Under $100: Austin, Texas

Austin, Texas’s state capital, is known as the live music capital of the world, but with a diverse population, healthy tourism industry and ever-evolving atmosphere, the city can be described as much more than that.

There are plenty of things to see and do in Austin for free or on the cheap. Start your day with breakfast at Magnolia Café. Fill up on a stack of gingerbread pancakes (short stack $4.75, full stack $5.75), or a specialty omelet, all of which are less than $10.

With your belly full, walk off your meal by visiting the Texas State Capitol. Free tours are available daily. After learning about Texas history and legislature, get a dose of local culture by stopping by the Baylor Street Art Wall. Located at 11^th and Baylor Streets, the wall is a lively, fun and ever-changing haven for graffiti artists and one of the best free things to see in Austin.

Sample some of Austin’s best barbecue with lunch from Franklin Barbecue. Their brisket sandwich will run you $10, with sides starting at $2. After lunch, spend some time in Zilker Metropolitan Park, a 351-acre park that features canoe rides, a botanical garden, a spring pool, the Austin Nature and Science Center and more.

End your evening on 6^th Street, the heart of Austin’s nightlife scene. Bars, music venues, cafes, art galleries and more can all be found here. On 6^th Street, grab dinner or a midnight snack at The Best Wurst food truck, the longest-running mobile food vendor in the city. Chow down on a brat with an assortment of toppings for less than $10.