Welcome to 'K-pop Destinations,' the series that helps readers travel across the world. We'll show you where hit shows and videos are filmed, where top performers are giving concerts, or where your favorite stars take their vacations. That way, the next time you take a vacation, you can make sure to incorporate a little K-pop travel into your getaway.

This week, some of K-pop's hottest names are heading to Austin, Texas to take part in the ever-growing South By Southwest (SXSW) Festival. The festival started nearly 30 years ago as a way to draw big names to that corner of the country. In the past decade, though, Austin has grown from an eclectic Texas outsider town to a national tourist destination and hub for the tech, music, and film industries. SXSW has turned into one of the country's biggest and most buzzed-about festivals, and now includes not just music but also panels and interactive demos from all kinds of industries and start-ups.

It also wouldn't be complete without some K-pop. For three years, K-pop groups have lit up the annual 'K-Pop Night Out.' This year's show, on March 19, will feature Hitchhiker, Epik High, Crayon Pop, The Barberettes, Asian Chairshot, EE, and Eastern Sidekick. SXSW is calling it "the most engaging K-Pop Night Out lineup yet."

Even without a ticket to the star-studded event, though, Austin is a delightfully wacky place to visit year round. The self-proclaimed weird city is a nice slice of the American Southwest for K-pop fans. Keep reading for recommendations on what to check out if you're in the area.

Food

There are two types of food that you have to have before leaving Austin (provided you're not a vegetarian) - barbeque and tacos.

The best BBQ (and whether it's better than the BBQ in other parts of the American south and southwest) is a debate that's better duked out in one of Austin's dive bars, but there's no denying there's some seriously good BBQ in this city. If you're visiting a local, ask them to take you to their favorite place. Or, grab the Tums and test out a bunch for yourself - some of the most popular are La Barbecue, John Mueller Meat Co., Micklethwait Craft Meats, and Franklin Barbeque.

Now for a taco or two - these are ubiquitous in Austin and served for breakfast, lunch, and dinner with probably any filling you can imagine. Start with some egg, bacon, cheese, and avocado tacos for breakfast from Tacodeli, get some Asian fusion tacos with kimchi fries for lunch at Yummi Taco, and round out your taco day with some traditional al pastor tacos from La Flor for dinner.

Food carts are also a huge part of Austin's culinary scene. Sometimes roaming around town and sometimes parked in a bar's backyard, these four-wheeled kitchens serve up everything from BBQ to doughnuts to Korean-Mexican fusion. Download this handy app to help you sort through the menus, locations, and reviews from all the city's food truck offerings.

Music

Even aside from SXSW, Austin is known for having one of the most vibrant and eclectic live music scenes in the U.S. The city draws headliners to intimate venues and has become a breeding ground for up-and-coming artists. Chances are, you can stroll into any dive bar near the University of Texas campus and you'll be treated to a good show. But if you want to be sure of what you're walking into, check out the lineups from fun, casual, and reliable live music venues like Clive Bar, Mohawk, the Continental Club, and the Cactus Café.

K-pop has yet to take over Austin the way blues and country music has, of course, but if you're headed there check out the city's K-pop Facebook page to see if there are any upcoming K-pop shows or events coming up.

Activities  

If the the eating and listening to live music doesn't have you too worn out, Austin's full of activities to keep all types occupied.

History buffs can visit LBJ's Presidential Library, Texas's capitol building, and the Bullock Museum, which is chock-full of interesting facts about the history of the larger-than-life state.

There's also a lot of natural beauty surrounding Austin, and great ways to explore it - like going on a horseback ride or paddleboating on down the river.

You also can't forget about keeping cool. Austin's hot, but luckily there are plenty of public springs and swimming holes that allow people to bring in a cooler, a picnic lunch, and bask in chilly water. Some of the best are Barton Springs, Hamilton Pool, and Krause Springs.

If you're one of the lucky few heading to SXSW to see some live K-pop, or have any other tips for exploring and enjoying Austin, let us know in the comments!