When people mention the town of “Austin”, the little community located along America’s Loneliest Road isn’t usually the first place that comes to mind. This town may not boast the fame that the more well-known Austin does (you know, the one in Texas), but there’s plenty of reasons to consider this little-known destination the coolest town in the West. If you have yet to visit this unique community, you’ll definitely want to plan a visit soon. This is one of those towns you need to experience at least once. Here’s why.
From the moment you step into town, it's evident that Austin has a fascinating story to tell. This town is so rich in history that it's often mistaken for a ghost town. Like many of Nevada's towns, Austin cropped up during the silver and gold rush of the 1860s. Although the town never really took off due to a variety of factors, roughly 200 people still call Austin home.
Austin may be located smack dab in the middle of nowhere, but that doesn't mean there isn't anything fun to do. In fact, that couldn't be further from the truth. With the Toiyabe Mountain Range located right in Austin's backyard, opportunities for outdoor recreation are endless. Mountain bike, hike, and explore to your heart's content!
Austin is one of those communities with an incredibly unique character. There are some things you can see and do here that you really can't do anywhere else. For example, did you know Austin is considered a world-famous landsailing destination?
Austin is a town for adventurers. You'd be crazy to visit this quaint community and not venture out in the landscapes that surround it. Austin is home to many pristine campgrounds such as Kingston Canyon and Table Mountain. Looking for your next adventure destination? You just found it.
Small town restaurants may have a bad reputation, but that's far from what you'll get here. Austin is full of lovely little eateries like the Toiyabe Cafe where you can indulge in delicious homemade cooking—the type you can only find in tiny towns like this one.
Visiting Austin almost feels like stepping back in time to the days of the Wild West. Many of the town's original structures remain and it's not hard to see why people often refer to Austin as a "living ghost town". Over 100 years may have passed, but this community still looks exactly like a 19th century mining town. It's impossible not to be totally charmed by the town's historic vibe!
There's just something magical about the small town atmosphere, isn't there? This is the type of quaint community where everyone knows everyone. It's the type of place you don't easily stumble across nowadays in our fast-moving world.
The Stokes Castle is Austin's most iconic landmark. The three-story stone tower is located just outside of town and resembles a real castle in the middle of the desert. Originally built in 1897 by a wealthy capitalist named Anson Phelps Stokes, the castle is considered a famous piece of history.
You never really know what type of things you'll stumble across when you visit Austin. That's the beauty of this place. Rich with history and character, we're confident in the fact that there's no other place like Austin in the world...and that's why it's so dang cool!
