Castle Hill Fitness: Exercise, Eat Lunch and Get a Massage All in One Unique Facility

Whether you’re an avid yogi or an extreme cyclist, Castle Hill Fitness has an exercise class for all types of athletes. The unique studio is operated by friendly staff members who are always willing to lend a hand or offer some advice, and the bright, colorful building is much more welcoming than most gyms.

Castle Hill Fitness offers more than 85 different workout classes each week to accommodate all members’ busy schedules, and classes include yoga, spinning, Pilates, boot camp, and many others. Personal trainers are available for those who prefer a more one-on-one exercise style, and the center also offers a gym area filled with free weights and cardio machines.

In addition to its workout facilities, Castle Hill Fitness includes Food4Fitness, an organic cafe stocked with healthy foods. The Natural Healing Arts Studio offers massages and acupuncture, while the bike shop fits customers for the perfect bike right on the spot. Castle Hill Fitness is a standout fitness center that is truly unique to the Austin area.

Castle Hill Fitness
1112 N. Lamar Boulevard
Austin, TX 78703
(512) 478-4567
www.castlehillfitness.com
www.yelp.com/biz/castle-hill-fitness-austin

Tap Your Foot to the Beat at The Roost in Austin

Many music lovers say that few things in this world are better than an evening of foot-stomping, hand-clapping live music, and that's just what The Roost delivers. Once you visit this Austin club, you'll likely understand exactly why it’s such a local hotspot. Shows range from blues performers to rock bands, small local acts to internationally-known musicians, so there's something to suit just about everyone's taste.

With professional lighting that creates a concert-like atmosphere, several bars located throughout the venue, and a lively, dancing crowd, The Roost cultivates a festival-like atmosphere. Yelp reviewers say that sight lines and acoustics are top-notch, and there's plenty of seating available for music aficionados who prefer to sit and relax. The Roost does not serve food, but patrons are welcome to bring in snacks from the neighboring taqueria or crawfish shack.

Check the website for a current calendar of shows and to buy your tickets before they sell out.

The Roost
2113 Wells Branch Parkway
Austin, TX 78728
(512) 394-5727
www.theroostaustin.com
www.yelp.com/biz/the-roost-austin

Find the Perfect Gift for the Women in Your Life at Atown

Whether you’re looking for the perfect gift for your mother, a friend or your significant other, you’ll find it at Atwon. This women’s clothing boutique and gift shop sells something for just about everyone, and they often have sales that benefit local charities and community organizations.

Browse the handmade cards and candles if you’re on the hunt for a small yet thoughtful gift, or peruse the nail bar, which is well stocked with polishes from top brands. There is always a great selection of artisan jewelry and accessories from makers around the Austin area, and it all pairs perfectly with the cozy flannel shirts, boho-style dresses, and graphic print T-shirts that you’ll often find in Atown’s clothing section.

Grab some complimentary cookies, agua fresca, or a glass of wine while you wander around this popular local boutique, and don’t forget to pop in to the other shops in the Allandale area!

Atown
5502 Burnet Road
Austin, TX 78756
(512) 323-2533
www.shopatown.tumblr.com

Treat Yourself to a Little R&R at Avant Salon & Spa

Whether you’re looking to debut a new hairstyle for the upcoming season or simply to treat yourself to a day of pampering, Avant Salon & Spa is one of the best places in Austin for all things hair, skin, and body. This luxury salon and spa employs a number of skilled stylists who can sculpt flattering haircuts on both men and women, as well as administer highlights, lowlights, and all-over color. Relaxing massages are available in the chic, private massage rooms, and there are also other body treatments, like full-body exfoliation and waxing for the arms, legs, or bikini area.

Avant Salon & Spa also offers professional makeup application for special occasions, like weddings and school dances, using Aveda’s popular Uruku line of cosmetics. For all of your beauty and relaxation needs, Avant Salon & Spa is a truly reliable and high-class option in Austin.

Avant Salon & Spa
9901 North Capital of TX Highway
Austin, TX 78759
(512) 502-8268
www.avantsalon.com
www.yelp.com/biz/avant-salon-spa-austin?sort_by=date_desc

Fuel Up on Local Coffee at Texas Coffee Traders

If you’re the type of person who can’t start your day without a good cup of coffee, Texas Coffee Traders is a great place to get your java jolt in Austin. This local cafe and roaster creates its own blend of coffees from high-quality beans and expert roasting techniques, and it’s sure to impress even the most knowledgeable coffee fan.

Inside, Texas Coffee Traders has natural decor and an open, airy atmosphere, complete with walls of coffee filled with all kinds of brews that you can take home with you. There is also another retail section that boasts shelves filled with Chemex systems, pour-overs, and other methods for preparing coffee at home. The tasting area displays a few styles that customers can sample before buying, while the outdoor patio is the perfect place to sip a steaming mug with other local coffee lovers.

Texas Coffee Traders
1400 E Fourth St
Austin, TX 78702
(512) 476-2279
www.texascoffeetraders.com

Beware Coffee: A Startlingly Good Cup of Joe

There’s nothing to be afraid of at Austin’s Beware Coffee, a quaint, tiny coffee truck near the University of Texas campus. With only a small green truck and a nearby tent instead of the usual brick and mortar storefront, this is a unique alternative to the city’s numerous other coffee shops. Despite its small size, Beware Coffee churns out expertly brewed coffees, frothy cappuccinos, and ice cream-topped affogatos. For those who like a sweeter beverage, lattes (like the beloved Fantasy Sweet) get a touch of rich, creamy sweetness from the addition of coconut oil and real honey.

The owners are also the baristas at this independent operation, and they really know their stuff when it comes to crafting the perfect cup of joe. If you’re a coffee lover who cares more about the quality of the drinks than the bells and whistles in the shop itself, Beware Coffee is a must-try.

Beware Coffee
2908 Fruth St
Austin, TX 78705
(512) 571-3392
www.bewarecoffee.com

Design Your Own Dessert at Tutti Frutti Frozen Yogurt in Austin

With reliably friendly service, a clean, modern atmosphere, and ample seating inside and out, you can’t go wrong with a visit to Tutti Frutti Frozen Yogurt. This might just be one of the best places in North Austin to satisfy your sweet tooth (without too much guilt!), as the cafe offers an ever-changing selection of frozen yogurt flavors and a vast array of toppings.

Banana pudding, original tart, cotton candy, and caramel salted popcorn are just a few of the flavors loaded into the colorful self-serve stations along the wall. Dose out your chosen froyo flavor, then add toppings from the toppings bar. There, you'll find cookie dough bites, fresh fruits, granola, and candies, and you can add as many as you want before paying by the ounce at the end.

Tutti Frutti Frozen Yogurt
13429 US Highway 183 N
Austin, TX 78750
(512) 257-0886
www.tfyogurt.com
www.yelp.com/biz/tutti-frutti-frozen-yogurt-austin

The Red Room Lounge: An Austin Wine Bar

Whether you're a seasoned wine expert or a novice to wine drinking, the service and selection at The Red Room Lounge just might make this place your new go-to wine bar in Austin. The knowledgeable sommeliers are happy to put together tasting flights, make recommendations, educate you about the wine-making process, and help you find just the right vintage for your own particular taste.

The Red Room Lounge’s atmosphere is dramatic, featuring dim lighting, exposed brick, deep leather couches, and lots of dark wood. Note, however, that this is not a place where you should expect to get dinner along with your wine. The Red Room Lounge offers a small selection of cheese and charcuterie plates, but this dedicated wine cellar focuses mainly on drinks.

The Red Room Lounge
306 E. Third Street
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 501-1536
www.redroomatx.com
www.yelp.com/biz/the-red-room-lounge-austin

Pfluger Park: Embark on a Shady Retreat

A neighborhood park is a valuable asset to the entire community that it serves, especially one as clean and well maintained as Pfluger Park. This park is a shady respite from Austin’s fast pace, and it offers something for visitors of any age. The colorful play area is filled with monkey bars and climbing structures that the kids will love, the gazebos are ideal for an outdoor birthday party, and dog owners love the tree lined walking trails. The 30-acre Pfluger Park also features a sand volleyball court and a basketball court for more athletic visitors. Whether you come to relax or to get in a bit of exercise, this park offers a taste of nature to Pflugerville-area residents.

In addition to its regular activities, Pfluger Park hosts neighborhood activities such as the Deutschen Pfest and the Music in the Park series. Check the park’s website for more information about upcoming events.

Pfluger Park
515 City Park Road
Pflugerville, TX 78660
(512) 251-9321
www.pflugervilletx.gov/index.aspx?NID=1309
www.yelp.com/biz/pfluger-park-pflugerville

Tejas Golf: Learn the Ropes at This Accessible Driving Range

Beginning golfers know all too well how intimidating some golf courses can be, but Austin’s Tejas Golf caters especially to those just learning the game. This driving range and learning center features real turf tee boxes and an 11,500-square-foot putting green that feels anything but amateur, but the professional golf instructors and informative clinics are meant to help visitors to learn the basics of golf.

The course’s short game practice area is the ideal place to practice for those who are already familiar with the game, and the stylish clubhouse is much larger than most. Tejas Golf also offers all of the balls that you can hit for $15 max, no matter how long you choose to stay, so it’s just as cost efficient as it is approachable.

Tejas Golf is open 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Monthly memberships are available for $125 per person or $190 for families.

Tejas Golf
3631 Greenlawn Boulevard
Round Rock, TX 78664
(512) 310-8911
www.tejasgolf.com/index.html
www.yelp.com/biz/tejas-golf-round-rock

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