Activities Archives - Page 22 of 27

Uncommon Day Trip: Glass Bottom Kayaks in San Marcos

June 12, 2014 by Jessica Pino 1 Comment

Beautiful Spring Lake (Credit: The Meadows Center)

Have you ever seen a swimming pig? Well, neither have I. But The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment in San Marcos, TX was once the location of Aquarena Springs. There you could take in an underwater show featuring mermaids and Ralph the Swimming Pig, and enjoy a glass bottom boat tour on Spring Lake.

Today, the area has been much restored to its natural beauty. And while you might not be able to catch an underwater theater performance, you will still be able to experience one of the most unique and beautiful ecosystems in the western United States.

Let’s be honest. As much as we all love Austin, sometimes we just need to get out of the city. Located just 25 minutes from South Austin, San Marcos is the perfect day trip destination.

I know what you might be thinking: what’s in San Marcos other than outlet malls, tubing and Texas State University? Only one of the oldest [Read more…]

Best Canoe Rental for Lady Bird Lake Adventures

May 29, 2014 by Jessica Pino Leave a Comment

Hike and Bike trail (Photo credit: Jessica Pino)

Picture it. You’re on the hike and bike trail at Lady Bird Lake, aka Town Lake. All of a sudden, you have an urge to jump into the water. You might blame this urge on the Texas heat, but I know I fight it every time I’m on the trail. Barton Springs Pool is a good option, but who has their swimsuit with them at all times? The better option (in my opinion)? Rent a canoe or kayak to explore Austin’s oasis from within.

Next challenge: with five different boat rental locations along the river, where do you go for gear? [Read more…]

Now Playing: Paramount Summer Classic Film Series

May 27, 2014 by Robert Luke Leave a Comment

Marquee at The Paramount Theatre

For the past 99 years, Austinites have enjoyed having The Paramount Theatre on Congress Avenue. When it first opened in 1915, it was called The Majestic Theatre.

When I was a kid, The Paramount presented a lot of kid-friendly plays that my parents and elementary school took me to all the time. I had always heard that it “used to” be a movie theater. What I didn’t understand then was that the venue hosted many types of shows, including plays, musical acts, cinema, and even Vaudeville in its early days.

One of the earliest memories I have of the theater was when my dad took me to see the entire Star Wars trilogy in one sitting. Today, The Paramount Theatre continues to show classic cinema favorites through its Paramount Summer Classic Film Series, allowing other Austinites to make memories of their own. [Read more…]

5 Ways to Support Local and Get Fit for Summer

May 26, 2014 by Matthew Champion Leave a Comment

There’s not a lot of time left before summer is officially here. But don’t fret, there are still plenty of things you can do to help you put some swagger in that stride when you hit Barton Springs.

Austin usually has a good three-month block with high temperatures that are just brutal, which may be a big reason why there are so many different opportunities in the city to hone that body you’ll soon be showing more of. Below are a few of my favorite ways to get fit for summer in Austin.

Congress Avenue Kayaks

Kayaking on Lady Bird Lake (Photo credit: Congress Avenue Kayaks)

Lady Bird Lake is such a wonderful part of Austin. Why not take advantage of its beauty by working out on it? Congress Avenue Kayaks (located at 74 Trinity Street below the Four Seasons) offers kayaks and standup paddle board rentals. Both water craft are great for improving your core strength and adding lean muscle, particularly to the upper body. [Read more…]

Round Rock Express Hit Off 15th Season of Baseball

April 16, 2014 by Cris Mueller Leave a Comment

America’s favorite pastime lends simple beauty to the Texas sky (Photo credit: Cris Mueller)

The flood of lights spotlight the pristine manicure of the outfield. The chatty man behind home plate calls out to each movement of the men standing before him, while they master their familiar navigation from one base to the next.

Among the stands, the night air is busy greeting the comforting conversations of fans as they’re welcomed back for another season. Although it looks and sounds very much the same each year, a true fan does not miss this, the opening day. Our very own Round Rock Express took the bases at the Dell Diamond, located at 3400 E Palm Valley Blvd. in Round Rock, for their 15th season opener on April 4, 2014.

The 2014 Round Rock Express (Photo credit: Chuck Murphy – Chuck Murphy Photography)

[Read more…]

Austin B-cycle Brings Bikesharing to Austin

April 7, 2014 by Edgar Barguiarena 1 Comment

Ideal location for B-cycle, across from la Barbecue. Bike in, BBQ out.

Ah, springtime in Austin. It’s a magical time of year. Lady Bird Lake is overflowing with all manner of water craft, bar and restaurant patios all around the city have a one-hour wait, and bikes reclaim their status as a viable form of transport around town.

About five weeks later, the brutal heat starts smoldering our fair city, but what a glorious five weeks! The Austinot has written several articles on how to beat the heat, and even a few others on how to get around town. But this spring and summer, Austinites will have another option to add to the list. In characteristic Austin fashion, it’s a thinking “outside the box” kind of approach.

Want to get around town quickly and cheaply, but don’t own a bike? No problem! Austin’s new B-cycle program, part of a nationwide network spread around over 20 cities, quietly launched late last year. They have just completed their initial 40 station roll-out and are more than ready for the inevitable onslaught of new riders. [Read more…]

Austin Helicopter Tours: Fresh Perspective Without the Traffic

March 27, 2014 by David Thomas Leave a Comment

Austin Helicopter Tours pilot Justin Little stands in front of the Bell Long Ranger (Photo credit: David Thomas)

With over 138 people moving to our fair city every day, a guy has to wonder, what’s the best way to see our city and the surrounding area? Surely being jammed between a diesel 4×4 truck and a Prius isn’t the most desirable option. Have no fear, loyal reader, Austin has helicopter tours.

How It Began

In June 2012, Randy and Stacy Riggs expanded their San Antonio-based Alamo Helicopter Tours to Austin and opened Austin Helicopter Tours. Randy and Stacy are old hands in the helicopter business – Randy has 42 years of helicopter flying experience. Their current team consists of seven pilots who are FAA certified in a variety of helicopter designs.

I had the privilege to speak to Justin Little, one of the pilots for Austin Helicopter Tours. A little over five years ago, Justin wanted to learn how to fly a helicopter (it’s taking everything in my power to not call them choppers). Three months into the self-paced course, he earned his private pilot’s license. A year and a half later, he walked away an instrument-rated commercial pilot, and a certified flight instructor.

Helping People Experience Flight

Justin gave me a nice nickel tour of the Austin Helicopter Tours facilities. There are several helicopters for different purposes. Their largest is a Bell Long Ranger. This helicopter, built by the company who produced the famous UH-1 “Huey” helicopter, is capable of seating seven people and [Read more…]

Pure Austin Fitness Launches Rail Training Option at 410 Speed Shop

March 11, 2014 by Guest Blogger Leave a Comment

The new 410 Speed Shop at 410 Pressler Street

This guest blog article is by Michal Ann Morrison.

Pure Austin Fitness has been a leading figure in the Austin fitness industry since 1999. Their most recent contribution to keeping Austin athletes and fitness junkies at the top of their game is Rail Training, a fitness program that focuses on sports performance-inspired training.

You’ll find Rail Training at 410 Speed Shop, new home to Pure Austin and Rogue Running.

Rail Training is unique in that it combines the concepts of a personal trainer and a group fitness class. Walking into the refurbished auto shop, you get the attention of a personal trainer without the heavy financial cost, with the monthly membership costing less than two average personal training sessions. [Read more…]

How to Do SXSW Like a Local

February 28, 2014 by Jessica Pino 5 Comments

Photo credit: nickmickolas via Flickr CC)

If this is your first SX, don’t stress! This time of year, cases of FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) are on the rise.

Let’s start your education now. You must first get the lingo down…it’s just “South by” (SX). If you hear someone uttering all four syllables, South by Southwest, you’ll know they are one of the 30,000+ out-of-town-ers.

Most locals don’t have the pleasure of directly participating in the conference, but we do like to take advantage of the byproducts this massive 27 year old conference produces. The music portion of SX is what typically gets the most attention, and for a good reason. With over 1,700+ performances over a 10-day span, there is something for everyone. [Read more…]

Three Stories of Graffiti for HOPE on Castle Hill

February 11, 2014 by Jessica Pino 15 Comments

A graffiti artist at work on Castle Hill

Editor’s Note: The HOPE Outdoor Gallery closed on Jan. 2, 2019. A new location will open later in the year.

There are a few mainstays in Austin I like to take visitors to when they visit. My list includes the impressive Capitol Building, which is taller than the U.S. Capitol Building in D.C., Whole Foods headquarters, where you can get a $5 smoothie, Zilker Park to fly a kite, and anything on South Congress. But there’s one place that embodies the true spirit and weirdness of our city, and every resident and visitor must experience it: the graffiti wall at Castle Hill.

Tucked away on Baylor and 11th near Whole Foods, this is one of my favorite places in Austin because it has a great energy and amazing art. When I say graffiti wall, I don’t mean just one wall like the “i love you so much” graffiti at Jo’s Coffee Shop or the Austin Postcard at Roadhouse Relics. I’m talking about a three-story playground for artists. [Read more…]

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Helping People Experience Flight

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