The Austin Nature and Science Center is one of the best places to go in Austin to learn about the area’s natural environment in a fun, hands-on way.

This interactive science center is located on the western edge of Zilker Park, and it has offered exhibits and educational programs since its inception in 1960. Its wildlife exhibits feature native animals that include reptiles, mammals and birds that have been injured and cannot survive in the wild, so visitors are fortunate enough to get an up-close and personal look. The Dino Pit outdoor paleontology exhibit offers children the unique opportunity to participate in a faux archeological dig, and they can also view large-scale reproductions of dinosaur fossils.

The Austin Nature and Science Center also offers a number of educational programs like the Naturalist Workshop, preschools and summer camps for families and kids of all ages to learn about the world around them.

Visit the Austin Nature and Science Center website to learn more about this fun attraction near Lamar Union.

Austin Nature and Science Center
2389 Stratford Drive
Austin, TX 78746
(512) 974-3888
www.austintexas.gov/department/austin-nature-and-science-center

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/OliBac

Sometimes you want to skip the latest food trends and get back to basics, and that’s exactly what Austin’s Winflo Osteria is known for. This classic Italian eatery near Lamar Union uses simple, fresh ingredients to create traditional Italian dishes without all of the frills, and the result is a menu filled with Neapolitan pizzas, flavorful pastas and light, healthy salads.

The restaurant itself is housed in a renovated 1920s bungalow in Old West Austin, and it features two beautifully decorated floors inside and a terraced patio area outside. Winflo Osteria aims to preserve the historic nature of the building, so it incorporates rustic wooden ceilings and a vintage-style bar. The bar menu includes wine and cocktails that pair well with a meal or make tasty happy hour libations, and there is even a decadent brunch to cap off the weekend.

Visit Winflo's website to learn more about this Austin restaurant!

Winflo Osteria
1315 West Sixth Street
Austin, TX
(512) 582-1027
www.winfloosteria.com

CC-BY-SA-2.0/Flickr/Alpha

From: October 23, 2014 – October 30, 2014 (Recurring daily)
Location: Paramount Theater and Various Locations
http://www.austinfilmfestival.com/