Experience Austin—SNIPPET

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The area’s most unique and interesting places

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ARTS & CULTURE

ARTS & CULTURE

Appreciate A rts & C u ltu r e

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ARTS & CULTURE

AMOA Arthouse Arthouse at the Jones Center creates meaningful opportunities to investigate and experience the art of our time through exhibitions, programs and commissions of new work.

Arthouse originates and presents a year-round schedule of contemporary art exhibitions from emerging and mid-career artists across the globe. Additionally, Arthouse offers a variety of visual art education opportunities, with a special emphasis on innovative programming for teenagers.

Founded in 1911 as the Texas Fine Arts Association (TFAA), the organization’s original mission was topromote and give identity to the visual arts in Texas.

TFAA’s early leadership was instrumental in the preservation of internationally celebrated sculptor Elisabet Ney’s collection and studio, called Formosa in Hyde Park, Austin. They also helped to establish the studio art department at The University of Texas at Austin and advocated for the formation of the Texas Commission on the Arts, as well as creating a statewide visual arts exhibition touring program.

In 1995, after operating out of the Carriage House on the grounds of the Laguna Gloria Art Museum (now the Austin Museum of Art) for more than 30 years, TFAA purchased the vacant property at 700 Congress Avenue in the heart of downtown Austin and completed a renovation of the first floor designed by Cunningham Architects, Dallas. In 1998, TFAA opened its new headquarters and exhibition space, the Jones Center, to the public. In November of 2002, as part of a critical strategic planning process, TFAA’s name was officially changed to Arthouse at the Jones Center.

700 Congress Avenue, Austin 512.453.5312 www.arthousetexas.org

Photographs courtesy of Arthouse

ARTS & CULTURE

Retreats & Resorts

Retreats & Resorts

escape r e tr ea ts & r e s o rts

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Retreats & Resorts

Retreats & Resorts

Hyatt Regency Austin In any city, travelers prefer to stay as close to the heart of the action as possible. And in Austin that action includes a legion of outdoor and waterfront activities, so lakeside accommodations are definitely best.

Perched on Lady Bird Lake, the Hyatt Regency Austin offers a prime location in the middle of natural beauty and bustling activities. Convenience and comfort are every visitor’s must-haves, and the Hyatt has both in spades.

Spread throughout 17 stories, 448 guest rooms surround an atrium home to a sun-filled, expansive lobby and lounge area perfect for relaxing.

Event and meeting space spans 23,000 square feet; every year corporate affairs and elegant weddings alike take advantage of the great location and perfectly appointed surroundings. The Foothills Ballroom in particular enjoys a position as the city’s only large hotel banquet space overlooking Lady Bird Lake and the urban landscape. The sense of welcoming hospitality that pervades the Hyatt personifies Austin itself.

Photographs: above by Mark Knight; facing page by Taggart Sorensen

Retreats & Resorts

Retreats & Resorts

Inside the hotel, guests and visitors can patronize the Southwest Bistro Restaurant, as well as indoor-outdoor lounge Marker 10 and Perks, a coffee shop. Each establishment sources as many local, fresh ingredients as possible and features an experienced, inventive culinary team. A fitness center, pool, and sun deck round out the indoor entertainment, and it’s easy to get outdoors thanks to the hotel’s spot along a scenic 10-mile trail and proximity to South Congress, the Ann W. Richards Congress Avenue Bridge—home to 1.5 million bats—and downtown music, restaurant, and nightlife scene. Supremely comfy beds and attentive service just complete the picture and make it obvious why the Hyatt Regency Austin is a destination in and of itself.

208 Barton Springs, Austin 512.477.1234 www.austin.hyatt.com

Photographs: above by Taggart Sorensen; right by Mark Knight; facing page top & bottom by Taggart Sorensen

Retreats & Resorts

Retreats & Resorts

Hotel San Jose The Hotel San Jose is located on South Congress Avenue, a few blocks south of where the Colorado River runs through downtown Austin. Nestled behind stucco walls in the heart of the hippest neighborhood in the city, the San Jose has been transformed into an urban, bungalow-style hotel. Built in 1939 as an “ultramodern motor court,” the hotel is part of the fabric of downtown Austin—a hotel with soul.

Nestled just steps from the bustle of South Congress is an eclectic botanical oasis with a uniquely Austin flair - part Hemingway, part Willie Nelson. The Hotel San Jose menu is limited to beer and wine and derivations thereof, but no one seems to mind. It's the perfect complement to this relaxing poolside atmosphere where tropical plans abound and you never know who you might meet. The cheese plate is delectable, as is the Texas evening from one of the hotel's classic vintage chairs. The candelit gardens are an ideal place for a lowkey meeting or even a romantic tryst.

A magnet for music lovers and arty types, Hotel San José is a masterclass in stylish understatement with chilled-out charm on South Congress Avenue.

1316 South Congress Avenue, Austin 512.852.2350 www.sanjosehotel.com

Photographs courtesy of Hotel San Jose

Retreats & Resorts

Hotel Saint Cecilia Hotel San José, which opened about a decade ago in a restored motel.

Raising the city’s boutique quotient is the Hotel Saint Cecilia, opened in 2008. Named after the patron saint of music, the Saint Cecilia is already a favorite of big-name musicians who swing into town to play on the city’s countless stages.

Tucked away on a residential street in South Congress, a trendy neighborhood just over Lady Bird Lake from downtown Austin. A short walk away are chic boutiques, restaurants and one of Austin’s oldest music halls, the Continental Club. The hotel occupies a white-clapboard Victorian house and several bungalows, on a small estate with oak trees, cactuses and topiaries. Each of the 14 rooms is different, but they all have

an eclectic mix of vintage furniture and edgy art, monogrammed sheets and those astronomically priced mattresses.

Rock-star style and Southern hospitality make a rare and beguiling combination. Everything about this hotel is thought out and well considered, from the plate of locally made sweets that greet you in your room to the handwritten note nearby.

112 Academy Drive, Austin 518.852.2400 www.hotelstcecilia.com Photographs courtesy of Hotel Sain Cecilia

Retreats & Resorts

Retreats & Resorts

Lakeway Resort

and

Spa

With a commanding view of the Texas Hill Country from the shores of Lake Travis, Lakeway Resort and Spa captures the elegance of a world-class destination with contemporary resort amenities.

Perfect for business, leisure, or special occasions, Lakeway Resort and Spa sets the standard for Austin hotels by offering superior accommodations and excellent service. The resort is located ideally near wineries, marinas, restaurants, nightlife, championship golf courses and offers many recreational activities, including spa services, sailing, boat charters, fishing, jet ski rentals, and much more! Our conference center features meeting rooms and conference space for productive Austin meetings and conferences. Austin weddings are our specialty as our resort offers a variety of settings, including indoor ballrooms and outdoor sites for your wedding ceremony and reception.

Lakeway Resort and Spa will make sure every detail is handled with care from wedding coordination and planning to catering and receptions. Every Austin wedding held at Lakeway Resort and Spa is planned to the smallest detail and brought to life in surroundings of warmth and luxurious ambiance.

101 Lakeway Drive, Austin 800.525.3929 www.lakewayresortandspa.com

Photographs courtesy of Lakeway Resort and Spa

Retreats & Resorts

Retreats & Resorts

Retreats & Resorts

Travaasas Travaasa is more than just a destination hotel with world-class spa services, food and beverages with local flavor, and breathtaking vistas. It’s an experience that recaptures the magic of travel and gives you a memory to glow by.

When you leave Travaasa, you leave with a story. You’ll experience local food, landscapes, people, and a real sense of place. At Travaasa you’ll savor imu cooking and explore working plantations and ranches. Or maybe you’ll just take a picnic lunch down to the beach. Our inspiration for Travaasa began with our own travel. Too many stays in too many cold, soulless concrete towers informed our philosophy. Too many hotels and resorts that looked the same from place to place and kept us from experiencing the real culture that lives outside our cookie-cutter rooms.

We wanted a place that would reawaken us. Intellectually, culturally, experientially. A place where we could learn, touch and do new things.

A place we couldn’t find in our own backyard, or at the local spa or gym. In other words, we wanted the joy of the journey, the magic of arriving somewhere new and getting a sense of that place. We wanted spontaneous moments and the magic of surprise that travel is supposed to bring us.

13500 Farm to Market Road, Austin 512.258.7243 www.travaasa.com

Photographs courtesy of Travaasas

SIghtS & ATTRACTIONS RESTAURANTS & Bars — City

RESTAURANTS & Bars

indulge R e s ta u ra n ts & ba r s

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RESTAURANTS & Bars

RESTAURANTS & Bars

Biga

on the

Banks

When Bruce Auden moved from Chicago to Texas in 1983, his pioneering reputation followed him. Today, that reputation precedes him. There are few on the fine dining scene who haven’t heard of the Londonborn restaurateur’s extraordinary cuisine.

Called “the patriarch of San Antonio chefs” by a counterpart, Auden continues to create dishes both adventuresome and divine at Biga on the Banks. The fivetime James Beard nominee is as modest as he is charming, but there’s nothing humble about the exquisite experience found at his destination restaurant.

Albeit on the Riverwalk, Biga operates on a quiet stretch, high above the water.

It’s not the sort of place one stumbles upon, but those lucky enough to know of it are rewarded with a beautiful loft-like dining room, contemporary but far from severe, and a view as stunning as the food. Favorites include Axis venison with Brussels sprouts and goat cheese strudel, the you-have-to-ask-because-it’snot-on-the-menu Expensive Mushrooms, and toffee pudding, which had a New York Times reporter begging for more. What to wear: “Whatever you are comfortable in. A tux is fine; shorts and a T-shirt is fine, too,” says Auden.

203 South Saint Mary’s Street, San Antonio 210.225.0722 www.biga.com

Photographs courtesy of Biga on the Banks

RESTAURANTS & Bars

Hudson’s

on the

Bend

In 1984 when Jeffrey Blank started Hudson’s on the Bend, regional cuisine was all the rage. Considering the restaurant’s Austin location, he decided to focus on game-heavy Texas cuisine—a premise still going strong more than 20 years later. Complete with “way too many wines,” Hudson’s on the Bend is a destination popular with Austin locals, visitors, and even a few celebrities.

Considering that Texas is a true melting pot that blends “cowboy, Mexican, French, German” and more—in Jeff’s words—the cuisine is just as unique and reflective of that mixing of cultures and tastes. Wild game, beef, and seafood feature prominently on the menu. When the restaurant began, situated in an area of Austin known as Hudson Bend—named after the first family to settle along a bend of the Colorado River in 1854—the surroundings were undeniably country. While it’s now a part of the urban sprawl, Hudson’s on the Bend remains a warm, romantic haven.

“Without wine, food would be plain,” Jeff says, explaining his decision to carry a huge wine list to complement his food. He believes the addition of wine to a meal fires up and excites the taste buds. The impressive wine list covers an array of red, white, and sparkling varietals, but also boasts blends from California to France to Spain to Italy and beyond. Naturally, Texas wines have a special place on the list and names like Fall Creek, Inwood Estates, and Stone House make appearances. Periodic wine dinners with specially selected pairings round out the enophile-friendly offerings.

Patronized by the likes of Lance Armstrong and Sandra Bullock, Hudson’s on the Bend is a shining example of Texas fine dining—and wining.

3509 Ranch Road 620 North, Austin 512.266.1369 www.hudsonsonthebend.com Photographs courtesy of Hudson’s on the Bend

RESTAURANTS & Bars

RESTAURANTS & Bars

Kenichi Since Kenichi Austin opened in 2001, it has been renowned for its outstanding cuisine, award winning wine and sake lists, and energetic atmosphere. Our staff combines all the necessary ingredients to make Kenichi one of Austin’s most unique dining establishments.

There are many sushi choices in Austin, but none like Kenichi. Far beyond any Austin dinner hotspot, Kenichi offers something greater. Known

for our exciting sushi bar and and rock star booths, each diner gets to experience a bit of Austin nightlife while enjoying one of Austin’s culinary staples.

For over 10 years, Kenichi has been an Austin favorite and continues to bring fresh new flavors and innovative styles. Our educated staff is here to enhance your meal by making great recommendations and spot-on

RESTAURANTS & Bars

pairings. Our dedication to local sourcing combined with exotic flavors and continued staff education creates a dining experience to remember.

sushi. The Kenichi has a vast sake selection and their ability to pair each type of sake with their creative and delicious food offerings.

It’s a good time for Japanese food lovers in Austin. No matter where you live in the capital of Texas, there’s bound to be a Sushi restaurant nearby —especially downtown. Of course, not all Japanese restaurants are created equal, but for a medium sized city, Austin has it’s fair share of high end

419 Colorado Street, Austin 512.320.8883 www.kenichiaustin.com All photographs by Carlton Soohoo

RESTAURANTS & Bars

RESTAURANTS & Bars

Ranch 616 The press has called Ranch 616 a “diner gone designer,” a Texas-style diner worthy of Manhattan, and a place “you can make your own.” But those who eat there regularly (and there are many) simply call it “The Ranch.”

With a nod to the South Texas ice house and flavors from the Texas-Mexico border area (“not Tex-Mex,” chef/owner Kevin Williamson emphasizes), The Ranch is at once fabulous and laid-back, upscale without a pretentious brick in the building, proving that sophisticated food isn’t exclusive to uptight, whitetablecloth restaurants. Unique in the world, there is no other spot quite like The Ranch. Likewise, there’s no one quite like Williamson.

After stints in real estate and on Wall Street, Williamson, a native Texan, found his place in the kitchen. With stops in La Jolla, California, New York City, and Aspen, Colorado (where he helped open the renowned Ajax Tavern), Williamson returned to cook in his native Austin. He spent two years at the original Central Market before opening Ranch 616 in 1998. With expert assistance from Antonio Vidal, the kitchen turns out mouthwatering steak and seafood specials (the Black Angus rib eye comes topped with a fried egg; grass-fed Longhorn beef has the unique taste of free-range meat), as well as crowd-pleasers like homemade tamales and fish tacos.

At Ranch 616, Williamson’s Texas pride is evident at every turn. The restaurant’s decor spins on the murals of local artist Bob “Daddy-O” Wade, the menu hinges on Gulf seafood and Texas beef and wine, and the service is always fast and friendly.

616 Nueces Street, Austin 512.479.7616 www.theranch616.com

Photographs courtesy of Ranch 616

Music & Festivals

Music & Festivals

Listen m u s i c & f e s ti v a l s

Music & Festivals

Music & Festivals

Austin City Limits Music Festival ACL Festival takes place on 46-acres in Zilker Park, the crown jewel of Austin’s public green spaces. It plays host not only to 130-plus artists from across the globe, but amazing local eats and wares, fun for the kiddos, green goings-on, and other cool activities to entertain you for three magical days.

Austin City Limits (often abbreviated as ACL) is an American public television music program recorded live in Austin, Texas by Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) Public television member station KLRU, and broadcast on many PBS stations around the United States. The show helped Austin to become widely known as "Live Music Capital of the World," and is the only television show to receive the National Medal of Arts, which it was awarded in 2003.

Initially created to celebrate the music of Texas—featuring western swing, Texas blues, Tejano music, progressive country, and rock n' roll—the series has gone on to feature regional, national and international artists performing a wide range of musical styles, including jazz, alternative country, alternative rock, folk music, and jam band.

The show inspired the creation of the Austin City Limits Music Festival, an annual live music festival at Zilker Park in Austin.

Some of the performances from Austin City Limits have been released as CDs and DVDs in the Live from Austin, TX series. Full episodes can also be viewed online at the show's official website. There is an Austin City Limits store at the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport.

2100 Barton Springs Road, Austin 888.512.7469 www.aclfestival.com

Photographs courtesy of Austin City Limits

Music & Festivals

Music & Festivals

Texas Hill Country Wine For 25 years, the Texas Hill Country Wine and Food Festival has been one of the premier epicurean celebrations in the southern region of the United States. It has attracted top culinary stars like Bobby Flay, John Besh, Robert Mondavi, Colman Andrews and other popular food-world icons to Austin. The festival has created its own unique brand presence that has reinforced the reputation of Austin and Central Texas as top food and wine destinations.

Bringing winemakers, chefs and wine-and-food lovers together in the Hill Country for the first time made the initial Festival an unqualified success.

Each year, more local, regional and national chefs, restaurants and wineries participate, and guest chefs and winemakers come from around the globe.

and

Food Festival

Although the Texas Hill Country Food & Wine Festival continues to grow and evolve, the Festival remains true to its mission established 25 years ago—to bring together innovative culinary artisans and wine producers who celebrate the rich traditions that influence Texas wine and food.

The Festival’s purpose is to promote Texas wine and food and to increase appreciation of Texas’ impact on food and wine throughout the world.

Founded in the Texas Hill Country in 1986, the Festival is a 501(c)4 nonprofit organization.

12731 Research Boulevard, Austin 512.249.6300 www.texaswineandfood.org Photographs courtesy of Texas Food and Wine

city & country

city & country

live c i ty & c o u n tr y

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city & country

city & country

The Austonian Located at the corner of 2nd and Congress in Austin, Texas, The Austonian will be the pinnacle of downtown luxury living when it opens in spring 2010.

Slated to be the tallest building in downtown Austin and the tallest residential building West of the Mississippi River, The Austonian will offer panoramic views of Austin and the surrounding Hill Country. More than 40,000 square feet of private amenities are available to residents of The Austonian and include a 55th floor than can host parties from 15 to 150, a 56th floor dedicated to exercise and 10th-floor amenities ranging from poolside cabanas and kitchens to a 12-seat screening room.

Luxury home buyers are savvy about what it means to live a sustainable lifestyle.

In addition to choosing hybrid cars and sustainable apparel, people who are in the market for new homes are focusing their real estate search in higherdensity areas, and they are looking for designs incorporating green building principles. The Austonian, Austin's premier private residential real estate community, combines unparalleled amenities and services with a sustainable, environmentally-friendly design.

The Austonian stands alone in a luxury home class defined by beautiful architecture, deluxe amenities, panoramic views and excellence of service. At 56 stories, The Austonian will be the tallest residential high-rise condominium West of the Mississippi River. Residents will enjoy over 40,000 square feet of private amenity space that includes private spa treatment rooms, a fitness center with 360-degree views of the city, a billiards and game room, lap pool, dog park, outdoor kitchen, screening room, executive meeting room, bicycle storage and climate-controlled wine vault. The private amenities of the luxury residences are complemented by a staff dedicated to delivering the highest class of service. Life at The Austonian will be supported by a 24-hour staff of Austonian Assistants, a complimentary 24-hour valet, and select experts from Austin's food, fitness and beauty communities.

Photographs courtesy The Austonian

city & country

The Austonian showcases luxurious lifestyle can support the living of an environmentally-conscious and sustainable life in one of America's most popular cities. Located in the heart of downtown Austin at 2nd Street and Congress Avenue, along major mass transit lines, this luxury home address is within a five minute walk to places of employment, retail stores, restaurants and entertainment venues. The building site itself occupies only one-third of a city block and, at 56 stories, offers luxurious high density living only blocks from the Texas State Capitol. A suburban residential community of 178 homes on one-acre lots requires at least 29 acres of asphalt and concrete. In contrast, The Austonian provides luxury homes for 178 families on less than three-quarters of an acre.

dimming ballasts will reduce the amount of lighting used when they are unoccupied. And, low-flow toilets and lavatories in each unit will reduce the use of potable water by at least 30 percent compared to typical fixtures.

The Austonian is working with local green power provider Austin Energy to ensure that energy use is as efficient as possible. The building's heating and air conditioning (HVAC) system, which includes climate control in each of the 178 units, is connected to the City of Austin chilled water system.

Using chilled water for air conditioning in lieu of over 178 individual condensation units results in more efficient production of cool air and a lower overall impact on natural resources. In common spaces, sensors and

200 Congress Avenue, Austin 512.827.2700 www.theaustonian.com

The Austonian is pursuing a four-star rating from the City of Austin Green Building Rating System, which is the equivalent to the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED Gold Rating. All construction materials used at The Austonian adhere to the strict VOC standards required of the LEED Green Building Rating System. These low-emitting materials achieve energy savings through reduced ventilation requirements and improve indoor air quality, and all come from sources.

Photographs courtesy The Austonian

city & country

city & country

Block 21 Residences During college and for several years after, Michael Deane managed and guided for luxury fly-fishing lodges in Mexico and Alaska. His job was to ensure that clients experienced the trip of a lifetime, and he did that through great customer service. He enjoyed every minute of it, but eventually it was time to put up his fishing rod and come back to Texas. Within a few weeks of moving back to Houston, Michael fell into a job with a production home builder.

Amazingly, by the end of his first day on the job Michael was hooked—he knew he’d found his calling.

Today, almost 20 years later, Michael is the proud proprietor of Michael Deane Homes, one of Austin’s premier luxury home building firms. Over the last decade, Michael has put together a team of talented professionals. MDH has built more than 75 custom homes in the Austin area, many of which have been featured in Architectural Digest and Luxe Magazine, and on HGTV. Southern Living selected MDH to build its 2003 Idea Home—an incredible honor.

Michael considers himself to be in the service industry more than the construction business. His team’s job is to bring clients’ desires to fruition in the most efficient manner possible. And efficiency means minimizing costs, time and stress. Believing his body of work speaks for itself, Michael likes to take prospective clients on a tour of current and completed projects.

Not surprisingly, the vast majority of projects he undertakes are for past clients ready for something new or people they’ve referred. Michael and his colleagues pride themselves in the fact that many of their clients have become good friends.

200 Lavaca Street, Austin 512 322 9221 block21residences.com

Photographs courtesy of Block 21 Residences

city & country

Golf & Tennis

Golf & Tennis

PLAY G o l f & Te n n i s

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Golf & Tennis

Golf & Tennis

Barton Creek Resort & Spa One of Texas’ top travel destinations became even more of an attraction with the addition of a second course from extraordinary designer Tom Fazio. Ben Crenshaw and Arnold Palmer have also produced courses at Barton Creek, giving the fanatical golfer a little something of everything. Attempting to list the best of anything in the world of golf can touch off a good-sized argument, but there are those whose opinions are solicited in various polls around the state who have come to believe Fazio’s Canyons Course is the No. 1 layout in Texas. That debate aside, there is no questioning the fact that it is a grand course laid out on a grand scale.

Enormous rock outcroppings abound, dry creek beds lined with limestone wander about and a variety of trees native to the Hill Country border the fairways. For the most part, however, one plays between all the scenic features and not over them. A small exception can be found at the par-4 16th, a brutish hole that obviously requires two big shots in order to have any chance for a par. The tee shot must make a minimal carry over a waste area of grasses out to a relatively abundant fairway that is pinched on both sides by strategically located trees.

The green is enormous -- almost half a football field deep. Two bunkers, a small one at the left front corner and a big one along the left side, will catch their share of action. There is a large runoff area behind the green and another one to the right. In addition, the green has a false front so that any shot not carried well onto the putting surface will steadily trickle back into the fairway. The 16th, as it turns out, is emblematic of the entire course, one that is very fair, very stern and planted in the midst of a steady stream of natural wonders.

8212 Barton Club Drive, Austin 512.329.4000 www.bartoncreek.com

Photographs courtesy of Barton Creek Resort & Spa

spas & Yoga Studios

spas & Yoga Studios

RELAX S pa s & Yo ga S tu d i o s

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spas & Yoga Studios

spas & Yoga Studios

Milk + Honey

spa

Milk + Honey is Austin’s premier day spa, created specially for Austin’s Spa Partisans™. We offer a spa experience that goes beyond exceptional treatments and the best (and happiest) therapists in town. A spa where you have a lounge to decompress. A design-forward environment that appeals to both men and women. Join us.

Sometimes, you don’t want to get your spa on by yourself. milk + honey provides a wonderful environment for a bachelorette party, a bridal or baby shower, or simply an excuse to get together with your friends. We’ll work with you to create an event that is truly memorable. We also hold spa events, information settings and celebrations at milk + honey.

A treatment philosophy that focuses on healing, wellness, and relaxation that features natural and organic ingredients We’re Austin born and bred, so supporting helps support the local economy Couples and friends can enjoy their massage and body treatments together in our couple’s room Our downtown location is just a block from Town Lake, so bring your walking shoes and enjoy a stroll before or after your treatment Wellappointed locker rooms, robe and slipper service, and a cozy and inviting lounge Healthy and delightful refreshments that you can enjoy unhurried The best spa rewards program in Austin.

204 Colorado Street, Austin 512.236.1115 www.milkandhoneyspa.com

Photographs courtesy of Milk + Honey Spa

SIghtS ATTRACTIONS wine & & Visit wineries — City

city — SIghts ATTRACTIONS wine &&Visit wineries

SAVOR wine

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wine & Visit wineries

Fall Creek Vineyards Fall Creek Vineyards is a Texas wine institution and owners Ed and Susan Auler are industry royalty thanks to the couple’s innovation, tenacity, and commitment to quality since 1975.

Fall Creek Ranch of Tow had been in Ed’s family for three generations, and after taking it over from his father in 1970 he had been practicing law and ranching simultaneously. After the France visit, the couple learned

that major universities in Texas were encouraging grape growing and winemaking experimentation to bring about agricultural diversification in Texas. The timing was perfect, and a quarter-acre test plot was established in 1975. Over the next five years there was such early success that it grew to seven and a half acres and the couple began to acquire 400 acres of valley land adjacent to the ranch property in order to found Fall Creek Vineyards.

wine & Visit wineries

The vineyard is named after Fall Creek, a 15-mile spring-fed creek that flows through the Auler family’s ranch near the winery, emptying into the Colorado River at the 90-foot Fall Creek Falls. The Aulers also wanted to honor the heritage of Fall Creek Ranch, as their two sons mark the fifth generation to operate the ranch. The land near the falls is historically significant, as evidenced by the exhibit case in the tasting room home to stone artifacts that date back 10,000 years. Ed chose the vineyard site for

the unique soil and climatic conditions; located on the northwest shores of Lake Buchanan in Llano County, the land possesses many advantages.

1820 County Road 222, Tow 325.379.5361 www.fcv.com Photographs courtesy of Fall Creek Vineyards

wine & Visit wineries

wine & Visit wineries

Grape Creek Vineyards A 35-foot bell tower beckons from the Fredericksburg highway, declaring a place of significance that can’t be missed. It invites visitors to enter and travel up a winding road bordered by chenin blanc grapevines. Atop the hill, an Italian villa awaits guests eager for a wine tasting. It’s how Tuscany might look, but this isn’t Tuscany—it’s Grape Creek Vineyards.

The sprawling tasting room, the winery’s centerpiece, resembles a romantic Tuscan villa. Old World ambience permeates the heavy-beamed ceilings, stucco walls, and tiled rooftop. Festive lights strung in trees, the Tuscaninspired stonework and fountain, and live music most weekends create a romantic atmosphere. Guests are welcome to create a picnic from the Italian market and enjoy it on tree-covered patios for a touch of Tuscany in the Hill Country. Overnight guests may stay at the bed-and-breakfast located on the property. A trolley transports visitors to the production area for a cellar tour, where they learn about winemaking and visit the underground cellar, the oldest underground commercial wine cellar in the county. According to Brian, the emphasis is on a tour-friendly spectacular experience for each guest.

And whether tasters pick up a bottle on-site, online, through the wine club, at Grape Creek in downtown Fredericksburg, or at a shop in Austin or San Antonio, the full Grape Creek experience of savoring a phenomenal wine is absolutely assured.

10587 East US Highway 290, Fredericksburg 830.644.2710 www.grapecreek.com

Photographs courtesy of Grape Creek Vineyards

SIghtS & ATTRACTIONS — City Boutiques & Showrooms

city — SIghts & Showrooms ATTRACTIONS Boutiques

shop b o u ti q u e s & s h o w r oo m s

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Boutiques & Showrooms

Duncan & Boyd Jewelers Discover that jewelry is more than an accessory—it is a timeless expression of love and friendship, ideal for commemorating important occasions. For more than 40 years, Duncan & Boyd Jewelers has brought excellence, knowledge and service to its clients. With locations in Amarillo, Austin and San Antonio, the jewelers invite clients to peruse fine designs from Oscar Heyman & Brothers, Kwiat, Penny Preville, Konstantino, JB Star and Jude Frances.

Each store is staffed with a diamond grader and most employees obtain graduate gemologist degrees. Whether clients tour the extensive store collection or a Duncan & Boyd representative visits them personally, every piece is chosen from the finest selection and evaluated by a knowledgeable staff member. A love of fine jewelry and a desire to create priceless moments is the passion that will continue to build on the Duncan & Boyd tradition in the coming years.

Our locations in Amarillo and Austin all offer convenient parking, private showing rooms and of course, exceptionally fine jewelry. “We want our customers to feel at home in our stores” Boyd says. We still offer the same relaxed atomosphere and personal service on which our business was built. Ron Boyd and his staff also pay “house calls” to customers in surrounding areas.

3663 Bee Cave Road, Austin 800.540.8590 www.duncanboyd.com

Photographs by Airen Renner

Boutiques & Showrooms

Boutiques & Showrooms

Boutiques & Showrooms

Estilo Sometimes it’s all about being in the right place at the right time. When Nicole Ritchie-Oseen decided to open a clothing boutique showcasing reclaimed materials and sustainable design, she knew Austin would be the perfect place to set up shop. The city’s progressive attitude and eclectic, independent vibe mirrored her proposed boutique body politic’s earth-friendly and stylish vision.

Inspired by her mother’s encouragement to make her business ethical, Nicole has been selling “eco-fashion” in the hip and vibrant Main Street neighborhood since 2008. The boutique focuses exclusively on North American designers, and the fashion-forward styles are made from materials such as organic cotton, soya, hemp silk, and jersey, and even a beech wood fiber known as modal.

Recycled gold, silver, leather, and other salvaged bits and pieces are born again into jewelry and accessories.

Reclaimed vintage and antique furniture and energy-efficient lighting highlight the funky space. Teeka, Nicole’s friendly little Havanese pup, can often be found touring the store. The dog’s enthusiasm for greeting shoppers is matched by her owner’s desire to surprise people with cutting-edge fashions, courtesy of independent designers from Austin to New York. The shop proves you can have sustainable design with limitless style.

234 W 2nd Street, Austin 512.236.0488 www.estiloaustin.com

Photographs courtesy of Estilo

PARKs &&LAKES SIghtS ATTRACTIONS — City

city — SIghts &PARKs ATTRACTIONS & LAKES

SWIM PA R K S & L A K ES

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PARKs & LAKES

PARKs & LAKES

Barton Springs Barton Springs Pool is a man-made recreational swimming pool located on the grounds of Zilker Park in Austin, Texas. The pool exists in the channel of Barton Creek and is filled by water from Main Barton Spring, the fourth largest spring in Texas. The pool is a popular venue for year-round swimming, as its temperature maintains a narrow range from about 68.0 째F (20.0 째C) in the winter to about 71.6 째F (22.0 째C) in the summer Long before Barton Springs Pool was built, the springs were considered sacred and were used for purification rituals by the Tonkawa Native American tribe who inhabited the area. Spanish explorers first discovered the springs in the 17th century, and around 1730 erected temporary missions at the site (later moving to San Antonio).

In 1837, soon after incorporation of the city of Austin, William ("Uncle Billy") Barton, the springs' namesake, settled the area. Barton named the

three separate springs after his three daughters: Parthenia, Eliza, and Zenobia. He, and subsequent owners of the property, recognized its value as a tourist attraction, and promoted it vigorously, thus leading to the swimming hole's lasting popularity.

The last private owner of the property, Andrew Jackson Zilker, deeded it to Austin in 1918. During the 1920s, the city undertook a construction project to create a larger swimming area by damming the springs and building sidewalks. The bathhouse was constructed in the 1940s and modeled after the design of the bathhouse at Deep Eddy Pool.

2101 Barton Springs Road, Austin 512.867.3080 www.ci.austin.tx.us/parks/bartonsprings.htm Photographs courtesy of Barton Springs

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