Thirsty Planet: Tour an Austin Brewery

Austin’s Thirsty Planet is an environmentally conscious brewery with a spacious bar area, making it must-see spot for area beer aficionados and eco-friendly residents alike.

Each visit begins with a tour of the impressive brewery, which includes an incredibly detailed description of each step in the green brewing process. Visitors get a glimpse of all of the large tanks and machines used to brew Thirsty Planet’s tasty beers, and after the tour is over you get to taste them as well. Just $7 gets you three drink tickets to drink any of the brewery’s beers in the bar area, and there’s even a spacious outdoor patio to enjoy on cooler Texas days.

To schedule a tour of the Thirsty Planet brewery, visit Thirsty Planet's website.

Thirsty Planet
11160 Circle Drive
Austin, TX 78736
www.thirstyplanet.net
www.yelp.com/biz/thirsty-planet-austin

Fuse Glass or Paint a Masterpiece at Ceramic Lodge

Whether you just have an afternoon to spare or you're interested in a unique night out with friends, Ceramic Lodge in Round Rock can oblige. This painting studio welcomes folks to walk in and start painting or attend one of the structured classes to learn a little bit more about crafting with their fellow pupils.

You don't need to make reservations ahead of time to handpaint one of the bisque pieces at Ceramic Lodge. They line the shelves, everything from mugs to picture frames, and they start at just $12 each. Pick one, decide on a color scheme, and get to painting. Once your masterpiece is completed, leave it behind to be fired and swing by a week later for the finished product. You can also attend a fused glass class (held twice a month) to learn the ins and outs of the process. Classes are only $18 a head, and that's including everything you need to make your own work of art. If you've already attended a class, you can stop by any time to create a colorful plate or coaster with your own two hands.

Ceramic Lodge
18 Chisholm Trail Road
Round Rock, TX 78681
(512) 248-2100
www.ceramiclodge.com
www.yelp.com/biz/ceramic-lodge-round-rock

Check Out What’s New at the Round Rock Public Library

Curling up with a good book can be a great way to spend a lazy weekend afternoon, and what better place to do so than at Round Rock Public Library? This local branch is cozy and well-maintained and offers thousands of books to choose from on its shelves, from spine-tingling mysteries and instructional manuals to self-help books and children's reads. What's more, books are available in both traditional hardback and digital formats.

Round Rock Public Library also offers plenty of community programming, including local orchestra concerts, teen-centered craft and science sessions, family film screenings, and storytime hours for kids. And don't forget that the librarians are happy to assist with open-ended homework and research questions in addition to helping you locate specific books.

Check out the Round Rock Facebook page to see what's happening at this bustling community resource!

Round Rock Public Library
216 East Main Avenue
Round Rock, TX 78664
(512) 218-7001

www.facebook.com/RoundRockPublicLibrary
www.roundrocktexas.gov/departments/library

Trapeze Austin: Feel the Rush of This Daring Workout

If you ever admired the daring leaps and seemingly impossible catches of trapeze performers at the circus, Trapeze Austin gives you the chance to learn these incredible moves yourself. This wild new workout is not for the faint of heart, but the rush that you get from flying through the air on the trapeze is well worth the nerves.

Trapeze Austin is equipped with structural circus arts rigging systems that feature a sturdy safety net underneath to keep you protected in case of a fall. The facility offers one- and two-hour lessons that begin by teaching you the very basics of trapeze flying on the ground, and then expand to the air for the majority of the lesson. In the longer lessons, participants are even able to experience what it’s like to be caught in mid-air, just like professional trapeze performers.

If you’re looking for a unique place for a birthday party or family gathering, Trapeze Austin is great for private parties as well.

Trapeze Austin
9501 Manchaca Road
Austin, TX 78748
(512) 608-1071
www.trapezeaustin.com
www.yelp.com/biz/trapeze-austin-austin

Ride the Slide or Float the Lazy River at Rock’N River Family Aquatic Center

Within Round Rock's popular Old Settlers Park resides the Rock'N River Family Aquatic Center, a beloved local attraction in its own right. The sprawling water park boasts more than 40,000 square feet of splashy fun, making it the perfect spot to cool off on a sweltering Texas day.

The playground promises refreshing fun for everyone in your clan with its many different rides and slides. Take a leisurely float down the Lazy River if your companions include smaller kids, or splash around at the pool. Children can rush through the tunnel showers and get soaked in the process or shoot a water cannon toward an unsuspecting playmate. Even older kids will appreciate a trip to Rock'N River Family Aquatic Center thanks to its collection of snaking slides, which send riders hurtling toward a big splash.

Rock'N River Family Aquatic Center
3300 E. Palm Valley Boulevard
Round Rock, TX 78665
(512) 671-2737
www.roundrocktexas.gov/departments/parks-and-recreation/facilities/pools
www.yelp.com/biz/rockn-river-family-aquatic-center-round-rock

Highland Lanes: Join a Bowling League at This Old-Fashioned Alley

If you’re looking for an old-fashioned bowling alley where you can enjoy an affordable game with your friends, Highland Lanes might be just the place near Hardrock Canyon. This well-maintained facility contains numerous lanes complete with electronic scoreboards and high-tech flatscreen televisions displaying your score. There is ample seating for your entire team at the end of your lane, and on weekends, you can even play in the dark using glow-in-the-dark equipment during Electric Bowl.

There are optional bumpers on each lane for the little ones, as well as a well-stocked pro shop where you can rent shoes and balls if you don’t have your own. Grab a juicy, grilled hamburger or a hot dog from the attached Lebowski’s Grill to make a day (or night) out of your bowling experience.

Highland Lanes is open 9:30 a.m. to midnight Sundays through Thursdays and 9:30 a.m. to 1 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays.

Highland Lanes
8909 Burnet Road
Austin, TX 78757
(512) 458-1215
www.highlandlanes.com
www.yelp.com/biz/jumpoline-park-austin?sort_by=date_desc

Black Lagoon Art + Yoga: Cultivate Flexibility in an Inspiring Space

Part art gallery, part yoga studio, Austin's Black Lagoon promotes healthier bodies and imaginations in Austin. Not that Austin needs much help staying "weird," but this indie art gallery and fitness studio certainly helps. When it first debuted in 2010, its founders likely had no idea the profound impact it would have on yogis and artists alike—although they probably hoped.

Today, it's become a staple of the neighborhood. Exercisers flock to the art gallery for yoga classes amid the masterpieces hanging on the walls. There's a class appropriate for every level of ability, even if you've never stepped foot in a yoga studio before. And with multiple yoga classes offered on a daily basis, you should be able to squeeze in practice even if you have a busy schedule. If you're just interested in seeing the art, make an appointment to check out what's on display right now or attend one of the receptions held at Black Lagoon Art + Yoga.

Black Lagoon Art + Yoga
4301 A Guadalupe Street
Austin, TX 78751
(512) 534-6719
www.blacklagoongallery.com
www.yelp.com/biz/black-lagoon-art-yoga-austin

Sunstone Yoga: Practice Yoga at This Welcoming Studio

Whether you’re a seasoned yogi or a beginner looking to get into the practice, Sunstone Yoga has a class for everyone. This open, airy studio is located in the Great Hills area of Austin, and it’s in a plaza convenient to other businesses.

Inside, there’s a colorful, welcoming entry area where guests can sign into class, borrow a mat, or check out the selection of yoga apparel for sale. The instructors and owners are all friendly and welcoming no matter your situation, and they’re especially accommodating to beginning guests or people with injuries and medical conditions. Try one of the Water, Wood, or Fire classes depending on your personal yoga preference, and the studio will even provide you with free towels and mats if you don’t have your own.

For a full schedule of all of Sunstone Yoga’s classes, visit Sunstone's convenient website.

Sunstone Yoga
10710 Research Boulevard
Austin, TX 78759
(214) 764-2119
www.sunstoneyoga.com
www.yelp.com/biz/sunstone-yoga-austin

Maverick’s Country Rock: Pull on Your Boots to Boogie the Night Away

Austin is known for its live music venues, but Maverick’s Country Rock shows off the city’s dance moves, as well. If you love to kick up your heels to upbeat country music, Maverick’s spacious dance floor and some of the area’s best DJs will ensure that you have a rocking good time.

The dance floor isn’t just your usual open space, however: Here, a 5,000-square-foot dance floor features state-of-the-art lights and sound and a number of multimedia projectors that work in time with the music. Outside, Maverick’s 3,000-square-foot deck area features lots of outdoor seating and another full bar to service those who wish to enjoy the Texas evening. The bar also makes a fun place to dance the night away.

Maverick’s is open 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays.

Maverick’s Country Rock
1700 Grand Ave Parkway
Pflugerville, TX 78660
(512) 514-5650
www.maverickscountryrock.com
www.yelp.com/biz/mavericks-country-rock-pflugerville

Consignment Stars: Stylish Furnishings for the Thrifty Shopper

Consignment Stars is a consignment furniture store located in the Pflugerville area of Austin. Though the city is filled with a seemingly endless number of thrift and consignment stores, this shop is unique because of its large selection of both new and used furniture.

Consignment Stars’ knowledgeable staff is always on hand to answer any questions about the consigning process or a specific piece of furniture, and the shop carries items for every room in the home. The 10,000-square-foot store hosts beds, couch and loveseat sets, televisions, and even outdoor furniture for exceptionally low prices. If you have your own used furniture that you’d like to sell, Consignment Stars also offers a convenient selling process in which you pocket half of the money once your item is sold.

Consignment Stars is open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. The shop is closed on Sundays.

Consignment Stars
2405 W. Pecan Street
Pflugerville, TX 78660
(512) 202-3800
www.consignmentstars.com
www.yelp.com/biz/consignment-stars-pflugerville

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