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Hiking on the Greenbelt in Austin (Credit: Erin May)
It has been scientifically proven that spending time in nature has significant positive mental health benefits. With hundreds of parks and greenbelts all over Austin, we never lack access to nature. Our green space is one of the most unique things we have in Austin. With the help of a fellow blogger, I came up with nine of the best hiking spots in Austin for all of us to utilize and protect, organized by geographic area. [Read more…]
Are you always looking for fun things to do in Austin with people who share your interests? Introducing, Meetup, the perfect site for online and in-person events.
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When COVID-19 hit in March of 2020, it devoured events like a termite chews through wood. The rash of cancellations made sense given the seriousness of the pandemic, but it still stung thousands of organizers, venue owners, and attendees. Classic Game Fest, a yearly celebration of all things retro videogames, was one of the casualties.
Now with the pandemic slowed and restrictions lifted, Classic Game Fest is on with no limitations to the fun. Bigger than ever before in both size and scope, this love letter to the games of old offers something for everybody. Whether you’re an NES junkie or an Atari nerd, there’s something for everyone this year.
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As a life long East Coaster turned Austinite, rugby’s been a mystery. Outside of catching a match at a British pub at 11:00 AM or the rare highlight on TV, this punishing yet fascinating sport has been lost on me. And I think if I took an informal poll, most locals would feel the same way.
If so, y’all are missing out! Last week, my wife and I had the chance to check out Austin Gilgronis (AG) Rugby’s home opener at Bold Stadium. We found a sport well suited for our Longhorn loving city. Hard nosed, aggressive, and exciting, the lads of AG Rugby are bringing good times and great play to Circuit of the Americas.
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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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The pulse of Austin may have slowed, but its spirit lives on in the resilience of its people. Ways to engage in culture have moved primarily to Internet spaces, from art-viewing to live-streaming music. While we are more connected online than ever before, occasional breaks from the screen to exercise are helpful for maintaining mental and physical health. (I know some exercise classes are held online and–in this case–I’ll count that as a break from screen time.)
Everyone is encouraged to stay home during Austin’s current mandate, and there are many exercises you can do indoors. However, our order does not prohibit outdoor exercise, and fresh air during a time of stress can do a body good.
Here are a few simple ways you can get moving through outdoor exercise, and places you can go to do it.
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Though we see bat imagery all over Austin, many Austinites have yet to experience one of the most incredible sights that takes place along one of our busiest streets every year from March to November.
Underneath the Ann W. Richards Congress Avenue Bridge lives the largest urban bat colony in North America. When they emerge in the evening during “bat season,” it’s like a cloud flying toward the east.
There are several locations where you can see the group of bats. The Austin-American Statesman park on the southeast side of the South Congress Bridge is free and open to the public. There is also standing room along the sidewalk of the bridge itself. Another way to see the bats and the city is to take a boat ride on Lady Bird Lake.
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Here in Austin, we’ve all been impacted by COVID-19 in different ways. Some of have lost all of our income, or enough that it keeps us up at night.
Some of us are agitated during the stay-at-home, lonely by ourselves or overwhelmed with having the family together all of the time.
Some of us are on the front lines, essential workers who allow the rest of us to receive medical care–or eat.
And some of us are sick. Some of us have lost our lives to this virus. And some of us are hurting in isolation as people we love suffer.
Here at The Austinot, our volunteer team has been impacted. A number of us have lost our jobs. Our advertising revenue, which keeps the lights on, has been impacted. No one is searching for “guide to east austin” right now. (We don’t blame you.)
There’s no way around it: this is a challenging, dark time, and part of coping is acknowledging that truth. But we don’t need to stay there.
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This month hurts. Austin is an active, social city and we are not used to being at home, where most public health experts say we need to be. But Austin’s light comes from within, from the many talented, creative, and innovative people–and they are here to quell your quarantine blues.
Whether you want local music, tech or business panels, exercise, education, art, or food, someone is out there somewhere in Austin, cranking out quality content for you. So make some popcorn and hot cocoa–or a stiff cocktail. Sit back, relax with loved ones, and make the most of a decidedly crappy situation.
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If Dripping Springs is the gateway to Texas Hill Country, then Belterra Village is the gateway to Dripping Springs. Located halfway between Austin and Dripping Springs on Highway 290, Belterra Village is a booming community that continues to grow.
It’s called a village for a reason. It’s a 93-acre mixed use development with residences and retail space. In other words, it’s one of the Austin area’s newest adult playgrounds. You can spend a whole day exploring, or stop for a bite on your way to Dripping Springs for a day trip.
In this list, I highlight some of the Austin-based businesses that have found a home at Belterra Village.
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