No matter where you choose to stay, however, it pays to book as far ahead as you can because occupancy rates in Austin are incredibly high year-round with demand routinely exceeding supply. These are East Austin, Clarksville, South Congress, and Downtown Austin, and each has its own distinct flavor. Austin has four major neighborhoods that you should explore, all of which are extremely gay-friendly and will give you a look into local life in Austin. If you’re not planning on attending, you should bear in mind that these events could be a hindrance as hotels in Austin book up fast, prices skyrocket, and everywhere gets pretty crowded. Massive events such as the Austin City Limits Festival and South by Southwest (SXSW) have helped put Austin on the map. The Austin tourism scene is booming on multiple fronts thanks to Austin’s reputation as the ‘live music capital of the world,’ its unique mix of cowboys and hipster, innovative food scene, and abundance of outdoor leisure activities.
They can happily give you no-obligation advice and all the information you'll ever need to know about your new city. However, if you are lucky enough to be considering a move here, we recommend getting in touch with a local gay realtor. If you ask anyone in Austin about which gay neighborhood to visit or stay in, they will tell you, “Gay neighborhood? No need…this whole city is gay-friendly”, which is pretty accurate from our experience – though as with any city some areas are better to stay in than others!Īre you relocating? This guide will help travelers discover the queerer side of the city.