Parts Connection

If it's in Texas, it must be bigger and better, right? The breathtaking beauty and unusual construction of the Texas State Capitol is truly the stuff of legends in the Lone Star State. Grab your friends and family to visit the rotunda featuring portraits of every person who has served as president of the Republic of Texas or Governor of the state of Texas. View artifacts of Texas history, including the original flag from the Battle of San Jacinto, historical paintings and some of the original Senator desks from 1888. Take a guided tour of the Capitol grounds that span 22 acres featuring historical buildings, 17 monuments, and beautifully landscaped lawns in addition to the Capitol building itself, having nearly 400 rooms and more than 900 windows. Free walking tours of the Capitol are given daily (except on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Day and Easter) and begin at the south entrance. In addition to the normal tours, groups of 10 or more can take specialty tours, including Women in Texas History, The Texas Revolution, Texas Veterans Tour, and Rest in Peace, a tour centered around the urban myths and ghost stories of the Capitol offered around Halloween.

Enjoy the vino on a romantic date at the 65-acre Fall Creek Vineyards, where the micro climate of the Texas Hill Country produces robust wine grapes. Tours and tastings available daily.

Don't let the musical event of the year pass you by. Buy a 3-day pass to the Austin City Limits Music Festival, a 130+ band outdoor festival every September on the banks of Lake Austin at Zilker Park. New artists like The National share the stage with heavyweights like Dave Matthews Band and Norah Jones.

Get your tear ducts flowing at the Tears Of Joy Hot Sauce Shop, offering the best local and international sauces. Browse the huge selection of hot sauces, salsas, BBQ sauces, marinades, jams and jellies, cooking sauces, spices and rubs.