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Growing up, I went through a phase when I was eating up all the information I could about magic tricks and illusions. While I become a world-famous illusionist (which is what I wanted to be), I still take delight in anything that promises to add a bit of magic, literally, into my life.
Luckily, there are several locations locally that provide thrilling experiences in the art of illusion. You don’t even need to say “abracadabra!” to take a look at the magical side of Austin. [Read more…]
Temperatures may be mild outside, but holiday music is starting to play on local radio stations. And in just a few short days, Austin’s very own Trail of Lights will open for another glorious season. So, while it may not feel like it, it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in ATX.
Unfortunately, along with this most wonderful time of the year comes added stress. Instead of letting crowded shopping malls and heavier traffic get you down, head outside for some holiday cheer.
Scattered across the great state of Texas are more than 90 state parks, 19 of which are relatively close to Austin. To help you steer clear of the crowds and spend more time with loved ones, we’ve rounded up six state parks near Austin that are featuring holiday festivities in 2017. [Read more…]
Trail of Lights is an Austin tradition, marking 52 years this Christmas season (Credit: Trail of Lights)
➡️ Get our 2018 guide to Trail of Lights in Austin
The first time I visited Trail of Lights, I was mesmerized by the beauty of it all, especially the tunnel at the entrance. I spun around inside the Zilker Tree until I was dizzy, and fell even more in love with the Austin skyline. This holiday magic is something I want to experience every year.
Visiting Trail of Lights is a yearly tradition for most Austin residents. If you’ve never been before, watch the short video below for more information on this year’s event, which will run from Dec. 9 to Dec. 23. And keep reading for this year’s pro tips!
Juicy brisket from Micklethwait Craft Meats at Texas Monthly BBQ Fest 2017
Getting out of my Uber in front of the Long Center last Sunday and seeing the crowds gathering to eat some of the best barbecue in Texas gave me a slight feeling of overwhelm. The 8th annual Texas Monthly BBQ Fest was the biggest one yet, with over 4,000 meat lovers in attendance.
Thirty BBQ joints from around the state–all featured in Texas Monthly’s latest list of the top 50 BBQ joints in Texas–were offering samples of their meat. The prospect of having all-you-can-eat brisket, ribs, and sausage from the best pitmasters was both exciting and intimidating. Especially when I realized I only had four hours to try them all! [Read more…]
Alcomar takes us beyond tacos and margaritas with dinner series, Flavors of Mexico (Credit: Alcomar Facebook)
Tacos, tamales, moles, and tequila— that’s just the beginning of what’s on the menu at Alcomar’s three-part dinner series, Flavors of Mexico. Chefs Jeff Martinez andAlma Alcocer’s elaborate dinners feature five courses made with local ingredients. Each course is paired with handcrafted cocktails and spirits, to complement the fare and transport you deep into the regions of Mexico.
I spent an enchanting evening at Alcomar on Halloween for the second part of the series, Mezcales & Moles. Here are the highlights to whet your appetite for the final installment on Dec. 5, 2017. [Read more…]
Enjoy a wine-oriented night at The Driskill Hotel (Credit: Charles Quinn Photography)
Cheers! Austin’s most anticipated and absolutely fabulous wine event, Big Reds & Bubbles, is right around the corner. This annual celebration of red and sparkling wine, put on by Wine and Food Foundation of Texas, goes down on Nov. 17, 2017, at The Driskill Hotel. Local chefs will be making food on site; live music will set the rhythm for the evening; and the wine will be flowing like a river.
Cherry tomatoes, eggplant, and peppers from Gray Gardens add vibrancy to Mueller Farmers’ Market
(Credit: @dollarsaenz)
Texas Farmers’ Market at Mueller, known by locals as Mueller Farmers’ Market, is a slice of farm-fresh heaven in east Austin. The setting alone is dreamy, as the market sits in and around Austin’s first airplane hangar in a charming waterfront park. Though harvest season is upon us now, the market overflows with freshly-reaped goodness year-round. [Read more…]
Embrace it or avoid it, the 2017 edition of Austin City Limits Music Festival was a resounding success. Good weather and great music made for a quality experience all-around, especially if you kept an eye on our local bands. To celebrate two weekends of quality showings from Austin artists, here’s our annual ACL Music Fest Superlative Awards. [Read more…]
Raise a glass for Austin City Limits Music Festival 2017 (Credit: Flipintex Fotos)
They say a picture’s worth a thousand words. In the case of the Austin City Limits Music Festival, it’s more like a novel. The size, scope, scale, and energy of ACL Music Fest 2017 can’t be captured in words alone. You need to see it to believe it. [Read more…]
Inside The Peached Tortilla on Burnet
Burnet Road Eats is a dinner series that highlights local dining spots on Burnet Road. On the first Wednesday of the month, each participating restaurant offers a food and drink combination for $10. Burnet Road has been catching up with SoCo and Lamar. The north Austin neighborhood is giving its southern counterparts a run for their money when it comes to dining and entertainment.
Daniela Marcone, owner of Andiamo, is the creator of the Burnet Road Eats series. With 13 years of operating Andiamo in north Austin, the evolution of the dining culture is apparent to Marcone. By creating the event series, she hopes to shine a light on quality local restaurants like The Peached Tortilla and Bufalina Due, as well as Andiamo.
Back in Europe, Marcone would go on tapas tasting adventures with friends. By keeping portions small, she hopes Burnet Road Eats participants can do the same. The pairings offered by participating restaurants are true to each location’s style and cuisine.
[Read more…]