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The Fall Pecan Street Festival Returns This Weekend

September 17, 2018 by

Since the Pecan Street Festival invites all types of quirky and creative Austin artists to sell their handiworks, it makes sense that the fest takes its name from a quirky anecdote about the city's history. When Edwin Waller designed the layout of Austin's streets, he recommended the east-west streets to be numbered and named accordingly. Instead, they were named for trees, until the powers that be realized numbers would be much more practical. So Pecan Street became Sixth Street, where the Pecan Street Festival now makes its home twice a year.

The second installment of the Pecan Street Festival is coming up on September 22nd and 23rd, and it promises something for everyone. The main draw of the festival is its roster of juried artisans from around Austin and beyond, hundreds of them in total. They sell everything from leather goods and metalworks to fiber and clay pieces. In addition to the art, you'll also enjoy live performances by 50-plus bands, grub dished out by 30 local food vendors, and fun activities for kids and adults alike. Admission is free.

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Shop Japanese Stationery and Much More at Kinokuniya

September 11, 2018 by

Like any bookstore, Kinokuniya boasts a large collection of cookbooks, travel books, children's books, and everything in between. There's just one major difference: most of the literature is in Japanese. That's because Kinokuniya originated in Tokyo, where it launched its first store in 1927. Now more than 90 years later, it has more than 80 shops in the U.S.—including an Austin branch that just opened in May.

Like its sister locations, the Austin Kinokuniya stocks books in both English and Japanese, so there's something for everyone. Pick up the latest manga and graphic novels or peruse the international art and design books that line the shelves. You can also stock up on unique Japanese stationery and colorful notebooks, as well as other school supplies. Even if you don't have something specific in mind, you'll still enjoy perusing the assortment of trinkets and toys at Kinokuniya.

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Feel the Heat at the Austin Chronicle Hot Sauce Festival on Aug. 26

August 22, 2018 by

Now more than 25 years old, the Austin Chronicle Hot Sauce Festival continues to bring the heat to Austin at the end of every summer. This year, the annual festival kicks off at 11 a.m. on Sunday, August 26th with more than 350 homemade hot sauces for guests to taste-test. The $5 entry donation to the Central Texas Food Bank (or three nonperishable food items) is well worth it.

Come to Fiesta Gardens and sample the hot sauces, then cool down with a frosty pint from Real Ale Brewing Company or a scoop of something sweet from Amy's Ice Creams. Other local eateries like Eldorado Cafe ATX, Fork in the Road, and Emojis Grilled Cheese Bar will also dole out grub. All the while, Grammy-winning band Little Joe y La Familia will entertain the crowds along with other live performers.

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Enjoy a Fresh Perspective This Summer With Lake Travis Zipline Adventures

August 15, 2018 by

Have you ever wondered what it's like to be a bird soaring over the flourishing forests and ebbing lakes of Texas? You won't wonder anymore after an excursion with Lake Travis Zipline Adventures. Its five-zip line course sends guests gliding above the sparkling waters of the lake, picturesque canyons, and emerald treetops.

Take the tour in the warmth of the Texas sunshine or bathed in the soft light that emanates from the moon. Both the daytime and nighttime tours traverse the five zip lines, a collection that includes three of the longest and fastest zip lines in the state (one stretches more than a half-mile long). Your guide will explain how to safely enjoy the zip lines and help you get harnessed into each section of the zip-line course. All you have to do is kick back and zoom free in the open air. After your tour, enjoy some sunbathing on Lake Travis Zipline Adventures' private beach.

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Don’t Miss Austin’s Annual Bat Fest on August 18th

August 10, 2018 by

Every summer, locals come together to celebrate a unique and distinctly Austinian event: the emergence of nearly 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats from beneath the Congress Avenue Bridge. It's called Bat Fest, and although this is only its 14th year, the festival actually has roots that date back to the '80s. The year was 1980 when Congress Avenue Bridge underwent an overhaul that, unbeknownst to its architects, would transform it into the perfect urban version of a bat cave.

It wasn't long after that Mexican free-tailed bats began to flock to the bridge and make a home beneath its eaves. Rather than try to shoo the bats away from their new home, the city of Austin embraced their residency. Bat Fest unfolds every August in the evening hours when the bats depart from their "cave" between 7 and 8:45 p.m. for their nightly hunting. The festivities kick off at 4 p.m., a lineup of live music, hot food and cold drinks, and more than 50 arts and crafts vendors. Come to the Congress Ave Bridge on Saturday, August 18th to enjoy the festival this year. Tickets start at $15 when you purchase them in advance.

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Lady Bird Day at Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center: Celebrate the Great Outdoors

July 24, 2018 by

First Lady Lady Bird Johnson took her ability to influence change very seriously. As the counterpart to President Lyndon B. Johnson, she used her political power for eco-friendly good. She established the National Wildflower Research Center in 1982, what would eventually become the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. She also championed legislation that helped to protect the environment. As an homage to her hard work, the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center hosts Lady Bird Day every summer. This year, come to celebrate the First Lady on Saturday, July 28th.

The free event includes a guided tour of the gardens, which Lady Bird helped to design all those years ago. Along the way, play outdoor games and discover new aspects of Mother Nature at special stations. Swing by the auditorium, too, where you can watch some of Lady Bird Johnson's own home movies and films that shed more light on her legacy.

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Dance, Bowl and Drink at the Texanische Nacht on July 21

July 18, 2018 by

Did you know that some historians believe bowling has roots in Germany? They say it could date back to the year 300 A.D. So it makes perfect sense that the Austin Saengerrunde, a group dedicated to preserving the history of Austin's German immigrants, boasts its own six-lane bowling alley. The alley will be open to the public during the Texanische Nacht on Saturday, July 21st.

From 7 to 11 p.m., the general public is invited to come and celebrate German heritage and Texan tradition in the event hall and bowling alley. The Cornell Hurd Band is on deck to provide the tunes, a mix of Western swing, rock, and country music. In between sets, enjoy a round of bowling with a complimentary drink in hand. Tickets to Texanische Nacht are $25 to the general public with discounts offered for members of the Austin Saengerrunde.

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Unplugged at the Grove: A Time-Honored Austin Tradition

July 10, 2018 by

Austin's cultural scene has evolved a lot over the last 25 years, but one thing remains the same: Unplugged at the Grove still comes to Shady Grove every Thursday night, April through mid-September. Perhaps more importantly, the live outdoor show is still free. It's already underway this season, so check out the schedule to choose which band or performer you want to see.

On July 19th, beloved Austin band Asleep at the Wheel brings the country-swing vibes to Shady Grove, just as the iconic group has for nearly half a century. Then on August 23rd, well-known blues artist Bob Schneider takes over the stage. The lineup also encompasses many other musical genres, so there's something for everyone on this year's itinerary. The shows start at 8 p.m., but due to limited space, it's recommended that you show up an hour or two early to grab a bite, a drink, and a good spot near the stage.

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Texas Farmers’ Market at Mueller: Visit Austin’s Most Popular Farmers’ Market

June 26, 2018 by

From vegan muffins and gluten-free loaves of bread to hard cider and honey wine, the inventory of artisan-made grocery items is expansive at the Texas Farmers' Market at Mueller. That's probably why it's ranked the best farmers' market in the city by the Austin Chronicle's readers—and why it recently added an extra day to the weekly schedule. Now you can visit the market on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. or Wednesdays 5 to 8 p.m. at Browning Hangar on Airport Boulevard.

Stop by the market to chat with some of the producers who actually raise or grow their own products, like farmers from Good Vibes Urban Farm who cultivate microgreens and herbs or ranchers from Grass-Fed Beef of Texas. Other vendors aren't necessarily considered producers, but they still have a hand in shaping their artisan foods and goods. Snack on hot grub from Austin Pierogi, treat yourself to something sweet from Knotty Nice Bakery, or pick up some tea from Siply.

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Let Freedom Ring at the H-E-B Austin Symphony July 4th Concert & Fireworks

June 26, 2018 by

Every year on the Fourth of July, Austinites celebrate with backyard barbecues, patriotic ensembles, and, of course, fireworks displays. One of the city's most popular Independence Day bashes is the H-E-B Austin Symphony July 4th Concert & Fireworks—it usually draws more than 100,000 revelers to Vic Mathias Shores on the Fourth of July.

Head to the 41st annual concert this year on Tuesday, July 4th. Get to the park a bit early to ensure you get a good spot near the stage. That's where the Austin Symphony Orchestra will begin the evening with a lineup of patriotic tunes at 8:30 p.m. Then after the rousing concert, stick around for the main event: the awe-inspiring fireworks show. It kicks off at 9:30 p.m. and is sure to elicit oohs and aahs from the crowd. This event is free to attend, no tickets necessary.

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