An Austin vacation rental makes the ideal home away from home in Central Texas.

In the past few decades, the Texas capital city of Austin has been transformed from a sleepy college town to a booming high tech center known as "Silicon Hills." Home to The University of Texas, with 50,000 students, Austin is known for its laid-back atmosphere and environmental bent. Austin vacation rentals and condos are as unique as Austin itself, ranging from retro sleek condos to lake-front vacation homes.

Austin guests can visit the beautiful pink granite state capitol building, learn about Texas history at the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum and visit the Lyndon B. Johnson Library and Museum, which offers a fascinating glimpse into the life and times of our 36th president, and includes a display of gifts from foreign heads of state.

Austin offers an abundance of parks, lakes and outdoor recreation areas including the Town Lake Hike and Bike Trail. Zilker Park features the popular spring-fed Barton Springs swimming pool and a botanical garden, while the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center has research and display gardens.

From April to October locals and visitors alike flock to the shores of Austin's Town Lake at sunset to watch 1.5 million Mexican free-tail bats emerge from their roost under the Congress Avenue Bridge for a night of hunting insects.

In Lake Travis, visitors can enjoy swimming, fishing and boating on this lovely lake just west of Austin. The Texas Hill Country also makes a great day trip for Austin visitors, with destinations like Fredericksburg, Kerrville and New Braunfels.