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Rock-About Climbing Adventures: Learn The Ropes of Rock Climbing

February 12, 2015 by

If you want to spend the day outdoors and challenge yourself to an adventurous physical activity, a lesson from Rock-About Climbing Adventures makes the perfect way to spend a Saturday afternoon. This tour company travels to local climbing sites to offer year-round rock climbing instruction to participants of all skill levels.

Whether you don’t know the first thing about climbing or you’ve been climbing once or twice, the program offers a variety of different classes to accommodate just about anyone. Rock-About’s skilled instructors really know the ropes (pun intended), and the unique, team-based setup promote teamwork and self-confidence just as much as rock climbing skills.

Visit Rock-About Climbing Adventures’ website for a full list of courses and climbing rates.

Rock-About Climbing Adventures
3505 S. Lamar Boulevard
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 415-0804
www.Rock-About.com
www.yelp.com/biz/rock-about-climbing-adventures-austin

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Shop Affordable Finds for the Home at Simply Austin Furniture

January 15, 2015 by

If you’re new to Austin and find yourself needing some essential pieces for your home, locals will gladly point you in the direction of Simply Austin Furniture. This locally owned treasure has found bargains for literally thousands of happy homemakers over the years.

When you walk in, you’ll notice that the showroom doesn’t have a lot of frills, but what they lack in ambiance they pass on to you in low prices; they have a knack for offering specific items at well below catalog price. Owner Penny Britton is an expert at finding exactly what’s important to you at your desired price point. All of the sales staff here are expertly trained and super friendly, willing to take as much time as you need to select the perfect piece.

One of the best things about Simply Austin is that they stand by the quality of their goods 100%: if your furniture wears out, they’ve been known to replace items no questions asked.

Simply Austin Furniture
3405 S. Congress Avenue
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 447-5151
www.simplyaustinfurniture.com
www.yelp.com/biz/simply-austin-furniture-austin

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Peruse Original Artwork in Austin at Yard Dog Gallery

December 11, 2014 by

An art gallery in Austin, Yard Dog once specialized in showcasing folk art from the American South, but has since grown to feature art from all over North America. This is a great place to stop by and browse when visiting the shopping district.

Here, you'll find smaller pieces for sale, as well as work by well-known artists, like singer Daniel Johnston's cartoon art and Lisa Brawn's painted woodcuts. You can browse some of the inventory online, but there is nothing like viewing these creations in person. Regulars also suggest that Yard Dog Gallery puts on one of the best parties for Bloodshot Records during South By Southwest, so keep that in mind when planning your yearly festivities!

Yard Dog Gallery is open daily.

Yard Dog Gallery
1510 South Congress Avenue
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 912-1613
www.yarddog.com
www.yelp.com/biz/yard-dog-gallery-austin

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Goorin Bros. Haberdashery and Hat Shop: Stay Stylish From Head to Toe

November 13, 2014 by

Take a walk down any given street in Austin, and you’ll likely notice that locals of both genders love a good hat. From classic cowboy hats to vintage ball caps and floppy hats to block the summer sun, Goorin Bros. Haberdashery and Hat Shop supplies a very large number of Austin residents’ hat collections. This beloved shop is located in the eclectic South Congress area, and it aims to maintain the city’s cowboy roots while also offering a bit of Tejano culture and folk art influence.

Inside, rich rugs line the shop’s floors and rustic light fixtures create a distinctly Austin décor style. Hats of all kinds are displayed on just about every surface, but the knowledgeable salespeople are more than willing to help you choose the perfect one. Although customers note that Goorin Bros. hats can be a bit pricey, these are investment pieces that are meant to last a lifetime.

Goorin Bros. Haberdashery and Hat Shop
1323 S. Congress Avenue
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 326-4287
www.goorin.com
www.yelp.com/biz/goorin-bros-austin

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CRAFT: Drop-in Studio Sessions and Art Workshops in Austin

October 9, 2014 by

If you’re interested in learning a new skill or hobby but don’t want to commit to a set time for a class, Austin’s CRAFT might be just the place for you. At any time during business hours, you can come into CRAFT and grab a workstation for a very reasonable rate of just $10 an hour. That rate includes access to a staggering amount of materials, including paint, paper, ribbons, stamps and ink, both air dry and polymer clay, collage materials, screenprinting screens, and much more. They also sell additional supplies, including canvases and frames, at a very reasonable rate.

If you’re not the free form type, CRAFT hosts a wide variety of events and workshops throughout the week. Some of the most popular include the weekly Intro to Screenprinting class, which gives you everything you need to print t-shirts, tote bags, and other fabric projects, as well as the Hearts & Crafts workshops on Wednesdays that focus on crafting as a means of personal development and self-expression.

CRAFT
1632 S. 1st Street
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 900-9957
www.craft-austin.com
www.yelp.com/biz/craft-austin

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End of an Ear: Buy, Sell or Trade at This Hip Record Store

September 15, 2014 by

In one of the country’s most musical cities, a great record store is imperative. End of an Ear is one such record store in the south Austin area, selling an eclectic mix of vinyl records, DVDs, and even some musical equipment in the back. The record selection includes new releases that are updated weekly, as well as old classics and even some underground gems that are hard to find at other stores.

The staff is incredibly knowledgeable, if a bit standoffish, as is to be expected from a busy record store. If you want to test out a record before purchasing it, there are a few turntables with attached headphones scattered throughout the store. Many customers also turn to End of an Ear to exchange old records or DVDs, and the shop offers generous store credit or cash for consignment items.

End of an Ear is open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and noon to 8 p.m. Sundays.

End of an Ear
2209 S. First Street
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 462-6008
www.endofanear.com
www.yelp.com/biz/end-of-an-ear-austin

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Tsunami Cycles: Tune Up Your Bike at This Friendly Local Shop

September 4, 2014 by

Austin residents certainly love their bicycles, and local cyclists insist that Tsunami Cycles is one of the best shops in the city to keep those bikes in working order. Whether you’re in the market for a new bicycle or you need to pick up some parts for your current one, this well-stocked shop is the place to go.

The store itself is located conveniently on Austin’s South Congress Avenue, and it stocks a large selection of new and used bicycles and a full-service repair shop to meet any area cyclist's needs. Tsunami Cycles offers tune-ups, brake and gear adjustments, and complete building services on new bikes, and they’ll even pack your bike up and ship it anywhere in the country for just a bit more. Throw in a staff of friendly, knowledgeable employees who are anything but intimidating, and it’s easy to see why this shop is a staple of Austin's cycling scene.

Tsunami Cycles is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekends. The shop is closed on Tuesdays.

Tsunami Cycles
2114 1/2 S Congress Avenue
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 448-9725
www.tsunamicycles.com
www.yelp.com/biz/tsunami-cycles-austin-2

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Health Box: Home to a Healthy Dessert With a Silly Name

August 14, 2014 by

Health Box is known for something called “fruit poop,” the cafe's signature, unique frozen treat that looks like ice cream, but is made entirely from fruit and other good-for-you ingredients. The dessert is dairy-free, so it's safe for vegans.

At this food truck, you first choose the fruits that you want included in the frozen treat itself, from white grapes to bananas to a few types of berries. Next you choose the toppings, which include coconut flakes, granola, or more diced fruits. The whole thing is served in a small bowl and eaten with a spoon, and the menu changes daily to keep things fresh. Interestingly enough, the Health Box shop even features a small gym area outside where visitors can work out while waiting for their frozen treats. If that doesn’t make for a guilt-free dessert, then we don’t know what does!

Health Box is open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays and 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sundays and Mondays.

Health Box
608 S. Lamar Boulevard
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 954-1054
www.healthboxrestaurant.com
www.yelp.com/biz/health-box-austin

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Barton Springs Pool: Cool Off in South Austin

July 17, 2014 by

Barton Springs Pool is the crown jewel of Zilker Park. It glitters within the park’s 358 acres, and comprises three acres of spring-fed water that averages 68 degrees year-round. That means it’s a haven for swimmers and sunbathers, especially in the hot months, when the cool water offers a fun break from the summer sizzle. It’s a great spot to spend an afternoon swathed in sunscreen with a towel or blanket laid out on the wide expanse of grass that surrounds the pool, soaking up the sun or in hanging out the shade. Expect a diverse crowd of people on summer weekends. Admission is a bargain at $3 for adults, $1 for children and seniors. Parking is $5 per car on weekends, free during the week.

Barton Springs Pool
2201 Barton Springs Road
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 476-9044
http://www.yelp.com/biz/barton-springs-pool-austin

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Great Food and Music Are on the Menu at Blue Moon Bar & Grill

June 12, 2014 by

Blue Moon Bar & Grill is one of the reasons Austin is known as the Live Music Capital of the World. Here, live music acts take the stage nearly every night of the week, and there's a full bar and kitchen to boot.

Pick up some cheese fries with bacon and green onions or a basket of sweet potato fries for the table, or enjoy one of Blue Moon's 100% beef burgers. The breakfast burger comes with fried egg, ham or bacon, and is topped with hashbrowns, while the Hawaiian burger is topped with grilled pineapple and teriyaki sauce.

Regulars come back for the upscale atmosphere that still manages to be affordable, while the house jam band that performs on Wednesdays is well-liked among many.

Blue Moon Bar & Grill
2200 South I-35
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 916-9951
http://bluemoonbarngrill.weebly.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/blue-moon-bar-and-grill-austin

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