the East-West Tollway (I-88) in Illinois. Take the Route 31 exit south for downtown and most other things, and take the Farnsworth exit south for Phillips Park Zoo, Aurora Transportation Center, and the Two Brothers Roundhouse (formerly Walter Payton's Roundhouse.)

By train
Aurora is part of Chicago's Metra commuter rail system, the last stop on the Burlington Northern Santa Fe line which leaves from Union Station in the Loop.

By bus
The Aurora train station is a local hub for Pace, the Chicagoland suburban bus service.

By plane
Aurora has a small municipal airport of its own, but the best way to go is to fly into one of the Chicago airports (O'Hare or Midway) and just take the train or a taxi to Aurora.

Get around
As is commonplace in the suburbs, the easiest way to get around is by car. However, Pace Bus also has extensive service in Aurora (it being Illinois's second largest city, after all), and multiple routes connect the Aurora Transportation Center with the rest of the city as well as Elgin, Geneva, St. Charles, Batavia, and Naperville.

Do

 * Hollywood Casino is a decent gambling experience on the Fox River downtown. Offers table games such as blackjack, craps, and roulette, as well as a variety of slot machines. Friendly staff and an expensive buffet.
 * An iPod Tour downtown is a unique way to get acquainted with the brown stone architecture. Tour brochures are available at the Aurora Area Convention and Visitors Bureau.
 * Raging Waves Waterpark in nearby Yorkville is an Aussie-themed park with 18 water slides, a wave pool, lazy river, 20 private cabanas, and more.
 * Farmers Market Saturday mornings 8am-noon June through October at the Aurora Transportation Center.
 * Summer Music Festivals downtown such as Rock on the Fox, Jazz on the Fox, Summer Jam, and Fan Favorites.
 * Oakhurst Forest Preserve, near Phillips Park, is a pleasant oasis from the suburbs, with a large hill, an even larger lake, and plenty of paths for walking, running, or biking.
 * - located in Aurora
 * - located in Aurora
 * - located in Aurora

Buy

 * Chicago Premium Outlets is an impressive outdoor mall with 66 designer clothes stores, 23 shoe stores, 17 accessories and jewelry stores, 9 gifts and specialty items stores, 7 children's clothes stores, 5 leather and luggage stores, 2 housewares stores, 2 electronics stores, and 10 restaurants.
 * Westfield Fox Valley Mall, at the eastern edge of Aurora, is one of the larger indoor malls.
 * David L. Pierce Art & History Center Museum Store is small but has many unique items related to Aurora and crafts, jewelry, and art made by local Aurorans.

Sleep

Go next

 * Chicago if you haven't already
 * Naperville for a downtown full of good, expensive restaurants and The Riverwalk
 * Lisle has the fantastic Morton Arboretum
 * Batavia and Geneva, to the north, are smaller and more quaint Fox River villages with scenic downtowns on the river and lots of windmills
 * Batavia and Geneva, to the north, are smaller and more quaint Fox River villages with scenic downtowns on the river and lots of windmills

title: Aurora (Illinois)


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Aurora (Kentucky)

Aurora is a town in the Jackson Purchase region of Kentucky, which in turn is part of the tourism region known as the Western Waterlands. The town lies on the western shore of Kentucky Lake, the largest man-made lake in the United States east of the Mississippi River as measured by surface area.

Get in
Aurora is accessible from the east and west by U.S. Route 68 and Kentucky Route 80.

Buy

 * Hitching Post, 16747 US 68W, +1 270 474-2266.

By phone
Most telephone numbers in Aurora consist of +1 270 plus a seven-digit number, but a second area code (+1 364) was overlaid onto the entire 270 area in February 2014. A local or in-state telephone call now requires all 10 digits of the local number be dialed (omitting just the leading +1 from a local landline call).

Signage on many established businesses may still display the original seven-digit numbers; dial 270 before these if no area code is indicated.

Go next

 * Kenlake State Resort Park
 * Kentucky Lake
 * Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area
 * Lake Barkley

title: Aurora (Kentucky)


text:
Aurora (Missouri)

Aurora is a small town in the Southwest Missouri Region of the Missouri Ozarks.

title: Aurora (Missouri)


text:
Aurora (Ohio)

Aurora is a city of 16,000 people (2019) in Portage County. It is a suburb of Akron, Ohio. Its downtown area is a National Historic Place, with 21 contributing buildings in styles that include Mid-19th Century Revival, Late Victorian, and Federal.

Understand
Aurora is part of what was at one time the Connecticut Western Reserve.

Some say Aurora was the name of the daughter of Major Amos Spafford, while others believe the village was named after Aurora, the Roman goddess of dawn.

The family of Ebenezer Sheldon was the first settler family to venture into the remote regions of the Western Reserve in 1799. Sheldon and his family came from Westfield, Connecticut. Soon other pioneer families followed. In 1807 a village government was established.

By car
Aurora lies on SR43 and SR82.

Do

 * The historic Aurora Golf and Country Club has been converted into the Paddock River Preserve.

Go next

 * Cleveland
 * Kent

title: Aurora (Ohio)


text:
Aurora (Ontario)

Aurora is a town of about 62,000 people (2021) in York Region, in the Greater Toronto Area of Ontario.

Understand
A largely undeveloped portion of Aurora is subject to the Ontario Government's Greenbelt legislation which enforces limits on growth in designated Green Belt locations. In Aurora, this affects mostly the south-eastern areas of the town.

History
Lieutenant-Governor John Graves Simcoe gave the order for Yonge Street to be extended to Holland Landing in 1793, the first step toward the establishment of a community where Aurora now stands. Yonge Street opened between 1794 and 1796. In 1795, the first house in Aurora was built at Yonge St and Catherine Av. The government began granting deeds to land in 1797. By 1801 there were fourteen homes. In 1804, Richard Machell became the first merchant at the crossroads of Yonge and Wellington and the hamlet soon became known as Machell's Corners. Charles Doan was another early businessman at Machell's Corners and became the first postmaster and later the first reeve. As postmaster, he was influential in renaming the village Aurora. Flour and grist mills were built around 1827. With the coming of the railway in 1853, Aurora emerged as an important centre north of Toronto. The Fleury plough works foundry opened in 1859, making agricultural implements.

Records from 1885 describe Aurora as the "largest village in the county" an "enterprising and stirring business community" with several factories and mills, five churches, a school house with 210 students, and two weekly newspapers.

By plane
The nearest major international airport to Aurora, Ontario is Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ). It is less than an hour's drive from Aurora. Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ) is near downtown Toronto and is approximately an hour's drive from Aurora, depending on traffic conditions.

By car
Major highways with access to Aurora are Ontario Highway 400 (a north-south highway to the west) and Ontario Highway 404 (a north-south highway to the east). These highways are accessible from the east or west via Ontario Highway 401 and Ontario Highway 407 (a toll road).

By public transit
YRT/Viva's Blue route Bus Rapid Transit buses run from the Toronto Transit Commission's (TTC) Finch subway station through Richmond Hill and Aurora to Newmarket.

GO Transit operates trains and buses with stops in Aurora. The Aurora GO Station is a stop on GO Transit's Barrie Line. Trains depart approximately every 15-30 minutes southbound towards Toronto during weekday morning peak periods, and northbound towards Barrie approximately every 30 minutes during the afternoon peak. On evenings, weekends, holidays, as well as during the weekday midday period, trains operate approximately every hour between Aurora and Toronto with GO Bus connections at Aurora to and from Barrie.

Get around
The Town of Aurora is served by York Region Transit (YRT), including several local routes. The cash fare is $4.25 (September 2023). Viva Blue provides rapid bus service along Yonge St.

Go next

 * Whitchurch-Stouffville — a rural area to the east.
 * Newmarket — to the north, with a scenic heritage Main Street downtown.

title: Aurora (Ontario)


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Aurora (province)

Aurora is a coastal province of Central Luzon region in the Philippines. Little is known about the province due to its remoteness, but its capital is known for its surfing scene, and the province has one of the largest expanses of rainforest spared from development, and also has hidden beaches and mountains.

Towns

 * San Luis
 * Dilasag
 * Dingalan
 * Dipaculao
 * San Luis
 * Dilasag
 * Dingalan
 * Dipaculao

Understand
Named after the wife of the second president of the Philippines, Manuel L. Quezon, Aurora used to be part of a larger Quezon province until it was made a sub-province in 1951, and finally made a province through a law passed in 1975. One obvious reason for creating Aurora is due to the area's isolation from the rest of Quezon province: there are no direct links to the rest of the province and much of the terrain is mountainous and heavily forested, which makes the area relatively isolated. It was separated officially in 1979, it was transferred from Southern Tagalog to Central Luzon in 2002 after Southern Tagalog was divided into Calabarzon & Mimaropa.

Aurora houses one of the final swaths of lowland tropical rainforest in Luzon, and much of the province is off the beaten track. The towering Sierra Madre mountain range separates Aurora from the central plains of Luzon, and most of the province faces the Pacific Ocean.

Aurora's population is about 215,000 as of 2015, and is the least populated province of Central Luzon. Aurora's population is approximately 50% Tagalog, 30% Ilocano, and the remainder indigenous peoples (Kankana-ey, Casiguran, Bugkalot, Dumagat), Bicolano, Visayan, Kapampangan, and Pangasinan. Southern and central Aurora are generally Tagalog, and the northern part mostly Ilocano. The Dumagat, a Negrito group believed to be a cross of Austronesian and Melanesian features, inhabit the hillsides and mountains of the province.

Climate
Being largely covered by rainforest, Aurora has a rainforest climate, which means it frequently rains at almost every day, especially in the afternoon, though it can rain at any time of day. Except for occasional above-average highs or lows, there is not much variation in temperature, with highs between and lows between, but the amount of rainfall varies by month. It rains at Aurora for almost half a year.

Facing the Pacific Ocean, Aurora often faces the havoc wreaked by typhoons, and the province is also at the heart of the typhoon belt.

The high season for travel to Aurora is generally from March to October. Surfing season is generally from May to October, where it rains frequently and winds are perfect for surfing.

Talk
Tagalog and Ilocano are the main languages spoken in Aurora. The Tagalog dialect spoken in Aurora is basically similar to Southern Tagalog dialects from its accent and vocabulary, with influences from spoken languages in the area like Ilokano. Other languages spoken are Kasiguranin, Bicolano, Kapampangan, Pangasinan, Kankana-ey, Bugkalot, and the Dumagat languages.

By bus
Genesis Transport operates one air-conditioned provincial bus route from Bocaue to Baler, with stops at Angeles, Tarlac City and Cabanatuan bus stations.

UV Express vans run from Cabanatuan to Baler, but are slower than the bus, and take the longer route via Bongabon.

By car
Being separated from the central plains by the Sierra Madre, driving to Aurora involves mountain roads with many sharp curves.

Aurora is connected to the rest of Central Luzon by two highways from Nueva Ecija. The most commonly traveled route runs from the town to Rizal to Maria Aurora via Pantabangan and Alfonso Castañeda. The other less traveled route (Nueva Ecija-Aurora Road, Route 111) runs from the town of Bongabon directly to Baler; it is paved but has one one-lane bridge upon leaving the Sierra Madre and one ford due to a bridge being replaced.

From Cagayan Valley, Cordon-Aurora Road (Route 108) runs from the town of Cordon (near Santiago City) in Isabela

Dingalan is reachable by a lone road link (Route 114) from Nueva Ecija. Construction is ongoing for a coastal route from northern Quezon Province.

By plane
There are two airports, Dr. Juan C. Angara Airport and Casiguran Airport, but only Baler airport has flights, on Air Juan, which operates amphibious aircraft from Manila.

Get around
There is at least one bus everyday at 7AM from Baler going up the coast until Dilasag.

The province sees less cars, and there are more motorcycles on the roads; you can rent a motorcycle from most dealers around Baler.

There is no direct road connection between Dingalan and the rest of Aurora, and to get there means passing through Nueva Ecija.

Eat
Lasang bilat

Stay safe
The region is very prone to typhoons, and its rainforest climate does give also another danger. Avoid surfing when typhoon warnings are raised. Locals surfers do try to surf during storm surges, but remember, surfing when a typhoon is approaching is outright dangerous. Tsunamis are risks as well, even from sources across the Pacific.

title: Aurora (province)


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Auroville

Auroville is a small town 6 km north of Pondicherry. This town was a vision of The Mother from Sri Aurobindo Ashram at Pondicherry as it's an international town. She envisioned a town where unity will be celebrated and all will have a spiritual vocation. In July 2010, 2200 people from 43 different countries were living in the city. About 40% were Indians (more than 15% are French and 15% are German).

Auroville Handbook is the official guide to Auroville that can be bought in the Visitors' Centre and the bookshops around or Auroville's website. A map of the town can be bought in Pondicherry at the Boutique de Auroville and at the visitors center in Auroville.

Understand
The city was designed by architect Roger Anger. The township of Auroville is meant to be a universal town where men and women of all countries are able to live in peace and progressive harmony, above all creeds, all politics and all nationalities. Auroville was founded as a project of the Sri Aurobindo in 1968 by his disciple Mirra Alfassa, popularly called "The Mother". About 2,000 people from 50 countries live in this planned village. Half of them are Indians and there are some 300 French people, 200 Germans and 150 Italians.

Get in
Auroville is 16 km by bus from Pondicherry and 163 km by bus from Chennai. Trains are also available and they take 6 hours. The nearest airports are at Pondicherry, 11 km and Chennai, 142 km.

By rickshaw (₹300-400) or taxi (₹400-500) from Pondicherry (January 2023). The local drivers have prices strictly fixed; even Uber drivers will cancel the trip if you do not agree to the above rates.

You may however have better luck using Ola since InterCity Cabs are sometimes the only service available on Uber and are generally more expensive than regular service on Uber and the local drivers on Ola generally stick to the fare given by the app (October 2023). Many of these drivers on Ola usually also offer taxi services to Chennai if you are in need of a taxi from Pondicherry to Chennai and the prices are negotiable.

Many buses between Chennai and Pondicherry pass the turn off to Auroville - you can exit along the ECR (coastal highway) and into one of the waiting rickshaws at the junction (₹200). Hitchhiking between the ECR and Auroville is very easy. In Jan. 2023 there are 3 daily buses between Pondi and Auroville, with the schedule available on the Auroville.org website.

From Allankuppan, Kottakarai village
Every 30 min a bus goes to Pondi over Kootroad, where you can enter a bus to Tindivanam, Tirruvanumalai, Chennai. Often the bus is already full. It's safer to go to Pondi. The bus is ₹5. The same problem you face on the ECR (East Coast Road) if you catch a bus to Chennai.

From Chennai airport
You can also take a taxi from Chennai Airport. It costs ₹170-2500 (price quoted December 2010. If you call a taxi service in advance: +91-413-2622400 AV Transport, +91 413 2623200 Auro Cabs, +91 413 2623586 Om Travel (companies are run by Auroville township near Puducherry), they will be at the Arrivals exit with a sign with your name on it.

Alternatively, take a taxi to Pondicherry bus station for ₹200, then take a regular bus for ₹175 to Tambaram, cross the highway through an underground and get a train connection from there to Chennai Airport for ₹4 (just a few kilometers away).

From Pondicherry
You can also rent scooters in Pondicherry and drive yourself for a day trip or arrange to keep the scooter for a few days or more.

Get around
Best by e-cycle, also possible by motorbike or bicycle. Rickshaws and taxis can be ordered for trips out of the town. If you have a guest card than you can use the community's bus to Pondicherry (for free).

You can hire e-cycles for ₹200 per day (and use free electricity), motorbikes for ₹50-100 per day and in some guesthouses you'll get a bicycle for free or a small daily fee with your rent.

Everything is within a five km distance and walking is one of the best option here.

Auroville is very spread out and large, so if you want to get around freely, rent an e-cycle or motorbike.

The challenging part is navigating the busier roads in around the village of Kaluipalayam, the largest Tamil village in or near Auroville. In addition to other motorbikes, you will encounter pedestrians, bicycles, cows, dogs, small tour buses, and the occasional ox cart loaded with hay. Traffic can be heavy at dusk, when the herds of cows head home and everybody else seems trying to get some place else.

Remember to stay on the left and look both ways before turning or crossing a road. If you make a right turn, be sure to end up on the left side of your new road.

The nearest petrol station is on the sea front road (aka the Beach Road) just north of the Auroville turnoff. If you find yourself low while in Kaluipalayam village, a few of the shops have 1 liter water bottles filled with petrol for sale. Petrol goes a long way, but keep an eye on the level because running out can be very inconvenient and possibly unsafe.With e-cycles, no more petrol seek and you help to keep Auroville green and clean!

Always travel with a charged cellphone, and know how to use it to call your moped supplier, your guest house, and your fellow travellers. Motorbikes have a way of breaking down or not starting, so it's better to travel in pairs or groups. That way you can always catch a ride on the back some someone else's bike.

See

This is circular structure with a golden metallic sphere in the centre. Inside the Matrimandir, a spiraling ramp leads upwards to an air-conditioned chamber of polished white marble referred to as "a place to find one's consciousness". Matrimandir is equipped with a solar power plant and is surrounded by manicured gardens. When there is no sun or after the sunset, the sunray on the globe is replaced by a beam from a solar powered light.

 * Check with the visitor center if you're interested in seeing the inside of the temple - the rules can be very strict, and it may take 2 days or so before you get inside (you've been warned!). You'll first need a visitors pass for a little guided tour of one of the meditation chambers, and once you've done that you qualify to visit the inside of the main temple the following day. Saturday and Sunday can be particularly busy and you may need to wait in line for 30-40 minutes. Bags, cell phones and cameras are not allowed in the temple.

 * If you have a guest card you can get a pass valid for all the days of your stay, otherwise you'll get a one day pass. Aurovillians can also take you in as a guest, though this isn't likely unless you have friends there.

Do
There are a lot of activities in Auroville like Yoga, Tai-Chi, Watsu, different kinds of alternative healing and courses. The variety is wider during the visitors' season from December to March. There is a plethora of social/economic/environmental/agricultural projects going on regularly. Many of them welcome tourists, and many tourists welcome the opportunity to spend a week or more volunteering to get a much more intimate look at what goes inside Auroville. There are at least 14 farms in Auroville, any of which will take daily volunteers. There are also many schools that can accommodate volunteers, environmental restoration projects, and village action initiatives. Kottakarai Organic Food Processing Unit is a small little shop that makes things like cookies and pasta from local and organic ingredients in a warm and welcoming atmosphere. It is located next to Ganesh Bakery, a cafe/restaurant that is popular with tourists.

Buy

 * Hand woven hammocks
 * Hand carved stone sculptures, including some erotic works
 * Cool hippy clothing, but be sure to bargain hard on them as prices are set high in Auroville.
 * LED Headlights, Parasite Zapper, Mind machines with Innovation unlimited, Silence.
 * Books about Auroville - the idea, the architecture, the mother,... (Bookshop at the Visitor's Center). "Auroville in a nutshell" is a great booklet to start with for about ₹50.
 * AuroVelo Bicycle spares, service, Decathlon products, coffee and cakes
 * Mira Computers, Aurelec Computer, laptop, smartphone service and sales
 * Maroma, Kalki Natural home fragrance and body care products (Incense, Reed Difusers, Soaps, Perfumes, Candles, Bath Salts, Shampoos, Body Lotions, Creams, Massage Oils and Essential Oils.)

Budget

Sleep
There are more than 450 beds in different guesthouses in Auroville, and many more in the non-Aurovilian hotels around the township, which are generally less expensive. The best way is to go to the Visitors' Centre in Auroville and browse through their book in which you can see the rooms and get details about them. Prices range from ₹150-4100 per person per day.

Some well known guest houses include Aspiration (with great food), Shranga, Verite, Youth Camp(cheap), Gratitude(with about 40 peacocks in the garden).

Overnight guests in Auroville's guest houses are expected to pay a daily contribution of ₹100 (₹30 for students), which is often included in the guesthouse rate. For this contribution you receive a Guest Card which allows you to use the services of Auroville, like the Solar Kitchen, classes and some shops.

December through February is the guests' season - the busiest time in Auroville. Plan your trip in advance for this period.

Go next

 * Bangalore - 372 km
 * Chennai - 163 km

title: Auroville


text:
Auschwitz-Birkenau

Auschwitz-Birkenau is the generic name given to the cluster of concentration, labour and extermination camps established by the Nazis during the Second World War and located near the towns of Oświęcim and Brzezinka in southern Poland, some 60 km from Kraków. The camps have become a place of pilgrimage for survivors, their families and all who wish to travel to remember the Holocaust.

Auschwitz I has a lot of exhibitions in the historical buildings - many hours are required to see it all. Auschwitz II has a bigger area, but a much smaller amount of historical information. It is possible to do justice to both camps in one very long and difficult day.

Of the over one million people sent to die in Auschwitz, fewer than 200,000 of them survived, mostly non-Jewish political prisoners.

Understand
Although not the first or only Nazi concentration and extermination camp, Auschwitz-Birkenau has become a widespread symbol of terror, genocide and the Holocaust in the global consciousness.

A concentration camp was established by the Nazis in the suburbs of the Polish towns of Oświęcim and Brzezinka which - like the rest of Poland - were occupied by the Germans from the beginning of the Second World War (1939) till it was liberated in 1945 near the war's end. The name of the city of Oświęcim was changed ('germanized') to Auschwitz, as well as the name of Brzezinka - Birkenau; which became the name of the camp as well.

The camp was continually expanded over the next five years and ultimately consisted of three main parts: Auschwitz I, Auschwitz II-Birkenau, and Auschwitz III-Monowitz. Auschwitz-Birkenau also had over 40 sub-camps in the neighboring cities and in the surrounding area. Initially, only Poles and Jews were imprisoned, enslaved and murdered in the camp. Subsequently, Soviet prisoners of war (POWs), Romani/Sinti (Gypsies), and prisoners of other nationalities and minorities were also incarcerated, enslaved and murdered there.

From 1942 onwards, the camp became the site of one of the greatest mass murders in the history of humanity, committed against the European Jews as part of Hitler's plan for the complete destruction of that people (the Final Solution). An estimated 1.1 million people were killed or died at Auschwitz-Birkenau, the vast majority of whom were Jewish men, women and children deported from their homes all over occupied Europe. They were transported to Auschwitz-Birkenau in overcrowded cattle wagons, and upon arrival sent immediately to their deaths in the Birkenau gas chambers. Their bodies were afterwards cremated in industrial furnaces in the crematoria.

At the end of the war, in an effort to remove the traces of the crimes they had committed, the SS began dismantling and razing the gas chambers, crematoria, and other buildings, as well as burning documents. Prisoners capable of marching were evacuated into the depths of the German Reich, and thousands of marchers died of hunger, exhaustion and exposure. Those who remained behind in the camp and survived long enough were liberated by Red Army soldiers on 27 January 1945.

A 2 July 1947 Act of the post-war Polish Parliament established the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum on the grounds of the two extant parts of the camp, Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II-Birkenau.

The site was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1979.

Get in

By bus
There are quite frequent and inexpensive buses (14 złoty each way) to and from the main bus station in Kraków and minibuses (12 zł each way) that depart from the basement level of the main bus station. The bus takes about one and a half hours; it is usually busy and stops locally along the way. After 19:00 there are no more minivans back to Krakow. The last bus returns at 19:45 to Kraków. Trains also stop running early. If you plan to stay until closing time make arrangements regarding your return beforehand.

By car
Driving from Kraków takes about one hour and you have to leave the A4 motorway at the Oświęcim/Balin exit. There is a big parking lot in Auschwitz I that costs 20 zł for the whole day. 200 metres from Auschwitz II there is another parking lot that costs 40 zł per stay, but also free space for around 40 cars near the main door. As of 2017, it is possible to find legal free parking within 1 km from Auschwitz I.

By train
The train station of Oświęcim is about 2 km from the museum and there are public town buses connecting them (2.70 zł). There are several local trains each day, both from Kraków and from Katowice, about each 1.5-2 hours. The trip to or from Kraków central station takes a leisurely 2 hours, as the train goes slowly and stops frequently. It costs 9.50 zł. The last train to Kraków leaves at 8:19pm, you have to switch at Trzebinia.

Organised tours
Several companies provide tours from Kraków and Katowice. Prices range from 60 zł to 100 zł. They advertise heavily so you'll have no problem finding one. These tours involve a minibus pick-up from many spots in Kraków and Katowice, a lunch break, and a few hours' guided tour.

Entrance
You absolutely need a ticket for Auschwitz I, even if you opt for the free entry.

There is no admission to Auschwitz I without a ticket and you can only get in at the time you booked. It is best to book tickets online in advance. If you don't see any available tickets online, you can still go and get a ticket at the booth. You will then have to wait for free spots.

Because of the large numbers of visitors entry to the Auschwitz I site is exclusively on a guided group basis during the middle part of the day - as of 2019, between 10:00 and 12:00 during December, between 10:00 and 13:00 in November, January, February and March, between 10:00 and 16:00 in April, May, September and October, and between 09:00 and 17:00 in June, July and August. Visiting the site on your own before or after rush hours is highly recommended. You can go at your own pace, see what you want to see and have a much more meaningful experience.

If you have to wait for your time at Auschwitz I you can visit the Auschwitz II Birkenau site first and then return after the guided tours finish to the first camp to avoid having to use the tour. The Auschwitz II Birkenau site is open for visitors without the guide during the opening hours of the Memorial. It can be visited at any time without booking a ticket. Donations are encouraged.

Opening hours
The museum is open all year long, seven days a week, except January 1, December 25, and Easter Sunday. The museum is open during the following hours:

 * 07:30–16:00 December through February
 * 07:30–16:00 March, November
 * 07:30–17:00 April, October
 * 07:30–18:00 May, September
 * 07:30–19:00 June, July, August

Visitors may stay for 90 minutes on the site after the closing time.

Get around
The Auschwitz Memorial and Museum is easily navigated on foot. In order to acquire a proper sense of the place it is essential to visit both parts of the camp.

Tours provided by the museum in various languages cost 60 zł (discounted price for students up to 26 years of age is 55 zł) and are recommended if you want a deeper understanding of the site, but they are unfortunately somewhat rushed, and you can get a pretty good feel by buying a guidebook and map (small simple guide costs 5 zł) and wandering around on your own.

Each exhibit is described in Polish with other language translations. The scope of the evil and terror that occurred here is almost unimaginable and a guide can help to put in context what a room full of human hair or what a thousand pairs of infant shoes means. They'll also tell you about former prisoners who have returned to see the museum.

There are toilets at the Auschwitz-I site which cost 2.0 zł to use (as of 2017). At Auschwitz II-Birkenau, the toilets at the entrance cost 1.5 zł (as of 2017). There are free toilets at the back of the camp.

Between camps

 * There is a free shuttle bus between Auschwitz and Birkenau. In the summer, it runs every 10 minutes, and during winter, every 20 minutes.
 * You can just walk the 2.2 km (1.4 miles) between the camp entrances (although it isn't a very nice walk as it is along the roads).
 * A taxi between the sites will cost about 15 zł.

See

Do

 * Participate in one of the guided tours of the site
 * Visit on your own a day or two after a guided tour. A guided tour may be a bit rushed to fully experience the emotions of the place.

Events

 * March of the Living — Silent march of thousands of people from around the world from Auschwitz to Birkenau each year on Holocaust Memorial Day (Yom HaShoah, after Passover). The annual educational programme, which brings people from all over the world; the group trip starts in Poland and ends in Israel.

Eat
There's a basic cafe and cafeteria in the main visitors' centre of Auschwitz I and a coffee machine in the bookshop at Birkenau. More options are in a commercial complex across the street from Auschwitz I, although the quality of one (the Art Hamburger) is rather poor, but a cheap and quick eat. There are hot dog stalls and similar outlets outside the main museum at the end of the bus/car park, with food and drink combinations costing 10-12 zł. The car park outside Auschwitz I also has picnic tables for visitors.

Sleep
The closest accommodation options are in Oświęcim, though most visitors are based in Kraków, which is a sizeable city with a well-developed tourism sector.

Respect
Please remember that you are essentially visiting a mass grave site, as well as a site that has an almost incalculable meaning to a significant portion of the world's population. There are still many men and women alive who survived their time here, and many more who had loved ones who were murdered or worked to death there, Jews and non-Jews alike. Please treat the site with all of the dignity, solemnity and respect it deserves. Do not make jokes about the Holocaust or Nazis. Do not deface the site by marking or scratching graffiti into structures. Do not take anything from the camp area with you "as a souvenir", and do not make Nazi salutes, even jokingly — these are considered offences under Polish law, and if you commit them, you will be placed before the court and could be subjected to a prison sentence of up to two years for propagating fascism. Pictures are permitted in outdoor areas, but remember this is a memorial rather than a tourist attraction, and there will undoubtedly be visitors who have a personal connection with the camps, so be discreet with cameras.

title: Auschwitz-Birkenau


text:
Austell

Austell is a city in Metro Atlanta.

Eat

 * Wallace Barbecue, off Bankhead Highway on the left headed for Lithia Springs. Delicious barbecue served with homemade french fries, fresh salads and sweeter-than-sweet tea.

title: Austell


text:
Austevoll

Austevoll is a municipality in Hordaland in Norway. It consists of an arcipelago of islands bordering the North Sea to its west, and is lightly populated with the largest settlement being Storebø with approximately 1000 inhabitants. The municipality encompasses 667 islands in total, of which only a few are populated.

By ferry
Austevoll can only be reached by ferry, either from the south side, from Stord, or on the north side from Krokeide (Bergen).

title: Austevoll


text:
Austin

Austin is a city of about 965,000 people (2021) on the southeast edge of the Hill Country region of Texas, making it the fourth-largest city in the state and the 11th-largest in the country. It is the capital of Texas and a college town, and also a center of an alternative culture away from the major cities on the US coasts, though the city is rapidly gentrifying with its rising popularity. Austin's attitude is commonly emblazoned about town on T-shirts and bumper stickers that read: "Keep Austin Weird." Austin is also marketed as the Live Music Capital of the World due to the large number of venues.

Climate
Austin weather is generally nice most of the year; activities are generally not limited by season. However, as Austin lies within Central Texas, be prepared to deal with the long, hot summers if you are visiting between May and September. It is not uncommon for daily high temperatures to be between 90 and 100 °F (32-38 °C) during this time — in fact, a day in the 80s is rare, and several days may even reach triple digits (90 days in 2011). If you are here when the weather is like this, dress accordingly, drink plenty of water, and do not plan on staying outside for long (nearly all indoor places are air-conditioned) — unless you're taking the opportunity to take a dip in Barton Springs Pool or any of the other swimming holes in the area. This is especially true if the heat index is around 105 or higher, which is considered to be dangerous. The interior of cars will get dangerously hot, especially if the windows are up and it's parked in the sun — don't leave pets or children in there, no matter how briefly. How hot the summer gets usually depends on the amount of precipitation the area has been getting. If there is no drought and the spring has been particularly wet, temperatures will remain relatively tolerable and rarely break triple digits. If it has been dry, summers can be very uncomfortable and triple-digit temperatures will be very common.

Central Texas winters are short to non-existent. There are many pleasant or even warm days during the winter months (the first 90° day of 2012 was in February), and snowfall is rare. However, hard freezes happen occasionally, and light freezes may occur frequently (especially in the more rural areas), and when this mixes with precipitation, ice storms and other wintry weather happen. If the storm is severe enough, the city may shut down for a day or so, traffic may be snarled, and the local auto body shops may notice a spike in business. Worse, blackouts resulting from tree limbs downing power lines are possible. The Austin area usually experiences such events 0-2 times each year or so, from late December to mid-February. Generally, though, winter weather just varies a lot, with alternating cold and warm fronts that can make for large temperature swings in the course of a single week.

Spring and fall are the best times to visit. Springs tend to be stormy (see "Stay safe" for related warning), and falls may bring light freezes during the night. For the most part, though, springs and falls are very pleasant times to experience Austin.

Read
Pick up an Austin Chronicle newspaper first thing. These are freely available all over town, including the information desk across from baggage claim at the airport. It will be your guide to everything that's going on in Austin from festivals (Spam Festival, Chili Festival, etc.) to music, theater and food; it's all in there. New issues are published every Thursday.
 * Austin American-Statesman — the major daily paper.
 * Austin Chronicle — the alternative weekly. Their "Best of" lists and calendar of events are great resources and can be accessed online.
 * The Daily Texan — the student newspaper of the University of Texas at Austin.
 * Tribeza — Tribeza is a free monthly publication profiling and highlighting local culture, focusing a bit on higher end establishments while remaining accessible.
 * Austin Monthly — aims to highlight more in depth the people, places and events that make Austin unique. Can be purchased on any newsstand in town (including Austin Bergstrom International Airport).
 * Edible Austin — a free quarterly publication that celebrates the local food culture in Austin. The primary focus is on sustainable food practices and the farmers, retailers and chefs in Austin and surrounding areas that strive to contribute to a sustainable food culture in the region.
 * L Style/G Style — a free bi-monthly lifestyle magazine for social and cultural influencers in the gay/lesbian community.

By plane

 * Barbara Jordan Terminal: Aeromexico, Air Canada, Alaska Airlines; American Airlines/American Eagle, British Airways, Condor, Delta, Frontier, Jetblue, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Lufthansa, Norwegian Air Shuttle, Southwest, United/United Express, Volaris.
 * Barbara Jordan Terminal: Aeromexico, Air Canada, Alaska Airlines; American Airlines/American Eagle, British Airways, Condor, Delta, Frontier, Jetblue, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Lufthansa, Norwegian Air Shuttle, Southwest, United/United Express, Volaris.

 * South Terminal: Allegiant, Sun Country and Via Air.

There are a selection of buses, taxis, ride share (Uber & Lyft), shared ride shuttles and car rentals to get you into town and back. Chauffeured sedans or limos are also available to pick you up or drop you off at the airport but normally require advance reservations. Taxi fare to downtown Austin is approximately $30. You may also catch Capital Metro bus 20 from ABIA to Downtown Austin, $1.25 for one way or $2.50 for a 24-hour local pass.

By car
Austin is on one major freeway and several regional highways, and its outskirts are served by several tollways. From San Antonio, head north on IH-35, about one and a half hours. From Dallas, head south on IH-35, about three hours. From Houston, head west on US-290 (or I-10 W to Hwy 71 W if you want to reach South Austin), about three hours. From I-10, take SH-130 Toll north to Austin.

By bus
There are several long distance bus lines serving Austin from San Antonio, Houston, Laredo and Dallas-Ft Worth in the U.S. and from Nuevo Laredo and Monterey in Mexico. Each company has a stop or their own bus station in different parts of town that are far from each other:

There are several long distance bus lines serving Austin from San Antonio, Houston, Laredo and Dallas-Ft Worth in the U.S. and from Nuevo Laredo and Monterey in Mexico. Each company has a stop or their own bus station in different parts of town that are far from each other:

On foot
Generally, the feasibility of seeing Austin by foot depends largely on the weather

For those content to see only downtown Austin and who are in good shape, exploring most of the downtown area on foot is possible. There are many attractions within a 1- to 2-mile walk from most downtown hotels. Be prepared for potentially oppressive heat during the summer months.

The University of Texas area, just north of downtown, is also very pedestrian friendly, and in fact can be a difficult place to get around by car (very hard to find a parking spot).

By bike
Though there are some exceptions, most of downtown Austin is reasonably bike friendly. There is a high concentration of cyclists in the city, and many trails around town.

Austin is hilly to the west but generally mildly sloping toward the river in the center of town. There are bike lanes on most major streets. Biking is a great way to get around year round and the weather is usually agreeable from mid-October to mid-April. May to mid-October temperatures may reach the high 90s to 100s °F (32-38 °C), and humidity may be a problem.

By bus

Austin has a generally mediocre public transit system - even by the already low U.S. standards. Austinites seem to think the same and in November 2020 they approved one of the most ambitious public transit expansion plans in North America. Expect new rail lines, improvements to bus services and better bus routes (including bus rapid transit (BRT)) in the 2020s and into the 2030s. Even now, the bus can be a viable option on busy corridors, with frequent buses serving tourist destinations like downtown, the Capitol, and South Congress. The single-line commuter rail system ("red line") also sees some service outside commute hours.

The University of Texas shuttles (route numbers in the 600s) offer frequent service between the University and some neighborhoods during weekdays (and less frequently on Sundays) when school is in session. Blue buses are generally used on the shuttle routes; boarding requires a UTexas ID or Capital Metro bus pass.

There are also double-decker tour buses:

By car
Once you get used to how the city is laid out, driving is not too difficult if you're used to living in a large city, but expect drivers to be rather aggressive, be assertive yourself when it is safe, and don't expect to be graciously let into a lane if you need to go across several lanes to make a turn Downtown or suddenly get presented with an exit-only lane on the highway. In fact, many Austinites say that people in this city are friendly and welcoming everywhere except when they are in their cars. Traffic is worse from 7-9AM and 3:30-7PM weekdays, though IH-35 through town can be jammed at other times as well. Austin's traffic is among the worst in the nation in terms of hours of delay per year, so allow plenty of extra time during the morning and evening commute.

There are two major north-south expressways: I-35 (non-standardly called "IH-35") and Loop 1 (also called the MoPac Expressway for the former owner of the railroad which runs along it, Missouri-Pacific - or "Slo-Pac" for anyone who has experienced it at rush hour). There is only one true major east-west freeway in Austin, south of the city center, known as Ben White or US 290 West/Texas highway 71. The freeway section of 290 West/Ben White runs from I-35 to just east of Oak Hill. Freeway extensions are being constructed east on 71 to the airport, and the beginning stages of construction are taking place west towards and past Oak Hill. Hwy 183 runs from the southeast corner of the city near the airport to the northwest suburbs, bridging MoPac and I-35 in North Austin.

Oak Hill is the point at which TX 71 and US 290 split apart and go in separate directions, and in case this isn't confusing enough, some people make the distinction between 290 West and 290 East because at I-35, 290 East heads up the interstate, and then continues on to the east in North Austin. There is a second freeway that runs from the Northwest side of the city down to the Southeast side of the city past the airport. This freeway is called US 183, and in North Austin it may also be referred to as Research Boulevard. Most of it is freeway now; however, there are still several major intersections which are being constructed and turned into freeway.

I-35 has no loop that circumnavigates the city, so watch out for aggressive, confused drivers. Also, keep your eyes open for the upper deck/lower deck split between Airport Boulevard and Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard; it's confusing, and accidents occur there frequently. Drivers going through Austin without stopping, or those who wish to avoid the chaos of the lower deck, should use the right two lanes as the deck split approaches, in contrast to other cities where through traffic uses the left lane. On the northbound side, traffic entering I-35 at Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard goes directly to the upper deck.

Out-of-towners be warned: on-ramps on I-35, especially the lower deck, are very short. Signage is also not that dependable, as you may not have adequate time after an exit sign to get to — or avoid — the exit. On-ramps can quickly become exit-only lanes, and lanes can split several times with little notice. Consider avoiding I-35 altogether unless you are driving out of town.

Austin has a mostly completed network of toll roads, see Central Texas Turnpike System and Central Texas Regional Mobile Authority. These include SH 130, an Austin bypass east of town; SH 45, an east-west artery in North Austin; the North MoPac extension; the US 183A bypass of Cedar Park and Leander; and SH 45SE in far south Austin. TxTag accounts are available for commuters. There has been significant opposition and accommodations have been made in some areas. Both US 183A and MoPac are rather deceptive — if you keep going north on either 183 or MoPac, the freeway seamlessly transitions into a toll road and the signage is rather poor. To avoid the toll, you must keep a sharp eye out and get off the main lanes. Even worse, all tolls on 183A are "TxTag Only" meaning that you cannot pay cash. This trend will likely extend to all Austin tollways in the near future.

Parts of the city are subject to flooding at times during the year; see for warnings about driving across shallowly flooded areas.

Parking
Parking in the city center can be difficult; look for municipal parking garages, as officers will ticket you in the blink of an eye (check meters, though, because many are free in the evenings, on weekends, and on major holidays). Worse yet, vehicles illegally parked in private parking areas are very quickly towed, so make sure that you don't park in spots marked no parking.

Parking is free in the Texas State History Museum garage near UT after hours and on weekends.

By taxi
There are several cab companies on call if you'd prefer to avoid the driving hassle.

See
Take a beautiful stroll around The University of Texas at Austin. While there you might want to visit the Blanton Museum of Art, the Harry Ransom Center, Texas Memorial Museum of Science and History, or view the public art around campus. The famous UT tower may or may not be open; inquire at the university. If it is, it is worth a look for the breathtaking views and history lesson. It is a tour though so you need to make reservations (see the previous link). The theater and music departments are both well regarded and have performances throughout the school year. If you visit during football season, you can see the Texas Longhorn football team play at Darrell K. Royal Texas Memorial Stadium.

The Texas State Capitol is a must-see for new visitors to Austin. Unlike many other state capitols in America, Texas's is as welcoming as the state's people, and is completely open to the public seven days a week.

In addition, Downtown Austin has a striking, unique skyline that is in some ways even prettier at night, when the buildings are lit up in different colors. Among the places from which you can see excellent views of the skyline are South Congress Avenue across the Colorado River, Stephen F. Austin Drive, West Cesar Chavez Street and several bridges.

Music
KUTX Austin Music Map (warning: sound; mute at bottom left)

Austin is the "Live Music Capital of the World". If you're into the bar and club scene, head to Sixth Street during the later hours for a wide selection of venues, many of which also feature live music. Sixth street is not by any stretch the only place to see music. It can in fact, become very crowded, and is generally the most tourist filled part of town. By ordinance for the protection of workers and public enjoyment, all public buildings in Austin are clean air zones, including bars. Smoking is prohibited except in rare separately ventilated areas, making Austin one of the few cities where a large and varied selection of music can be experienced smokefree.

Enjoying the outdoors
Place include Barton Springs Pool, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, Zilker Park, McKinney Falls State Park. There are numerous parks all over the city and in the surrounding suburbs that are very popular with the residents of Austin. A significant number of these parks are pet friendly.

Cycling trails at a number of locations including Walnut Creek Municipal Park, Lady Bird Lake Hike and Bike Trail and The Veloway. There are also a couple of BMX and skate parks downtown.

Events
Festivals arranged by month. The mammoth South by Southwest (SXSW) festivals are in March. The major Austin City Limits Festival is in October.

Learn
Austin is one of the premier educational areas in the nation. The University of Texas at Austin is one of the best universities in the world, public or private. The flagship institution of the University of Texas System, it is also one of the largest universities in the world, both in terms of endowment, and in terms of student population. UT has been the largest university in the United States, but has intentionally limited enrollment and now ranks in the top five nationally. The red-tiled roofs of the "Forty Acres," as it is known, shelter many cultural and entertainment institutions. The campus is beautiful and vibrant, and visitors are welcome.

Austin is a college town as well as a government and high-tech center. It draws its population from all over, and many students decide to stay. This gives Austin a high level of general education and a diverse cultural scene.

Buy
Austin is very proud of its local stores. Great places to shop are South Congress (SoCo), The Drag, (Guadalupe, from 17th to 38th, along the West side of the UT campus) and South First. North Loop also has a few fun and funky shops, but you'll probably have to ask a local (or several) how to get there. There are several antique stores on South Congress. Half-Price Books with five locations around town is a Texas-based chain whose stores offer exceptional value for your dollar, and have an extremely diverse selection. A peek in these stores will show you what Austinites are really reading.

Austin is home of the original and the world headquarters of Whole Foods. Their flagship store is downtown at W. 6th St. and Lamar, in the same building as their brand-new corporate headquarters. They have several other stores around town as well. The flagship store is a destination in and of itself.

Austin is also home to the original Central Market, near Lamar and 38th St., and a second location at Lamar and Westgate, down south. Both have live music in their dining areas on weekends.

Whole Foods and Central Market have a large selection of fresh fruits and vegetables, wines, beer, cheese, free-range meats, and seafood. The Whole Foods flagship store downtown and the 38th St. Central Market locations have a varied selection of gelato. The "mothership" Whole Foods (as locals call it) is the largest in its chain, boasting six mini-restaurants with dishes prepared to order (seafood, vegetarian, BBQ, Italian, Asian, and pizza). Spirits live music at night, and an ice rink on top during the winter.

Trader Joes (211 Walter Seaholm Dr Ste 100, open daily 8AM-9PM) has a store located in Downtown Austin that is very convenient for those who are staying downtown and has a large selection of vegetarian and vegan products.

Wheatsville Food Co-op (original location 3101 Guadalupe, open daily 7:30AM-11PM, new south Austin store 4001 S. Lamar Blvd) is now a thriving cooperative grocery and has been around for over 30 years. Their focus on food issues guaranteed an excellent selection of ethically produced products including organics, vegetarian, vegan, free range meats and eggs, fair trade, household items, bulk foods and a full service deli. The store is a much smaller than the large supermarkets and provides a much more personal grocery experience. "King of the Hill" made fun of the earnestness of the place by having Hank eat "faux fu" (a more ethical form of tofu) from the place.

HEB is one of the largest private (not publicly traded) corporations in America, has many supermarkets around town. They have great selection. Most markets have specialty, organic, and ethnic foods. Many are open 24 hours. Their newest large-scale supermarkets include everything from furniture to electronics to books to eggs.

Randalls (owned by Albertsons), the second largest supermarket chain in town after H-E-B, has a few locations open 24 hours.

Austin also features a large variety of ethnic grocery stores, including Chinese, Vietnamese, Japanese, and, of course, Mexican.

Eat
When you visit Austin, or if you decide to live here, you'll have no shortage of interesting and satisfying places to eat. Austin's restaurants are a feast for the mind and the palate. The listings below are only a sampling of the diverse and plentiful Austin restaurant scene.

Austin has many high-end, destination restaurants, but it also has many high-quality, unique, and inexpensive restaurants where the locals eat, drink, and socialize every day (all day). It's a town built for living in, and the affordable, excellent restaurants show it. Just so you know you're in Texas, Austin has a large number of places serving Texas Barbeque and Tex-Mex; many of them are venerable, famous, and exceptionally good eating.

Austin is vegetarian-friendly, and many restaurants have a good selection to choose from. Most supermarkets such as HEB, Fiesta and Randall's offer inexpensive prepared food. In addition Austin was one of the first US cities to help spawn the whole food truck trend and has many food truck parks like St. Elmo Public Market, The Picnic, Thicket Food Park, 5000 Burnet, or Mueller Trailer Eats where large numbers of food trucks congregate. Many of these food trucks offer diverse offerings that are also easy on the wallet such as tacos, döner kebabs, vegan fare, pad thai, po-boy sandwiches or Venezuelan arepas. Some popular food trucks include East Side King, Chi’lantro, Hey Cupcake!, and the Peached Tortilla.

While Austin has dining options ranging from casual to upscale, most of the popular restaurants skew towards the budget end of the spectrum. There's a good chance the restaurant you want to visit has counter or quick-casual service and does not accept reservations. Part of the reason behind this is the fact that many popular restaurants started out as food trucks and then later built brick-and-mortar locations. Many of these places require that you pay up front, including tipping. When presented with the tipping step, bear in mind that Austin housing has become relatively expensive for service industry workers.

Consequently, many popular restaurants also have long lines (e.g., Franklin Barbecue). While some people enjoy striking up conversations in these famed lines, you may find yourself wanting to actually eat rather than talk. Austin's restaurants tend to follow trends (e.g., BBQ, tacos, pizza), so plan on some nearby alternatives if the idea of standing in 100°F heat for an hour for a burger isn't your idea of fun.

Local burger chains that you can find in numerous locations around Austin include P.Terry's who serve hormone free, antibiotic-free beef (Veggie burgers and quality chicken burgers, better than the regular burgers, are also available); and Mighty Fine with short menu but not short on taste.

If you're going to Austin looking for barbecue, you're going to the right place. Austin is home to multiple of the best barbecue restaurants in the state.

There are numerous Japanese restaurants in town (if you are looking for the real thing, most Japanese restaurants in town also are Korean or Chinese run). If you see bulgogi or other Korean fare it's likely a Korean restaurant. These places are pretty good and if you're not really into sushi, it's great to also have the option to eat Korean food.

Austin is home to a variety of excellent Mexican restaurants. Everyone in town has his/her favorite so if your looking to find a good one just ask the locals. "Torchy's Tacos has amazing tacos of every kind, including breakfast tacos. Try the green chile pork or the democrat.
 * Baby Acapulco's is a well-known Tex-Mex restaurant serving out of 4 locations throughout the Austin area. A fun place for happy hour with a more upbeat and younger crowd. The famous purple margarita will do you just fine. But they serve a limit of two so drink responsibly!
 * Chuy's Restaurant an Austin institution with great Tex-Mex food. The North Lamar location is somewhat out of the way, but also tends to have the shortest wait times. Call ahead because the wait can sometimes be extremely long, though there are free chips and salsa to help make up for it.
 * Maudie's with 6 locations is great local Tex-Mex chain with locations spread across the city. Excellent tacos, enchiladas and chili rellenos. Serves breakfast all day. Gluten Free Menu available upon request.
 * Lupe Tortilla's is a really delicious and affordable Tex-Mex with great margaritas and their queso is the best in town, and be sure to try the flour tortillas (which are as big as your plate).
 * Serranos a homegrown Tex-Mex restaurant with five area locations around town offering a great selection of tasty Tex-Mex dishes. The food and service are consistently good for a reasonable price. For something different try the enchiladas con huevos.

Other local offering found in multiple locations around the city include:
 * Amy's Ice Creams where the atmosphere is lively and the employees are friendly. Add a fruit or candy "crush'n" to your ice cream for even more flavor. The  location on Burnet Road, aside from being right beside the Amy's production facility, also features a burger joint - Phil's Ice House. Try the sweet potato fries and the burger sampler.
 * Kerbey Lane Cafe an Austin favorite offers legendary pancakes and an extensive vegan menu that includes breakfast tacos, chai pancakes, tofu cheesecake, and more. Also try the queso and Dave's enchiladas. Breakfast all day.
 * Opal Divine's serving up American food menu at four Austin locations, all of which have large outdoor decks for those who prefer to dine or enjoy an adult beverage with nature.
 * Thundercloud Subs a local sandwich deli with over 27 locations around town. Known for its 'Keep Austin Weird' atmosphere and 'Thunder sauce'.
 * Whole Foods Market Cafea vegetarian-friendly grocery store with numerous food bars offering vegan and vegetarian options. Whole Foods' flagship store is in Austin.

Because the weather gets bitterly cold only now and then, there is usually lots and lots of outdoor dining through the winter to such an extent that it is the rule rather than the exception that a place where you want to eat will have some kind of porch or back area that's open to the air, sometimes with heaters in the winter.

Drink
Austin is coffee mad. The coffeehouse culture is strong and growing here in Austin, and you can hear poetry and live music at quite a few of these places, as well as getting light eats. Coffeehouses are where the liberal heart of Austin beats for all to see. Free wireless Internet connections are very common (and available at many other businesses as well). There are a number of local chains including Caffe Medici.

Most gay and lesbian bars and night clubs are downtown with the highest concentration in the Warehouse district.

For alcohol Austin's main strip is on 6th Street downtown. But like most entertainment districts that get raves in the media, it's a little overhyped. Check out the nearby Warehouse District and Fourth Street if you don't want quarter wells and million-dollar sorority girls.

Most grocery stores (especially HEB and Central Market) carry a variety of Texas beer. There are several microbreweries operating in Texas, and you can expect to find their beer at outlets with moderate to wide selections:

There are also small brewpubs serving their own house-brewed beers to the local cognoscenti, many in the North Loop area.

Sleep
Many hotels sell out for Austin festivals, particularly South By Southwest. Book well ahead for anything downtown.

Stay safe
Austin is one of the safest major cities in the US. However, this does not mean that there is no crime. As with most American cities, credit cards are accepted nearly universally, especially for nightlife. Therefore, for convenience and safety, it's inadvisable to carry large amounts of cash. The number for police, fire, and medical services is 911.

In many parts of Austin, there are beggars on the street corners, particularly off of the freeways, who will hold signs asking for money (panhandling). Consider donating instead to a legitimate charity, like Meals on Wheels, the Salvation Army or Austin Atheists Helping the Homeless.

There is a district around 6th St. and Red River that houses a large homeless shelter known as the Arch. This area is generally safe during the day, but often filled with panhandlers at night. They can be fairly aggressive and sometimes follow people traveling alone. In addition, groups of muggers sometimes target intoxicated bar patrons who dare to depart on their own.

There is generally a large, visible police presence (mounted, foot, and cruiser) at night in the 6th St. area. They are quite willing to let belligerent drunks dry out overnight in the city jail (or the "Sobering Center"). They do, however, provide a safe and secure area to enjoy yourself and Austin's famous live music.

In the Rundberg area, you should not walk alone on the streets by yourself, especially around the I-35 area. Austinites tend to avoid this area.

Because surrounding hills concentrate the water, some streets in Austin and the surrounding area are prone to flooding during periods of heavy rain. These areas are typically marked as 'low water crossings' but in any event do not drive or walk across moving water. "Turn around, Don't drown" is a well known, local saying. Each year several people are killed as they are swept away by flooding. You will also see many flood control structures built into the landscape. Small, dry low places with bounding berms during the dry season, these are dangerous places to be in but keep Austin safer when the rains come.

Consulates

 * 🇮🇪 Ireland
 * 🇲🇽 Mexico

Radio
FM
 * 89.5 KMFA, commercial-free classical station
 * 90.5 KUT, Austin's public radio station. (24/7 news/talk radio).
 * 91.7 KOOP, volunteer community radio
 * 93.3 KGSR, adult album alternative
 * 93.7 KLBJ, classic rock
 * 94.7 KAMX, mix of the 80s, 90s and modern music
 * 95.5, soft rock
 * 96.7 Kiss, top 40
 * 98.9 KUTX, Austin's public radio station. (24/7 music).
 * 99.7 KLBJ, talk radio
 * 101.5 KROX, Independent. Local. Alternative.

Go next

 * Hill Country Flyer, . A scenic 2-hour train ride through the Hill Country to Burnet, where the train stops for shopping and dining. The ride is especially scenic during mid-spring when the hills are covered in bluebonnets. The train is normally pulled by an old steam engine which is under restoration. In the meantime, the route still runs, pulled by a 1960s diesel engine.
 * San Marcos - 32 miles south of Austin, San Marcos is the home of Texas State University and its Aquarena Center, as well as two massive outlet malls that have more than 350 shops.
 * New Braunfels - 48 miles south of Austin, this town is best known for its German culture and heritage, not to mention the Schlitterbahn, persistent in being voted the world's best waterpark.
 * River Tubing - several cold, spring-fed rivers run through Central Texas and are popular places to float down a river in an inner tube. Several outfitters provide tubes and transportation up or down the river. Rivers include the San Marcos River, the Comal River, the Guadalupe River, and others to varying degrees.
 * Hippie Hollow, county park offering clothing-optional bathing since the 1960s.

title: Austin


text:
Austin (disambiguation)

There is more than one place called Austin:

United States of America

 * Austin (Minnesota) — A town in Southern Minnesota.
 * Austin (Nevada) — A small town in central Nevada.
 * Austin (Texas) — A city in the Hill Country region of Texas.

title: Austin (disambiguation)


text:
Austin (Minnesota)

Austin is a city in Southern Minnesota.

title: Austin (Minnesota)


text:
Austin/Downtown

Downtown Austin is a district of Austin, Texas, west of IH-35, north of Lady Bird Lake, and south of MLK Street (19th street).

Get around
Austin has a vibrant pedicab community of bicycle taxis that operate during the evening hours on and around the 6th street entertainment district. A pedicab can be a fun way to get around as well a scenic experience. Over 200 pedicabs operate in Austin; they charge a fare based on tips.

See
In addition to the specific attractions listed below, the Downtown skyline is itself an attraction, worth viewing day and night. If you would like to view it from within the area covered by this article, your best bet is probably to go east from the part of Lady Bird Park on the north side of Lady Bird Lake, starting close to North Mopac Expressway.

title: Austin/Downtown


text:
Austin/East

East Austin is a district of Austin, to the north of Lady Bird Lake and to the east of IH-35. This includes the area set aside as the "Negro district" in the infamous 1928 official city segregation plan, and "Mexicans" were informally encouraged to concentrate here. Nowadays, some areas of East Austin are strongly gentrifying.

Do
The East side practically has a park and a swimming pool every five blocks.

Buy
Known to the locals as the Piñata District, east Austin has plenty of piñata stores.

Eat
There are plenty of great places to eat in East Austin.

title: Austin/East


text:
Austin/Hyde Park

Hyde Park is a district in Austin, Texas about a mile north of the University of Texas. It is known in Austin for being the earliest significant residential development outside the old nineteenth-century downtown city core, for containing some interesting old houses, and for being a bastion of political liberalism. There are few tourist attractions as such, other than the small Elisabet Ney sculpture museum. The largest building is Hyde Park Baptist, a kind of mega-church which draws in many parishioners from outside the neighborhood every Sunday.

title: Austin/Hyde Park


text:
Austin/North Loop

North Loop is in Austin, several miles north of downtown, but not as far north as what is now called "North Austin". This article also covers the "Brentwood" and "Crestview" neighborhoods, as well as the area around ACC Highland (formerly Highland mall).

Drink

There are also a number of small brewpubs serving their own house-brewed beers to the local cognoscenti.

title: Austin/North Loop


text:
Austin/Northwest

Northwest Austin is an area in Austin, Texas, west of the Mo-Pac freeway and/or north of Anderson Lane (but not including anything east of IH-35, or most areas south of Lady Bird Lake).

Get in
You can reach Northwest Austin via I-35 North to US 183, or via MoPac Expressway North. Bus service is available from downtown and the North Transit Center. Light rail service, started in 2010, has stations at The Domain on MoPac, near MoPac and Howard Lane/McNeil Road, Lakeline Mall area and Leander.

Buy
Northwest Austin shopping primarily runs along US 183 (Research Blvd.) and MoPac Expressway. Many affluent, albeit chain, shops and stores are located in this part of town.

title: Austin/Northwest


text:
Austin/South

South Austin can refer to any part of Austin, Texas south of Lady Bird Lake and the downtown area, although many people use it to specifically refer to the south-central area directly south of downtown in the 78704 zip code. 78704 is bordered by Lady Bird Lake to the north, I-35 to the east, Ben White Blvd (Hwy 290/71) to the south, and Mopac (Loop 1) to the west. The area is a very popular neighborhood for young people and used to be the center of Austin's counterculture, although it has become gentrified. The area contains several attractions for visitors.

Get in
South Austin is easily accessible. From Downtown, head south either by foot, bike, or car and cross Lady Bird Lake over the Congress, 1st, or Lamar bridges.

You will need motorized transport from the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. Bus or taxi are available. If traveling by car from the airport, take Ben White Blvd (71) West, then turn right on Riverside Dr. Take Riverside to S. Congress.

See

In addition, there are pretty views of the Downtown skyline from South Congress Avenue and streets on the hill in Travis Heights such as Newning Avenue.

Eat

Bars
Almost all of the restaurants listed above have a full bar available and are suitable for grabbing a few drinks without having to order food. If you're looking to hop from bar to bar, listen to loud recorded music, and don't care about food, heading into Downtown Austin might be a better option.

Live music
Austin calls itself the live music capital of the world, and South Austin has its fair share of live music venues. Many of the restaurants and coffee shops in South Austin have live music. Some venues of note include The Continental Club, Threadgills, and Gueros Taco Bar.

Sleep
If you want to be right on a main drag, there are several hotels and motels on South Congress Ave. On the other hand, if you'd rather stay on a quiet street that feels a lot like a small town with little traffic after 9:30 PM but is five minutes' walk from South Congress and 10 to 15 minutes' walk from 1st St., consider looking for a place in Travis Heights, where you will hear Carolina wrens' beautiful calls every morning and see other birds like downy woodpeckers and possibly black-headed vultures.

Connect
Free Wi-Fi is available at many of the local restaurants and coffee shops.

title: Austin/South


text:
Austin/UT and the Drag

The University of Texas and the Drag form a district of Austin. This article also covers the "West Campus" and "North University" neighborhoods.

Understand
The University of Texas (UT) has one of the top five largest campuses in the US, and offers many attractions for students and non-students alike, with aesthetically pleasing grounds and many museums and cultural centers open to the public. A long section of Guadalupe Street (pronounced GWAHD-uh-loop by the locals), known as "the drag", runs alongside the western boundary of the UT campus, providing the area with unique shopping and culinary attractions. Some of the side streets to the west of the Drag have some hidden gems as well.

UT is one of the largest universities in the country. With a history going back into the 1800s when 40 acres was set aside for a university, UT has grown into a world class institution. A walk around the campus will reveal everything from Ivy League architecture to modern sculpture. Places to visit are the Harry Ransom Center, the home of one of the original Gutenberg Bibles, the West Mall, UT's answer to London's Hyde Park corner, where students solve the world's problems, and the Littlefield fountain, designed by Italian artist Pompeo Coppini in 1933. The UT tower, the centerpiece of the campus upon its completion and for long since, periodically has tours that let visitors ascend to the observation deck at the top for a panoramic view of the campus and Austin.

If you're up for a walk (the campus is not small), don't forget to visit the LBJ Presidential library on the east side. If you're a football fan, Darrell K Royal Memorial Stadium, home of the 2005 National Champion Texas Longhorns, is a must-see. If you're around in the summer, a baseball ticket can be had for Texas baseball (a regular contender for NCAA champion). The stadium is across I-35, though. For a rest, and if you can find it, discover the secret peaceful oasis of the lily pond near the biology building. Finally, there is the Cactus Cafe. A cool club on campus in the Austin tradition, the Cactus is known for great live acoustic music. A visit to the university would not be complete without stopping at the Cactus.

The Drag is also worth a visit. It's an urban oasis with a line of interesting stores, joints, restaurants and the usual mix of national chains. The UT Co-op has everything a Texas Longhorn fan could ever desire. Don't forget to visit the Renaissance Market, a small open space across from the university where one can purchase tie-dyed shirts, home-made jewelry and original art.

At one point, Austin would have been little else than UT and downtown. Today, UT stands as one of Austin's best monuments. If you're older, a visit will remind you what it feels like to be young again. If you're younger, it may excite you about what you can be. UT mottoes include "You shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free" and "What begins here changes the world."

See

 * UT's sports teams, the Texas Longhorns, are a major attraction in town, with a huge following throughout the state. The main venues are scattered throughout campus, with the most notable being:
 * – Home to Longhorns football, holding just over 100,000 fans and one of the sport's more iconic venues.
 * – Men's and women's basketball started play here in fall 2022 in a brand-new arena that also hosts many major concerts. It opened in April 2022 as the replacement for the Frank Erwin Center, which is being demolished for an expansion of UT's medical school.
 * – Baseball. This venue, while on campus, is a few blocks to the east of the area covered by this page.
 * – Track and soccer. The stadium also hosts the annual outdoor track championships for the University Interscholastic League, which governs high school sports at the state's public schools.
 * – The former home of men's and women's basketball now hosts women's volleyball.
 * – The former home of men's and women's basketball now hosts women's volleyball.

Buy
In addition to bookstores and other shops which cater to the needs of masses of UT students, the Drag has traditionally been filled with quirky eclectic shops, from bead shops to used records to tattoo parlors. More upscale shops have appeared, with unique fashion clothing and home decor items.

title: Austin/UT and the Drag


text:
Australasia

Australasia is a grouping of nations and islands that comprises:
 * Australia
 * Melanesia
 * Papua or Western New Guinea, Indonesia
 * Papua New Guinea
 * New Zealand
 * Some eastern islands of Indonesia such as Sulawesi or Timor

This region is part of Oceania.

Australasia

commons:Category:Australasia

title: Australasia