10. Austin City Limits (Late September/Early October)
Austin, Texas
Though this festival shifted from September to October in 2009, it's worth keeping in mind that Texas has a summer that lasts a lot longer than most places. That said, Austin City Limits offers a dynamite setting and diversity of music that other urban festivals, and even most countryside gatherings, can't even touch. Taking place over three days in 12-acre Zilker Park with eight stages and 130 acts spanning pop, dance, rock, alt-country, and electronica, the main challenge is choosing where to go when and who to hear. Past headliners have included Bjork, Tom Petty, Robert Plant and Allison Krauss, and the Foo Fighters, and there's always a heady mix of local Texas artists on hand as well. As with Lollapalooza, there's a special area for children called Austin Kiddie Limits, where kids ten and under get in free when accompanied by a ticket-holding adult. There's no camping at the park, but if sleeping under the stars is essential to your festival experience, you can find campgrounds at texasoutside.com. Keep in mind that Austin is an increasingly bike-friendly town, so avail yourself of pedal power and utilize the epic rows of bike racks at the main entrance.

Hot tip: Austin can still get brutally hot in October, but the festival grounds are a mere five-minute walk from the city's famed Barton Springs, the perfect place for a refreshing dip.

Austin Travel Guide