At the Austin Nature & Science Center, children and adults alike can learn about plant life, animals, and the science behind both in a fun-filled atmosphere. The center contains a number of hands-on exhibits that aim to make learning more exciting, including wildlife exhibits that contain live fish, reptiles, mammals, and other creatures that cannot survive in the wild because of injury or illness.

In the Naturalist Workshop, visitors can view small specimens through magnifying glasses and microscopes, while the Dino Pit offers visitors the chance to uncover fossils in an imitation archeological site. If you have very young children, the Austin Nature & Science Center even offers Nature’s Way Preschool, a unique type of schooling that lets children learn while walking through creeks and taking nature walks through the nearby woodlands.

For more information about upcoming programs at the Austin Nature & Science Center, visit the center’s website.

Austin Nature & Science Center
301 Nature Center Drive
Austin, TX 78746
(512) 974-3888
www.austintexas.gov/department/austin-nature-and-science-center
www.yelp.com/biz/austin-nature-and-science-center-austin-2

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Bee Cave Coffee Co. has just about everything you could want in a coffee shop. It's locally owned, has plenty of seating, lots of electrical outlets for laptops and tablets, and offers free Wi-Fi. Best of all, though, this place serves up some of the tastiest coffee in the Austin area, according to regulars. Try a rich, foamy cappuccino, or sip on a sweet vanilla latte. Get serious with a straight shot of espresso, or relax with a plain old cup of joe.

Bee Cave Coffee Co. serves more than your morning caffeine jolt, though. You can fuel up with breakfast tacos and burritos stuffed with cage-free eggs, spiced potatoes, sausage, and shredded cheddar. At lunch try turning your attention to chicken salad served on a croissant, or bite into toasted flatbread piled high with caramelized onions, mild red and yellow peppers, peppery arugula, and fresh, tangy goat cheese.

Whatever you order, you can expect the service to be quick, friendly, and efficient.

Bee Cave Coffee Co.
13420 Galleria Circle
Bee Cave, TX 78738
(512) 263-9900

www.beecavecoffee.com
www.yelp.com/biz/bee-cave-coffee-co-bee-cave

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/slightlyeverything

With warm, gooey chocolate inside of a moist cake exterior, molten lava cake is a chocolate lover’s dream. This decadent dessert may look like a gourmet treat, but it’s actually surprisingly easy to make. Here are two sweet and simple molten lava cake recipes!

Paula Deen’s Molten Lava Cakes [Food Network]
Everything that Food Network host Paula Deen makes is delightfully sinful, and these Molten Lava Cakes are no exception. They take just 30 minutes to prepare, and the mix of bittersweet and semisweet chocolate with orange liqueur adds a unique taste that your guests and family will love.

Healthier Molten Lava Cakes for Two [Texanerin Baking]
If you want to cut calories while still maintaining the indulgent taste and texture, this Healthier Molten Lava Cake recipe from Texanerin Baking is the perfect choice. It makes just enough for two people so that you can share with a friend, but you won’t be tempted with leftovers. Plus, the dark chocolate and espresso powder add major chocolate flavor without the added sugar of milk chocolate.

CC-BY-SA-2.0/Flickr/Alpha