Fun Stop 5K & Fest: A Fun Run With Unique Twists

Most races don't include a foam pit or a slip 'n slide, but the Fun Stop 5K & Fest isn't most races. It's a distinctly Austin experience—in fact, it used to be called the "Keep Austin Weird Fest & 5K." So when you show up for the fun run and festival on Saturday, June 23rd, expect the unexpected.

The run kicks off at 6 p.m. at The Long Center on Riverside Drive. As you jog alongside friends, don't worry about your race time. Make plenty of pit stops to enjoy the fun along the race route. Stop for a shot of tequila at the Ghost Splash Stop or a nip of vodka at Tito's Shot Stop. Zip down the Clif Slip 'N Slide or plow through the organic foam at the Super Fun Foam Pit. Snap a photo as you smooch a pup at the Puppy Kissing Booth or help a friend cool down when you squirt him with a water gun at Super Soaker Street. Then at the festival at the finish live, enjoy live music and food as the evening wears on. Registration is $32 for the 5K and festival.

Celebrate Your Dad at the Road Relics’ Father’s Day Antique Car Show

Instead of getting your dad a gift for this Father's Day, plan a special outing together. Take him to the Road Relics’ Father's Day Antique Car Show, a longstanding tradition in your community. Now in its 18th year, the annual Father's Day Car Show brings families together every year around this time.

Bring Dad and the rest of your family to the large, grassy field at North Lamar and 51st Street for the car show on Sunday, June 17th. It kicks off at 10 a.m. and runs for five hours, which should be plenty of time to explore the roster of vintage and classic roadsters. Although the exact lineup changes each year, the previous show drew more than 350 awe-inspiring vehicles—so you should plan to spend the whole afternoon at the show. Admission is free.

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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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.

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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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.

Greet Spring at the 61st Annual Zilker Garden Festival

To celebrate the arrival of spring, the Zilker Botanical Garden will host the 61st Annual Zilker Garden Festival at the end of March. Like every year for the past six decades, the 2018 Garden Festival promises a stunning array of plants for purchase and lots of artisan-made items, from jewelry and clothing to pottery and gardening hats.

The focal point of the festival, however, is probably the Flower Show. Artists enlist the living medium of flowers to shape colorful, beautiful masterpieces that judges rank in terms of creativity and artistic caliber. Ogle the floral masterpieces before you step outside into the Oak Grove, where live bands play as food vendors dish out hot fare and a craft beer garden promises frosty pours. If you have little ones in tow, check out Kids' Corner, where youngsters are invited to construct their own birdhouses or craft butterfly wings.

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