What is deep in the heart of Texas, exactly? If you expect to find cowboys, honky-tonks and rodeos, you’re not going to be disappointed. Texas is home to all of these things, but the heart of Texas, the real heart, is a lot more than the stereotypes popularized by old John Wayne Movies.

At the center of Texas lies a city as different as the state is big: its capital, Austin. A lot of what makes Austin so distinct is its unreserved attitude, which stands out against the conservative backdrop of the Lone Star State. Austin is laid back and open in a way that other parts of Texas can’t match, yet it doesn’t completely shake its truly Texan roots. It is the collision of past and future, the blend of down-home Texas culture, and that fervent commitment to the arts that make for an exciting and diverse community.

Like all Texan cities, life in Austin revolves largely around its food. Tex-Mex is a staple of nearly every square mile. Juan in a Million serves up its gigantic “Don Juan” on Caesar Chavez Street, and Porfirio’s on Holly Street is a great bet for all breakfast tacos. Restaurants specializing in vegetarian food, a rarity down south, are also very popular. The Spicy Pickle and the Steeping Room have excellent meals for non-meat eaters. Eating out is a great way to be a part of the friendly atmosphere created by Austin’s people.

Austin’s social scene is largely dominated by the city’s youth. Over thirty-one colleges and universities make their home in the city. The University of Texas at Austin (UT) alone has over 50,000 students. Students are spread out all over the city, and their presence can be felt everywhere. Perhaps the best place to encounter crowds of students is Sixth Street. Here, popular hot spots like Buffalo Billiards and Treasure Island enjoy nightly patronage from seasoned regulars as well as travelers from surrounding areas. Bars on Sixth Street are an interesting mix of the country and indie music scenes, but for Austin’s main musical event, look no further than the city limits.

Each year towards the end of the summer, the city hosts Austin City Limits (ACL), a famed festival that promotes music of all kinds by both legendary and lesser-known artists. In years past, performers such as Bob Dylan, the Flaming Lips, M.I.A., and Austin’s own Spoon have played at the three-day festival. Music lovers young and old unite to celebrate in what is widely considered the live music capital of the world. South by Southwest is another festival that takes place in Austin in early March. This event goes further than City Limits in that it not only hosts musical artists, but visual and cinematic artists as well.

Austin has something for everyone in a state that occasionally lags in embracing the unfamiliar. Its youthful spirit makes it the best place in Texas to witness Texan life and potential. Come to Austin with an open mind, ready to experience first-hand the pseudo-motto of my hometown: “Keep Austin Weird.”