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Isabella Lopes
Isabella Lopes is a writer and a habitual social media specialist, who hopes to make an impact in the world with her knowledge of other cultures and passion for celebrating diversity. She is a native to Brazil but a true Texas enthusiast.
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Barton Springs Pool is one of many places to spend your day at this spring for under $10 a person.
Austin is one of those cities filled with fun activities for anyone and everyone—even if you're on a budget. Whether you're looking for some fun drinking or you want to spend a day in nature, Austin has you covered with some bizarre and other tranquil entertainment options for the best day ever.
Here are 9 activities under $10 you should try in Austin.
Chicken Shit Bingo at The Little Longhorn Saloon
Address: 5434 Burnet Road
For the past 40 years, The Little Longhorn Saloon has provided Austinites with amazing live music of all genres, a good time and one of the weirdest and most creative activities: chicken shit bingo.
If you had to do a double take on that name, you aren't alone. The popular weekly activity is a fan favorite at The LIttle Longhorn Saloon. From 4-8 p.m. on Sundays, you can make a $2 donation to buy your ticket and gather with your friends for the unique bingo experience. Once the chickens are fed and the anticipation for what is followed begins, the rounds of bingo start. Your ticket will have a number that will correspond with one on the table and if a chicken happens to do its business on your lucky number, you win a cash prize.
Cathedral of Junk
Address: 4422 Lareina Dr.
Hidden behind a south Austin home is none other than the Cathedral of Junk, a beloved Austin treasure. What started as a fun project for owner Vince Hannemann has become the talk of the town and a location for tours, weddings, parties and much more.
Hannemann started building his towering artwork in 1988 when he was in his 20s and has since collected some 60 tons of unwanted items, adding to the Cathedral of Junk. Adults can make a $10 donation to tour the Austin gem and kids 18 and younger get in for free. You can make a reservation to tour the Cathedral of Junk by calling Vince at 512-299-7413.
Zilker Botanical Garden
Address: 2220 Barton Springs Road
In the heart of downtown is a land where the grass is green and gardens don't fall short on the horizon. At the Zilker Botanical Garden, guests can tour around the different themed gardens while enjoying some sunlight and all that nature has to offer. The botanical garden has three garden themes: Taniguchi Japanese Garden, Hartman Prehistoric Garden and the Rose Garden, all offering different sights and peaceful walking tours. General admission tickets range from $6 to $8 depending on the time of day and a reservation can be made online here.
There are also free days offered for 2021: May 2, July 17, Sept. 12, Nov. 11 and Dec. 27.
Barton Springs Pool
Address: 2131 William Barton Dr.
It's no secret that Austinites cherish one of the most well-known treasures of the city: Barton Springs Pool. The 3 acre pool is made possible from underground springs with warm water temperatures of 68-70 degrees, making it a perfect place to visit year-round. The pool has been visited by locals, tourists, celebrities and all people wanting to enjoy a beautiful natural treasure within downtown city limits. Austin residents can enter the Barton Springs Pool for $5; entry for children between the ages of 1 and 11 is $2, ages 12 to 17 is $3 and seniors 62 or older is $2.
Mayfield Park
Address: 3505 W 35th St.
Since before humans toured the grounds of Mayfield Park, bright and colorful peacocks claimed it as theirs and haven't left since. Mayfield Park, home to over 20 acres of palm trees, brilliant gardens, koi ponds and as stated before, brilliantly eccentric peacocks. From 5 a.m. to 10 p.m., guests can roam around the park while exploring the historic buildings, running into peacocks and enjoying the outdoors.
Watch the sunset at Oasis Texas Brewing Company
Address: 6650 Comanche Trail Suite #301
Lake Travis has some of the most breathtaking views in Austin, and now, you can enjoy a cold beer and some sunset views at the Oasis Texas Brewing Company. From 4-6 p.m. on Thursday and 2-6 p.m. on Fridays, the brewery hosts a killer happy hour with a great view. Guests can order $12 sliders and beer tasting featuring a fried chicken slider, wagyu beef slider and triple threat pork slider plus a flight of 3 beers. If the extra $2 is a dealbreaker, you can try any slider and a beer for $5 during happy hour. Checking out Lake Travis during golden hour might be an activity worth doing every weekend.
The Congress Avenue Bridge bats
Address: Congress Ave.
Locals know that starting in late March until early fall, spotting bats during sunset isn't a surprise. Whether it's your first time seeing the Mexican free-tailed bats wake and start their night flight or you've seen it one too many times, it's a mindblowing and beautiful activity worth witnessing, sometimes more than one. The small winged nocturnal animals come out to play right around sunset. If you find yourself on the Congress Avenue Bridge, along with hundreds of other people wanting to see the magical experience, you won't be disappointed.
Carousel Lounge
Address: 1110 E. 52nd
Halloween is far away but Carousel Lounge, a beloved Austin circus-themed bar will be reopening it's doors just in time for a fun summer. The oh-so-Austin and unique dive bar has been providing Austinites with quite a weird scene of circus-themed everything since the 1960s. Now, with the pandemic's end in sight, the bar will be opening its doors May 1 for a night of creepy fun, drinks and tons of live music. If you're not sold on the idea or being surrounded by clowns, you'll be happy to know its BYO-liquor, according to do512. Go for the experience, save on the alcohol.
Yard Bar
Address: 6700 Burnet Road
At Yard Bar, you'll find yourself enjoying a cold beer while spending time with exclusively dog lovers, all while giving your own pup a space to have fun. For a $9 per dog entry pass, 21 and older guests can enjoy the afternoon at the outdoor restaurant while drinking $5 draft beers and soaking up some sun. Along with pup-inspired meals for your own four-legged friends, Yard Bar also offers human food such as burgers and sandwiches. So if you're looking for good beer, good food and even better—dogs, Yard Bar has you covered.
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(Clark's Oyster Bar/Instagram)
Whether you're in dire need of some deliciously priced food or your favorite cocktails with a twist, Austin restaurants are here to make the best of happy hour.
Here are 9 happy hours around town worth trying.
Licha's Cantina, 1306 E. 6th St.
If you find yourself at Licha's Cantina from Tuesdays to Fridays, we completely understand. The killer happy hour from 4 to 6 p.m. is filled with great deals on cocktails, beers and delicious Mexico City-inspired soul food. For drinks, Licha's Cantina offers $6 cocktails such as margaritas, palomas and vampiros as well as deals on Corona and buckets of beer. For a snack, you can enjoy $6 sopecitos, huaraches and quesadillas and $5 exquisite and camote.
Black Sheep Lodge, 2108 S. Lamar Blvd
If you're looking for a reason to enjoy happy hour deals everyday of the week, Black Sheep Lodge has you covered. With different drink specials every day, the bar and grill offers over 120 different beers and cocktails. From Monday to Sunday, you can enjoy $3 Texas pints and liquors, $2 off tequila shots and drinks, $1 12-ounce cans of white trash cans (Lone Star, PBR Tallboys Schlitz, Pearl and more) and so much more. You can check out the full list of specials here.
Parkside, 301 E. 6th St.
A downtown favorite, Parkside has a weekday happy hour from 5 to 6 p.m. that will knock you out of the park. On Mondays, specialty martinis are half off, and from Tuesday to Saturday, you can get half off beer, cocktails and food including fries and oysters from the bar menu. Plus, you can get half off oyster platters and sparkling wine every Wednesday night.
Olive & June, 3411 Glenview Ave.
As part of Chef Shawn Cirkiel's Parkside Projects Restaurant and Hospitality Group, Olive & June is another great choice for getting a great deal during happy hour. From 5 to 6 p.m., you can get half off beer and cocktails plus snack on delicious antipasti options.
Café No Sé, 1603 S. Congress Ave
Rosé lovers will be happy to know there is a place in town where you can get 25% off all bottles and great reverse happy hour specials. Café No Sé offers a reverse happy hour everyday from 6 to 8 p.m. with $2 off beer, wine and menu cocktails, plus a speciality treat of 25% off bottles of rose everyday. That's seven days a week to enjoy great deals on wine and get the most out of happy hour time.
Uchiko, 4200 N. Lamar Blvd.
Uchiko, the upscale sushi restaurant connected with the beloved Uchi, has a sake social everyday from 4 to 6 p.m. that might be one of the best deals in town. Award-winning chef Tyson Cole's blended knowledge on Japanese food and creativity in dishes is worth a visit any day of the week, but sake social is a happy hour not worth missing. You can find the menu for the sake social at Uchiko here.
P6, 111 E. Cesar Chavez St.
At the LINE austin, you will find a rooftop lounge with great happy hour specials, tasty cocktails and a great view. P6, located at the way top of the hotel, has a list of specialty curated Mediterranean small plates such as artisanal cheeses, whipped feta roasted tomato dip and more as well as seasonal cocktails that will make your visit worth it. Happy hour is Monday through Thursday from 4 to 5 p.m. You can find the menu for happy hour at P6 here.
Clark's Oyster Bar, 1200 W. 6th St.
Clark's Oyster Bar has a happy hour that will cheer up any Austinite, and on any day. From 3 to 5 p.m., any day of the week, you can find yourself ordering an unhealthy amount of oysters as they are 50 cents off. On weekdays, the happy hour includes half off burgers, $5 martinis, oyster shooters and draft beer. On weekends, Clark's has half off bottles of wine and $5 oyster shooters.
The Peached Tortilla, 5520 Burnet Road #100
From 5 to 7 p.m daily, The Peached Tortilla offers a happy hour with delicious bites and great cocktails. The happy hour includes $5 beers, $6 wine and cocktails, $4 tacos, $5 snacks such as shishito peppers and crispy fries and a $9 burger with peached sauce, american cheese, miso caramelized onions, japanese pickles and lettuce. You can find the menu for happy hour at Peached Tortilla here.
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(St. Elmo Brewing Company/Instagram)
Luckily for Austinites, great breweries don't fall short on the horizon of town. From floral and citrus-like characteristics to a hop-forward beer with a malty flavor, Austin breweries have you covered with beers for everyone.
With the hot Texas weather approaching, even if you're not a beer fan, there's nothing quite like enjoying a cold drink at a local brewery.
Here are 15 breweries to visit in Austin.
St. Elmo Brewing Company, 440 E. St. Elmo Road
Since 2016, St. Elmo Brewing Company has provided South Austin with lots of laughs and great beers. The brewery has a great list of rotating beers on tap and an even better beer garden where everyone can have a good time. Founded by Tim Bullock and Bryan Winslow, the brewery has beers for all beer lovers, whether you're picky or adventurous. We recommend you try Gary, St. Elmo's IPA and enjoy some fantastic Asian-inspired food at the food truck on site.
Jester King, 1387 Fitzhugh Road
Sour beer lovers will be happy to know there is a local farmhouse brewery where beer is good and relaxation is achievable. One of the most known Austin breweries, Jester King Brewery provides all undercover beer snobs with wild ales and "spontaneously fermented beers" showcasing the passion and inspiration from the Texas Hill Country. The farmhouse brewery uses water from its well, locally grown grains and native wild yeast to give Austinites what they deserve to have on a great day: great beer.
Southern Heights Brewing Company, 6014 Techni Center Dr. suite 2-101
If you're in need of a place where you'll meet great local people and drink great local beer, Southern Heights Brewing Company is the place to visit. When described as a hole in the wall, there is no exaggeration. The east Austin hidden gem is located inside an office building and could easily be overlooked. Yet, with so many friendly smiles and a selection of great beers and exceptional IPA's, the rustic Southern Heights is one of those places you can enjoy on a rainy, sunny or cloudy day.
Oddwood Ales, 3108 Manor Road
An urban patio, hip interior and good beer and food is something we all know we need as the days get warmer. Oddwood Ales Brewing, with a unique amount of flavor profiles and options, has you covered for those days you just want to have a good day. The brewpub focuses on American-style wild ales and hoppy pale ales, so make sure to add those to your "must try" list before anything else. Besides good beer, you can also find a food menu with delicious strombolis and pizzas.
Hold Out Brewing, 1208 W. 4th St.
If you consider yourself too much of a foodie, we have a perfect brewery for you. Hold Out Brewing, a new hot spot located West of downtown and next to Better Half coffee, has all burgers, sandwiches, hot dogs and beers you can only dream about. Whether you're trying to cool off on a hot day or enjoy a meal with a refreshing cold drink, Hold Out brewing has light and elegant beers to make your day just a little bit better.
Pinthouse Brewing, 2201 E. Ben White Blvd.
Pinthouse Brewing and Pizza is a must hit for anyone looking for a crazy good time, delicious pizzas and a great hoppy IPA. The beloved Austin brewpub has evolved the vibrant community with a passion for craft beer and good food. After all, isn't that the best part of enjoying a cold beer? Pinthouse Pizza also focuses on locally and organically sourced products for their hops and food supplies.
Austin Beerworks, 3001 Industrial Terrace
You might be familiar with Austin Beerworks from their colorful beer cans, but if you haven't visited the brewery yet, it's time to change that. The Austin staple has a great range of craft beer and a regularly rotating tap list. As the weather warms up, you might be looking for a beer with clarity and intention, and Austin Beerworks has just that. The brewery focuses on a creative take on beloved classics and is inspired by seasons, so if you're feeling the spring and summer spirit, they have the right beer for you.
Celis Brewery, 10001 Metric Blvd.
An Austin classic, Celis Brewery is the first Texas craft brewery to open its doors in 1992. Created by the Father of Wit Beer Pierre Celis, Celis Brewery has provided Austinites with a range of citrusy, aromatic and sharp flavors for all beer drinkers. Whether you're craving a sour or a beer to drink away the hot summer days ahead, Celis has you covered.
Circle Brewing Company, 2340 W. Braker Lane b
As the oldest microbrewery in North Austin, Circle Brewing Company is top of the list of Austin classics worth visiting. With a great selection of creative beers and a guaranteed great time, it's hard to stay away. The brewery was founded by beer lovers Ben Sabel and Judson Mulherin after spending years and years attempting to brew beer and learning how passionate one could be about it. The brewery focuses on merging Reinheitsgebot, a German purity law from 1516 limiting the ingredients in beer in Germany and "Texas ingenuity." Water, malt, hops and yeast make Circle Brewing Company possible.
Live Oak Brewing Company, 1615 Crozier Lane
Live Oak Brewing Company is one of the top spots in Austin to feel like you've transported yourself to olden times—flavorwise. The German-focused brewery has been a staple in the Austin beer game since 1997, providing Austinites with authentically unique and rich flavors. By using an old-world style of brewing mainly practiced in central Europe, the brewery has a unique experience waiting for everyone looking to visit their taproom and biergarten. If you're looking for something unique, try their variety of smoked beers, also called Rauchbier.
(512) Brewing Company, 407 Radam Lane
The Austin classic speaks levels of its authenticity and love for the city by its name. (512) Brewing Company works on providing consciously crafted beer to Austinites by conserving water, reusing kegs, using organic base malt and so much more. Besides, the beer is pretty tasty. The microbrewery offers great options, but if you're looking for something to knock you out of the park, try their Pecan Porter and you won't be disappointed.
Zilker Brewing Company, 1701 E. 6th St.
In the heart of East Austin you'll find a land where beer is cold and good energy can be found. Zilker Brewing Company, influenced by world travel and experimentation, offers Austinites with a large list of pungent, elegant and bright beers for a perfect day. Whether you're a fan of a classic IPA and stouts or fruited beer, this brewpub has you covered with amazing flavor profiles and seasonal beers to match every time of year. Plus, you can find one of the many great chicken sandwiches in town here.
Hi Sign Brewery, 1201 Old Bastrop Hwy.
Hi Sign Brewery provides Austinites with a space where nature meets community. The somewhat new-to-Austin brewery has an understanding of IPA flavor profiles worth every last sip, and with a beautiful beer garden surrounded by trees and wooden tables, there's nothing quite as aromatic and relaxing as enjoying a cold one on a sunny Austin day.
The Austin Beer Garden Brewing Co.
If you're a fan of lagers, look no further than The Austin Beer Garden Brewing Co., also known as ABGB. ABGB won the brewpub of the year award from the Great American Beer Festival in 2016, so you know it's good stuff. ABGB has you covered with flavor crazy beers, delicious food and a great time. We recommend you try their pilsner "Industry" and the killer muffuletta sandwich for a guaranteed happy stomach.
Lazarus Brewing Co., 1902 E. 6th St.
Coffee, beer and tacos should be on everyone's favorite list of things, and there is no doubt that Lazarus Brewing Co. has all the categories covered for you to have a great time. With an urban patio, great interior and a selection of beers that will truly make you question your regular order of beer, this neighborhood brewpub in East Austin is worth the visit and more. Feeling tired? They have great coffee. Feeling hungry? They have all the breakfast tacos you'll need. Feeling adventurous? They have fun beers worth trying.
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(Comedor/Instagram)
Austin knows how to do food well—from traditional to the weird. Whether you're looking to try something completely new like a rabbit-rattlesnake sausage or a sweet take on a taco, Austin has all the foodies covered on a flavor adventure you might've never heard of.
Here are 9 unique dishes worth trying around town.
Lonesome Dove Bistro, rabbit-rattlesnake sausage
Created by Chef Tim Love, Lonesome Dove Bistro offers Western-inspired meals with sophistication and dare we say, lots of creativity. The rabbit-rattlesnake sausage, with manchego rosti and crème fraîche, is one dish on the must-try category of unique foods in town. The menu also features other ingredients with influences from the Goodnight-Loving and Chisholm Trails, such as duck, Texas wild boar, bison, elk and many seafood options such as trout and oysters.
Comedor, bone marrow tacos
Chef Philip Speer created Comedor, the Mexican-inspired restaurant with an innovative menu. If you're up for trying something delicious and unique the bone marrow tacos, filled with quelites, smoked butter and pecan gremolata will change up any taco game you thought you had.
Aparaci's, Hot Cheeto machete
Machetes have taken Austin by storm, so it's no surprise to already see a quirky and oh-so-Austin way of spicing up the menu with Hot Cheetos machetes at Aparacio's. The Hot Cheeto machete is one of many creations by Aparacio's, but at over 18 inches, the gigantic dish is perfect to share with a group of friends. For $11, you can order a Hot Cheeto Machete and attempt to eat the whole thing at once.
Tellus Joe, broccoli reuben
This vegan restaurant has outdone itself in creativity by reinventing traditional recipes. The early-bird sister project of The Beer Plant offers a 100% plant-based menu and organic coffee. The broccoli reuben sandwich at Tellus Joe is a must-try. The sandwich, a remake of the corned beef classic, features provolone-style cheese, mustard, mayo and horseradish on a ciabatta bun for a perfectly light and delicious bite.
Oh K-Dog, squid ink korean dog
If you've never heard of Korean hotdogs, you can try one right here in town. The Korean street food craze has made its way to Austin and Oh K-Dog has you covered with delicious deep fried rice hotdogs. You can order from over 12 different types of hotdogs, but the squid-ink with mozzarella cheese one is definitely the most unique.
Sour Duck Market, kouign-amann
If you've never tried an outrageously buttery and deliciously sophisticated kouign-amann, it's time to change that for good. The delicate French pastry originated from Brittany and can be found at Sour Duck Market. With a rustic exterior and simple ingredients, the pastry is a sugary, caramelized croissant resembling what most of us know as a muffin.
Taco Sweets, ice cream tacos
You can easily find some of the best breakfast, lunch and dinner tacos around town, but have you ever tried a dessert taco? Taco Sweets is changing the street food game with deliciously sweet and crazy good lookin' ice cream tacos. The taco truck offers eight signature tacos ranging from the cookie monster to over the rainbow themes, but if you're in the mood for other flavors, you can build your own with eight different ice cream flavors, nine syrups and an unlimited number of toppings. Yum!
Licks Honest Ice Creams, goat cheese, thyme and honey ice cream
There's nothing quite as unique as pairing goat cheese, thyme and honey in ice cream, but Lick Honest Ice Creams manages to pull it off. The creaminess and quick flavor profile of goat cheese starts getting you hooked until you realize thyme and honey are playing a huge factor into making this delicious ice cream so crave-able and perfectly sweet. This is a must try if you're feeling adventurous for a good bite, especially as the warmer weather hits Austin. Plus, you can buy a pint at your local grocery store to enjoy from home.
Russian House, Texas BBQ infused vodka
Russian House of Austin is Austin's first Russian restaurant, and with a title that important, it's no surprise that you can find over 100 different infused vodkas to try. From spicy and unique, to herbal and floral, the Russian restaurant has so many different options you'll feel overwhelmed. One of the weirdest, if we do say, is the the Texas BBQ infused vodka. You can check out the whole list of infused vodkas here. If you have a hard time deciding, the restaurant also offers some signature cocktails that might be worth trying as well as traditional Eastern European dishes.
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