Splash Into Spring at the Barton Springs Pool, a Natural Oasis

The Barton Springs Pool claims three acres of Zilker Park's sprawling 358 acres, and it's space well used. The pool has been around for decades—it's even where Robert Redford learned to swim on a family vacation. He was only five years old. The natural pool continues to welcome guests today who want to go for a dip in its warm waters.

Natural underground springs feed the large, long pool, so its temperature rarely goes below 70 degrees. With lifeguards on watch during the summer months, it's a safe spot to practice your backstroke or just go wading in the sparkling waters. From a few inches deep to 18 feet deep, the pool has areas that are appropriate for both new swimmers and seasoned swimmers. Bring along a towel to stretch out on the soft grass, where you can take sunbathing breaks in between laps.

Celebrate Sunshine at Blues on the Green in Zilker Park

Every summer, Austin's Zilker Park reclaims its role as gathering place, festival grounds, and live music venue. Starting on May 23rd, Blues on the Green will return to this sprawling city park in the heart of Austin, led by local radio station 93.3 KGSR.

This is just the first of four performances that The Black Angels will headline along with guest act Night Glitter. The band takes the stage once a month through the beginning of August, delivering fresh-air concerts that showcase their unique style of blues music. Come and grab a spot on the lawn at the free Blues on the Green show, with a blanket or some lawn chairs in hand. You're also welcome to bring along pets, kids, snacks, and, of course, a crew of your friends.

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Suerte’s Early Success Is More Than a Stroke of Luck

Suerte—"luck" in Spanish—began attracting buzz even before it opened in March, thanks to the reputation of chef and restaurateur Sam Hellman-Mass. He'd already established two successful eateries in the area when he decided to buy a storefront on Sixth Street and transform it into Suerte, a colorful and casual Mexican restaurant.

Round up a few friends and head to Suerte for some cocktails and "snackcidents" if you haven't checked it out yet. Share the chips and salsa with Caldera cheddar cheese or the potato and quesillo taquitos. Then enjoy a larger dish, such as the popular green chorizo tlayuda. Its thin and crispy tortilla base features a refried white bean spread topped with queso, almond, pumpkin seeds, and spicy chorizo. Finally, treat yourself to a sweet treat like the tapioca pudding with white chocolate crunch, almonds, and lemon balm anglaise.

Show Mom You Care With a Mother’s Day Teatime at The Driskill

Sunlight streams into the lobby at The Driskill Hotel, drenching its historic accents in a warm and inviting glow. It's easy to see why afternoon tea at The Driskill would be such an enjoyable experience. After all, it's hosted in the lobby. And while afternoon tea usually only happens one day each month, except for around the holidays, The Driskill is making an exception in honor of all the hard-working moms out there. You have three chances to celebrate Mother's Day at The Driskill with afternoon tea offered on May 11th, 12th, and 13th.

Make a reservation for teatime ($55 per person) and come to the hotel lobby promptly at 3 p.m. That'll give you ample time to enjoy the variety of loose-leaf teas and sparkling wines that The Driskill serves at afternoon tea. Nibble on finger sandwiches, flaky scones, and other pastries as you enjoy your leisurely teatime—you're invited to stick around for as long as you like.

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Enjoy Live Music and Hot Food at the Pecan Street Festival

It's fitting that the Pecan Street Festival unfolds in the Sixth Street Historic District. After all, this is where Austin's world-renowned music scene was born, and the Pecan Street Festival showcases some of the best local musical acts. It boasts three stages on Trinity, Red River, and Neches streets that play host to almost 50 different solo performers and bands at the spring festival on May 5th and 6th.

Head to the free fest to enjoy the live music and a huge array of artisans selling their handcrafted items. These local artists work with a variety of materials, from metal and wood to fiber and leather, so you'll find a large mix of home decor, accessories, and other gifts for sale. After you peruse the retail, stop to grab a hot meal from one of more than 30 vendors. Funnel cakes, crepes, and international eats are among your options.

Enjoy Fusion Fare at Mandala Kitchen & Bar

Turmeric-infused rice pancakes topped with pork, shrimp, and coconut sauce. Sour-spicy tom yum soup teeming with chicken, veggies, and basil. Chicken wings smothered with a house-made sweet chili sauce. These are a few of the small bites that headline the menu at Mandala Kitchen & Bar, which just opened its doors in March.

Chef Kieu Pham takes the helm in the kitchen, a self-taught chef who learned the ins and outs of Vietnamese and Thai cuisine from her mother. Chef Kieu takes the family recipes and makes them over with an infusion of modern flair. Case in point? The Mandala crawfish, a dish that features the seafood dressed in a Viet-Cajun seasoning with a smorgasbord of corn, red potatoes, sausage, mushrooms, and Cajun-garlic butter. The Cajun fried rice also melds a few different culinary styles with its crawfish tails, hickory-smoked pork, beef sausage, and Cajun seasoning.

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Eat Your Way Through the Austin Food + Wine Festival From April 27-29

If you're a fan of tacos, you definitely won't want to miss the Austin Food + Wine Festival from April 27th to 29th—particularly its Rock Your Taco Showdown. It'll unfold at Fair Market at 7 p.m. on Saturday, April 28th, pitting one master chef against another. More than 10 of the best chefs of Mexican cuisine from around the country will craft their top tacos for a panel of judges—and the crowd—and anxiously await as one is crowned the victor. With live music and boozy beverages to wash down the tacos, it's bound to be a fun evening for foodies.

You could say the same of the entire festival. It brings together chefs from Austin, around the state, and beyond to show off what they can do. More than 40 chef demos and tastings will grant you access to some of the best food from across the nation. And if you want to learn more about what you're eating or drinking, check out one of the workshops hosted by well-known chefs and sommeliers.

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Try a Wild Boar Taco or Eight-Cheese Mac at Fareground At One Eleven

Gooey stovetop mac and cheese infused with an array of eight artisan cheeses. Vegan fruit-veggie broth loaded with ramen noodles, a medley of vegetables, sesame, lime, ginger oil, and avocado on top. Tacos and tortas stuffed with wild boar al pastor. These are just a few of the gourmet eats you'll find at Fareground At One Eleven.

The self-proclaimed first food hall in Austin opened in January on the ground level of an office building downtown. The indoor-outdoor space plays host to six eclectic food vendors, each dishing out a distinct type of artisan cuisine, as well as a central bar (with another one in the works). Guests are invited to grab a bite and a drink then enjoy it at one of the tables indoors or head outside to the adjacent park and find a bench beneath the swaying branches of an oak tree.

Check Out The 17th Annual Lonestar Round Up on April 6-7

When the Lonestar Round Up first came to Austin, it wasn't exactly a weekend-long blowout. It began more like a small community car show. It was held at an old football stadium back in 2002, the year it debuted. But the festival has come a long way since then. The 17th Annual Lonestar Round Up this April 6th and 7th spans an entire weekend and takes over the Travis County Expo Center.

Come to the Lonestar Round Up if you want to experience the car show that Rod & Custom Magazine calls "without a doubt, one of the nation's best hot rod and custom events." Dozens and dozens of hot rods and customized cars fill the expo center, along with extras like live music, hot food, and a huge swap meet. General admission tickets are $15 and parking is free.

Take a Spring Hike at McKinney Falls State Park

Close to the Onion Creek, McKinney Falls State Park is a great location to enjoy some peace and the natural beauty of the Austin area. The park is beautiful in its own right and provides visitors with a look into the past with the remains of one of the earliest Texas homesteads available for viewing. You can enjoy a hike on the mountain side; take a ride on a mountain bike or even a road bike. You can enjoy swimming and fishing in the Onion Creek as well as a stay at one of the 81 available campsites in the park.

McKinney Falls State Park is one of the favorite locations of visitors looking for adventure. The low entrance fee and extensive hours for access make it the place to see according to visitors. Stop and enjoy life around you with a visit to McKinney Falls State Park for a weekend or just a day visit.

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