The Barton Creek Habitat Preserve is a beautiful, pristine landscape that's located along four miles of Barton Creek in southwest Travis County. With the help of neighboring landowners, the habitat protects two species of endangered songbirds and preserves the quality of water in Barton Creek.

The Barton Creek Habitat Preserve is a very peaceful place to hike, relax, and enjoy the beauty of nature. It is truly a gem that is tucked away in the middle of Austin. The preserve is at its peak during a wet spring. During this time, the creek has enough running water to swim and relax in many different hot spots. The greenbelt area offers at least 14 miles of trails that are ideal for walking, hiking, and even mountain biking. There are also caves that you can explore and even cliffs that are popular for climbing on. Visitation is limited here so be sure to arrange your visit through the volunteers.

Barton Creek Habitat Preserve
1700 Bee Cave Road
Austin, TX 78738
www.facebook.com/pages/Barton-Creek-Habitat-Preserve/208065779237756

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr Karen Roe

Wine lovers in the West Austin area know that when you’re looking for a spot to sip Chardonnay with friends, The Grove Wine Bar & Kitchen is the place to go. This sleek and modern wine bar is filled with light and ample seating, making it a wonderful eatery for large groups and small dates alike. There is a long, lime green bar area where visitors can relax with a glass of wine and some appetizers, or if you’re looking for a larger meal, the spacious dining room features numerous wooden tables and cozy booths.

For lunch and dinner, The Grove Wine Bar & Kitchen serves a full menu of bruschetta samplers, entrée salads, and seasonal pastas, as well as light, healthy seafood, grilled meats, and local veggies. Pair any meal with a glass (or a whole bottle) from the impressive wine list for an evening out that you won’t soon forget.

The Grove Wine Bar and Kitchen
6317 Bee Caves Road
Austin, TX 78746
(512) 327-8822
www.grovewinebar.com
www.yelp.com/biz/the-grove-wine-bar-and-kitchen-austin-6

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr BPPrice

The next time you host guests in your home, prepare in advance by setting a game plan well ahead of time. These smart and stress-free tips will show you exactly how to get your home ready for houseguests, even if you don’t exactly have a separate guest wing to work with.

1. Create a designated space. Everyone likes to have a feeling of privacy and a place to decompress, which you can easily create for your guests even if you don’t have a closed-off guestroom. Simply give them free run of a living room or den, or create your own guest quarters by investing in a room divider.
2. Test out the bed. Since you don’t normally sleep in the guest bed (or air mattress, or sofa…), it’s always smart to test it out first to ensure its comfort. If it’s not up to snuff, add a foam mattress topper, more blankets, or other affordable improvements.
3. Create an overnight kit. Stock a small caddy with shower supplies, water bottles, pain relievers, and snack bars, as well as anything else that your guests might ask for.
4. Change the linens. Be sure to put clean, fresh-smelling sheets on the bed and provide enough clean towels for all of your guests.
5. Feel out their schedules. Once they arrive, work around their schedules to prevent stepping on any toes.

Make Your Overnight Guests Feel at Home [Southern Living]
Hosting Overnight Guests [Life Your Way]
Real Life Advice: Hosting Guests Without a Guestroom [Apartment Therapy]
Getting Ready for Overnight Guests [Real Simple]

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr Rhian vK