The Austinot

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No Bad Days: Insider’s Guide to Lake Travis

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Lake Travis GuideWhen Austin’s summer temps surpass a punishing 100 degrees, it’s time to cool off in a swimming hole. Lake Travis, roughly 30 minutes from central Austin, has been a watery, refreshing respite from Austin’s heat, traffic, and citified stress since 1942. This is your detailed guide to spending a flawless day in and around Lake Travis.

Lake Travis, one of a series of manmade lakes around Texas, is a branch of the Colorado River. The Lower Colorado River Authority created Lake Travis when it built Mansfield Dam (part of the Highland Lakes project to create lakes throughout central Texas).

The lake measures approximately 63.5 miles, snaking up and around west Travis County nearly to Marble Falls. It’s our largest body of water in the area and has spawned a lifestyle centered around boating, water sports, yacht rock, and easy living.

I spent a few days out at Lake Travis in order to share these adventures with The Austinot’s readers. These tips are a good start to getting to know the area and its activities. Enjoy! [Read more…]

The Thicket Food Truck Park Feeds Your Face and Builds Community

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Welcome to the Thicket in south Austin (Credit: @dollarsaenz)

Welcome to The Thicket in south Austin (Credit: @dollarsaenz)

Adam Diaz opened the Thicket in 2015 with a community of passionate food truck owners. He added a stage, some adorable art monsters, strings of white lights, and misters. Neighborhood events, such as live music, puppet shows, gospel brunches, and a community garden came next. This space has evolved into a truly fun, inviting, family-friendly hot spot. [Read more…]

15 Ways to Savor a San Marcos Day Trip

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Texas State Tubes San Marcos River

No San Marcos day trip would be complete without a float on the river

No one likes leaving the beautiful playground that is Austin, but a change of pace and scenery can rejuvenate the soul. San Marcos, an easy jaunt south, tempts with adventures in and on the San Marcos River, charming craft breweries, tried and true eateries, and little to no traffic.

Here’s what I discovered during my San Marcos getaway.

[Read more…]

Shine Bright in LED Firefly Cloak by Austin Bright Light Design

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Firefly Cloaks by Austin Bright Light Design

Firefly Cloaks by Austin Bright Light Design (Credit: George Trent Grogan/Mountain Trout Photography)

“What can we do to make you smile today?” Austin Bright Light Design founders, Gerry Gilligan and Jason Balcauski, asked themselves. The answer? Firefly Cloaks. These brightly lit garments bring smiles to faces, curiosity followed by intrigue, chased with a shot of glee. Austin loves its dance floors, festivals, and moments of abandonment. So what makes this local company so special?

[Read more…]

Sam’s Town Point Honky Tonk Bar Makes Friends out of Strangers

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Sam's Town Point Honky Tonk Bar in Austin

Neighborhood dive bar Sam’s Town Point keeps south Austin tradition alive (Credit: Ramsay Midwood)

Dive bars used to be a dime a dozen in Austin, but these friendly hangouts are an endangered species due to the city’s ever-changing landscape. Sam’s Town Point, far south Austin‘s dive bar paragon, is quietly hanging in there, delivering up the coldest beer in town and tasty live music for those in the know.

Walk into Sam’s Town Point, a portal to Austin’s past, when everybody knew their neighbors, when half of the town hung out day-drinking and two-stepping at their local honky tonk. Live music has been a staple at Sam’s since the beginning. Today, a solid roster of local bands still play their hearts out on the tumbledown stage, under dim lighting and faded signs. [Read more…]

Prepare to Be Stunned by Austin Artist Ysabel LeMay

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Ysabel LeMay Austin Artist

Ysabel LeMay’s hypercollage art highlights the intricacies and beauty of natural settings (Credit: Danny Allegretti)

Austin-based artist Ysabel LeMay holds a singular space in the world of fine art photography, with her mystical photo creations. LeMay’s pieces invite, even compel, viewers to come closer, to step into a world where light, mist, fog, water, and life play together.

[Read more…]

The Flying Carpet Food Truck Magically Transports Austinites to Morocco

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The Flying Carpet Moroccan Food in Austin

Maria and Abdu welcome diners to The Flying Carpet

“Love Wins.” The sign on the side of The Flying Carpet, a family-run Moroccan food truck, says it all. The Flying Carpet brings the rich cuisine of Morocco to south Austin with nothing but love.

Owners Abderrahim “Abdu” and Maria Souktori personally welcome diners as though they were guests entering their own home. The delicious food is sourced and prepped daily, and cooked to order on the spot. [Read more…]

Support AIDS Services of Austin During #DineOutATX on April 24

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Dining Out for Life 2018 in Austin

Swift’s Attic is one of many enticing options during Dining Out for Life 2018 (Credit: Swift’s Attic)

Guilt-free eating at your favorite Austin restaurants is possible during Dining Out for Life on Tuesday, April 24. Simply dine out on April 24, 2018, at any of the 60+ local restaurants that are donating a portion of their proceeds to Dining Out for Life that day. Calories don’t count when you’re helping our community by eating that delicious food!

The money from #DineOutATX goes directly to AIDS Services of Austin and will help serve more than 5,000 Austin residents living with HIV. AIDS Services of Austin also provides preventive screenings, education, outreach, and advocacy to at-risk populations. [Read more…]

Austin Mural Artists Reveal Origins and Inspiration, Part 4

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Daddy Otis Free Hugs Monster Mural

Daddy Otis’s “Free Hugs!” I hope you said that in your best monster voice, because I always do. (Credit: @knowatx)

Austin mural artists continue to inspire us with their creativity and massive pieces of art. At the recent ReCreate event, the final spray-out day at HOPE Outdoor Gallery, 50 artists painted every inch of wall space there. Hundreds of people came out to watch, admire, photograph, and say goodbye to HOPE’s famous location. [Read more…]

Be Transported to Roaring Twenties at Parker Jazz Club in Downtown Austin

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Parker Jazz Club Austin

Build the stage, bring the bands, and your audience will follow (Credit: Parker Jazz Club)

Step back in time to the Roaring Twenties at Parker Jazz Club in downtown Austin. Situated underground like all the coolest clubs, Parker Jazz Club acts as an incubator for the music and the sensibility of another era. Set your sights on a whole new music experience, complemented by classic cocktails and a sultry aura.

Despite Austin’s outspoken love for live music, we are somewhat lacking in world-class, traditional jazz. Parker Jazz Club intends to change that. Jazz music evokes a host of strong feelings for many, calling to mind a different time and place. Walking down the staircase into the dark, elegant club, I felt as though I could be in Chicago, New York, or Paris in the ’20s or ’50s. By design, Parker Jazz Club stands apart from the typical downtown Austin bar. [Read more…]

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