Blue Velvet: A Vintage Clothing Store with 20 Years of History

With a long-standing community presence and a loyal customer base, Blue Velvet is considered one of the best vintage clothing stores in a city that boasts quite a few. In fact, Austin’s Blue Velvet clothing store has been in the area for so long, many of the items that came out when it opened are now considered vintage! The prices are very reasonable for the items that the store sells, and the knowledgeable, stylish salespeople are friendly, but not overly pushy.

Blue Velvet offers a wide variety of women’s dresses and skirts, vintage band t-shirts, men’s jackets and buttondown shirts, and a number of retro accessories. From the fedora hats to the rows up on rows of vintage jewelry and sunglasses, this store sells the types of items that you’ll wear for years to come.

Blue Velvet is open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sundays.

Blue Velvet
217 W. North Loop Boulevard
Austin, TX 78751
(512) 452-2583
www.bluevelvetaustin.com
www.yelp.com/biz/blue-velvet-austin-2

Toy Time: Where It’s Always Time to Play

Just about every store in the Austin area is a bit quirkier than most, and Toy Time is one of those truly unique establishments. This independent toy store carries a wide selection of toys that you won’t find at most big box toy stores, and it even offers pop culture memorabilia that adults will love, as well.

The colorful, jam-packed shop is small, but it’s filled to the brim with children’s dolls and toys. The candy selection includes hard-to-find items like chocolate rocks, and the walls are lined with electronic games, costumes, model kits, and much more. Toy Time also includes a party room where guests can book fun-filled birthday parties. This room is set up like a treehouse, and the affordable package includes your choice of entertainers ranging from magicians to princesses and even full-scale petting zoos.

Toy Time is open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, and the store is closed on Sundays.

Toy Time
101-B Pecan Street West
Pflugerville, TX 78660
(512) 990-8697
www.toy-time.com
www.yelp.com/biz/toy-time-pflugerville

Tejas Golf: Learn the Ropes at This Accessible Driving Range

Beginning golfers know all too well how intimidating some golf courses can be, but Austin’s Tejas Golf caters especially to those just learning the game. This driving range and learning center features real turf tee boxes and an 11,500-square-foot putting green that feels anything but amateur, but the professional golf instructors and informative clinics are meant to help visitors to learn the basics of golf.

The course’s short game practice area is the ideal place to practice for those who are already familiar with the game, and the stylish clubhouse is much larger than most. Tejas Golf also offers all of the balls that you can hit for $15 max, no matter how long you choose to stay, so it’s just as cost efficient as it is approachable.

Tejas Golf is open 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Monthly memberships are available for $125 per person or $190 for families.

Tejas Golf
3631 Greenlawn Boulevard
Round Rock, TX 78664
(512) 310-8911
www.tejasgolf.com/index.html
www.yelp.com/biz/tejas-golf-round-rock

Crown Donut: A Friendly Donut Place in Austin

If donuts put you in a good mood stop by Crown Donut in Austin, Texas where donuts are served with a smile. Loyal customers find the donuts to be light and tasty. They have a wide variety of yeast and cake donuts, as well as donut holes and kolaches.

If you are in the mood for sweet treat, get a cinnamon sugar cake donut. Looking for savory? Try the highly recommended jalapeno kolache. Although there is a drive through, many customers prefer going into the store for the friendly service. Crown Donut might just be one of the best spots for a sweet breakfast near Hardrock Canyon.

Crown Donut
325 Ranch Road 620 S

Austin, TX 78734
(512) 230-4247
www.crowndonut.blogspot.com
www.yelp.com/biz/crown-donut-austin

Fun for Kids at Round Rock’s Safari Champ

Whether you're looking for something new and interesting to do with the family, Safari Champ offers Round Rock exceptional fun in its massive play area.

Inside, you'll find a huge jungle gym complete with slides, tubes, ladders, ropes, and more. There is also a toddler area and cafe serving sandwiches, ice cream, and coffee close to the main playscape. Parents especially appreciate Safari Champ's indoor play place during the summer to escape the oppressive Texas heat. Sign the kids up for one of the seasonal day camps, where little ones will participate in arts and crafts and story times. You can also consider purchasing a three month pass to play as much as you'd like.

Safari Champ
1400 East Old Settlers Boulevard
Round Rock, TX 78665
(512) 828-0000
www.safarichamp.com
www.yelp.com/biz/safari-champ-round-rock

Public Domain/Public Domain

Find Craft Supplies at Sea of Beads

If you’re a serious crafter, walking in the front door of Austin’s Sea of Beads is going to blow your mind. The selection of beading and jewelry supplies and tools here is over the top. The shop stocks a staggering array of beads in a myriad of styles, including seed beads, Czech glass, pearls, and semi-precious stones, as well as more affordable options for new learners. The selection of findings and chains is also excellent. If you’ve got a dream project, this is going to be the place to get the materials.

Don’t know how to make your own jewelry? Sea of Beads has you covered. Instructors host a wide array of classes, from single-project oriented sessions that teach you how to make pendants and necklaces to more open-ended classes. Visit the Sea of Beads website to learn more!

Sea of Beads
2438 W. Anderson Lane
Austin, TX 78757
(512) 533-9090
seaofbeads.net
www.yelp.com/biz/sea-of-beads-austin

Boost Your Metabolism With a Workout at Barre3

Barre3 offers the latest craze in the fitness world with a low-impact workout suitable for all ages and fitness levels. The program combines yoga, ballet, and Pilates, and features three steps: Isometric exercises build strength and muscle, one-inch movements increase the metabolism, increase core strength, and heat up the body, while large, dynamic movements burn calories, increase the heart rate, and energize the body.

Trained instructors teach the classes, ensuring your workout takes place in a safe, supportive setting. The studio is clean and expansive, with changing rooms, showers, and a play area for kids. See the Barre3 website for a schedule of classes and pricing information!

Barre3 is open every day.

Barre3
12800 Hill Country Boulvard
Bee Cave, TX 78738
(512) 243-5233
www.barre3.com
www.yelp.com/biz/barre3-bee-cave

Get Fit on a Dime at Clay Madsen Recreation Center

If you're looking for a convenient place to work out without breaking your wallet, look no further than the Clay Madsen Recreation Center. Supported by the city of Round Rock, Clay Madsen offers great rates on annual, quarterly, and monthly memberships for families, couples, and individuals. You get a lot of bang for your buck, too. You can take advantage of racquetball courts, free exercise classes, an indoor swimming pool, cardio and weight rooms, and locker rooms to store your belongings.

Parents will be happy to know there is a professionally supervised babysitting service on site that costs only $2 an hour. Most group exercise classes, like Zumba and water aerobics, are free for members, but you'll have to pay a little extra for personal training or the indoor boot camp training. You'll probably always find space available in the cardio and weight rooms, but classes fill up quickly, so be sure to arrive early to ensure you get a spot.

Clay Madsen Recreation Center
1600 Gattis School Road
Round Rock, TX 78664
(512) 218-3220
http://www.roundrocktexas.gov/home/index.asp?page=210
http://www.yelp.com/biz/clay-madsen-recreation-center-round-rock

Esther’s Follies: Austin Entertainment

Turn off the TV, get up off the couch and head out for some zany fun at Esther’s Follies. The Follies’ home is located at the historic 280-seat Cactus Theatre on Austin’s vibrant 6th Street. It’s a Texas-style revue featuring a melodious mélange of comedy skits, magic acts and political satire. The stage features two large windows that look out on the action on bustling 6th Street.

Now in its 36th season, this Austin hallmark is a must for anyone who loves creative, cutting edge live entertainment. Master magician Ray Anderson is a favorite for his seamless melding of magic and comedy. The theatre features five shows weekly – one on Thursday and two each on Friday and Saturday. Book your tickets in advance, as it sells out regularly.

Esther's Follies
525 E. 6th Street
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 320-0553
http://www.esthersfollies.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/esthers-follies-austin-2

Public Domain/Public Domain

Epoch Coffee: An Austin Coffeehouse

Need a java fix? How about a java fix and a bite to eat at 3 a.m.? If so, Epoch Coffee is a popular go-to place in Austin — and it's open 24/7!

Free WI-Fi with plugs available at every table means it’s a great place to study, work or just to surf the web. In short, Epoch is a great spot to chill out with a beverage while you catch up with friends or just relax with a killer coffee drink. Visit and have their baristas whip you up a café latte, cappuccino or café mocha swirled with hot milk. They’ve also got refreshing blended drinks like the Mango Mania, Wildberry Beast and Razz Cranberry. Need a bite to eat? Enjoy a tasty sandwich, wrap, or pizza. Epoch also offers bagels, croissants, cinnamon rolls and muffins.

Check out Epoch Coffee's website to learn more about this Austin coffeehouse.

Epoch Coffee
221 W. North Loop Boulevard
Austin, TX 78751
(512) 454-3762
http://www.epochcoffee.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/epoch-coffee-austin-2

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/wordridden

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