Discover the Best Things to Do in Austin, Food & Drink deals and more!
Back when I did my first “6 Singles” article, COVID-19 was still a newbie we all hoped would be gone in a week or four. Nearly six month later, it’s time for another batch of wonderful music to be thrust into the spotlight. Sequestration may have crippled the live music scene, but Austin artists continue to churn out quality art at an inspiring rate. Check out these seven new singles and fall in love.
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Whenever people talk about summer in Austin, water activities are always recommended. Dipping in Barton Springs, a trip to Hamilton Pool, floating the river. All fantastic ways to beat three straight months of 100-degree heat.
But what if you don’t even want to be outside? Regardless of your water activity of choice, the blazing sun can turn the coolest of pools into bath water, and fry skin to a crisp. And forget it if you have little ones. Spending any amount of time in broiling temperatures can be downright dangerous. What’s a parent to do?
Cedar Park’s micro indoor water park may be the perfect solution. Allow me to introduce you to Splash Shack, a family-focused waterscape and play area, designed with big and little kids in mind. All without reliance on greasy sunscreen or suffering through triple-digit temps.
And, more good news: Splash Shack is open year-round. So when the heat has passed and it’s actually a bit cool to swim outside, you can find swimming fun right here, every month of the year.
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The pulse of Austin may have slowed, but its spirit lives on in the resilience of its people. Ways to engage in culture have moved primarily to Internet spaces, from art-viewing to live-streaming music. While we are more connected online than ever before, occasional breaks from the screen to exercise are helpful for maintaining mental and physical health. (I know some exercise classes are held online and–in this case–I’ll count that as a break from screen time.)
Everyone is encouraged to stay home during Austin’s current mandate, and there are many exercises you can do indoors. However, our order does not prohibit outdoor exercise, and fresh air during a time of stress can do a body good.
Here are a few simple ways you can get moving through outdoor exercise, and places you can go to do it.
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Anyone who has a furbaby will agree that our pets are among the most wonderful treasures in the world (even if they cause mischief every now and then). But getting them to the vet can be stressful for everyone involved–furry family member and owner. Luckily, there are multiple businesses in the Austin area that offer mobile veterinary services! If you’re looking for a less stressful way to fit in annual or routine appointments, read on to learn about five local mobile veterinarians who provide gentle house calls for you and your pets.
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Though we see bat imagery all over Austin, many Austinites have yet to experience one of the most incredible sights that takes place along one of our busiest streets every year from March to November.
Underneath the Ann W. Richards Congress Avenue Bridge lives the largest urban bat colony in North America. When they emerge in the evening during “bat season,” it’s like a cloud flying toward the east.
There are several locations where you can see the group of bats. The Austin-American Statesman park on the southeast side of the South Congress Bridge is free and open to the public. There is also standing room along the sidewalk of the bridge itself. Another way to see the bats and the city is to take a boat ride on Lady Bird Lake.
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Nobody can deny Austin is a place where creativity and entrepreneurism thrive–often hand in hand. So it’s no surprise that there are a number of local jewelry designers who are rocking it, creating collections that will take your breath away.
From Nina Berenato to Vinca to Kendra Scott, there’s something to fit every style. Next time you’re searching for just the right piece for yourself or a loved one, shop local by checking out these Austin jewelry designers and their work.
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One of my favorite things about Austin is you get the perks of living in a city, alongside access to so many natural spaces–so close by that some are within city limits. Not all city dwellers are so fortunate!
As our city grows, many more people are getting to enjoy the benefits of this dynamic. Larger populations enjoying Austin’s city parks, however, means more crowds and scarcer parking. I’m a big advocate of getting outdoors, so by no means do I think this should stop anyone from spending time at your local park. But for those who are interested in getting farther outside city limits, there’s a wealth of relatively untapped natural space waiting to be discovered.
This list focuses on a few parks in Marble Falls and the surrounding area, roughly an hour away from Austin in Texas Hill Country.
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Every time I step out of my house to grab supplies, it’s still jarring to see everyone in face masks. As the world starts to reopen, it is clear that these protective accessories won’t be going away anytime soon.
Like everyone, our local fashion and art community has been hit hard by the ongoing COVID-19 situation. But they’re still working as hard as ever as they pivot to create face masks to protect Austinites. As you look for your own masks to purchase, consider supporting some of these local businesses.
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Looking for a way to spice up your quarantine routine and support small Austin businesses during the pandemic? Lift Austin businesses up in their time of need with virtual experiences.
Editor’s note: This article previously featured the BeenThere Locals online platform; however, BeenThere is no longer hosting online classes/tastings. But, there are still a lot of great online experiences being offered by Austin businesses, as listed below.
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Less than an hour southwest of Austin lies the ultimate day trip destination: “a little bit of heaven” (Credit: Eli Cohen)
The quaint town of Wimberley, Texas has always been a magical place, full of artisan shops and spring-fed waters. I’ve been surprised by how much it has grown over time, as new restaurants, shops, and distilleries pop up. Somehow, the small-town vibe has been preserved.
In my opinion, Wimberley is one of the best tourist destinations in Central Texas. So why not get up early one Saturday or Sunday morning, assemble your crew, and hop in the car for a Texas day trip? If you’re not sure exactly where to start, here are my favorite must-experience places in Wimberley.