How to Book an Austin Hotel Near South by Southwest Venues

For over 20 years, one of the largest live music festivals in the country has been held in Austin each spring. South by Southwest has grown to include not just music but film and interactive festivals as well. To make the most of this multi-media, multi-venue festival, you should book a hotel room near as many of the SXSW venues as possible in downtown Austin.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Find the most centrally located hotels for South by Southwest venues in downtown Austin. Depending on the year you plan to attend, your best bet for "center stage" accommodations will be on or around Fourth Street in downtown Austin.
2. Take a walk to many of the SXSW venues when you book a hotel within four to 10 blocks of the convention center. The Austin Convention Center is frequently the festival headquarters during the week of the South by Southwest events.
3. Look for hotels located on "San Jack," or historic San Jacinto Boulevard, in downtown Austin. This strip is located near the convention center and offers easy access to Sixth Street.
4. Book a room at a hotel on Congress Avenue or near Sixth Street to be within walking distance of many of the live music venues during the SXSW festival. This area is the home of Austin's boisterous night life, where you'll find well-known hot spots such as Esther's Follies and Threadgill's.
5. Stay a short drive from the venues for the interactive aspect of the SXSW festivals when you book a hotel room off I-35. Hotels in the University of Texas area do not book up as quickly as those more centrally located to the SXSW interactive venues in downtown Austin.
6. Save money on your accommodations for SXSW when you book a room in North or South Austin. You can find lower-rate rooms at a short driving distance of a few miles.
7. Check out the rooms available through the South by Southwest housing program when you register for the event online (see Resources below). Each year, the South by Southwest festival reserves blocks of rooms in hotels adjacent to many of the venues at guaranteed rates.

Tips & Warnings

• The hotels closest to the South by Southwest festival tend to sell out months in advance. Plan your trip to the SXSW festival well in advance to avoid disappointment.

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