Is University & Capitol a good place to stay in Austin?

The University area is a practical base for museums, UT visits and better prices. It sits just north of downtown, so the State Capitol is a short walk south, the Bullock Museum, the Blanton and the LBJ Library are on the campus, and MetroRapid buses run down Guadalupe Street to downtown and South Congress.

The area is built around the University of Texas. The campus has its landmark tower, big museums and the Moody Center arena, Darrell K Royal stadium fills with fans on football Saturdays, and Guadalupe Street, the Drag, is lined with cafés and cheap places to eat. Hotels between the Capitol and the campus are often cheaper than those downtown.

The downside is that the nightlife is mostly student bars. For Sixth Street, Rainey Street or South Congress you'll take a bus or rideshare, and on home game weekends and graduation, hotels sell out and prices jump.

What makes the University area worth considering is how much you can walk to. The Capitol, three major museums and the campus are all close, and downtown is a short ride away. For families, museum lovers and UT visitors, it's an easy and good-value choice.