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 Sendera Barton Creek.

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 [WEBLINK], 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

Lone Star Farmers Market: Local, Farm Fresh and Affordable

Lone Star Farmers Market is the place to be every Sunday out at the Lowe’s parking lot at the Galleria. The parking lot transforms into an exciting cornucopia of local small farms, food vendors, and plenty of entertainment to keep you wishing every day was Sunday. You can try everything from lamb tamales to olive oil gelato, all of which is delectable. Make sure and bring the kids so they can come meet the local vendors and farmers, and then of course get their faces painted and maybe even stick around for the petting zoo. This farmers market does it all, and you never feel rushed or like it’s too crowded. The vendors are there ready to show you what they do, teach you about the virtues of their products and answer any questions you may have. It’s hard to think of a better way to support your neighbors and get quality affordable goods at the same time.

Lone Star Farmers Market
12611 Shops Parkway
Bee Cave, Texas 78738
(512) 924-7503
https://www.facebook.com/LoneStarFarmersMarket

AMOA Arthouse

AMOA Arthouse is an expansive environment where visitors can explore a range of modern and contemporary art. The minimalist building and subject matter adds a touch of big city flavor to Austin’s burgeoning modern art scene. Upcoming exhibits include the work of Nick Cave, who creatively fashions assemblage sculptures called ‘Soundsuits’ out of hooked rugs, toys, twigs, hair, twigs, sequins and beads. Lectures, movies and music series are also hosted at the museum. Become a member and you can stop by their rooftop patio on Wednesdays for a glass of wine or beer – BYOB – and a fantastic view of downtown Austin. Open Tuesday through Sunday. Admission is a suggested donation of $5.

AMOA Arthouse
Jones Center
700 Congress Ave
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 453-5312
http://www.yelp.com/biz/arthouse-austin

Java Dive Bistro: Charming and Healthy!

The Wall Street Journal calls Java Dive Bistro’s morning meal “the breakfast of champions,” and locals agree with that assessment.  Java Dive Bistro makes what the regulars call “enlightening meals” that makes you want to walk in and just sit for the day and sample everything they have to offer. A particular favorite is the scrambled eggs and cheese on a toasted organic sprouted bun with organic pesticide-free tomatoes and fire roasted poblano peppers. Another of their signature ideas is the coffee ice cubes made of coffee and the regulars are hooked. Their specialty organic coffee beans are only served within days of being roasted and you can tell the difference. The atmosphere matches the quality of the food and it is top notch with a clean quiet patio to sit and just enjoy the savory foods and coffee. They’re also a certified gluten free restaurant so they can accommodate a number of dietary needs.

Java Dive Bistro
900 Ranch Rd 620 S
Lakeway, TX 78734
(512) 263-5995
http://www.yelp.com/biz/java-dive-organic-cafe-lakeway-2

The Backyard: An Austin Tradition

One of the area’s most historic music venues is The Backyard. First opening its doors in 1993, the venue has hosted some of the biggest names in contemporary music, including Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson, David Bowie and more. The natural open-air amphitheater is an amazing place to see a concert, building a sense of community among showgoers that continues even after you go home. The Backyard hosts a number of Austin’s best food trucks during shows and features seven separate bars for you to get your drink on at. Another awesome thing about the Backyard is their commitment to environmentally sound practices, reducing waste, recycling and using green energy whenever possible. If you’re going with a group, make sure to carpool – cars with more than 3 people park for free.

The Backyard at Bee Cave
13801 Bee Cave Parkway
Bee Cave, TX 78738
(512) 651-5033
http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-backyard-at-bee-cave-bee-cave

Hill Country Galleria: Charming Retail

Bee Cave locals are lucky to have the Hill County Galleria as their local mall. The perfectly manicured facilities are filled with local shops, food and entertainment. Anchored by Barnes & Noble, Dillard’s, Whole Foods and Dick’s Sporting Goods, there’s something for everyone here. Regular cinemagoers suggest that the mall hosts one the best movie theaters in the area. The space also hosts free summer concerts in the pavilion with plenty of parking behind the shops. For those wanting to walk off their lunch, you can stroll through the entire shopping area outside with the light winds coming up over the hill to keep it from getting too hot.  For a day of retail therapy or a family outing for some shopping and food, Hill Country Galleria has it all.

Hill Country Galleria
12700 Hill Country Boulevard
Bee Cave, TX 78738
(512) 263-0001
http://www.yelp.com/biz/hill-country-galleria-bee-cave

The Best Spot for Recreation in Austin: Town Lake Hike and Bike Trail

Get a dose of fresh air as you take in the amazing sites of Austin from the Town Lake Hike and Bike Trail. Whether you walk, run, or bike, there are 193 miles of well paved, accessible trails running through many different areas of the city. Run along paths with scenic views of Austin, ride along energizing creeks and colorful patches of bright flowers. Ride in freedom from traffic, runners, and walkers on The Veloway, a 3.17 mile paved trail that is made just for bikes and rollerblades. Outdoor recreation is available on the Town Lake trail year-round, and trail maps and additional details are available here.

Visit the Mexic-Arte Museum For a Dose of Art and Culture

For a heaping dose of Mexican culture, visit the Mexic-Arte Museum, the official Mexican and Mexican-American Fine Art Museum of Texas. With works ranging from pottery to portraits by Mexican, Latino, and Latin-American artists, the museum serves as a cultural education oasis for children and adults alike. See the work of famous Mexican artiss like Jose Chaves Morado and Roberto Montenegro, and make sure to catch the museum’s annual summer show, which showcases the work of Young Latino Artists. The museum also holds art classes, guided tours, and gallery talks throughout the year to enrich the community, and admission is only $5 for adults, $4 for seniors and students, and only $1 for children 12 and under.

Mexic-Arte Museum
419 Congress Avenue
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 480-9373

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center: Floral Paradise

The late Lady Bird Johnson, wife of President Lyndon B. Johnson’s presidency, recognized the losses posed to our ecosystem and our sense of beauty should important plant species disappear. That’s why in 1982, Johnson founded the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. The Wildflower Center's since become not just an educational center and preserve for wildflowers, but one of the preeminent wildflower research institutions in the country. Visitors can tour the acres of flowers and learn about their unique places in the ecosystem. They can attend some of the center’s special events like shows put on by local Texas artists and even do some holiday shopping at the winter bazaar. The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center also puts on a yearly Halloween show, perfectly situated on its rustic grounds!

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
4801 La Crosse Avenue
Austin, TX 78739
(512) 232-0100

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