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With the arrival of March, we could all use a vacation. Although Spring Break season is around the corner, the pandemic at hand has made traveling and vacations challenging.
If you're looking for a mini staycation this month, look no further than at some of Austin's most beautifully decorated and acclaimed Airbnb Plus locations that will have you wondering if you're still in town.
Airbnb announced the hotel-like service of "Airbnb Plus" in 2018, offering guests with a one-of-a kind experience in extraordinary locations. According to the service, you can still feel safe at these locations knowing they are 100% well-maintained and hosts are taking extra precautions at cleaning and providing a COVID-19 safe space. Airbnb Plus hosts are known for great reviews, attention to detail and thoughtfully designed homes.
House in Travis Heights
Listed at a rental rate of $153 per night, this one-bedroom, one-bathroom house is a perfect getaway for a relaxing weekend and ravishing aesthetics. With a beautiful heated saltwater pool and a carefully decorated bedroom, you can have your own private resort outside of the city. This property does not have a kitchen, so plan to order takeout from some local places around town for a true staycation experience.
Cottage in East Austin
Listed at a rental rate of $151 per night, this signature East Austin cottage should be your next staycation location for a cozy weekend. Originally built in 1930 by the Calcasieu Lumber Company, the cottage has custom woodwork, hardwood floors, vaulted pine ceilings and carefully detailed decor. Alleviate all your stress by visiting this two-bedroom, one-bathroom beautifully designed cottage.
Tiny house in East Austin
Listed at $119 per night, The Tiny Shiny is a tiny house with a lot of personality and a perfect secluded location for relaxation. If you've ever been curious about tiny house living, visiting The Tiny Shiny is a must to understand the coziness of the small, studio-like establishment. Although near Central East Austin, this unique tiny house will give you the privacy you need and a perfectly cozy experience while walking distance from Austin life.
Guest suite in Barton Hills
This private getaway will trick you into thinking you actually left the city. Listed at a rental rate of $108 per night, the one-bedroom, one-bathroom modern guest suite has great features such as a walk-in rain shower, a queen-size Murphy bed, a gas stove and a perfect location walking distance to South Lamar.
Remodeled trailer in Ford Oaks
Listed in Architectural Digests as one of the best Airbnb's in Austin, this remodeled vintage Spartan trailer is the perfect Austin getaway as sunny and warm weather returns to town. One hundred percent custom build and with new amenities, you will forget you're even in Austin by staying in this secluded, cozy trailer. The property is listed at a rental rate of $131 per night and is the coziest location you'll find for your staycation.
Guesthouse in Bee Cave
Although we wish we could vacation in Spain this year, this beautiful Spanish-style guesthouse is as close as we can get with COVID-19 safe precautions. The four-bedroom, one-bathroom house is a perfect spot to enjoy a relaxing weekend with friends. With a private pool and spa, high ceilings and astonishing decor, you will feel like you're spending the weekend in Spain without having to leave Austin. Listed at a rental rate of $282 per night, the guesthouse can accommodate five people.
Bungalow near Dripping Springs
Looking to get out of the city—but not too far—for your staycation? The Airbnb Plus listing is only a few miles out of the city and right in the Hill Country. Listed at a rental rate of $157 per night, this two-bedroom, one-bathroom bungalow is the perfect country tranquility getaway. Located on a ranch minutes from Dripping Springs and the Austin area, the bungalow features a shaded porch and natural beauty you can only find in this part of Texas. Did we mention the bungalow is in a perfect location if you're looking to visit some wineries and breweries around the Dripping Springs area while cozying it up country style?
Guesthouse in Mueller
Enjoy a relaxing staycation without having to pay a fortune with this Airbnb Plus listing. Listed at a rental rate of $88 per night, this cozy modern guesthouse has all the amenities you need to decompress for a staycation. With one-of-a-kind detail, a private nook to spend your time and a location close to all things Austin, this relaxing guesthouse has everything you need to relax.
Guesthouse in Brentwood
Listed at a rental rate of $130 per night, the two-bedroom, one-bathroom upscale guesthouse can accommodate four guests and is listed as an enhanced clean location, proving to be a COVID-19 safe environment. With a private balcony, beautifully decorated interior and great location in Central Austin, this guesthouse is a must-visit if you're looking for a relaxing and fun time.
Townhouse at Zilker
Nothing says Keep Austin Weird better than this quirky Zilker townhouse. With so many colorful touches and carefully decorated rooms, this one-bedroom, one-and-a-half-bathroom townhouse is packed with vibrant colors, patterns and thoughtful decor for a true Austin experience. Only a short walking distance from Zilker Park, this listing has a rental rate of $138 per night and can accommodate four guests.
Guesthouse in East Austin
Listed at a rental rate of $125 per night, this one-bedroom, one-bathroom guesthouse is a true charm in East Austin. With a perfect location for anything you might need, this small "Casita" will provide you with tranquility and relaxation for an ideal staycation without being far from home. The property is secluded and surrounded by trees to ensure you have a quiet, peaceful time, and the wonderfully bright and carefully decorated interior will have you wishing you booked to stay more nights.
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(Austonia file photo)
The Austin-Round Rock metro area saw the third-largest employment increase in the U.S. over the past year.
A report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics found that nonfarm employment in the Austin metro rose 8.5% from March 2021 to March this year, trailing just behind Orlando, Florida at 8.6%.
The metro area that raked in the highest increase was Las Vegas, Nevada with a 12% jump.
The bureau’s report looked at large metro areas that had a population of 1 million or more in 2010.
The Austin metro was a standout among the other metro areas when it comes to the change over a 5 and 10-year period, which increased by 19% and nearly 47%, respectively.
(Tyson's Tacos/Instagram)
There are few things that Texans agree on but loving breakfast tacos is one of them.
A cheap, delicious, easy and prominent morning food, breakfast tacos are beloved by Central Texans. While most records point to the first breakfast “taquito” being created in Corpus Christi in the 1950s, Austin coined the term “breakfast taco” and ran with it.
Since then, breakfast tacos have been sold and enjoyed all over the city. If you’re a taco-enthusiast, give these spots a shot.
El Tacocorrido | Multiple locations
This is the stop for a dependable, affordable, tasty and easy breakfast taco. Six locations around the city—from South Austin to Burnet—serving $2.50 choose-your-filling breakfast tacos all day with a drive thru so you never have to leave your car. The taqueria has all things breakfast covered with coffee drinks and horchata on deck but can also transition to night with guava margaritas and micheladas.
Granny’s Tacos | 1401 East 7th St.
Who doesn’t want a breakfast taco made by Granny? Granny’s Tacos is the place to be if you're looking for a taco unlike any other. Stuffed with corn chips and topped with mole, cotija, onion and jalapenos, the chilaquil taco is eggless but that doesn’t mean you can’t eat it for breakfast. However, you can always opt for migas, machaca or ranchero tacos.
Joe's Bakery & Coffee Shop | 2305 E 7th St.
(Joe's Bakery/Facebook)
Lovers of the classic bacon, egg and cheese will want to try a taco at Joe's Bakery, which batters its bacon before frying for an added crunch. Opened more than 75 years ago by Joe Avila, the shop has served cheap eats to generations of Austinites. Most tacos start at $2.25 each and come on a warm, homemade flour tortilla but Joe’s is a breakfast food paradise with other menu offerings like migas, pancakes and more.
Pueblo Viejo | Multiple locations
Whether you’re after a simple build-your-own breakfast taco or a more adventurous creation for breakfast, Pueblo Viejo sells a healthy mix of both. Pueblo Viejo goes above and beyond when it comes to salsa with five varieties: Pico, tomatillo, creamy jalapeno, roasted habanero, and habanero and ghost chili. For a fan favorite, try a Migas taco or Don Chago breakfast taco—which comes with beans, cheese, bacon and avocado.
Rosita’s al Pastor | 1801 E. Riverside Dr.
Though Rosita’s is known for its al pastor tacos, its homemade flour tortillas make an excellent foundation for breakfast tacos. At just $1.99 each, the pillowy tacos are scrambled on a flattop, available until 4 p.m. and can be delivered via drive thru. Rosita’s breakfast tacos barely scratch the surface of the pretty pink menu.
Tamale House East | 1707 E 6th St.
Not only does Tamale House East sport an impressively large menu, serve food in an enchanted seeming garden and serve as a 60-year institution, it also has a full parking lot in the heart of East 6th. No matter what you order—from the migas taco to the bacon, egg, cheese and ranchera taco to one of the signature tamales—it’s all made with Tamale House love.
Tyson’s Tacos | 4905 Airport Blvd.
This taqueria allows you to get your breakfast taco fix at any time of the day or night since it is open 24/7. The unassuming, mismatched exterior is home to an almost overwhelming amount of creatively-named tacos for sale, like the migas-based creamy Sriracha-topped “King George,” sausage and cheese “Bond Girl” or potato and cheese “Princess Leia (White Girl).” Make sure the forecast isn’t too hot to sit outside before you head out!
Valentina’s Tex Mex BBQ | 11500 Menchaca Rd.
Valentina’s Tex Mex BBQ blends two of Central Texas’ greatest loves: Breakfast tacos and barbecue. Try The Real Deal Holyfield, topped with egg, beans, potato and bacon and a pick of your favorite smoked meat, like brisket or pulled pork. Get your order in early—Valentina’s is known for its long lines.
Veracruz All Natural | Multiple locations
If you haven’t already, do yourself a favor and get yourself a taco created by sisters-turned-chefs Reyna and Maritza Vasquez at Veracruz All Natural. The migas taco is renowned at Veracruz, though the El Sancho Taco and El Tradicional Taco provide a ranch of breakfast-inspired options. Don’t skip out on the aguas frescas!
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