Austin Zoo: Animal Sanctuary

December 4, 2012 by greystar

Zoos are started for a variety of reasons—usually the animals come first, and a zoo is built to house them and educate the public about their lives. The Austin Zoo, however, was founded for a very different purpose. In 1990, a former goat ranch was purchased and renamed the Good Day Ranch, dedicated to taking in injured or abandoned animals in need of rehabilitation. Over the years, the ranch’s collection of animals has expanded exponentially. Starting out with mainly domestic animals, more and more exotic creatures were added until it was officially renamed the Austin Zoo in 1994. Now it is home to over 300 animals from 100 species, all rescued from or abandoned by their former owners. One of the biggest draws is the pair of Barbary lions, believed to be extinct in the wild, who are being used as a successful breeding family and have sired two cubs.

Austin Zoo
10807 Rawhide Trail
Austin, TX 78736
(512) 288-1490

By Gérard van Drunen (Flickr) [CC-BY-2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Filed Under: Things To Do Tagged With: Austin Attractions, Austin Zoo, Things to Do in Austin, Zoos

Austin Farmer’s Market: From Farm To Table

November 13, 2012 by greystar

One of the most encouraging trends in American food consumption is the transition from factory-farmed fruits, vegetables and meats to locally grown products. Farmer’s markets around the country have given producers a chance to present their products to excited eaters for decades, and they’re starting to become major keystones of grocery shopping. The Austin’s Farmer’s Market reflects the interests and values of this progressive enclave in the middle of the state, with organic vegetables, humanely raised meats, and a wide variety of ethnic prepared foods. Regulars rave about the fantastic coffee—at two bucks a cup with a free refill, it’ll keep you alert as you shop for everything you need. Some complain that certain goods sell out early, so show up at sunrise to make sure you get everything checked off your list. Best of all is the ambience—everyone is happy, laid back, and celebrating the joys of good food in a great city.

Austin Farmer’s Market
4600 Guadalupe St
Austin, TX 78751
(512) 236-0074

Postdlf [GFDL or CC-BY-SA-3.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Filed Under: Things To Do Tagged With: Austin Attractions, Austin Farmer’s Market, Shopping, Things to Do in Austin

The Long Center: The Big Stage

November 6, 2012 by greystar

Located along the shore of Lady Bird Lake in downtown Austin, The Long Center is widely regarded as one of the best performance spaces in a town full of them. Originally known as The Palmer Auditorium, it was renamed in 1999 and completely reconstructed into a multi-use facility with four unique theaters. The largest auditorium, the Michael and Susan Dell Hall, is a 2,400-seat venue with three levels of seating and private boxes that is used for symphony performances and other large-scale events. The Debra and Kevin Rollins Studio Theater is the Center’s black box room, an adaptable space that seats up to 229 in a number of configurations. The other spaces are the outdoor City Terrace and Hartman Concert Park. All of the seating and acoustics are top of the line, and the staff here is beyond reproach. No matter what your interests may be, The Long Center is a great place to enjoy them.

The Long Center
701 W. Riverside Drive
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 457-5100

By Oliver Paul (German Wikipedia) [GFDL or CC-BY-SA-3.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Filed Under: Things To Do Tagged With: Austin Attractions, Performing Arts, The Long Center, Things to Do in Austin

Check Out Austin Fan Fest 2012!

October 26, 2012 by greystar

Celebrating 2012's inaugural U.S. Grand Prix, Austin Fan Fest 2012 comes to downtown Austin from November 16-18th. If you haven't heard, the U.S. GP is a Formula 1 race taking place that weekend at Austin's newly constructed Circuit of the Americas race track, and Austin Fan Fest brings the city even more fun with an array of musical acts from all over the country, along with great local and regional bands.

Fan Fest's headline performers Aerosmith, Flo Rida, and Enrique Iglesias will play on main stages for the Fest's three night engagement, while smaller stages will showcase acts like Lupe Fiasco and The Wallflowers.

Around downtown Austin, attendees can also interact with F1 racing related installations, like racing simulators and Formula 1 cars. Arts exhibits, parties, and family friendly events all over downtown make the whole thing complete.

Want to know more? Click here to learn about Austin Fan Fest 2012.

By Christopher.foster (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0) or GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html)], via Wikimedia Commons

Filed Under: Things To Do Tagged With: Austin Events, Austin Fan Fest 2012, Things to Do in Austin

Umlauf Sculpture Garden & Museum: Serene Space

September 5, 2012 by greystar

There’s nothing exciting that goes on at Austin's Umlauf Sculpture Garden & Museum. But that’s precisely the point! Fifty sculptures created by 20th Century sculptor Charles Umlauf pepper the serene outdoor grove, giving visitors the opportunity to pause and appreciate them. Allow the sculptures to provide ambiance while you sit on a bench and read a book and let the kids roam around. Think of Umlauf as an artistically curated park, situated in the hustle of Austin but somehow shielded from it in a calm oasis. Umlauf offers summer camps for children and offers yoga sessions (the sessions are called “The Body as Sculpture”) throughout the season. And, okay, there’s one exciting happening: the yearly Garden Party, which was listed by the Austin Chronicle in its 2005 “Best of Austin” issue as, well, one of the best things to do in Austin.

Umlauf Sculpture Garden & Museum
605 Robert E. Lee Road
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 445-5582

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Filed Under: Things To Do Tagged With: Austin Attractions, Museums, Parks, Things to Do in Austin, Umlauf Sculpture Garden and Museum