by PETER GREENBERG

They are two Texas cities, less than 80 miles apart. But Austin and San Antonio are two wonderfully distinct experiences.

“Keep Austin Weird” has long been the unofficial motto for a city that prizes its freewheeling reputation, while its nickname of “Silicon Hills” is a nod to the mecca the sprawling state capital has become for technology companies.

Home to the University of Texas, a campus of 52,000 students, Austin has a youthful energy, which can be experienced by ambling through its pedestrian-friendly blocks of bars and hundreds of music venues.

Austin’s official city slogan is “The Live Music Capital of the World.” It offers everything from honky-tonks to electronic dance clubs, and South by Southwest (SXSW), an annual international event that originated in Austin and celebrates the convergence of tech, film, music, education and culture.

And the food? You’ll find everything from high-end sushi to artisanal barbecue to every taco variation imaginable.

Austin is home of the state’s largest outdoor restaurant, The Oasis on Lake Travis, with seating for 3,000 between its multilevel patio and indoor dining areas, and spectacular views throughout the day and evening.

Another great spot for sunset views (and bats; see “Batty bridge habitat”) is the Congress Avenue Bridge, which spans Lady Bird Lake downtown, while the city’s skyline is dominated by the 307-foot tower on the University of Texas campus and by the dome of the state Capitol, which is larger than the U.S. Capitol.

With several lakes in the Austin area, kayaking is available almost everywhere. Or rent an inner tube to gently float down one of the region’s rivers.

For indoor pursuits, the university campus has two outstanding libraries, the LBJ Presidential Library, named for the Texas native, and the Harry Ransom Center, where one of only 20 Gutenberg Bibles is on display, along with film and literary collections and artwork.