Fuse Glass or Paint a Masterpiece at Ceramic Lodge

Whether you just have an afternoon to spare or you're interested in a unique night out with friends, Ceramic Lodge in Round Rock can oblige. This painting studio welcomes folks to walk in and start painting or attend one of the structured classes to learn a little bit more about crafting with their fellow pupils.

You don't need to make reservations ahead of time to handpaint one of the bisque pieces at Ceramic Lodge. They line the shelves, everything from mugs to picture frames, and they start at just $12 each. Pick one, decide on a color scheme, and get to painting. Once your masterpiece is completed, leave it behind to be fired and swing by a week later for the finished product. You can also attend a fused glass class (held twice a month) to learn the ins and outs of the process. Classes are only $18 a head, and that's including everything you need to make your own work of art. If you've already attended a class, you can stop by any time to create a colorful plate or coaster with your own two hands.

Ceramic Lodge
18 Chisholm Trail Road
Round Rock, TX 78681
(512) 248-2100
www.ceramiclodge.com
www.yelp.com/biz/ceramic-lodge-round-rock

Local Talent Takes the Stage at The Long Center

There are very few places in Austin that offer the variety of entertainment options provided by The Long Center, a non-profit that serves as a creative resource for the community. More than 80 percent of performances hosted here showcase the talent of local artists. Whether you’re interested in seeing ballet or the symphony, a local singer or flamenco guitarist, children’s theater or Shakespeare, The Long Center truly offers it all and then some (including one of the best views of the city skyline!).

Comprising multiple performance spaces, the building has been renovated over the years to keep with the times. The most impressive space within The Long Center is the grand hall, which seats more 2,400 people over three levels and features flawless acoustics. Most patrons seem to agree that there really isn’t a bad seat in the house.

Be sure to visit the website for a calendar of upcoming performances!

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

Finley’s Barber Shop: Get a Classic Cut at This Old School Shop

In a world where consumers are always looking for the fastest, most convenient options, the intricacy of a straight razor shave and a shoeshine goes a long way. Finley’s Barber Shop is an old-fashioned barber shop that's centered around this type of detail-oriented service, and the men who walk out of its wooden doors reflect the impressive difference a classic haircut makes.

The shop itself is located in the Warehouse District of downtown Austin, and inside of its large, glass-paneled storefront lies a exceptionally stylish barber shop with all of the classic trimmings. Vintage photo frames line the walls, antique pedestal sinks sit at the center of each station, and the industrial style of the exposed pipes adds even more character. Each customer is offered a cold beverage at the beginning of a visit, and then you can simply relax as one of the skilled barbers shaves, snips, and shines away.

Finley's Barber Shop is open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays, and noon to 6 p.m. Sundays. Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are recommended.

Finley’s Barber Shop
237 W. Third Street
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 298-2920
www.finleysformen.com
www.yelp.com/biz/finleys-barber-shop-austin-2

Flix Brewhouse: Beer, Burgers and First-Run Flicks

Flix Brewhouse isn't really like any other theater-restaurant hybrid. Each of its locations (there are three throughout Texas) boasts its very own microbrewery in-house. So beers come fresh from the brew room, and you're welcome to sample any of them before deciding on just one. There are nine house-brewed beers available, plus 38 more on tap.

Order one as soon as you sit down in one of the stadium "dining rooms." A server will stroll up to grab your drink request, then step back and let you look over the menu. Pizzas, salads, burgers, and even tacos are offered, not to mention decadent desserts such as bourbon pecan pie and warm peach galettes. Dig into your food and sip your brews while you watch the first-run movie splashed across the screen. Flix Brewhouse enlists the most contemporary technology to ensure crystal clear picture and sound at every screening.

Flix Brewhouse
Hesters Crossing
2200 S. Interstate 35
Round Rock, TX 78681
(512) 244-3549
www.flixbrewhouse.com/round-rock
www.yelp.com/biz/flix-brewhouse-round-rock

It’s Always Tee Time at Teravista Golf Club in Round Rock

Teravista Golf Club is one of those unique facilities that has managed to combine a state-of-the-art golf course with breathtaking scenery. In fact, it's not unusual to find golfers pausing from their game for a few minutes to admire the 50-mile vistas that are visible from the hills of this 7,200-yard course. Course amenities include a well-stocked pro shop with everything you need to improve your game, as well as impressive practice facilities, including greenside and fairway bunkers, a chipping green, and the largest practice green in all of Austin.

Individual and group lessons are available for beginners who want to learn the fundamentals of the game, as well as for seasoned players who are looking to perfect their technique. And don't forget the on-site restaurant, which is a convenient place to relax after your game with a burger and a brew.

Tee times start at 7 a.m. and are easy to book online.

Teravista Golf Club
4333 Terra Vista Club Drive
Round Rock, TX 78664
(512) 651-9850
www.teravistagolf.com
www.yelp.com/biz/teravista-golf-club-round-rock

Monkey See Monkey Do!: Off-the-Wall Gifts That Can’t be Imitated

Whether you love kitschy, quirky trinkets or you know someone else who does, Monkey See Monkey Do! is one of Austin’s most popular gift shops. This wacky store is like a toy store for adults, and it is positively packed full of all of the magnets, action figures, whoopee cushions, and novelty candies that you can imagine. There’s also a number of Austin-themed gifts!

None of these items are particularly useful, but once you spend a while in this silly shop you'll realize that that’s what makes them great. And of course, Monkey See Monkey Do! even carries a vast assortment of—you guessed it—monkey paraphernalia!

Monkey See Monkey Do! is open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.

Monkey See Monkey Do!
1712 S. Congress Avenue
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 443-4999
www.facebook.com/MonkeySeeMonkeyDoAustin
www.yelp.com/biz/monkey-see-monkey-do-austin

Grand Nail Spa: Buff, Polish and Pamper

Not all nail salons are created equal, and regulars insist that Pflugerville’s Grand Nail Spa is one of the best in the Austin area. This stylish nail salon features a friendly staff of technicians who are skilled in all of the latest nail trends, and the salon itself is stylish and comfortable. Teal colored walls and modern furnishings create a relaxing environment, and the spacious waiting area is filled with magazines for customers to page through while waiting to get their nails done. Grand Nail Spa even offers complimentary drinks and a candy bar for guests to munch on, and the high-tech massage chairs are completely customizable.

Once it comes time for the manicure or pedicure, Grand Nail Spa buffs away dead skin, then moisturizes and polishes fingers and toes to your specifications. The salon even offers a much larger assortment of shellac polish colors than most salons for those who want to splurge a bit more on their manicure.

Grand Nail Spa is open 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays.

Grand Nail Spa
1700 Grand Ave Parkway
Pflugerville, TX 78660
(512) 990-7300
www.grand-nailspa.com
www.yelp.com/biz/grand-nail-spa-pflugerville

Find the Perfect Gift for the Women in Your Life at Atown

Whether you’re looking for the perfect gift for your mother, a friend or your significant other, you’ll find it at Atwon. This women’s clothing boutique and gift shop sells something for just about everyone, and they often have sales that benefit local charities and community organizations.

Browse the handmade cards and candles if you’re on the hunt for a small yet thoughtful gift, or peruse the nail bar, which is well stocked with polishes from top brands. There is always a great selection of artisan jewelry and accessories from makers around the Austin area, and it all pairs perfectly with the cozy flannel shirts, boho-style dresses, and graphic print T-shirts that you’ll often find in Atown’s clothing section.

Grab some complimentary cookies, agua fresca, or a glass of wine while you wander around this popular local boutique, and don’t forget to pop in to the other shops in the Allandale area!

Atown
5502 Burnet Road
Austin, TX 78756
(512) 323-2533
www.shopatown.tumblr.com

Beware Coffee: A Startlingly Good Cup of Joe

There’s nothing to be afraid of at Austin’s Beware Coffee, a quaint, tiny coffee truck near the University of Texas campus. With only a small green truck and a nearby tent instead of the usual brick and mortar storefront, this is a unique alternative to the city’s numerous other coffee shops. Despite its small size, Beware Coffee churns out expertly brewed coffees, frothy cappuccinos, and ice cream-topped affogatos. For those who like a sweeter beverage, lattes (like the beloved Fantasy Sweet) get a touch of rich, creamy sweetness from the addition of coconut oil and real honey.

The owners are also the baristas at this independent operation, and they really know their stuff when it comes to crafting the perfect cup of joe. If you’re a coffee lover who cares more about the quality of the drinks than the bells and whistles in the shop itself, Beware Coffee is a must-try.

Beware Coffee
2908 Fruth St
Austin, TX 78705
(512) 571-3392
www.bewarecoffee.com

Explore Hiking Trails and Watering Holes at St Edwards Park

For active residents of The Marquis at Canyon Ridge, St Edwards Park might be one of the best spots in the area for hiking, swimming, and simply exploring all that Mother Nature has to offer. This scenic park is home to a number of different trails that wind their way through the lush green forests, and if you’re new to hiking, they’re even well marked with clear signs so that you can be sure you won’t get lost. The stream is always nearby in St Edwards Park, and it provides a great place to do some wading or casual swimming on a hot summer day. There are also shady picnic areas that make great spots to settle in for a meal outdoors.

With ample parking and a family-friendly atmosphere, there are few better places to spend an afternoon than St Edwards Park.

St Edwards Park
7301 Spicewood Springs Road
Austin, TX 78798
(512) 974-6700
www.yelp.com/biz/st-edwards-park-austin

Pin It on Pinterest