You are here: Home / Archives for Things to Do in Austin

Salvage Vanguard Theater: An Independent Theater Arts Group

August 6, 2013 by

With a credo like “Keep Austin Weird,” it’s not surprising that the city boasts a large number of independent arts and theater organizations. One of the most well-established is the Salvage Vanguard Theater, which has presented exceptional plays and other performances for years. The company stages a wide variety of materials, from drama to comedy and even puppetry. Tickets are sold on a sliding scale as well, making it affordable for the community. The performance space is small but comfortable, with good sightlines and decent seating. The theater also hosts a wide variety of educational programs and other creative venues for actors, directors and more. The Merlin Works Institute for Improvisation is one Austin’s best resources for developing your improve skills, both for actors and non-actors. The theater also runs a series of summer day camps for kids, yoga seminars and more. It’s a fantastic resource for the whole community.

Salvage Vanguard Theater
2803 Manor Road
Austin, TX 78722
http://www.yelp.com/biz/salvage-vanguard-theater-austin

Filed Under: Things To Do Tagged With: , , ,

Two Day Trips From Austin, Texas

July 30, 2013 by

Austin is full of enough culture to keep you quite busy, but if you're interested in venturing outside of the city, there are a few places worth visiting just a short distance away. Take a break from the hustle and bustle with one of these great day trips. Have a little fun, and explore all that Texas has to offer. 

Splish-and-Splash
Cool off with a visit to Schlitterbahn Water Park. Kids and adults can enjoy the numerous rides like water slides and raft rides. There is even a pool with a swim up bar for grown-ups. From April to September take a fun filled day trip to this amusement park located in New Braunfels.

Enjoy Great BBQ
Treat your stomach to something delicious, and visit the barbeque capital of Texas in nearby Lockhart. Stop by each of the four famous BBQ joints for a taste test, and see which is your favorite. Digest your food as you stroll through the nearby park, or play golf on the 9-hole course. Come during wildflower season to enjoy your food with beautiful scenery. 

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , ,

Hot Rod Coffee Trailer: Coffee With Personality in Austin

July 2, 2013 by

Hot Rod Coffee Trailer is just as the name suggests – a spot for a quick cup of joe with personality. Regulars at this Allandale area trailer appreciate the friendly and welcoming service and appreciate that owner Ken gets to know his customers. Don’t let the trailer fool you, a neighborhood coffee house vibe still comes through. All the coffee drinks are made with organic, fair trade, locally roasted beans. For a refreshing treat on a hot day, try the customer favorite, cold brewed toddy. Ken is always creating custom beverages, some of which have earned their spot on the regular menu, like the “Hazelnut Horsepower Mocha” – a white chocolate, Nutella-inspired warmer that's sure to satisfy your sweet tooth. If you’re hungry Hot Rod Coffee Trailer serves gourmet hot dogs, with specials like the “blue cheese” and “mango madness.”

Hot Rod Coffee Trailer
6546 Burnet Road
Austin, TX 78757
(512) 516-3113
www.hotrodcoffeetrailer.com
www.yelp.com/biz/hot-rod-coffee-trailer-austin

Filed Under: Things To Do Tagged With: , ,

Recycled Reads: Find a Great Book

June 27, 2013 by

Buy a book and feel good about your love of paper books! Recycled Reads is run by Austin Public Libraries and encourages reading and environmental stewardship. By selling books, audio, and visual items that are no longer in library circulation, they have saved over 140 tons of books from a landfill. Most books are $1-$2 and there are plenty of selections from all genres, including a wide selection of children’s books. They also have a nice selection of unique and rare books, if you are looking for something special for your collection. You can even donate your old reading material at Recycle Reads. Check the Recycled Reads website and Facebook page for upcoming events like classes and demonstrations.

Recycled Reads
5335 Burnet Road
Austin, TX 78756
(512) 323-5123
www.recycledreads.org
www.yelp.com/biz/recycled-reads-austin

Filed Under: Things To Do Tagged With: , ,

See Austin From A Different Perspective With Texas Bike Tours

June 4, 2013 by

See Austin's sites from a different perspective with Texas Bike Tours. Before you set off, bicycle pros will adjust your rental bike and equipment for maximum comfort. Friendly guides set a relaxed paced for a 12 mile, scenic route that is mostly level to downhill, and valet service will return you to the start at the end of the tour. All tours are appropriate for all ability levels and are a great way to meet new people. Check their website for specific tour details, including length, pricing, and stops – some even include culinary breaks to enjoy Austin's great food!

Texas Bike Tours
4103 Avenue G
Austin, TX 78751
(760) 332-8668
www.texasbiketours.com
www.yelp.com/biz/texas-bike-tours-austin

Filed Under: Things To Do Tagged With: , ,

The Goodnight: Playground of Your Dreams

May 9, 2013 by

When you win the lottery, you'll buy a big house with a lot of toys. Right?

Stop waiting for your numbers to come up, because The Goodnight is your dream come true. This is an absurdly varied playground to suit every Saturday night — there are eight vintage bowling lanes; a cozy 80-person dining and cocktail lounge masterminded by local genius Chef Reggie; four billiards tables; two table tennis courts; shuffleboard; board games; skee ball; live music; movies and Wii face-offs on the deck under the stars … the atmosphere is simultaneously classy and playful, the perfect spot for a date, a birthday, or escaping the bar scene.

Drinks and food aren't cheap — cocktails run about $12, and top-end entrees are $25. Word is that the food's worth it, though. (Crab cakes, pork sliders and ceviche get high marks.)

One piece of advice? Bowl before ordering champagne!

The Goodnight
2700 West Anderson Lane
Austin, TX 78757
(512) 459-5000
http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-goodnight-austin

 

 

Filed Under: Things To Do Tagged With: , , ,

Take A Hike at Austin’s Bright Leaf Preserve

April 23, 2013 by

Bright Leaf Preserve is a 200 acre wildlife respite within Austin city limits. The preserve is open to the public through free guided hikes on the second weekend of each month.  Learn about local ecological and geological history while on a 4 mile walk throughout the park.  The preserve is home to native and rare plants, as well as many species once plentiful to Texas. Note that neither dogs nor strollers are not permitted. The Bright Leaf Preserve might just be one of Austin's loveliest spots for getting out into nature!

Bright Leaf Preserve
4111 Old Bull Creek Road
Austin, TX 78703
http://www.brightleaf.org

Filed Under: Things To Do Tagged With: , ,

Fun and Food Trailers at The NATY

April 17, 2013 by

The North Austin Trailer Yard, or NATY for short, is a destination for flavorful “grease truck” food and a fun atmosphere.  At any given time there are several food trailers here to provide you with tasty fast food from around the world.  If you’re lucky, you can snag a gyro from Big Fat Greek Gyro’s or cool off with Hawaiian shaved ice.  BYOB – bring a cooler for the hot days – and picnic table seating make this place super casual and fun.  The main seating area is covered and there are misters when it gets hot.  Animal sculptures give it a whimsical touch and the playground is great entertainment for kids.  Check their facebook page for live music events, and enjoy an evening of quality fast food and beer in the open air. 

North Austin Trailer Yard
1012 W. Anderson Lane
Austin, TX 78757
(512) 750-5361
www.yelp.com/biz/the-naty-austin

Filed Under: Things To Do Tagged With: , , ,

Dart Bowl: An Old-School Bowling Alley in North Austin

April 2, 2013 by

Have a blast from the past at Dart Bowl, an old-school bowling alley with trow back pricing for a fun evening out that’s easy on the wallet.  Conveniently located in Austin’s Brentwood neighborhood, Dart Bowl has 32 well-maintained lanes that accurately keep score and rarely malfunction. If you work up an appetite bowling, the restaurant is famous for their enchiladas and homemade Texas toast – try them topped with a fried egg.  The bar has a good selection of beer at reasonable prices, and if you’re looking for a Big Lebowski-inspired evening, the full bar offers well-crafted White Russians.

Dart Bowl
5700 Grover Avenue
Austin, TX 78756
(512) 452-2518
www.dartbowl.com
www.yelp.com/biz/dart-bowl-austin

Filed Under: Things To Do Tagged With: , ,

Ballet Austin: On Point

March 5, 2013 by

Austin is a culturally rich city, boasting a fair number of highbrow performance groups. One of the most long-lived and praised is Ballet Austin, which has been putting on impressive performances for over 50 years. Under the direction of Stephen Mills, the company encompasses 20 professional dancers recruited from a nationwide talent search, staging five productions yearly, including an extremely popular presentation of The Nutcracker. The productions are uniformly elegant and sensual, with talented dancers and engrossing choreography. Regulars rave about the avant-garde spin that Mills and company put on staid classics. In addition to their professional performances, Ballet Austin hosts a number of educational programs which draw locals in droves. The classes are held on a drop-in basis at The Butler Center, ranging from traditional ballet and tap to more unique offerings like hip-hop, Pilates and “Broadway Fit.” Prices are reasonable and the instructors are top notch. It’s a great resource for anybody interested in dance.

Ballet Austin
501 W. 3rd Street
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 476-9151
http://www.yelp.com/biz/ballet-austin-austin

Filed Under: Things To Do Tagged With: , , ,
« Previous Page
Next Page »

Pin It on Pinterest