Weird Homes Tour: An Exploration of Odd Abodes

Just because you enjoy amenities like walls made of drywall and a home free of bats doesn't mean you can't appreciate the admittedly odd abodes that purposely contain much different features. When you take the Weird Homes Tour on Saturday, April 22nd, you'll have the opportunity to see some of these peculiar residences up close.

From 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., you can explore these homes at your own pace. The self-guided Weird Homes Tour takes you to several "houses," including The Art Dome. In lieu of your typical walls, this cave-like abode showcases curved walls crafted from the rocky earth of an Austin hillside. It's lit almost entirely by natural light. Another eco-friendly home nearby, the Ebba Springs Wildlife Refuge, actually invites animals to share the space. Walls along the driveway were crafted with cubbies specifically to offer shelter to various birds, and a large bat cave in the front yard houses the winged creatures. Tour tickets start at $30, so snag yours now if you want to see these and other homes.

Artistic Endeavors of All Kinds Are Welcome at the Fusebox Festival

In an effort to "Keep Austin Weird"—in the best possible way—local artists are always creating fresh and innovative works. And from Tuesday, April 11th until Sunday, April 16th, the Fusebox Festival showcases some of the coolest cutting-edge art, both gallery-ready and performance art, at venues scattered around the city.

This nearly week-long festival promises everything from conversations with artists to DJ sets. For instance, on Wednesday, April 12th, you can check out Trigger Town, an ongoing art exhibit at Icosa gallery. It features drawings created by two up-and-coming local artists using a variety of different artistic approaches. Throughout the week, you have many opportunities to sit down with Artists in Residence and other Austin talents at the daily Waffle Chats sessions, so don't miss this event!

Gourmet Snacks and Spa Treatments Await at the Women’s Expo Austin

Women are as powerful and influential as ever in today's constantly evolving society, which means they are under more stress than ever. The Women's Expo Austin is the perfect opportunity to unwind with friends and enjoy a little "you" time.

On April 8th and 9th, the Palmer Events Center transforms into an oasis for women. Tons of Austin boutiques show up to show off their unique items, from clothing to home decor, and spas invite female guests to kick back and enjoy a pedicure or a massage. There's also gourmet food, uplifting lectures by famous keynote speakers, and mini makeovers that are complimentary. Purchase your $5 ticket to enjoy a day at the Women's Expo Austin, coming to your neighborhood this April.

Expect Gourmet Goodies at the First Annual Austin Chicken Wing Festival

Austin is known as a hub for foodies, from its gourmet food trailer parks to its bustling brick-and-mortar eateries. So it should come as no surprise that, this April, the city will debut a new food fest, the Austin Chicken Wing Festival. Dedicated to the ever-popular chicken wing, the fest will be held at the Historic Scoot Inn from 1 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, April 2nd.

Snag your tickets now (starting at $35) to taste-test a variety of different wings over the course of four hours. Some of your town's top chefs and restaurants will show up to craft their own unique types of wings and hand them out to patrons and judges. At the end of the fest, one lucky chef will be awarded the medal for Best Chicken Wing. You can get in on the action if you enter the hot wing eating contest too—but it's not for the faint of heart! Will you be attending this cool new festival?

Stock Up on Fresh, Local Food at in.gredients

There are a lot of reasons why in.gredients is such a beloved neighborhood business. The local market is committed to sustainability—hence its zero-waste policy—and local food. With support from other local businesses and the small farmers and vendors who stock it, in.gredients has already made a real impact on your neighborhood.

Bring your own containers to fill up with bulk foods. The huge bulk foods section features everything from whole grains to chocolate-covered pretzels, all sourced from local farms—and many of your options are organic. You can even load up your containers with freshly ground nut butters, canola oil, or apple cider vinegar. If you're looking for a full meal, in.gredients often hosts farm-to-table dinners. There's also live music on the schedule every now and then, so don't miss out. Will you be heading to in.gredients this week?

Visit Coco Coquette to Shop Vintage Items, Costumes, and More

The next time you're planning on attending a costume party (or just want an excuse to get dressed up) check out Coco Coquette. Coco Coquette is a local shop that sells wigs, makeup, costumes, and more that is only a short trip from Elan East. At the store, guests can also browse perfumes, vintage accessories, and fun jewelry, though some items at this shop are available for purchase online too.

Those who want to attend a more hands-on event can book a reservation for one of Coco Coquette's popular Wig Parties (a great way to spend birthday and bachelorette parties). At a Wig Party, every guest goes home with a wig of their choice and gets their makeup done by one of the makeup artists at the shop. The party runs for 2 to 3 hours and guests are encouraged to bring a fun playlist and refreshments to enjoy during the party. A visit to Coco Coquette is a unique way to spend a day, so will you be checking it out?

Visit Patika, An All-Day Cafe in Austin

For fresh baked goods, delicious sandwiches, and top-notch coffee, check out Patika, a casual breakfast and lunch spot on South Lamar. Open daily from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., Patika is known for its fresh ingredients and fine coffee. The cafe is most commonly known as a place for breakfast and lunch with all-day menu items like avocado toast, scrambles, granola, sandwiches, and more. For sweets, the menu changes daily, but regular offerings include muffins, scones, and cookies that pair perfectly with the coffee here.

The coffee menu regularly features either a local roaster or coffee from an artisan roaster from a different part of the country, but if you'd rather relax and enjoy an alcoholic beverage here, a curated selection of beer and wine is available for purchase. There is seating throughout the cafe for those who want to enjoy their food and drinks on site. Conveniently, this all-day cafe is located only six miles from Elan East.

Feast on Authentic Chinese Fare at Wu Chow

One of Austin’s favorite casual Chinese restaurants is Wu Chow, a popular eatery that is just 10 minutes from Elan East. The menu is full of authentic Chinese fare that is available for delivery, takeout, and dine-in options. Popular items on the menu include the dan dan noodles, Shanghai soup dumplings, the chicken egg rolls, and the pork belly bao. Many locals love this spot for its affordable prices, with most of the items on the menu ringing in at less than $20. Plus, an excellent happy hour is available from 5 to 6:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

In addition to food, cocktails, beer, and wine are available for purchase at the eatery. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner Monday through Friday, dinner on Saturdays, and dim sum on Sundays. Grab some friends and make a reservation at this authentic Chinese restaurant one day soon!

Visit Delysia Chocolatier for Fine Chocolates in Austin

Local chocolate is the name of the game at Delysia Chocolatier, one of Austin’s finest spots for handmade chocolates. The chocolates are all made right here in the city and use all local ingredients. The shop's chocolatier was inspired by the artisan shops throughout Europe. She started working on her craft and, with time, became recognized as a Top 10 Chocolatier in the nation. Today, she crafts fine chocolates in a slew of varieties with the help of a talented team.

The chocolates here come in a range of varieties including truffles, bark, drinking chocolate, and seasonal and specialty items. Try the wine-infused truffles for something truly decadent or sip the peppermint drinking chocolate to warm yourself up this season. Whether you’re looking for a gift or something for yourself, this chocolate shop is a great spot to visit.

Sip on Something Exotic at Kung Fu Tea

Strawberry-lemon green tea. Oreo milk tea. Taro slushies. These are just a few of the exotic options that await at Kung Fu Tea, a specialty shop in Austin that's dedicated to Taiwanese bubble tea. Although the team takes some liberties and adds contemporary touches to the teas, they're all inspired by the authentic creations that founders Michael, Allen, and Ray encountered when they actually traveled to Taiwan in 2009.

If it's a classic type of tea that you're craving, order the honey green tea, the KF oolong tea, or the winter melon green tea. For something creamier and more substantial, you can't go wrong with a sweet, decadent milk tea such as the coconut milk tea, the Oreo milk tea, or the almond milk tea. Honey lemonade punch, mango slushies, and even yogurt-infused green tea are also on the menu at Kung Fu Tea, a unique spot in Austin that you should definitely check out.

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