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Enjoying downtown can be a great time, especially historic 6th Street on a weekend! The street gets closed down on Saturdays at night and has a very community feel to walk around, with many great bars and restaurants to dip and dive into. Make sure you Grab a Slice of Pizza at Roppolo’s or grab an awesome gyro from the food stands, but be quick they move often! It doesn’t always have to be weekend fun either to have fun downtown, on Wednesday nights the Flamingo Cantina is a Great place to enjoy Reggae Vibes and an open patio with friends! Be sure to check it out on your next visit to Austin!

By Renee Cornue Merlin Tuttle’s Bat Conservation If you’ve had the pleasure of experiencing the Congress Avenue Bat emergence, then you might know that 30 years ago, Dr. Tuttle was exceedingly instrumental in establishing protection and public affection for the nearly 2 million Brazilian free-tailed bats that now call the bridge home. If you haven’t yet had the…

It’s no secret to how awesome Austin is, but there is one aspect that people tend to forget that is right over their heads in the night sky, we’re talking bats! Austin is home to the world’s largest urban bat colony that houses about 1.7 million Mexican Free Tail Bats. This colony resides right under…

While there is no shortage of nightlife in Austin, I’m often asked what activities there are to do during the day. One suggestion is to search for the street art that’s teeming around the city. While I could tell you where to find Austin’s Instagram famous murals, it’s more fun to randomly stumble upon these treasures. You just might discover a new favorite. Here are some streets to explore: 1st, 6th, South Congress, Lamar, and The Drag (on Guadalupe). Of course, the one place you must visit is the Hope Outdoor Gallery. Bring a can of spray paint with you as these cement walls invite you to embrace your inner graffiti artist. Be sure to visit soon, because the graffiti park is set to move to a new location later in 2019.

Are you as excited as we are that we in central Texas have had a few days warm enough to enjoy the many bodies of water in Austin? Get those kayaks and paddleboards ready to hit the waves, but also make sure you’re up to date on the local ordinances. In addition to the Texas…

6th street fun! Enjoying downtown can be a great time. The street get closed down on Saturdays and has a very community feel to walk around. Make sure you Grab a Slice of Pizza at Roppolo’s. I am also a fan of the great little Gyro stand that is there from time to time. It doesn’t always have to be weekend fun either. On Wednesday nights the Flamingo Cantina is a Great place to enjoy Reggae Vibes and an open patio with friends!

In the winter time one of my favorite things to eat is some delicious, warm, and comforting BBQ. He’s some of out top picks around Austin!   Styles Switch in Austin TX is one of the best if you haven’t been! They have one of the Biggest and best Dinosaur Ribs (beef ribs) in the Business – Yum! The Salt Lick is one of the most enjoyable venues I have ever eaten at. The studded oak outdoor patios are a joy with their warm heaters, especially when they have live music. They also offer an awesome Family Style dinning option. Last but not least one the original TX BBQ joints – Black’s BBQ- It’s a must visit! If this doesn’t hit the spot, you may want to check for a pulse! Their brisket is out of this world as well…

Our beautiful city is known for the many outdoor activities, from hiking to paddle boarding, but some days you just want to be inside yet still have a good time. Whether it’s one of the rare rainy days in Austin or you’re trying to escape the cold temps, there are just as many options for indoor fun with friends and kids alike- here are our top picks! Top Golf The Thinkery Blanton Museum Maze Room Austin Bouldering Project iFly Punch Bowl Social Alamo Drafthouse Dart Bowl Blazer Tag Vigilante Gaming Bar Jumpoline Trampoline Park Pinballz Arcade Playland Skate Center Read at your local library! Let us know if we missed any of your favorite indoor spots.

The architecture of Austin’s skyline is always captivating (and changing). While our view at Austin Paddle Shack is one of the best views in town, I’ve compiled a list of more unique spots where you can capture the picturesque view of concrete and steel that makes up downtown Austin. Zilker Park: Day or night, bring your dog and sit atop the rock cliff face in the middle of this grassy oasis for a view that can’t be beaten. UT Tower: Make reservations ahead of time as the tour schedule varies per season. Fall tours run Sat. & Sun beginning Sept. 1st. $6 per person. Hope Outdoor Gallery: Watch your step as you climb to the top of this concrete jungle turned graffiti park. Visit soon, as this landmark won’t be here for much longer. Mount Bonnell Covert Park: The perfect…

Thinking of getting your own kayak, but not sure where to start?   The best kayaks for beginners are stable, forgiving, and rugged enough to handle the learning curve. They should be less streamlined than an expert vessel, and they should have reinforced hulls which can handle being knocked about. Overall, stability and durability are two features that should be kept in mind when looking into purchasing. Affordability and ease-of-use are also important to determine which models truly deserve the label of “starter kayaks.” After all, accessibility is half the battle!   Of course, each new kayaker has different goals. Some want to go for long jaunts, while others want to paddle easily out to a picnic destination and take it easy. The “best” starter kayak for you will depend on how you plan to use it. Now that you’re thinking about what makes a good…

The Paddle Boarding Capital of the World If you’re looking for a fun, new activity to participate in in Austin, Texas, you should try paddle boarding(SUPing). Austin, Texas has quickly become the paddle boarding capital of the world. Suping originated in Hawaii, but has gained a lot of popularity in Austin over the past several years…

Austin Texas Paddle Boarding Tips With any new sport, there are a lot of great tips to learn.  Learning how to go paddle boarding is no different.  You can avoid a lot of  beginner paddle boarder mistakes by reading our list of 10 awesome tips for the beginner stand up paddle boarder. Whether you are renting a…