The Austin City Limits music festival draws a wide variety of world-renowned entertainers.

Glorious spring and autumn weather and mild winters make Austin a generally pleasant place to visit throughout much of the year, but summertime visitors should brace themselves for potentially hot and humid conditions. Whenever you go, check the weather forecast before packing your bags, as temperatures and rainfall can take unpredictable turns at any time of year in central Texas.

It's also wise to check up on what's happening in Austin at the time of your visit, as the city's supply of hotel rooms and other visitor services is routinely stretched to the limit by local events. Book accommodations well in advance at these times, or consider rescheduling your trip if you're not actually participating in the event.

Exceptionally busy periods include the annual Austin City Limits (www.aclfest.com) and South by Southwest (www.sxsw.com) music festivals, the Austin Film Festival (www.austinfilmfestival.com), the Republic of Texas Biker Rally (www.rotrally.com), Longhorns-Aggies football games and spring commencement ceremonies at the University of Texas (www.utexas.edu).