One of my favorite places to visit is Austin, TX. It’s 100% Texas, grand and egotistical while also being liberal, creative and forward. Aside from the great music, there’s a neverending trail of eccentric art. Making a random structure out of junk is damn near a requirement in the “Keep Austin Weird” world.

There’s a brightness this city has that makes me love it, as long as it’s not August with the 100+ temps. I went during SXSW in 2005 and 2006, and suffered the crowds for the best margaritas and texmex food in the world. Austin also holds a special place in my heart for giving me my first tastes of Amy’s Ice Cream and tres leches cake.

If you go during March bring a jacket, some good shoes that can carry you from 6th St. at night to Mount Bonnell during the day, and some conversation for the random band of 20 Japanese teenagers you’ll run into at the airport.

Also, if you’re feeling frisky, just a little ways south is Skydive San Marcos. $169 for a tandem skydive. Ask for Eric Butts. If you get it filmed he’ll act like a chicken behind you in freefall.