Discover Austin Texas! An Austin blog with hundreds of unique articles.
Beignets and coffee at épicerie (Credit: épicerie Cafe and Grocery)
Guest article by Archana Vemulapalli
For those of you with a sweet tooth here in Austin, you already know there are plenty of places for fresh bites to satisfy those cravings. But what you may not know is that Austin’s local businesses offer international desserts for the times when you want to indulge in something different. Get ready to travel around the world without having to leave Austin city limits.
Credit: Your Biker Gang
Guest article by Caitlin Jackson
They’re not motorcycles. They’re not Segways. They’re electric minibikes. And you can ride one, too.
Austin has a novel way to explore the city. For two hours, you can be a part of your very own biker gang. Your Biker Gang, a guided tour company using electric minibikes, turns up the street style as its team takes you and your friends around town. [Read more…]
Wildwood Bakehouse
Guest article by Sarah Snyder
Coming from someone who has been gluten-free for 16 years due to a celiac disease diagnosis, Wildwood Bakehouse is heaven-sent. In business for over 15 years, everything at Wildwood Bakehouse is 100 percent gluten-free. They have vegan and carb-free options available, as well. The restaurant and bakery also maintains an association with the Celiac Disease Foundation.
Snow’s holy trinity: brisket, jalapeño sausage, and pork steak
Guest article by Cristopher Rubio
I had been craving Snow’s BBQ for a couple months, the eatery ranked number one among Texas Monthly’s “Top 50 Barbecue Joints in Texas.” So a few Saturdays ago, I convinced my in-laws, Mayra and Jorge, to join me for a visit. The following is a running diary of an excellent day spent with excellent people, eating some of the best barbecue in the state. [Read more…]
Credit: Brandon Navarro
Guest article by Brandon Navarro
If there is one thing that immediately comes to mind when I think about the city of Austin, it’s the music. On any given night, you can go into coffee shops, hole in the wall bars, and restaurants, and there will be live music of every kind playing. Everything from live shows to music videos are celebrated here. Not only that, but Austin is home to music festivals that range from well-known to new: SXSW, ACL Fest, Levitation, Reggae Fest, and Austin Food + Wine Festival are just a few of the many that come to mind.
Many don’t realize it, but there’s a new kind of festival in the Austin area. In its short lifespan of four years, Float Fest has grown into something people have been and will keep talking about. When a river can cool you off and spit you out right where the good music starts, that’s where most of us want to be. [Read more…]
Credit: Chris Lawton via Unsplash
Guest article by Archana Vemulapalli
Austin is a book lover’s paradise. With numerous independent book stores, a world-renowned poetry festival, book readings, and one of the nation’s premier annual literary events, the annual Texas Book Festival, there’s something for everyone. It’s no surprise, then, that there’s an abundance of Austin book clubs for the bibliophiles among us.
Book clubs have a long history in the United States, with groups like Benjamin Franklin’s literary society in Philadelphia, called the Junto, and Hannah Adam’s reading circle in the late 1760’s. More than two centuries later, book clubs have expanded beyond the genteel in society. They span every genre and style, with the central theme always being a shared love of the written word.
While I’m still compiling an exhaustive list of Austin book clubs, I did have time to check out a few of the book clubs hosted by or at Austin’s independent books stores. Here are 10 interesting, fun book clubs, organized by genre. Choose one that suits you and find a group of kindred spirits. [Read more…]
Austin Doga founder, Nicole Vykoukal (center), poses with her dog, Bonnie, and members of her class
Guest article by Sarah Snyder
For lovers of yoga who are invested in the tradition of keeping Austin weird, Austin Doga invites you and your dog to experience yoga together.
Appropriate for small, medium, and large dogs of all breeds, walking into an Austin Doga session is like walking into a room full of puppy love. Dogs are excited and people chat until founder Nicole Vykoukal begins [Read more…]
The Austin Winery at The Yard development in South Austin (Credit: Susannah Haddad)
Guest article by Susannah Haddad
Upon arriving at The Austin Winery, it’s clear that The Yard development in South Austin is going to be big. Currently home to businesses like St. Elmo Brewery, Vuka, Spokesman Coffee, and soon Still Austin Whiskey Co., the city’s first whiskey distillery, The Yard supports local while offering plenty to do.
Co-founders Ross McLauchlan and Cooper Anderson have been making wine since long before The Austin Winery had feet. With their balanced skill set and a gap in the Austin market, they enlisted the help of Matthew Smith, third co-founder and Chief of Operations, then opened their doors.
Walking in, you know these guys don’t mess around with innovation and efficiency. The open warehouse space not only houses a tasting room, [Read more…]
Chris Sawey currently has three Austin glamping accommodations available through AirBnB
Guest article by Rebecca West
Camping is a lot of work. An escape to the great outdoors may seem like a breath of fresh air, but many are put off by the lack of facilities and the effort associated with camping, and return home disappointed and devoid of motivation to ever go back.
“Glamping” is the modern equivalent of traditional tent camping, combining yesterday’s amenities with today’s technology. With special accommodations, glamorous camping has opened up the outdoor experience to those who were dissatisfied before now. [Read more…]
Vannagram & Co. mobile photo booth in Austin (Credit: Sophie Epton Photography)
Guest article by Rebecca West
Nobody attends an event with hopes of not having fun. And today, no party is complete without a prop-filled photo booth. Not only do photo booths keep guests busy, but they’re also a great way to capture memories and create meaningful party favors.
Jared and Emily Shrode, founders of Vannagram & Co., a mobile photo booth company based here in Austin, have mastered the art of guest participation. With an impressive client list that includes South Congress Hotel, The Knot, Austin Way, and other notable national and local show stoppers, it’s clear Vannagram’s street cred runs high. [Read more…]