The Austinot

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9 Must-see Texas Hill Country Holiday Light Trails

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Bastrop Holiday Lights Trail
Bastrop is aglow with the warmth and twinkly lights of the season (Credit: Colin Guerra)

Hear, hear, the sparkly season is near! From now through the end of the season, festive holiday light trails adorn Texas Hill Country, and we’ve discovered the best and brightest dazzlers around.

We love love love the Trail of Lights at Zilker Park, yet if you want to set forth on an illuminated adventure beyond Austin’s most famous light trail, follow these shining beacons signaling from across Texas Hill Country.

These holiday light trails go above and beyond for those of us beguiled by the night and mesmerized by shiny objects. Yeah, I’m waaay into it. If you crave holiday glitz and are up for a quick road trip, then these nine Hill Country destinations will satisfy your quest to shine on.

One exciting new trend I’ve noticed this year is that some of these light trails have added even more events, attractions, and/or lights, and most of them are open longer than before. This gives you extra time to make the short road trip to experience these twinkly trails.

Note: I’ve added the distances to each trail from the Texas State Capitol this year to better help you plan your trip. Happy lights-gazing!

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5 Volunteer Opportunities During Thanksgiving Season in Austin

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Thanksgiving Volunteer Opportunities in Austin

Aromas of pumpkin spice and cinnamon fill our homes. Crackling fireplaces hold actual purpose in Austin this holiday season, with temperatures steadily dropping to legitimate fall weather. Thanksgiving peeks around the corner and invites us to let go of the chaos and give back to our local community.

Austin is home to thousands of nonprofits, so get out there and connect with one of these amazing charities this holiday season and beyond. Enjoy this handful of Thanksgiving volunteer opportunities sure to warm your soul and spice up your giving spirit.

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Spend an Unforgettable Day Like a Tourist in Austin

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Even if you’ve been living in Austin your whole life, you can pretend to be a tourist for one day and discover the city with fresh eyes (Credit: Justin Snider/Rock Studios)

Let me start by stating the obvious: we live in one of the greatest cities in the world. Austin has so much to offer that my list of must-see places and must-do things keeps growing, even though I’m constantly exploring.

While I try to keep up with the latest restaurants and music festivals, there are a number of places in Austin I’ve been neglecting. You know, the kind of places at the top of TripAdvisor, where the tourists go.

So many times, I’ve thought of visiting these places, only to tell myself, “Oh, I live here. I can always go later.” For many people, years go by and they never make the time.

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Splash Shack Indoor Water Park Provides Refreshing Spot for Families All Year

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Splash Shack Water Park Play Structure
Splash Shack in Cedar Park is an indoor oasis of watery fun (Credit: Bill Tucker)

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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Adventure Awaits at Lucky Arrow Retreat, Event Venue in Dripping Springs

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International Dark Sky Site Lucky Arrow Retreat
During Milky Way season, the Milky Way is visible from this International Dark Sky site (Credit: Kurt Larson)

Did you know Dripping Springs is designated the wedding capital of Texas? Austin’s quieter neighbor–which also happens to be growing rapidly–is a popular destination to tie the knot. I’m presuming it’s because the rolling hills make for unforgettable scenery, and the numerous wineries and nature parks make for an adventuresome getaway.

Lucky Arrow Retreat, a boutique resort and event venue, is located right in the midst of all the romance and adventure. It’s a beautiful place for a gathering, but you don’t have to get married to plan an event here. The facilities are also ideal for yoga retreats, corporate events, family reunions, and more.

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Tiptoe Into Whimsical Woodland Faerie Trail at Zilker Botanical Garden This Summer

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Zilker Botanical Garden Woodland Faerie Trail
Woodland Faerie Trail is open at Zilker Botanical Garden through Aug. 10, 2019

Whether you’re dipping your toes into Barton Springs Pool, jamming out at a Blues on the Green concert, or cycling around Lady Bird Lake, Zilker Park will keep you busy every second of the summer. There’s another adventure to add to this year’s list of things to do around our beloved park: Woodland Faerie Trail at Zilker Botanical Garden.

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Bike, Paddle, Float Your Way to Adventure With Austin’s Frontera Tours

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Frontera Tours Bike and BBQ tour of Austin
Bike & BBQ Tour participants pose in front of Austin’s Stevie Ray Vaughan statue

Going hand in hand with our love of all things active, Austin is a city that loves adventure. Austinites can be found enjoying activities ranging from water obstacle courses to ziplining.

So when it’s time to introduce people to our city or take a break ourselves, what better way to do it than via some of our favorite things: biking, paddling, and floating? Thankfully, we have a great guided option for all these activities in Austin tour company, Frontera Tours.

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6 Austin Hotels Offering Pool Passes This Summer

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Austin hotels with pool passes for non-guests
The Wayback Austin offers pool passes to non-guests (Credit: The Wayback)

It’s that time of year when we trade out pants for shorts, slather on the sunblock, and pray we make it to the car before sweat forms on our brow. It’s H-O-T and only getting hotter. Luckily, Austin offers interesting options to cool down in the summer temps. Jump in the lake? We got it. Float a river? Check. Soak in Barton Springs, Hamilton Pool, or Deep Eddy Pool? Yes, yes, and yes!

But did you know there are several local hotels offering pool passes this summer?

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Challenge Your Inner Ninja Warrior at Waterloo Adventures on Lake Travis

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Waterloo Adventures Obstacle Course on Lake Travis
Master all 80 obstacles at Waterloo Adventures

Waterloo Adventures on Lake Travis is the perfect place to practice for those American Ninja Warrior tryouts. Even better, you get to stay cool while doing so because it’s on the lake. Literally.

Austin’s rainy spring morphed into full-fledged summer almost overnight. Now we have one thing on the brain: get in/on/near the water! My friends and I recently spent a fantastic day at Waterloo Adventures in order to share our experience with you.

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