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Didn't get a wristband? No worries—there's still fun to be had if you're not attending ACL. Here's a list of things to do in Austin so you don't get FOMO when you see Doja Cat videos on your friend's Instagram stories.
Try something different with MotoGP at COTA
Head to Circuit of the Americas, 9201 Circuit of the Americas Blvd., this weekend for MotoGP, the fastest two-wheeled race. A three-day event taking place at 9 a.m. Friday and Saturday and 8:40 a.m. Sunday, you can get tickets here.
Grab a bite at Homeslice
Who said you had to be at the festival to eat good? During both ACL weekends, Homeslice, 1415 S Congress Ave., is extending its hours at all of its locations. Customers will be offered complete dine-in and take-out options beginning at 11 a.m. going until midnight from Thursday to Sunday both weekends.
Cheers a drink at Fierce Whiskers Distillery
In southeast Austin sits a distillery, tasting room and five-story rickhouse where guests can tour the space and taste some craft whiskey. Doors are open from 4-10 p.m. on Thursdays and Sundays, 4 p.m. to midnight on Fridays and 12 p.m. to midnight on Saturdays.
Attend an Austin FC game
If you haven't been to an Austin FC game yet, it's time. You don't need to know soccer to have a good time and enjoy local eats. The team will take on Real Salt Lake at Q2 Stadium, 10414 Mc Kalla Place, at 2:30 p.m. Get tickets here.
Get your win at Cidercade
The perfect combination of alcoholic drinks and games for everybody—Cidercade, 600 E Riverside Dr., is a great place to hideout from the rain and ACL crowd. Admission is $10 and allows access to 150+ arcade games. Ciders and food are offered on-site, and don't forget to check out the seasonal ciders including Pecan Pie, Bomb Pop!, Main Squeeze and Strawberry Rhubarb!
Have your own Oktoberfest at Carpenter Hotel
Just a few blocks away from the festival, Carpenter Hotel, 400 Josephine St., will be transforming its property into a Biergarten for both ACL weekends. If you're not attending ACL (or if you want to stop by before or after), they will be offering food and beverages such as pretzels, brats, beer, wine and coffee throughout the afternoon and evening. Each morning from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., they will also host a brunch. This event is free to attend but all food and beverages must be purchased with Biergarten Bucks, which will be available for purchase upon entry.
Try a new taco at Torchy’s Tacos
This year, Torchy's is teaming up with Black Pumas as it is releasing its special-edition Black Pumas Tacos as well as its Black Pumas Stay Gold Hoppy Pale Ale. A portion of the taco proceeds will go toward the Health Alliance for Austin Musicians. These tacos will be purchasable at Northshore, South Congress and South Lamar locations.
Happy ACL weekend!
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(Pavement/Instagram)
The cost of living in Austin may be on an upswing but just because you might have less money in your pockets doesn’t mean you have to compromise your lifestyle.
With gas prices rising above $4 per gallon, rents rising 25-40% and reports showing that Austinites pay more in household bills than any other Texas city, you may find yourself with less cheddar than you’re used to this time of year.
Aside from cutting back on spending, thrifting is a great way to stretch your dollar a little bit further. The average American spends $1,700 on clothes annually, of which 85% percent ends up in landfills, making secondhand shopping a greener, more affordable and nearly equally fashionable option.
These local secondhand emporiums sell most daily goods for a fraction of the price if you don’t mind a little wear.
Best antiques: Uncommon Objects, 1602 Fortview Rd.
You won’t find any clothing at Uncommon Objects but you will find oodles of objects from yesteryear to bring into your home. The store has been peddling items from “your eccentric uncle’s attic on steroids” since 1991, connecting Austinites with relics from the past. The items inside start at just a few dollars but range due to the great variety. Many of these items have passed through multiple hands–it doesn’t get greener than that!
Best for finding clothes on a budget: Texas Thrift, 5319 N Interstate Hwy 35
This enormous North Austin warehouse is packed with so many racks of secondhand clothing that it would be nearly impossible to go through them all in one visit. You’re probably not going to find a Gucci tracksuit or Christian Louboutins while you roam the racks but you’re almost certain to leave with at least one new-to-you article of clothing that fits your style for less than $10.
Best for fashionable finds: Uptown Cheapskate, multiple locations
Though it may be a bit more expensive than the run-of-the-mill thrift shop, Uptown Cheapskate is filled with gently used, name-brand clothing for a fraction of the new price. Uptown both buys and sells clothing released in boutiques within the last two years, meaning you’ll find brands like Free People, Zara, Nike and Patagonia in almost mint condition. Austonia reporter Claire Partain scored a pair of Steve Madden's last week for less than $15.
Best variety: Far Out Home Fittings, 1500 W Ben White Blvd.
With a full “Funkyard” out back, antiques, oddities, furniture, jewelry and knick knacks are Far Out Home Fittings’ specialty. This is not the place to come if you’re looking for something specific but if you’re open to a rummaging adventure, you’re likely to find something you didn't know you needed from furniture to jewelry to musical instruments. Our favorite Far Out finds: $5 gold chains, a vintage hand-crank whisk and long-forgotten lettering from signage.
Craft supplies: Austin Creative Reuse, 2005 Wheless Ln.
‘Waste not, want not’ would be a good tagline for Austin Creative Reuse, where you can find partially used art supplies that would have been thrown away otherwise. Looking to make your own clothes? ACR has shelves upon shelves of fabric and yarn for mostly less than a dollar per yard. Accessories? There are beads and thread aplenty. Scrap paper, paint, mosaics, magnets, zippers, glitter, findings in bulk and workshops to teach you how to be your craftiest self.
Furniture: Salvation Army, multiple locations
If you’re a fan of TikTok, you’ve probably wanted to try your hand at upcycling—repurposing objects in a way that makes it just as or more valuable than the original—at least once or twice and Salvation Army is the place to start. This store has everything: clothing, shoes, accessories, electronics, art and pieces of furniture that are begging to be made pretty again through a little TLC.
Vintage and variety fashion: Pavement, multiple locations
Racks on racks of modern and vintage mixed clothing await at Pavement, which is known for its legendary fill-a-bag sales. Meanwhile, its shoe and accessory walls are almost as spacious as its selection of clothing while maintaining a balance between current fashion and styles of yore. Clothing at Pavement isn’t the most affordable, but it will still bring you in lower than most prices at vintage and new clothing stores.
(ATCEMS/Facebook)
An Austin-Travis County ambulance was removed from a Central Austin St. David's Hospital and taken for a joyride until it was recovered in Round Rock.
Ezra Neal, 32, is now in the Travis County jail facing two felony counts for auto theft of $300,000 or more and evading in a motor vehicle, according to the Austin Police Department.
On Thursday morning, ATCEMS tracked down the missing ambulance truck and reported it to APD. An officer found the ambulance with its back door wide open on I-35 in Pflugerville.
(APD)
The police officer followed Neal North for almost 10 miles as four more police vehicles joined the chase. When Neal entered Round Rock, he took the FM 1431 exit toward University Boulevard, police said.
He was able to get past spike strips set up in his path by police but eventually turned into an H-E-B parking lot where he was arrested.
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