The city of Austin ushers in spring with its annual ABC Zilker Kite Festival, which returns to Zilker Park on Sunday, March 6.

Presented by the Exchange Club and the City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department, the festival promises a beautiful, vibrant sight of hundreds of kites flying through the sky. There is no fee to participate (or watch!) and those looking to take part in the kite flying just need to simply bring a handmade kite (yes, handmade) to the festival and register on the day of the event. Participants will compete in a variety of categories, including smallest, largest, and most unusual kite.

In typical festival fashion, the Zilker Kite Festival also is set to have a variety of local vendors selling items and offering food. The festival booths open at 10 a.m. and the kite contest starts at 1 p.m. The festival runs until 5 p.m.

Are you planning to attend? After all, it's just a short trip from Lamar Union!

Zilker Kite Festival
Sunday, March 6
Zilker Park
2100 Barton Springs Road
Austin, TX 78704
www.abckitefestival.org

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr PhotoPhoto33

Having recently opened in December and already earning high marks from locals, Steampunk Saloon is a great new spot for day or nighttime fun. Though quickly gaining patrons as it rises in popularity, Steampunk Saloon is a big enough space to hold a large number of people without feeling crowded. There's an indoor space filled with TVs—perfect for watching the big game. With a $3 craft pint special on Sunday, there’s no better place to spend the day.

There's also a huge deck outside as well as two food trucks—East Side King and Dock 'n' Roll— which alternate nights being parked out back. A variety of games are available to play here as well—everything from Mario Kart to skeeball and arcade basketball—adding to the fun and atmosphere. Steampunk Saloon is close by, only about three miles away from Lamar Union.

Steampunk Saloon
700 West 6th Street
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 474-7865
www.steampunk-saloon.com/Steampunk_Saloon.html
www.yelp.com/biz/steampunk-saloon-austin

CC-BY-SA-2.0/Flickr Mafue

When a single hotel hosts two (soon to be three) culinary hotspots, diners need to take notice. That's the case for the South Congress Hotel, which boasts Central Standard and Cafe No Se, both on Eater Austin's list of the hottest restaurants in town this month. Best of all, the hotel is less than a mile and a half from Lamar Union.

This Valentine's Day, consider visiting one of them for a special meal. For a more laid-back bite to eat, check out Cafe No Se. It dishes out cafe fare from breakfast to dinner, all with a fresh, California twist. Central Standard, on the other hand, makes meals fancier affairs with upscale steakhouse cuisine and an atmosphere to match. Regardless of which you choose, you can expect fresh food and stellar service at the South Congress Hotel.

Central Standard and Cafe No Se
South Congress Hotel
1603 S. Congress Avenue
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 920-6405
southcongresshotel.com/eat
www.yelp.com/biz/south-congress-hotel-austin

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr Jun Seita