Discover Austin Texas! An Austin blog with hundreds of unique articles.
Guest article by James Lipari
A short day trip to Texas Hill Country is always a good idea, and one of my absolute favorite destinations is Vista Brewing. The big, rolling property is perfect for a family outing. Here’s why.
[Read more…]
On any of the more than 300 days of sunshine in Austin each year, there’s no better place to go than Lady Bird Lake. Whether hiking or biking the trails, doing stand-up paddle board yoga, or taking a river cruise, you’ll find no shortage of outdoor fun to be had in the heart of beautiful downtown Austin.
[Read more…]
You’ve seen them. Young men roaming the city, with matching t-shirts and an eye for adventure. They touch down in Austin on Thursday or Friday, live their best lives for as long as they can, and then go back to whatever reality they came from.
Bachelor parties are everywhere in Austin, and for good reason. Our city offers the best food, drink, and group activities. Accessibility within the city that makes it easy to navigate from place to place. And of course, the warm weather. If you’re planning a bachelor party in Austin, know you have options and–most importantly–the opportunity to keep it uncomplicated and fun.
[Read more…]
If you’ve talked to anyone about east Austin, then the name “Springdale General” has probably popped up more than once. This 15-building complex is home to some of Austin’s well-loved creatives and nonprofits.
One of my favorite things about Springdale General is the variety of businesses and organizations that call it home. From creative studios to fun service-based businesses to educational opportunities, it holds a bit of everything. Keep reading to learn about some of the businesses you might want to visit next time you’re near 1023 Springdale Road.
[Read more…]
Welcome to 2020! With the promise a new year brings, many of us have resolved to improve our lives in a number of ways. Health, happiness, and fulfillment are part of the equation to living our best life.
But how do we go about doing so? Many of us take the usual roads and quickly find ourselves stuck in our previous patterns. With an eye towards keeping those resolutions with some outside-the-box suggestions, here are six local ways you can keep your New Year’s resolution in 2020.
[Read more…]
You made up a list and checked it off twice.
You’ve cruised around Google for buying advice.
The presents all finished, it’s time to relax.
When holiday madness mounts an attack.
A knock on the door from your cousin Hannah
That last-minute party, a work Secret Santa.
Panicked about all the season what-ifs?
Here are six local places for last-minute gifts!
Random visitors can be half pleasant surprise, half panic-inducing. A-Town makes it easy to snag a last-minute gift that shows your unexpected visitors you truly care. Everything from boutique clothing to local art is on offer at this long-standing Burnet Road shop.
And did I mention local? A-Town specializes in hard-to-find and one-of-a-kind gifts made by Austin artisans. And the best part is, it’s mostly stuff your guests can wear or use. From cool coasters with ATX landmarks to handmade jewelry, you can avoid the knick knacks and get your loved one something they’ll truly enjoy–all while supporting local brands and businesses. A win for everyone.
5502 Burnet Road – Website
Tired of running to H-E-B for that boring bottle of wine? When you get an invite to a last-minute get-together, then grab some craft beer! WhichCraft, one of Austin’s premier bottle shops, excels in both service and selection.
The X factor is an extremely knowledgeable staff. Whether you’re headed to a holiday potluck or traditional Christmas tamale feast, the WhichCraft crew will pair the perfect beer to your food stuff of choice.
Here’s a pro-tip: if you can’t find something on the shelf that suits your mood, then get a couple of tastes (or pints if you have the time) from one of the 30 on-tap beers. Once you find a favorite, grab a couple crowlers to go, and you’re officially set for the soiree. A hip alternative to that plain old bottle of red.
1900 Simond Ave. #200 – Website
➡️ Keep reading: Kick Back at These 4 Bars in the Expanding Mueller Community
From toy cars and trains to mind-bending puzzles and furry friends, Terra Toys is an oasis of enriching playthings for kids of all ages. Nearly everything in the store is designed with hands-on play in mind. You won’t find video games or electronic gizmos on the store floor.
This fits perfectly when it comes to last-minute gifts. The Terra team members are pros at helping customers select the best gift for a kid you may not know very well. And with their focus on ensuring stock is filled with mentally-nourishing toys, you can feel good that your gift will not only entertain, but also enrich.
2438 W Anderson Lane – Website
Need a dopamine hit of pure holiday happiness? Wander into a Toy Joy location and prepare to be delighted. An explosion of lights, sounds, and color, I’d recommend swinging by even if your shopping is done for the season.
In the context of gifts, Toy Joy shines with pure variety. When I worked downtown, every company White Elephant came from these masters of holiday magic. It’s the epitome of Austin weird, sure to make your random gift one everyone is lobbying to steal.
403 West 2nd St. / 4631 Airport Blvd. #114 / Austin Airport by Gate 11 – Website
➡️ Keep reading: 6 Locally-owned Austin Toy Stores
Have a gamer on your holiday list? Instead of running to GameStop or Amazon, considering swinging by Game Over Videogames for all your button-mashing needs. While many of today’s hot titles are on the shelf, the bulk of the shop is dedicated to retro experiences.
From ancient Atari 2600 games to classic Super Nintendo titles to the original X-Box, Game Over is a old school gamer’s dream. They also sell retro consoles, including modern machines that can play every game in the box stuffed into your best friend’s closet.
And everything can be tried before purchase, so you can get your game on before making the buy. An easy one-stop shop for all your last-minute gamer needs.
110 N I-35, Round Rock / 911 W. Anderson Lane / 3005 S. Lamar, #B105-B – Website
➡️ Keep reading: Game Over Videogames Keeps Retro Gaming Alive
In the bustle and rush of the holiday season, it’s easy to forget the most important person on your list: you! One of the oldest businesses in Austin, Lammes Candies is the perfect place to treat yourself for being an incredible gift giver.
With multiple locations all over town, you’re guaranteed to be near one. And the instant sugar rush will help fuel you through that final push of holiday shopping. An excellent way to take care of yourself during this stressful yet wonderful holiday season.
5330 Airport Blvd. / Lakeline Mall / Barton Creek Mall / 2927A W. Anderson Lane / Market at Round Rock, 110 I-35 – Website
@BillTuckerTSP wants to know:
What are your go-to local stores for last-minute gifts?
The original version of this article was published Dec. 11, 2014.
We always have unique content on the Austinot, and we love to give things away. You know, like event tickets, locally-made products, and other cool stuff. We only send out our Best of the Austinot newsletter two times/month. It’s where we give you a recap of our best articles and give stuff away. Interested? Subscribe to Best of the Austinot here.
Ice skate on the rooftop of Whole Foods Market, now through Jan. 20, 2020!
Austin ice skating has returned to the rooftop plaza at Whole Foods Market’s flagship store for its 15th season. Enjoy this festive, wintry activity at the landmark location on North Lamar Boulevard between 5th and 6th Streets. It is real ice, so Austinites can relive childhood memories or introduce their own children to this strange, frozen substance we don’t see much of in Austin.
[Read more…]
As you may already know, Austin is a huge hub for foodies. With increased support for the local movement, as well as a growing preference for small-batch and handcrafted products, many local brands have skyrocketed in popularity.
The following is a list of companies that are Austin-born and Austin-loved. Even better, they’re all available in area grocery stores. Even the most voracious localvore may find one or two surprising new products here!
[Read more…]
This year has flown by, and it’s already time to start planning what gifts to give our loved ones this year. Fortunately, Austin never fails to have a splendid selection of local options to choose from. Know a jewelry lover? Someone who practically has coffee running through their veins? Anyone who religiously follows the El Arroyo sign on social media?
Whatever style of Austin weird you need to accommodate, keep reading to learn about our favorite Austin gifts to consider for the 2019 holiday season.
[Read more…]
It’s a well understood fact that having the ability to customize something makes it at least 10 times more special (or maybe that’s just me?). As I’ve learned more about the beauty industry here in Austin, I’ve been thrilled to find out about all the customizable options available. From lipsticks to foundations, body scrubs to soaps, you’ll find there’s a little something for everyone to get excited about.
[Read more…]