Sip Bubble Tea This Summer at UTea Town

Bubble Tea is the star of the menu at UTea Town, a bubble tea shop that also serves an assortment of other beverages too. The menu is full of dozens of bubble teas in flavors like green tea, yellow mango ice, peach cream, avocado cream, cherry ice, and more. For drinks in addition to tea, UTea Town offers hot chocolate, Thai tea, peach juice, frozen mocha coffee, and iced coffee. UTea Town is adjacent to the University of Texas at Austin, so it’s just over a mile from Elan East.

UTea Town is also a great spot to visit during the summer months for a frozen treat. There is indoor seating at the shop and free Wi-Fi too. Most people choose to enjoy their drinks as takeout, though. UTea is open daily and has been a popular spot for bubble tea in Austin for years—so check it out!

Texas Book Festival: Two Days of Lit-Focused Fun

Before Laura Bush was a First Lady, she was a librarian. So it makes sense that she'd want to bring literacy to a larger group of people—which is precisely why she co-founded the Texas Book Festival in 1995. She and Mary Margaret Farabee wanted residents of Texas to not only have access to good books, but also to get excited about reading.

Now more than 20 years later, the Texas Book Festival is still going strong. This year it'll unfold at the State Capitol Building and nearby venues in Austin with the help of authors from around the country. More than 20 are scheduled to attend, including a mix of local talents and nationally renowned writers. So if you love a good book or you're interested in meeting some of the authors, head to the Texas Book Festival this year.

Texas Book Festival
When: November 5 -6
Where: State Capitol Building, 610 Brazos Street, Austin, TX 78701
www.texasbookfestival.org
www.facebook.com/TexasBookFestival

Visit The Texas Music Museum to Learn About Our State’s Music History

Austin is home to some great live music and has been a popular spot for live performances for decades. In celebration of that history, the Texas Music Museum was established. The Texas Music Museum puts the spotlight on musicians of today and yesterday who performed in Austin as well as the musicians who called Texas home. The artifacts and exhibitions throughout the museum explore all sorts of music from Texas-related patriotic music to country to jazz and swing. The exhibitions here showcase sheet music, snippets of songs, and more.

In addition to its regular collection, the museum is currently home to two special shows: an exhibition about gospel music and Texas and a exhibit about Mexican Americans who create Tejano music in Austin. The Texas Music Museum is conveniently just over two miles from Elan East, so be sure to check it out this summer.

In.gredients: Shop Differently

In.gredients is a neighborhood grocery store with a farmers' market feel. Just a five-minute trip from Elan East Apartments, In.gredients is trying to change the way people shop for their groceries. The store focuses on three core values: zero waste, local food, and community.

The shop sells everything a shopper would need, from high-quality meats to fresh produce, but only features products on their shelves from local vendors. Guests who bring their own containers to package foods bought in the store will have the ability to donate a portion of their purchase to a choice nonprofit or charity. Unlike your regular local grocery store, In.gredients regularly hosts community events like live musical performances on the store porch and community block parties. A full schedule of events can be found on their Facebook page. In.gredients is open Monday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. while opening at 10:00 a.m. on Sundays.

In.gredients
2610 Manor Road
Austin, TX 78722
(512) 275-6357
www.in.gredients.com
www.yelp.com/biz/in-gredients-austin

Barleybean: Enjoy Convenient Coffee, Ales, and More

A combination coffee shop and specialty grocery, Barleybean has everything you could want in a neighborhood cafe. The thing that sets Barleybean apart is the wide variety of food and drinks you can get here. Start off your day with a cup of freshly brewed coffee, a delicious signature smoothie, or even a glass of kombucha—Barleybean offers several different varieties both "on tap" and bottled.

For lunch, there are paninis, wraps, and salads available here like the Three Cheese Panini, the Yummy Hummus Panini, or the Melty Tuna Wrap. Another great perk is that Barleybean offers craft beer on tap—have a drink on the outdoor patio or take some home with you in a growler. There’s also a mini-market with natural and organic goods and snacks, perfect for a quick stop while heading home. Barleybean has a great location for you too—it’s only a short trip from Elan East.

Barleybean
2222 Rio Grande Street
Austin, TX 78705
(512) 382-9106
www.barleybean.com/
www.yelp.com/biz/barleybean-austin

Indulge in a Honey-Nut Latte at Thunderbird Coffee

There aren't many places where you can take your pick between beer and java, but Thunderbird Coffee in Austin is one of them. It actually has two outposts in the city, one on Manor Road near Elan East, and another on Koenig Lane. Both offer beer and coffee, but the Manor Road location boasts a much larger selection of brews. Try a Pecan Porter or the Double IPA from Austin's own (512) Brewing Company, or enjoy a Hefeweizen or Liberation Ale by another local brewery, Live Oak.

If you're coming to Thunderbird for the coffee, regulars highly recommend the honey-nut latte. But you can also order a classic espresso, Americano, or cappucino. Or perhaps you might want to indulge in a Thai iced coffee or Iced Toddy instead. Pair your coffee with a freshly baked treat from Quack's Bakery or Rockstar Bagels, a turkey-cranberry or tomato-basil sandwich, or a fully loaded salad.

Thunderbird Coffee
2200 Manor Road
Austin, TX 78722
(512) 472-9900
thunderbirdcoffee.com
www.yelp.com/biz/thunderbird-coffee-austin-2

Expect Laughter and Energy at Salvage Vanguard Theater

Salvage Vanguard Theater isn't your typical stage. This Austin-oriented nonprofit gives up-and-coming artists a place where they can get creative with performances. Instead of adhering to the status quo, they pioneer productions filled with energy, movement, and often, laughter.

For proof, check out any of the upcoming events at Salvage Vanguard. Thursdays through May 6, the theater will host a Comedy Bazaar! The recently unveiled show is a collection of sketches, all woven together by a common theme: A Brief History of Magic. You can even come to Salvage Vanguard Theater for a $10 yoga class on Saturday mornings. With so much to check out here, you should definitely swing by soon.

Salvage Vanguard Theater
2803 Manor Road
Austin, TX 78722
(512) 474-7886
salvagevanguard.org
www.yelp.com/biz/salvage-vanguard-theater-austin

Beware Coffee Serves Artisanal Coffee from a Unique Coffee Stand

Beware Coffee is an artisanal coffee trailer that is known for creating some of the best java in Austin. The coffee may be sold out of a coffee stand, but directly adjacent to the vendor, guests will find a number of convenient tables and chairs that allow guests to fully enjoy their coffee in a comfortable open space. Beware Coffee offers classic coffeehouse options like regular lattes, coconut lattes, cappuccinos, mochas, cold brew, and more. The coffee shop even serves up ice cream topped with espresso. For non-coffee drinkers, the menu includes teas, hot cocoa, and more.

Beware Coffee is open Wednesday through Sunday from early in the morning until 4 p.m. Note that the coffee vendor is closed on Monday and Tuesday. Why not enjoy your morning cup of coffee at Beware Coffee?

Beware Coffee
2908 Fruth Street
Austin, TX 78705
(512) 571-3392
https://www.facebook.com/BewareCoffee/

Hancock Golf Course: One of Texas’s Oldest Courses

Hancock Golf Course was named for one of Austin's earliest mayors, Lewis Hancock, Jr. He presided over the city from 1895 to 1897, and he founded the golf course soon after his tenure in 1899. That makes it one of the oldest golf courses anywhere in Texas.

Make the short trip here for a round of golf right in the middle of the city. It's only 9 holes, so you should be able to move relatively quickly through the par-35 course. Its rolling hills are dotted with trees, and the course sweeps right across picturesque Waller Creek. Call ahead for a tee time if you have a group of four or more, or stop by without a reservation to enjoy the scenery at Hancock Golf Course. It's the perfect way to get some fresh air and enjoy the sunny Texas weather.

Hancock Golf Course
811 E. 41st Street
Austin, TX 78751
(512) 453-0276
austintexas.gov/department/hancock-golf-course
www.yelp.com/biz/hancock-public-golf-course-austin

Springdale Farm Market: Fresh, Local Food Near Elan East

Fresh bunches of emerald kale. Crisp turnips. Cream-colored heads of just-plucked cauliflower. These are just a handful of the fresh veggies you can expect to see at Springdale Farm Market, a farm stand that pops up every Wednesday and Saturday morning about 2.5 miles from Elan East.

Owners Glenn and Paula first opened the farm stand in 1992 in an effort to bring fresh, local produce to people living in the city. They believed everyone deserved access to healthy food, whether they could make it beyond the city limits or not. Today they continue to keep East Austin in colorful veggies, and not just individual shoppers. They also supply local eateries. Plus, Springdale Farm Market plays host to a handful of artisan prepared foods including Confituras jams and jellies, honey from the Austin Honey Company, and White Label Hot Sauce.

Springdale Farm Market
9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays
755 Springdale Road
Austin, TX 78702
(512) 386-8899
www.springdalefarmaustin.com
www.yelp.com/biz/springdale-farm-austin

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