Soak Up Some Sunshine at Austin’s Lady Bird Lake

Lady Bird Lake is an outdoor recreational area named for former First Lady Claudia “Lady Bird” Johnson, who spent the latter years of her life supporting efforts to beautify the lake.

When you need to unwind after a long day, you can choose from four local agencies to rent a kayak, canoe, paddle boat, or board. There are hiking and running trails galore. In fact, the 10.1-mile trail and 1-mile boardwalk are the longest in the city! Lady Bird Lake also offer recreational fishing and also hosts a statue of respected musician Steve Ray Vaughn. Of course, you can simply arrive to soak up some sunshine and reconnect with nature.

Note that swimming in the lake is prohibited!

Lady Bird Lake
South Lakeshore Boulevard at Town Lake Circle
Austin, TX 78741
(512) 974-6700
www.austintexas.gov/page/lady-bird-lake

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 Marquis at Barton Trails.

Crown Donut
325 Ranch Road 620 S

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

Color Me Mine: Get Creative at This Social Ceramic Studio

If you’re looking for a fun, social way to let your kids exercise their creativity, Color Me Mine is a great choice. This public art studio enables kids and adults to choose a pre-made bisque pottery piece and then decorate it using the studio’s wide assortment of tools, paint colors, glazes, and kilns to fire the project once it’s complete. After three to five days, you’ll receive your painted and fired project to enjoy at home. One low studio fee covers all of your supplies, and then it’s just a matter of paying for whichever bisque item that you choose.

The studio is also a very popular place to hold kids’ birthday parties, bachelorette parties, and other types of celebratory gatherings. Color Me Mine even hosts wine nights where of-age visitors can enjoy a favorite bottle of wine while painting and relaxing with friends.

Color Me Mine is open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and noon to 6 p.m. Sundays.

Color Me Mine
13500 Galleria Circle
Bee Cave, TX 78738
(512) 535-0005
www.beecave.colormemine.com
www.yelp.com/biz/color-me-mine-bee-cave

Treat Your Hair to a Trip to Salon Aura Veni

Salon Aura Veni isn't your typical hair salon. Yes, its stylists boast an array of specific talents (go to Leigh for short hair and Lori for hair extensions), and yes, they take on every styling task you can imagine, from cutting and coloring to curling and straightening. However, the stylists at Salon Aura Veni rely solely on the highest quality products to achieve their jaw-dropping cuts and colors.

These include Kevin Murphy products, a professional line that shies away from any harmful parabens or sulfates. Pureology, another brand the stylists enlist, also shirks all sulfates in favor of safer ingredients that won't damage strands. Moroccan Oil is another common name in professional hair care, one known for its powerful antioxidant ingredients and UV protection; it's generally used to condition hair to make it shiny and soft.

Salon Aura Veni
210 W. Riverside Drive
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 474-2872
www.auraveni.com/Salon_Aura_Veni/About.html

www.yelp.com/biz/salon-aura-veni-austin

See Why Wet Salon and Studio Is a Cut Above the Rest

If you're looking for a new salon, you're encouraged to try out Wet Salon and Studio on South Congress. This isn't your garden variety salon. Sure, typical salon services (highlights, waxing, extensions) are on the menu here, but Wet Salon and Studio also displays local art on its walls.

American Board Certified Master Colorists are on staff, so if you have a serious color quandary you can feel safe in their skilled hands. Consultations are free, and Wet's stylists are dedicated to working with you to figure out a style that works best for your routine and hair type. Wet Salon is interested in forming a long term relationships with clients and ensuring they feel confident with their hairstyle.

First-time clients should call to schedule their initial appointment, while returning clients can schedule future appointments online.

Wet Salon and Studio
1109 South Congress Avenue
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 444-7375
www.wetsalonatx.com
www.yelp.com/biz/wet-salon-and-studio-austin-2

Go for a Scenic Run at Town Lake Metropolitan Parks

Are you an avid runner? If so, Town Lake Metropolitan Parks is one of the most scenic spots in town to get in some outdoor exercise. This popular park features running trails that wind around the lake shores, offering beautiful views of the lake and even the bridges that go over it. The trail is smooth and well maintained for runners, and there are even benches set up at various points to give you place to sit down and take a breather.

If you’re not in the mood for running, it’s also fun to rent a kayak and spend the afternoon rowing down the river with friends. Many residents bring their four-legged friends to the leash-free dog park inside of the main park, and you can even walk them around the dog-friendly trails. Food trucks also often park nearby for those looking for lunch outdoors.

Town Lake Metropolitan Parks
Austin, TX 78701
Town Lake
www.yelp.com/biz/town-lake-metropolitan-parks-austin

Stop and Smell the Roses at Westbank Flower Market

Whether you’re looking for a bright, colorful bouquet to send to your sweetheart or a token of appreciation to send to a friend, you’ll find all kinds of flower arrangements at Westbank Flower Market. This Austin florist is located in the Westlake Hills neighborhood, and it's said to be one of the most trusted places in the area for fresh flowers.

Here, you’ll find pre-made arrangements that you can pop in and pick up at the last minute, as well as knowledgeable florists on staff to help you choose a customized arrangement or even order flowers for an upcoming event. Inside, Westbank Flower Market hosts a small gift shop that sells pots, vases, and plants to pair with your arrangement or use on their own.

Westbank Flower Market is open to the public 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays. To order a custom arrangement, visit the website or call the shop directly.

Westbank Flower Market
5320 Bee Caves Road
Austin, TX 78746
(512) 327-3374
www.westbankflowers.com
www.yelp.com/biz/westbank-flower-market-west-lake-hills

You Deserve Dessert from Dolce Neve

If you’re the type of person with more refined tastes in desserts, you’ll love South Austin’s Dolce Neve. This eclectic sweet shop serves gelato, frozen yogurt, and ice cream all under one roof, and its gourmet flavors make it just as delicious for grown ups as it is for the little ones. Gelato comes in flavors like buttermilk blackberry, lemon goat’s milk, and ricotta honey pistachio, while elaborate creations like the Cassata combine ricotta gelato with chocolate chunks and candied orange peels to create a dessert that's exciting to the senses.

Inside, the cozy dining room at Dolce Neve is just as enticing as its delicious frozen treats. Reclaimed wood tables and farm-style light fixtures fill the room, and there are lush green plants lining the windowsills to create a truly cheerful ambiance.

Dolce Neve
1713 S First St
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 804-5568
www.dolcenevegelato.com

The Red Room Lounge: An Austin Wine Bar

Whether you're a seasoned wine expert or a novice to wine drinking, the service and selection at The Red Room Lounge just might make this place your new go-to wine bar in Austin. The knowledgeable sommeliers are happy to put together tasting flights, make recommendations, educate you about the wine-making process, and help you find just the right vintage for your own particular taste.

The Red Room Lounge’s atmosphere is dramatic, featuring dim lighting, exposed brick, deep leather couches, and lots of dark wood. Note, however, that this is not a place where you should expect to get dinner along with your wine. The Red Room Lounge offers a small selection of cheese and charcuterie plates, but this dedicated wine cellar focuses mainly on drinks.

The Red Room Lounge
306 E. Third Street
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 501-1536
www.redroomatx.com
www.yelp.com/biz/the-red-room-lounge-austin

Aim for a Strike at The Union Underground in Austin

If you’re looking for something fun and active to do this weekend, check out the bowling alley at The Union Underground. This fun bowling alley billiard hall is located on the bottom level of the Texas Union building at The University of Texas at Austin, which makes it a lively spot for people of all ages. (You don't have to be a university student to play here!)

Reserve one of the 12 bowling lanes to get a bit competitive with some friends from Marquis at Barton Trails, and be sure to stop by on the weekends for the glow-in-the-dark Glow Bowl! If bowling isn’t really your thing, enjoy a game of pool on one of the many pool tables in the spacious billiards hall. Order a pizza from the front desk to enjoy with your game and you’re sure to have a great time.

The Union Underground is open 10 a.m. to 3 a.m. Mondays through Saturdays and noon to 3 a.m. Sundays.

The Union Underground
2247 Guadalupe St
Austin, TX 78705
(512) 475-6599
www.utexas.edu/universityunions/texas-union/scene/underground
www.yelp.com/biz/union-underground-austin

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