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Austin Summer Fun: River Tubing on the San Marcos and Guadalupe Rivers

August 7, 2012 by greystar

People don’t often connect rivers with Texas, but the central part of the state around Austin is remarkably lush and green, criss-crossed by a number of pleasant bodies of water. The most popular choice for innertubers is the San Marcos River; about a 40 minute drive from downtown Austin, it’s fed by underground springs, making it a pleasant 70 degrees during the floating season, which lasts from April through September. Starting below the Spring Lake dam, you’ll be on the river for between two and six hours. At certain points, you’ll cross over small dams with chutes to speed your ride up, which add a little bit of excitement. The Guadalupe River is another popular destination, with water that flows a little faster and colder but still very comfortable. There are a handful of companies that rent tubes and provide transportation to and from start and end points. Here are a few to check out:

Austin Float Trips
(512) 963-5628

Rockin "R" River RIdes
(830) 629-9999

Texas Tubes
(830) 626-9900

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

Filed Under: Things To Do Tagged With: Austin Attractions, River Tubing, Things to Do in Austin

Explore the Natural World at the Austin Nature & Science Center

July 31, 2012 by greystar

Austin is widely regarded as the intellectual center of Texas, so it should come as no surprise that a world-class natural science museum rests inside its borders. The Austin Nature & Science Center was incorporated in 1960 to bring the natural world to Austin residents, and it has since become a very popular destination for families. One of the biggest attractions is the animal exhibits—it is stocked with over 90 native Texas animals that have either been recovered, injured, or abandoned, and can't be returned to the wild. Each animal has a story that goes along with it, some of which are quite heartbreaking. Other public exhibits include the Dino Dig area, which lets kids get into paleontology as they excavate for prehistoric fossils; and an outdoor raptor enclosure that lets visitors get amazingly close to some spectacular birds of prey. The best part about the Austin Nature & Science Center is that admission is completely free.

Austin Nature & Science Center
301 Nature Center Dr.
Austin, TX 78746
(512) 974-3888

By FunkMonk (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 or GFDL], via Wikimedia Commons

Filed Under: Things To Do Tagged With: Austin Attractions, Austin Nature and Science Center, Museums, Things to Do in Austin

Experience the Best of Music With the Austin Symphony

July 24, 2012 by greystar

With sweet-sounding music filling the air, family-friendly concerts, and school and public programs, the Austin Symphony has something for everyone. As Austin’s most seasoned performing arts group, the Symphony has provided countless seasons of brilliant music from talented musicians—it was founded way back in 1911! Symphony performances take place at The Long Center for Performing Arts, and include the Sarah & Ernest Butler Pops Series, an array of special family and children’s concerts, as well as a season of eight classical concerts from the Symphony. There are also a number of free concerts put on for the community, as well as seasonal performances like the Halloween Children’s Concert and the July 4th Concert and Fireworks.

Not a seasoned symphony go-er? Make sure to check out the Symphony website's special section on Tips for Beginners—find out what to wear, what to expect, and anything else you may need to know. You can also purchase tickets and see what concerts are coming up, here.

The Austin Symphony
1101 Red River
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 476-6064

By Gerardo Lazzari (Jazz Sinfônica e Rodolfo Mederos Uploaded by Vux) [CC-BY-2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Filed Under: Things To Do Tagged With: Austin Attractions, Austin Symphony, Performing Arts, Things to Do in Austin

Barley Swine: Pork, Beer, and More

July 10, 2012 by greystar

No, it’s not a grain-flavored pork dish. Austin's Barley Swine is so named because Chef Bryce Gilmore has imported his lifelong love of pork and beer to his chic Lamar Boulevard restaurant. Barley Swine keeps about 10 craft beers on draft (a few are always local Texan beers) along with dozens of bottled beers and wines for you to sip on while you ponder over Gilmore’s creative, gourmet menu. This isn’t an Austin roadside barbecue spot! Barley Swine’s offerings are all full of depth and care, like the grilled rabbit terraine with bacon-liver mousse and sweet onion, or the grilled wagyu tri-tip with onion puree and roasted pepper. Dishes run from $8-15, with the chefs recommending around three dishes for the average eater.

Barley Swine
2024 S. Lamar Boulevard
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 394-8150

By Jeremy Keith (originally posted to Flickr as Murphy's) [CC-BY-2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Filed Under: Dining Tagged With: Austin Dining, Barley Swine, Gastropubs, Restaurants in Austin

Pinballz Arcade: Full Tilt

July 3, 2012 by greystar

Everything may be bigger in Texas, so imagine the size of the venue that avows to have the biggest stock of Pinball machines in the entire state! That’s the claim made by Pinballz Arcade of its 13,000 square-foot pinball and video game arcade and its 150-large stock of plugged-in pinball machines that span from a 1972 Lost World machine to a machine released in just 2011 for the TRON remake. And while pinball machines may be the eponymous hallmark of Pinballz Arcade, the place is replete with traditional and contemporary arcade games, like Mortal Kombat 3, Tekken 5, and Dance Dance Revolution. Pinballz Arcade is an obvious choice for birthday parties and it offers packages geared towards the young group looking to get lost in a cyclone of lights and sounds.

Pinballz Arcade
8940 Research Boulevard
Suite 100
Austin, TX 78758
(512) 420-8548

By AeronPrometheus (Own work) [GFDL or CC-BY-SA-3.0-2.5-2.0-1.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Filed Under: Things To Do Tagged With: Arcades, Austin Attractions, Pinballz Arcade, Things to Do in Austin

What Are Your Favorite Movies Set In Texas?

June 26, 2012 by greystar

Texas has wide open spaces, a laid back attitude. and a unique culture. It has always drawn storytellers in all mediums to the state. Here are just a few of the films that have been set and filmed in the Lone Star State:

Rio Bravo
As gimmicky as the starring lineup of John Wayne, Dean Martin, and Ricky Nelson might seem, Rio Bravo is a classic Western with heart, humor and, of course, some killer musical interludes.

The Last Picture Show
This stark and beautiful film is based on the semi-autobiographical novel of the same name by Larry McMurtry. The film follows the coming of age of a young ensemble cast in a 1950s Texas town.

Blood Simple
The Coen brothers’ neo-noir about a Texas bartender sending a PI after his wife has so many twists and turns you won’t be sure what the truth is by the end. The Coens always seem to return to this genre, and their stellar first outing may explain why.

Smokey and the Bandit
Nothing personifies the Texas spirit like the lure of the open road. In Smokey and the Bandit, Jackie Gleason is in hot pursuit! This romp is a heck of a lot of fun as Burt Reynolds leads Smokey through what seems like most of the state.

Paris, Texas
Considered one of Wim Wenders’s masterpieces, this slow and meditative film captures the state of mind of a man who wanders out of the Texas desert not sure where or how he has spent the last 5 years. It's a film that rewards patient viewing.

By ErriTollsten (Own work) [GFDL or CC-BY-SA-3.0-2.5-2.0-1.0], via Wikimedia Commons This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic License.

Filed Under: Lifestyle Tagged With: Blood Simple, Movies Set in Texas, Paris, Rio Bravo, Smokey and the Bandit, Texas, The Last Picture Show

Threadgill’s: Delicious Meals Set to Music

June 19, 2012 by greystar

If you want to experience Austin new and old, head over to Threadgill’s at one of its two locations. Open 365 days a year at both locations, the legendary restaurant offers a Southern comfort, home cooked meals, and live music. Famous for being the place where Janis Joplin developed her sound, Threadgill’s has been home to many musicians on the road throughout the years. Check out one of many live shows and you may be witnessing music history in the making. The North Austin location, the original Threadgill’s, has bragging rights as owning the first beer license in the county.

The South Austin location, “Threadgill’s World Headquarters,” hosts a family friendly beer garden and a Sunday Gospel Brunch. Both locations have brunch on Sundays from 10 am – 1 pm and a “Howdy Hour,” Monday through Friday, from 3 p.m. – 6 p.m. The North location also offers an additional happy hour Monday through Friday from 9 – 11 p.m. Can’t get enough of Threadgill’s? The restaurant has an online store for all different kinds of restaurant merchandise including t-shirts and a cookbook.

Threadgill’s

North Austin:
6416 North Lamar
Austin, TX 78752
(512) 451-5440

South Austin:
301 West Riverside Drive
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 472-9304

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

Filed Under: Lifestyle Tagged With: Austin Dining, Restaurants in Austin, Southern Food, Threadgill's

Mulberry: Outstanding Wines and Delicious Eats, Any Time of Day

June 12, 2012 by greystar

Just because you are in Texas, doesn’t mean you always have a Texas-sized appetite. For days like that, visit Mulberry, a downtown wine bar and restaurant that is cozy yet hip, with influences from both Austin and New York. Many of the menu items are snack-sized, including a variety of cheeses and meats, pressed sandwiches, and salads. Placed beautifully on each plate, the dishes are artful and packed with taste. For noshers with a larger appetite, there are also full plates like Truffle Porcini and Cremini Risotto, Meatballs, and a Salmon Filet served with Orange Pecan Couscous. A wine bar indeed, Mulberry is stocked with over 150 wines from the top producing wine regions around the world and a wide selection of draught beers, including seasonal favorites. Dinner is served daily from 5 – 11 p.m.; however, the bar is open until 1 a.m. Sunday – Wednesday, and 2 a.m. Thursday – Saturday. Mulberry also serves a filling brunch on weekends and a happy hour with special snacks and drinks from 5 – 7 p.m. on weekdays.

Mulberry
360 Nueces Street
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 320-0297

By André Karwath aka Aka (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-2.5 (www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5)], via Wikimedia Commons

Filed Under: Lifestyle Tagged With: Austin Dining, Mulberry, Restaurants in Austin, Wine Bars

Museum of Natural and Artificial Ephemerata: Helping Keep Austin Weird

June 5, 2012 by greystar

Austinians fighting to “Keep Austin Weird” have legions of outposts throughout the city. The Museum of Natural and Artificial Ephemerata is one of the quirkiest! Located in the house occupied by a husband-wife team, the Museum of Ephemerata is dedicated to the oddness of the human desire to collect things, as demonstrated in their “impermanent collection.” The collection has five categories: urban phantasmagoria, the celebrity collection, the snowglobe collection, and what the owners have dubbed “an entire wig collection dedicated to sleep.” The museum also hosts events. But in the spirit of the venue, they’re quite atypical: less along the lines of barbecues and blues bands than of seances, komboucha workshops, and special exhibits of narwhal teeth. All planned events are posted onto the museum’s website, so check there to see what's happening.

Museum of Natural and Artificial Ephemerata
1808 Singleton Avenue
Austin, TX 78702
(512) 320-0566

By kallu from Helsinki (Calm before the storm) [CC-BY-SA-2.0], via Wikimedia Commons