Enjoy Yoga Classes at Austin’s Yoga Yoga

Yoga has evolved into an obscure hobby into a full-fledged fitness movement, and for good reason. People are learning that focused, controlled stretching under the supervision of an instructor has incredible health benefits.

Whether you’re a yoga newbie or an experienced practitioner, you’ll find excellent classes at Austin’s Yoga Yoga. The studio here is a marvel of cleanliness and organization. Instead of signing in and worrying about billing, clients are given a magnetic card that they swipe with each class. Cards can be pre-loaded for certain numbers of classes and easily refilled. One thing that draws more serious practitioners is the studio's guest seminars by national teachers and yogis. If you’re looking to push yourself or learn some new tricks, consider attending one.

Prices are reasonable, but some popular classes can feel crowded. If you’re lacking supplies, note that Yoga Yoga sells yoga mats and clothing. Yoga Yoga has several locations around the area, so you’ll have no problem finding a studio near you.

Yoga Yoga
2167 W. Anderson Lane
Austin, TX 78757
(512) 380-9800
www.facebook.com/YogaYogaAustin
www.yelp.com/biz/yoga-yoga-austin-12

Become a “Spa Partisan” at Milk and Honey Spa

There’s the casual spa goer: the bride, perhaps, or the mom who goes for a treat. But then there’s the spa connoisseur: the woman who makes spas part of her relaxation and beauty routine. Milk and Honey Spa calls these women “Spa Partisans,” and if you’re not one already, they promise you will be.

Milk and Honey’s two luxury day spas offer a full menu of body, skin, waxing, massage, and nail treatments. You’ll emerge looking and feeling great; Les Nouvelles Esthetiques magazine named Milk and Honey Texas’s top day spa and locals are dazzled by the service and value.

Check the spa's site for a full list of services, prices, and special offers.

Milk and Honey Spa
12901 Hill Country Boulevard
Bee Cave, TX 78737
(512) 236-1115
http://www.milkandhoneyspa.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/milk-honey-spa-bee-cave

Make a Splash at Nitro Swimming

Nitro Swimming is Austin's leading competitive swim team and swim teaching center. Led by Head Coach and former 11-time NCAA All American Mike Koleber, Nitro is home to six-time Texas age group champions and is one of the USA's top five swimming programs. Both Austin area locations have state-of-the-art Olympic pools, as well as lessons-only pools with temperature and water quality specially calibrated for beginning and advanced swimmers.

The hand-picked staff includes several former Olympians; they love kids and take joy in helping to mold lifelong swimmers. Parents and young swimmers praise the staff's patience, skill, and attention to detail. Nitro also offers a full program of fitness-based adult swimming instruction.

Check Nitro's website for information on classes, teams, events, and more.

Nitro Swimming
15506 D Highway 71 West
Bee Cave, TX 78669
(512) 861-7946
http://www.nitroswim.com
http://www.yelp.com/biz/nitro-swimming-bee-cave

Two Saints Baking Company Is an Oasis of Espresso and Fresh Baked Goods

You dream of places like Two Saints Baking Company. In the morning, the coffee is rich, hot, and comes quick. Need a special pick-me-up? There’s a full espresso bar with blended drinks, as well as breakfast sandwiches. At lunch there are big salads, freshly prepared soups, and sandwiches with house-roasted meats. And all day there are cookies, cakes, pies, and other sweets to make you smile and ruin your diet.

Everything is made on-site, and locals are almost unanimous in their praise, calling service and execution first-rate. It’s a bit pricey — cookies can be as much as $1.75 each — but this speaks to Two Saints’ being a small family business, and regulars say it’s more than worth it.

Check the bakery's site for hours, menus, events, and catering information.

Two Saints Baking Company
13011 Shops Parkway #600
Bee Cave, TX 78738
(512) 263-1166
http://www.twosaintsbakingcompany.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/two-saints-baking-co-and-cafe-bee-cave

Crown Donut: Your 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 with a melt in your mouth quality that can’t be beat. 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, 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 Paseo at Bee Cave.

Crown Donut
325 Ranch Road 620 S

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

Amy’s Ice Creams: Frozen Delights in Austin

Since 1984 Amy’s Ice Creams has created premium ice cream, frozen yogurt, and dairy-free fruit ice. An Austin, Texas original, there are locations throughout Houston and San Antonio. Next time you’re shopping at the Hill Country Galleria, just minutes away from Paseo at Bee Cave, cool off with a scoop from Amy’s. With 350 flavors of frozen treats, plus many toppings, your sweet treat will never get boring. They always offer seven standard flavors, including the famous Mexican vanilla and Belgian chocolate, but there are always plenty of rotating ones as well. The friendly staff has a great customer service sense and is happy to make recommendations based on your preferences. Sit on the nice outdoor patio or in the comfortable indoor parlor that includes comfy arm chairs. If that’s not enough to entice you, there's also a photo booth to add even more fun to your ice cream outing.

Amy's Ice Cream
13420 Galleria Parkway
Austin, TX 78738
(512) 263-2903
www.amysicecreams.com
www.yelp.com/biz/amys-ice-creams-austin-14

Take A Hike at Austin’s Bright Leaf Preserve

Bright Leaf Preserve is a 200 acre wildlife respite within Austin city limits. The preserve is open to the public through free guided hikes on the second weekend of each month.  Learn about local ecological and geological history while on a 4 mile walk throughout the park.  The preserve is home to native and rare plants, as well as many species once plentiful to Texas. Note that neither dogs nor strollers are not permitted. The Bright Leaf Preserve might just be one of Austin's loveliest spots for getting out into nature!

Bright Leaf Preserve
4111 Old Bull Creek Road
Austin, TX 78703
http://www.brightleaf.org

Flipnotics: Live Music Daily

Flipnotics is a laid-back coffee shop in South Austin's Barton Springs neighborhood. This little cafe has a legion of fans that enjoy the comfy atmosphere and reasonably-priced drinks. In addition to caffeine, Flipnotics makes a mean milkshake — try the moonquake with a double shot of espresso in vanilla ice cream blended with bananas. Light snacks include pastries, pie, breakfast tacos, and empanadas. The cafe is surrounded by decks, so you can enjoy your coffee and relax in the sun. Need distraction or inspiration? There's live music every night of the week.
 

Flipnotics
1601 Barton Springs Rd
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 480-8646
www.flipnotics.com/
www.yelp.com/biz/flipnotics-coffeespace-cafe-austin

Lenoir: Fine Fare in Austin, Texas

This spectacular restaurant is paving the way for a new appreciation of fine cuisine in central Texas, and Austin diners couldn’t be happier. Owners Todd Duplechan and Jessica Maher have a combined 25 years in the restaurant and hospitality business, and they’re putting forward some unique concepts at Lenoir. One of the most usual is the Community Supported Restaurant aspect – by purchasing a “membership,” you obtain discounts and other rewards while helping Lenoir grow. The menu is served prix fixe style, with each course having three or four options. It is a great way to sample the exciting seasonal offerings, with past dishes including a spectacular pork belly soup with mung bean noodles, eggplant and “ham jam,” an excellent sweet potato salad, a satisfying chickpea panisse and a number of very good desserts. Don’t miss the delicious pistachio custard with caramelized phyllo leaves. The wine list is well-curated and pairs well with the top-quality food from the kitchen.

Lenoir
1807 S. 1st Street
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 215-9778
http://www.yelp.com/biz/lenoir-austin

Museum of the Weird: Keeping Austin Weird

Austin is always weird at the Museum of the Weird. Some of the strange territory to explore includes UFOs, aliens, mummies, bigfoot-like creatures, wax vampires, shrunken heads and sideshow performers who can pull nails out of boards with their teeth. Stop by the gift shop to pick up a t-shirt, plastic movie monster, zombie action figure or other fun – and weird – item. Special events like movie screenings, lectures and exhibits are held at the museum on a regular basis – see their website to check them out. Admission is $8 for adults, $5 for kids under age 8. Open Monday through Sunday from 11a.m. until 11p.m.

Museum of the Weird
412 E 6th St
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 476-5493
http://www.yelp.com/biz/museum-of-the-weird-austin

Pin It on Pinterest