Celebrate Austin: A Visitor's Guide, 32nd Ed.

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CELEBRATE The Visitor’s Guide

USTIN A and the Texas Hill Country

JOIN OUR NIGHTLY CELEBRATION OF FOOD, WINE & MEMORABLE TIMES

Prime Steak & 100 Wines by the Glass Fleming’s features the finest prime steaks and an award-winning list of 100 wines by the glass. Join us for an evening with family & friends in our lively, relaxed atmosphere.

Downtown 320 East Second Street, Austin 512-457-1500

The Domain 11600 Century Oaks Terrace, Austin 512-835-WINE (9463)

FlemingsSteakhouse.com

Come to The Domain and find over 40 stores you won’t find anywhere else in Austin. So you’re sure to snare that one-of-a-kind, perfect pair of pumps you can’t live without. The result? Pure Domainia.

Dick's Sporting Goods, Dillard's, Macy's, Neiman Marcus, Anthropologie, Apple, Austin Cake Ball Kitchen & Bar, Banana Republic, Buckle, Burberry, California Pizza Kitchen, Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, Crú - A Wine Bar, Daily Grill, David Yurman, Express, Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar, Forever 21, Gloria's Restaurant, iPic Theaters, J. Crew, Kona Grill, The Limited, Louis Vuitton, Maggiano's Little Italy, McCormick & Schmick's, NoRTH, Papyrus, Ralph Lauren, Starbucks, The Steeping Room, Sushi Zushi, Tiffany & Co., urban - an american grill, ZARA and more.

Just minutes from downtown Austin off N. Mopac. Exit Braker Ln. or Burnet Rd. Shopping Line® 512.795.4230 TheDomainInAustin.com Follow The Domain on Facebook and Twitter at www.facebook.com/TheDomainAustin | www.twitter.com/TheDomainAustin

U.S. 183 and Great Hills Trail Shopping Line® 512.338.4437

Loop 1 and Highway 360 Shopping Line® 512.327.7040

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U.S. 183 and R.R. 620 Shopping Line® 512.257.7467

Specializing in Custom Design At the Hill Country Galleria

At the Oasis

512•372•8888

512•582•0183

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Celebrate Staff President & Publisher Judy Barrick Executive Vice Presidents Linda Olson Marilyn Crawford Creative Director Shannon Barrientes

From the State of Texas and Office of the Governor: Greetings! As Governor of Texas, I am pleased to welcome you to Austin. With world-class entertainment, historic landmarks, beautiful scenery, fantastic food and a vibrant cultural scene, Texas’ capital city has something for everyone.

Celebrate Austin is your guide to all the fun.

More than 20 million travelers visit Austin and other destinations in the Texas Hill Country each year. Top attractions in Austin include the State Capitol, the Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center, the Lyndon Baines Johnson Presidential Library and Museum, Lake Travis, the Ann W. Richards Congress Avenue Bridge bat colony, The University of Texas-Austin and the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum. Austin is also home to world-class events such as the Austin City Limits Music Festival and South by Southwest.

Residents of the great State of Texas pride themselves on greeting friends and strangers alike with a warm welcome. Our famous hospitality, along with our state’s great natural beauty, abundance of attractions and exciting travel experiences, make Texas one of the most visited states in the United States.

First Lady Anita Perry joins me in wishing you a wonderful time.

Sincerely, Rick Perry Governor

Letter From the Publisher:

Editor and Staff Writer Christy Wink Writing, Editing and Photograpy Contributor Hayley Mungia Writing and Editing Contributors Cynthia Brzostowski Ameena Shurdom Cover and Interior Photography John R. Rogers www.Johnrrogers.com Cover photo taken from the Hilton Austin Hotel 500 East 4th Street, 512-482-8000 Other Photographers Ashley Garmon, Alex Thomson, Kit O’Connell Drew Kolb, Steve Hopson, Chad Wadsworth James R. Granberry, Larry D. Moore Account Executive Marshall Todd Leonard Marketing Assistant Catherine H.N. Tran Advertising, Job and Internship Inquiries judy@celebrateaustin.com Corporate offices are located at 10713 RR 620 N. Austin, TX 78726. For more information, please call 512-346-6235.

Copyright and Trademark, 2012, by Celebrate Texas Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of the book may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the publisher. Celebrate Austin is published annually for distribution in hotel rooms and as a relocation guide for Austin newcomers, real estate agencies and Austin corporations.

Welcome to Austin! If you’re here for the day, a week or are moving here, Austin offers everything you could possibly need for you and your family. Celebrate Austin wants to make your stay as exciting and as informative as possible. We have been serving Austin and the Texas Hill Country for the past 32 years and have seen many changes. Nothing has changed more than our beautiful and growing Austin skyline, which you can see from the rooftops of many local bars and restaurants.

We offer the best dining and shopping that you will find anywhere. If we don’t have it you don’t need it. Austin stands tall as the Texas state capital, and does an incredible job of representing the Lone Star State. We are very lucky to live in Austin, a city full of fun and exciting events. Last year Austin hosted 20 million tourists that spent $3.9 billion in revenue.

Fall is an exciting time of year around here. We all love football, from high school teams to our local Longhorns. Austin provides a thriving modern culture. It is recognized as the Live Music Capital of the World® and is home to the South by Southwest Film and Music Festival, since 1987, as well as the Austin City Limits Festival. We also host the Star of Texas Fair and Rodeo, celebrating 75 years, and the Pecan Street Festival, now in its 34th year. The Republic of Texas Biker Rally, the largest in Texas, is one fun rumble.

While you’re in town check out our historic landmarks and our world-famous sunsets. Austin offers some fun things to see and do and come back for; check out the Texas Hill Country from the shores of Lake Austin and Lake Travis to the beautiful vineyards of the Texas Wine Country. If you’re lucky enough to be here in the spring when our bluebonnets are in bloom, your drive takes on a whole new look and feel.

We hope that Celebrate Austin provides a glimpse into all that Austin and the Texas Hill Country has to offer. Everything is bigger in Texas and that includes our hearts, our minds, our fun attitudes and our sense of adventure. We encourage you to get out and let Celebrate Austin be your guide: we are your key to the city. The capital city has so much to offer, you would be challenged to fit it all into one trip. So come back and bring your friends!

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A private, forested community by the sea, Cala Azul is designed to pay homage to its extraordinary tropical forest setting and ocean views. Truly one of the more spectacular wooded coves on the Nicaraguan coast, Cala Azul is a sanctuary for native birds and wildlife, and your new luxury destination.

The perfect marriage of tropical forest splendor and Old World Spanish character bring a lively, new architectural styling to San Juan del Sur. Rich textures appear as hand-troweled finishes and tropical woods blend harmoniously.

Cala Azul is designed to place the smallest possible imprint on the land and resources. Large swathes of native trees will be left undisturbed, encouraging the active Howler monkeys to continue to travel through the canopy corridors to favored resting spots. calaazulresort.com Take this opportunity to contact Cala Azul in San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua and start experiencing life in the tropics at its best, from your own oceanfront terrace.

Liam MacDermott liamcalaazul@yahoo.com (505) 8774 4254 • 8864 8630 US number (305) 848 8347

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Inside Celebrate Austin 21

10

Tour Austin

Sports

30

Lake Travis

36

Dining

Concierge

42

Shopping

Art

52

24

62

72

Entertainment Newcomers

26

Historic Sixth

50

Kids

78

Day Trips

Read More About....

So Much To See, Do, and Come Back For! .......................11-13 Discover Austin Favorite Tours & Attractions .....................14-15 Austin Annual Event Calendar ...........................................16-17 Discover Outdoor Austin! Favorite Sports Attractions ........18-20 Adrenaline Pumping Excursions .............................................22 Concierge Services Handy Tipping Guide ..............................24 Handy Austin Information ........................................................25 About Historic Sixth Street .................................................27-29 About Lake Travis ..............................................................32-33 Nearby Wimberley, TX, an Oasis of Art ...................................37 Can’t Miss Galleries in Artistic Austin ..................................38-40 Art at a Glance ........................................................................40

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Where to Shop....................................................................43-47 26 Doors Shopping Center ................................................48-49 Kid-Friendly Austin and Shopping Local ............................50-51 Taste the Flavors of Austin .................................................53-54 Carmelo’s: A Historic and Succulent Dining Experience .........56 Dining Menu ......................................................................58, 60 Find Local Entertainment Favorites and Enjoy! .......................63 Austin: A City of Music Mystique ........................................64-65 Sports Bars .............................................................................68 Austin Live Music: Rich in Culture and History ..................70 Austin: Not Just a City, but a Lifestyle ................................72-76 Day Trips: San Marcos & Dripping Springs ........................78-79

Paradise Bay, Nicaragua

5 minutes from downtown San Juan del Sur, only 3 hours from Texas!

Pacific Ocean Living Financing Available Lots from $80,000 to $400,000 www.buynicaraguarealestate.com

Real Estate Construction www.basicnica.com

Rentals

Pablo Chavez: pchavez@basicnica.com; 011(505)8865-5567 Everette Thigpen: ethigpen@basicidiq.com; (888)402-4347 www.celebrateaustin.com • Celebrating Austin Since 1980 x 9

Tour Austin There is so much to see in Austin.

Left, The Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum.

Top right, the University of Texas bell tower.

Middle right, the Texas State Capitol.

Lower right, the bats emerge from beneath Congress Bridge at dusk.

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photo by Hayley Munguia

Visitors come for the beautiful environment and the interesting tourist attractions. They stick around because of the infectiously positive vibe.

So Much to See, Do, and Come Back For!

W

By Christy Wink

elcome to Austin! Take one look around and it becomes clear that this is not your ordinary capital city. What is it, then, that makes this place so unique? What exactly is the special recipe for such a splendidly off-beat creation?

Start with the biggest ingredient – literally – the capital city is home to the largest state capitol building in the United States, a feat of architecture that brings to life Texas’ proud and independent history. Add to that Austin’s unique politics; long known as a single blue dot in a sea of red, Austin’s colorful political views reflect the extreme diversity of the city. Stir in a rich, deep-rooted musical history, a significant selection of art houses and museums, and a generous handful of locally owned and revered restauLaguna Gloria is a serene and natural setting close to downtown. It was once owned by Stephen F. rants and businesses. Top it off with Austin, Austin’s namesake, and then Clara Driscoll, the picturesque and culturally rich Hill who donated the property to Austin as a museum Country that surrounds the city, and in 1943. The gates to the park are from the Capitol grounds. There you will find statues, picturesque you’ve started to create the melting landscapes, a lagoon and an art museum. Visit the that AM is Austin. celebrate_austin_2_12.pdf 1 2/2/12pot10:20 grounds at 3809 West 35th Street. www.amoa.org

The people of Austin thrive in this self-styled environment. The temperate weather encourages outdoor activity, and the folks make good use of the multiple outlets in which to hike, bike, walk, run or swim. The art and music scene is a living, breathing thing in Austin, and you couldn’t throw a rock without hitting someone of such persuasion. Hippies and hipsters alike bump elbows with the forces of gentrification without sacrificing their soul. Ask anyone on the street and they’ll tell you – Austin is proud of its eclectic heritage and fiercely protective of its free-thinking, liberal spirit.

So where do we end up? Visitors come for the beautiful environment and the interesting tourist attractions.

They stick around because of the infectiously positive vibe. And in the end, they get carried away with the thrum of Austin’s lifestyle until finally they realize – they’re not a tourist at all, but instead another piece of what makes Austin unique in the first place.

T H E B O B B U L LO C K T E XA S S TAT E H I S TO RY M U S E U M

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Make your stay in Austin historic.

• Three floors of interactive exhibits • Austin's premier IMAX® Theatre

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• 4D special effects theater • Museum Store featuring unique Texas gifts

1800 N. Congress Avenue (2 blocks nor th of the Capitol) • (512) 936-4649 • TheStor yofTexas.com www.celebrateaustin.com • Celebrating Austin Since 1980 x 11

T O U R A U S T I N

Things to Do and See

T O U R A U S T I N

AIRSCAPE PARASAIL Fly high above Lake Travis for the thrill and the view of the lake and the gorgeous Hill Country. Take off and landing is on the boat’s deck, so parasailing is fun for all ages anytime of the year! Fly alone or double.

Great special occasion celebration, gift certificates available. Pick up available from various locations.

Parasailing is something everyone should enjoy. No prior experience needed! Reasonable prices and just down the road from Austin. 512-2579675; www.airscapeparasail.com

AUSTIN DUCK ADVENTURES Take an amphibious tour of Austin’s downtown and beautiful Lake Austin inside an unsinkable, U.S. Coast Guard inspected, Hydra Terra vehicle.

Austin’s best tour with 75 minutes of sightseeing that includes Historic 6th St., the State Capitol Building, Bob Bullock State History Museum, the Governor’s Mansion and Lake Austin.

Tours depart daily year round from the Austin’s Visitor Center; also available for corporate charter. 209 E. 6th St., Austin, TX 78701, 512- 477-5274; www.austinducks.com

VIP Marina on Lake Travis Enjoy a rental fleet second to none for boat rentals, jet ski rentals, sunset dinner cruises, houseboats, boat sales, and covered boat slips.

The cleanest facilities on Lake Travis, closest marina to Austin, and a fully stocked ship store. Free fuel on rentals. Open 7 days a week, and late in Summer. Adjacent to The Shore Club fine dining, Volente Beach and Airscape Parasail.

Boat captains available. 16107 FM 2769, Volente, TX 78641, www.viplaketravis.com (512) 331-5375

Shore Club Volente Beach On Lake Travis Austin’s water park on the shores of Lake Travis is the perfect retreat for children and adults on a hot summer day. Enjoy pools, a sandy beach front and two lighted volleyball courts. The Shore Club, a fine dining casual restaurant, open year round, featuring hand-cut steaks and seafood on the property. Hilltop lake house available for rent. 16107 FM 2769, Volente, TX 78641. 512-2585110. Check hours/ events at www.shoreclubtx.com

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Capital Cruises Come view the famous Congress Avenue bat emergence and take in some vestiges of scenic Lady Bird Lake! Offerings include Bat Watching and Sightseeing Excursions, boat rentals and a wide variety of private events including dinners and entertainment. Book today and have the ultimate Austin experience!

Reservations at 512-480-9264; Located on the lake below the Hyatt Regency Austin, 208 Barton Springs Rd. www.capitalcruises.com

LUCKY LIZARD/ MUSEUM OF THE WEIRD In the heart of Austin’s famous 6th Street lies the city’s most curious and mysterious gift shop, featuring an intriguing blend of local art, imported goods, jewelry, unusual one-of-akind items and, of course, lizards!

Featuring the Museum of the Weird, a must-see experience for visitors!

412 E. 6th St.; 512-476-5493; www.museumoftheweird.com www.luckylizard.net

and Come Back For!

Austin Powwow and American Indian Heritage Festival A rich experience in culture that occurs the first Saturday of every November at the Toney Burger Center in Sunset Valley- the largest such event in the nation. Share, honor and learn about local and national American Indians. Includes storytelling, songs, crafts, a food court and more. For more information visit www.austinpowwow.com, call 512-371-0628.

Texas Hatters At Texas Hatters, “We Top The Best” is no idle boast. With over 75 years, that’s 4 generations, of true-totradition hat making, Texas Hatters has made hats for kings, presidents, everyday folks and rock stars.

Order on-line or in person. 911 S. Commerce St., Lockhart, TX 78644; 800-421-4287; 512-398-4287; www.texashatters.com

Nature’s Treasures of Texas Located just north of downtown on I-35 (lower deck) find this Austin treasure. With an ample selection of minerals, fossils, crystals, natural stone jewelry, salt lamps and more, well, what can we say... they rock!

Open 7 days a week. Nature’s Treasures of Texas, 4103 North IH 35, Austin, TX 78722, www.ntrocks. com, 512.472.5015

LBJ WILDFLOWER CENTER Explore 279 acres of Texas heritage and 650 native plant species at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. Visit our butterfly garden, walk two miles of nature trails and take your kids to the Little House. Don’t forget our café and store. Open daily except Mondays.

4801 La Crosse Avenue. 512-2320100. www.wildflower.org

The ARABIC BAZAAR Find beautiful treasures imported from Syria, Egypt and Morocco.

Selections include jewelry, rugs, furniture, antiques, lamps, brass and glassware, leather goods, mosaic boxes, Egyptian hookas, belly dance costumes, clothing, perfume oils, cosmetics and soaps. Custom design and shipping available. Check www.

TheArabicBazaar.com for events such as belly dancing shows and classes by owner Zein Al-Jundi, bazaars, sales and special nights on the town.

512-533-9227; 5013 Duval St., Austin, TX 78751

Austin Ultimate Sedans Provides safe, reliable transportation solutions for business and leisure. Travel hassle free. Airport meet and greet and point to point services. Also offers tours, city to city services, personal drivers for extended periods and a logistic coordinator. Outstanding value and service included. Call 512-689-9420 Book online at www.ausultimate.com, or email info@ausultimate.com.

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Discover Austin!

Celebrate Austin’s Favorite Tours & Attractions

by Cindy Brzostowski

tours are available. Mon-Fri 7 am-10 pm, Sat-Sun 9 am-8pm.

French Legation Museum (512-472-8180, 802 San Marcos St., Austin, TX 78702, www.frenchlegationmuseum.org/) Originally built by Alphonse Dubois de Saligny, the French diplomat to the Republic of Texas, the home is now a museum dedicated to sharing the site’s rich past as well as the cultural history of Texas. Tues-Sun 1-5pm, last tour begins at 4 pm. Admission is $5 for adults and cheaper for seniors and students.

Texas State Cemetery (512-463-0605, 909 Navasota St., Austin, TX 78702, www. cemetery.state.tx.us/) This cemetery is the burial ground of many famous Texas figures that helped make the Lone Star State what it is today. Access to the gallery and visitor’s center is open Mon-Fri 8 am-5 pm, and the cemetery grounds are open daily from 8 am-5 pm.

Guided tours are available for booking.

Texas State Capitol (512-305-8400, 112 E. 11th St., Austin, TX 78701, www.tspb.state. tx.us/spb/capitol/texcap. htm) No visit to Austin is complete without a stop at the state capitol itself, the largest in gross square footage of all state capitols and second in total size only to the National Capitol in Washington D.C. Self-guided and free guided

T O U R A U S T I N

HISTORICAL SITES

University of Texas Campus (512-471-3434, 2247 Guadalupe Street, Austin, TX 78705, www. utexas.edu/) Founded in 1883, the University of Texas is one of the largest public universities in the U.S. with a 350-acre campus that contains 17 colleges and more than 50,000 students.

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Get the full scoop on the 2012 rally & all thinGs motorcycle at www.rotrally.com!

2012 ROT Rally Celebrate Ad.indd 2

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1/20/12 11:14 AM

Neil Cochran House Museum (512-478-2335, 2310 San Gabriel St., Austin, TX 78705, www. nchmuseum.org/) Considered to be one of Austin’s three most important historic residences, this building was constructed in 1855 and is decorated with furnishings dating from 1780-1925.

It is open for guided tours Tue-Sat 2-5 pm. Admission is $5 per person.

German Free School (512-482-0927, 507 E. 10th street, Austin, TX 78701, germantexans.org/) The school is now, after experiencing many changes, the site of the German Texan Heritage Society. It seeks to promote awareness and preservation of the German heritage of Texas. The building is available for tours on Thursdays from 12-4 pm or by appointment.

Susanna Dickinson House (512-472-1903, 409 East 5th Street, Austin, TX 78701, www.austintexas.gov/department/joseph-and-susannadickinson-hannig-museum) This site was the home of Susanna Dickinson, who is known as the “Messenger of the Alamo” for surviving the Battle of the Alamo and carrying the news of the fall to Sam Houston. Prices vary depending on event attended. Wed-Sun 12-5 pm.

Bremond Block House District This district is one of the of the few remaining Victorian neighborhoods of the middle to late 19th century in Texas with houses that have been preserved in an almost unaltered form. They are located within the block bordered by W. 7th, W. 8th, Guadalupe and San Antonio streets.

Furniture, Kitchen Tableware Farm-to-Market Ranch-to-Market Restoration Alley Bath & Body Gourmet Foods Hardware & Paint 4001 N. Lamar Blvd, Ste 300 (by Central Market) 512-381-8111 www.zingerhardware.com

Treaty Oak (507 Baylor Street, Austin, TX 78703) Legend has it that this tree is the last surviving member of the Council Oaks, a grove of 14 trees that served as a sacred meeting place for Comanche and Tonkawa tribes, as well as the location of the first boundary treaty signed by Stephen F. Austin and the local Native Americans. Daily 5 am-10 pm.

Daniel H. Caswell House (512-472-0779, 1404 West Avenue, Austin, Tx 78701, www.austinjuniorforum.org/ caswell-home.html) With Daniel Caswell beginning construction around 1899, this elegant, two-story mansion is a Texas Historic Landmark. Mon 5:30-7:30 pm, Wed-Fri 11:30 am-1:30 pm, Sat (in the summer)10 am-12 pm.

Littlefield House (W. 24th St & Whitis Ave, 78712) In the midst of the UT campus, this Victorian-style house also has ghost stories that generally revolve around Major Littlefield’s wife Alice, whether it be her shrieks or piano playing that can still be heard.

Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum (512936-8746, 1800 Congress Avenue, Austin, TX 78701, www.thestoryoftexas.com/) This museum seeks to tell the “Story of Texas” with themed exhibits spanning three floors that illustrate land, identity and opportunity. IMAX. Mon-Sat 9 am-6 pm, Sun 12-6 pm.

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Austin Annual Event Calendar January

T O U R A U S T I N

Annual Tenant Show - The Guadalupe Arts Center holds this show from mid-January to mid-February every year, featuring everything from photography to sculpture to jewelry from more than 40 artists. austin.eventguide.com, 512-473-3775.

Austin Home & Garden Show - Turn your home and garden dreams into reality! Builders, contractors, materials, decks, pools, spas, entertainment systems, storage, plants, landscape displays/materials, kitchenware, and much more. www.austinhomeandgardenshow.com; 2nd weekend in January; Austin Convention Center.

Star of Texas Tattoo Art Revival - Palmer Events Center. Draws more than 200 artists and thousands of fans from around the world.

Visitors can expect to see everything from live tattooing to car and motorcycle displays, Pinup Belly Dance, Jigglewatts burlesque and the Lizardman Sideshow. www.golivefast.com Austin Boat Show - Austin Convention Center. Find the latest in boats for fishing, skiing and cruising, RVs and motor homes.

Accessories, marinas and all the fabulous toys available to enhance your outdoor lake experience. www.austinboatshow.com Chinese New Year’s Festival - Chinatown Center (10901 N. Lamar Blvd.). Festivities include family friendly fun from face-painting to firecracker displays. As always, the most anticipated entertainers, the Dragon and Lion Dance Team! www.chinatownaustin.com Austin Bridal Extravaganza - One-stop shop for all your wedding planning needs!

Hundreds of professionals in one place. And a bridal fashion show! Noon-6pm, Palmer Events Center. www.austinweddings.com

February Carnaval Brasileiro - Brazilian costumes and music including samba, march, frevo, trio eletrico and batucada. Tickets are $35 in advance and $40 at the door. www.sambaparty.com

Livestrong Marathon and Half Marathon Every February, thousands of runners crowd the streets of Austin as they prepare to participate in the Livestrong-sponsored marathons. www.youraustinmarathon.com Mardi Gras - Can’t get to the Big Easy for Mardi Gras this year? Join hundreds of partygoers on Sixth Street for Fat Tuesday fun to transport you in spirit to New Orleans.

Frontera Fest - The fringe theater event of the Southwest is a five-week long performance festival that ScriptWorks co-produces with Hyde Park Theatre annually. Don’t miss it! www.fronterafest.org

March South by Southwest - Originating in 1987 as a means of drawing national and international attention to Austin bands, SXSW was an instant success and has been pivotal in promoting Austin’s reputation as the Live Music Capital of the World®. The week-long event now attracts more than 32,000 entrants each year. www.sxsw.com Zilker Garden Festival - Celebrated for over 50 years and has since become known as a one-stop garden shopping destination when spring arrives in Texas. Flower Show, live music, Gardening Talks, Kids’ Corner and a Food Court. (512) 477-8672 ext. 12, or email info@zilkergarden.org.

Star of Texas Fair and Rodeo - March 9th24th; Texas Expo Center; a rich history of preserving western heritage began in 1938. It has grown from featuring 16 animals into one of Austin’s premier events, featuring ProRodeo events, daily concerts, livestock show and more. Fun for the whole family. www. rodeoaustin.com

April Eeyore’s Birthday Party - Held the last Saturday of April every year, this event is a fundraiser. Costume contests and other games. Maypoles and live music are always present. Pease Park. www.eeyores.org

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by Hayley Munguia and Cynthia Brzostowski

Austin International Poetry Festival - The four-day event is the perfect event for poetry lovers everywhere. It is the largest non-juried poetry festival in the world. Live music, catered dinners, readings from published poets, workshops, open mics, slams, silent auctions and contests are just some of the things that make up this annual event. www.aipf.org Old Settler’s Music Festival - This four-day festival is more than just the typical music festival; it’s an experience. Camp for four days and three nights at Camp Ben McCulloch.

Four stages allow a variety of bands to play throughout the weekend. Kids’ activities, arts and crafts and workshops. www.oldsettlersmusicfest.org Austin Reggae Festival - Also known as Bob Marley Fest, this event occurs annually in April on Auditorium Shores. Bands, vendors and food abound during this three-day festival. One-day tickets cost $15. www.austinreggaefest.com

May Austin Writers Downtown - The Writers’ League of Texas hosts a week-long literary showcase of Austin writers during Texas Writers Month, including book signings, refreshments and daily door prizes. (512) 499-8914, austin.eventguide.com Taste of Mexico - This is Austin’s Mexic-Arte Museum’s largest annual fundraiser benefitting its educational programming and exhibitions. Event highlights include savory cuisine provided by local restaurants, a silent auction featuring artwork by local artists, live music and dancing. For more information, visit www. mexic-artemuseuminfo.org

June Republic of Texas Biker Rally - Every second Thursday of June and continues through Sunday. Austin closes off 54 square blocks of the downtown area on Friday night. 50,000 participants and 200,000 spectators join.

Ride-in bike show, custom bike builders, The World Famous Wall of Death, live music, a tattoo expo and stunt riders. www.rotrally.com

Far left opposite, Austin City Limits Music Festival in Zilker Park. Left middle, ROT Rally in front of the Capitol.

Above left, Eeyore’s Birthday Party in Pease Park. Above right, a stage at SXSW Festival.

Photos by Alex Thomson, Kit O’Connell and Steve Hopson at en.wikipedia

Texas Hill Country Railfair and Festival The festival, celebrating Texas’ locomotivecentric heritage, begins in Cedar Park with a trip on the Hill Country Flyer (a steam engine) to the center of the festival in Burnet.

A round-trip service with a three-hour layover to enjoy the festivities. Reservations at (512) 477-8468.

October

July

Austin Film Festival - Founded in 1994, it showcases the very best that Austin has to offer, with premieres, advanced screenings and independent films. These are complemented by Q&A sessions with cast members and filmmakers. Film passes cost $42. www. austinfilmfestival.com

4th of July - The “official” and largest event in Austin is held at Auditorium Shores at The Long Center. More than 100,000 Austinites will gather to see the Austin Symphony perform patriotic music, including the 1812 Overture, with the shooting of cannons by the Texas National Guard Salute Battery.

Fireworks from 9:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Free and open to the public. Volente Beach Waterpark, which is on Lake Travis, offers live music and a fireworks show that starts at dusk. www. shoreclubtx.com/water-park

August Austin Chronicle Hot Sauce Festival - Live music and culinary exhibitions, but the biggest draw is the variety of salsas. More than one hundred gallons of salsa are consumed at the event annually. www.austinfoodbank. org/hot-sauce-festival.

Bat Fest - This festival is held every August at the Congress Avenue Ann Richards Bridge in order to commemorate Austin’s thriving bat colony. Arts, crafts, music, food, children’s activities, educational displays and, of course, bat watching. www.roadwayevents.com

September Free Day of Yoga - Every Labor Day, participating studios across Austin offer free yoga classes as an opportunity for people of every age and fitness level to try yoga for the first time. www.freedayofyoga.com UT Football - Follow the schedule at www. mackbrown-texasfootball.com

Austin City Limits Festival - Held annually since 2002, this music festival is one of the biggest sources of live music that Austin hosts. Dozens of bands and artists perform each day of the three-day event. Held every year in Zilker Park. www.aclfestival.com

Texas Book Festival - Hosts over 200 Texas and nationally-known authors. Approximately 40,000 visitors participate annually for the weekend of author readings and presentations, panel discussions, book signings and musical entertainment at the State Capitol. www.texasbookfestival.org

November Junior League’s Christmas Affair - Third weekend in November; Palmer Events Center; The JL raises roughly a million dollars a year for the community. One of the most lavish fund-raising events they host is the annual Christmas Affair. This event, featuring 200 merchants from across the country in a magical setting can go a long way in helping you with your holiday gift list. www.jlaustin.org Chuy’s Children Giving to Children Christmas Parade - The last Saturday of every November is dedicated to this parade that starts at the State Capitol at 11th and Congress and ends on Cesar Chavez, just north of the bridge. The parade takes unwrapped toys from spectators as donations. www. chuysparade.com Victorian Christmas on 6th - The turn-ofthe-century celebration boasts 150 booths of handmade arts and crafts, barbershop quartets, live music, costumed street performers and people all around in Victorian costume.

For more information, visit www.prismnet. com/house/introvictorian.html

Fun Fun Fun Fest - A relaxed and creative outdoor music and art festival focusing on progressive and underground entertainment. www.funfunfunfest.com

December Armadillo Christmas Bazaar - The epitome of the town slogan, “Keep Austin Weird,” this is perfect for anyone looking for a different holiday shopping experience. This tradition presents an array of original work by artists and artisans, from affordable gifts to high-end art. It’s a shopping party complete with live music and a full bar. Hosted at the Palmer Events Center. www.armadillobazaar.com

Seasonal/Year-Round Old Pecan Street Spring Festival - September and April. The free, bi-annual arts and crafts festival features paintings, sculpture, woodwork, candles, jewelry, cowboy hats, home décor and games. Five stages are also provided for live music. Don’t miss it! www.oldpecanstreetfestival.com First Thursdays - The first Thursday of every month is dedicated to this popular event along South Congress Avenue. All of the stores along this strip stay open late, have special sales and give out free drinks. www. firstthursday.info Summer Sunday Concerts - Every Sunday from May to August, the Austin Symphony features different ensemble concerts. Hartman Concert Park in front of the Long Center City Terrace. 7:30 p.m. – picnics and blankets encouraged. Free parking available. www. austintex.com/austin-symphony-hartmanfoundation-concerts-park Austin Farmers’ Market - Available March through December in three locations. www. sfcfarmersmarket.org Blues on the Green - A music series held every other Wednesday evening during summer at Zilker Park at 7:30 p.m., and vendors are present. Blankets, lawn chairs, dogs on leashes and children are all welcome. For more information, visit www.kgsr.com/blues

www.celebrateaustin.com • Celebrating Austin Since 1980 x 17 16

T O U R A U S T I N

Discover Outdoor Austin

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Make the most of your time together!

by Cindy Brzostowski

T O U R A U S T I N

Please DO feed the animals!

Receive one FREE bag of animal food

(Just mention that you saw our ad in Celebrate Austin)

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Celebrate Austin’s Favorite Sports and Outside Attractions

by Cindy Brzostowski

Austin Nature and Science Center (512-9743888, 301 Nature Center Dr., Austin, TX 78746, www.austintexas.gov/department/austin-nature-science-center) This center provides a place for visitors of all ages to enjoy nature exhibits and educational programs. Mon-Sat 9 am-5 pm, Sun from 12-5 pm. Free admission with a small charge for groups.

Zilker Botanical Garden (512-477-8672, 2220 Barton Springs Rd., Austin, TX 78746, www. zilkergarden.org/) The Garden allows visitors to enjoy a pleasant walk through numerous themed gardens, and serves as host to garden workshops, plant sales and docent-led tours. Daily 7 am-5:30 pm.

Free admission.

Austin Zoo and Animal Sanctuary (512-2881490, 10808 Rawhide Trail, Austin, TX 78736, www.austinzoo.org/) All the animals residing in the Austin Zoo

Celebrate

The Best Of

were either unwanted by their owners or rescued, supporting the zoo’s mission of rescue and rehabilitation. Daily 10 am-6 pm. Admission is $8 for adults and $5 for children.

Mayfield Park (3505 West 35th St, Austin, TX 78703, mayfieldpark.org/) Mayfield Park includes 21 acres of walking trails, nature preserve and beautiful wildlife habitats. Daily 5 am-10 pm. Free admission.

Mount Bonnell (3800 Mount Bonnell Dr., Austin, TX 78731, www.ci.austin.tx.us/ parks/mountbonnell.htm) Mount Bonnell is the highest point in Austin and it’s a wonderful place to have a picnic or watch the sunset over the hills. Daily 5 am-10 pm. Free admission.

Barton Springs Pool (512-476-9044, 2201 Barton Springs Rd.) A swimming hole with water fed from an underground spring.

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Hamilton Pool (512264-2740, 24300 Hamilton Pool Rd., Dripping Springs, TX 78620, www.texasoutside.com/hamiltonpool.htm) Hamilton Pool is a beautiful swimming spot with a grotto and a 45 foot water fall. Visitors can swim, picnic and hike amidst the limestone outcropping.

Guided tours are available by appointment. Daily 9 am- 6 pm. Entrance fee of $10 day use permit per vehicle.

VIP Marina on Lake Travis Boat rentals, jet ski rentals, sunset dinner cruises, houseboats, boat sales, and covered boat slips. 16107 FM 2769, Volente, TX 78641, (512) 331-5375 www.viplaketravis.com.

T O U R A U S T I N

Deep Eddy Pool (512472-8546, 401 Deep Eddy Drive, Austin, TX 78703, www.deepeddy.org/) The oldest swimming pool in Texas, Deep Eddy is manmade, fed with water from a spring, surrounded by grassy areas and hosts

free movies at dusk every summer Saturday night. Admission times vary during the months and days of the week. It is $3 for adults and $1 for children.

Lady Bird Lake Lady Bird Lake, known to many locals as Town Lake, is a beautiful stretch of water right next door to downtown Austin. Activities include hiking, biking, kayaking, taking a cruise, stand-up paddling, or watching the Mexican free-tail bats emerge from beneath the Congress Avenue Bridge. Swimming is not allowed.

Emma Long Metropolitan Park (512-3461831, 1600 City Park Rd, Austin, TX 78730, www.ci.austin.tx.us/ parks/emmalong.htm) This park area is one of the largest parks in Austin with a majority of it bordering Lake Austin, and offers numerous amenities including camp sites, a sandy beach, barbeque pits, a basketball court, volleyball courts, a fishing pier, picnic tables, swimming

areas and trails. Daily 7 am -10 pm.

There is a $5-$10 admission charge per car.

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center (512-232-0100, 4801 La Crosse Ave., Austin, TX 78739, www. wildflower.org/) Created by Lady Bird Johnson in order to protect native plants, this center strives to show people the beauty of plants, wildflowers and landscapes.

Tue-Sat 9 am - 5:30 pm, Sun 12-5:30 pm. Admission is $8 for adults with discounts for seniors and children.

Shore Club Volente Beach Water Park (512258-5110, 16107 FM 2769, Volente, TX 78641, www.shoreclubtx.com) Austin’s water park on the shores of Lake Travis is the perfect retreat for children and adults on a hot summer day. Enjoy pools, a sandy beach front and two lighted volleyball courts. Next to the The Shore Club, a fine dining casual restaurant. Open year round, featuring hand-cut steaks and seafood on the property.

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Adrenaline Pumping Excursions If excitement is your thing, Austin has many adrenaline pumping excursions close to downtown.

Naskart OTX

Pro Karts race side-by-side, bumper-to-bumper around the banked oval track at Thunderhill Raceway. Hitting speeds in excess of 65 mph, sitting just 1 inch off the ground, you get the speed sensation of going 100 mph in a safe, controlled environment. Check the web site for hours of operation. 24801 Interstate 35, Kyle, TX 78640, off exit 210. 512-828-6478. www.ontrackexperience.com

Zip Lake Travis

Zipping across incredible canyons and Lake Travis inlets, your Lake Travis Zipline experience offers unmatched thrills and chills! The 2 1/2 hour adventure includes a total of 5 ziplines ranging from 250 feet to over 2000 feet. The tour package includes 1/2 mile of pristine beach. 512-614-1996, www.ziplaketravis.com

S P O R T S

K1 Speed

America’s premier indoor karting experience! European-style 20hp electric karts make racing an unforgettable thrill. Experience G-forces and speeds of nearly 45 mph on the track, and when not racing, browse through our museum-worthy collection of racing memorabilia. K1 Speed, 2500 McHale Ct, 888-K1-Karts. www.k1speed.com

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22 x www.celebrateaustin.com • Celebrating Austin Since 1980

M ake O ur C lubs Y our C lubs J oin

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www.celebrateaustin.com • Celebrating Austin Since 1980 x 22

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come into north america’s original blow dryand bar and experience walk-ins appointments are welcome 7the days a week, orcuts, let us come to you with ourjust blowith on wash, theperfect go service. no no color. blow, go. confidence that comes hair. call 512.355.1BLO (1256) for more info.

runway-ready hair into north america’s original blow dry bar and blo austin for a come concert, gala, experience the confidence that comes with perfect hair. walk-ins and appointments are welcome 7 days a week, or just because. or let us come to you with our blo on Handy the go service.

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and should depend upon the quality of the service provided. If service was bad, don’t feel obligated to tip! Also, bills should be kept handy for tipping, grouped in one or two bills in an accessible place. You want to avoid awkward situations like scrambling to find your cash. Finally, don’t ask for change. If you don’t have a tip ready just skip it and come back later to tip.

Taxi/Limo Driver: Standard tipping is 15% of the total fare for taxis and 20% of the total fare for limos. is

of swans, feel free to leave a dollar or two. Whenever tipping, put the money in a clearly marked, sealed envelope, so there is no confusion as to who it belongs to.

Doorman: If the doorman simply opens the door for you, no tip is required.

However, if he or she gets you a cab, then $1 is acceptable. Special care, such as covering you with an umbrella in the rain or hailing a cab rather than just calling for one, might prompt additional tip.

Concierge: No tip is required for ordinary advice, giving directions or simple reservations. However, it is typical to tip $5 for special dinner reservations and $20 for hard-to-get theater tickets, because of the difficulty of the reservation. Tipping is acceptable at the time of service or at the end of the stay.

Bellhop/Porter: $1-$2 per bag customary ($2 for heavier items).

Parking Valet: It is okay to tip only when the car is retrieved rather than when it is parked. $2 is typical. If you are driving an expensive car and want it parked in a premium spot with extra care then you can expect to tip your valet anywhere between $5 and $10 dollars both ways.

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Airbrush & Traditional Makeup & Hair Services Night on the Town, Bridal Party Trial Run, Portraits, Prom Modeling, Runway, Special Events 512-999-3010, 512-300-9596 www.divazfabula.com info@divazfabula.com

Room Service: Oftentimes, hotels include a “service charge” to deliver to your room along with an added gratuity charge. If no gratuity charge was added then 15%-20% of the bill is appropriate.

Tipping extra is fine, particularly if the person delivering the order takes extra care to set up your meal.

Housekeeper: If the maid goes above and beyond in service, such as providing extra soaps or folding towels in the shape

24 x www.celebrateaustin.com • Celebrating Austin Since 1980

Pool Attendant: Tipping is not required unless extra service was provided such as reserving lounge chairs, lending reading material, inflating pool toys or providing sunscreen. In those cases, $2$3 is normal.

Tour Guide: If the tip is not already included, give 10%-20% of the tour price. $3-$4 for a full day tour is acceptable and it is customary to tip private tour guides more. Give the tip when saying goodbye.

Also, if the driver is particularly helpful, then tip $1-$2.

Bartender/Cocktail Waitress: 15%-20% of the total tab or $1 a drink is reasonable.

Front Desk Staff: No tip is necessary.

Handy Austin Information GENERAL INFORMATION Local time and temperature (512) 973-3555 Up to date traffic report www.ci.austin.tx.us/qact/default.cfm Weather (512) 451-2424 www.kvue.com/weather TRANSPORTATION Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (512) 530-5300 www.ci.austin.tx.us/austinairport EMERGENCY SERVICES Capital Metro Bus, (512) 474-1200 Fire/Police/Sheriff/Ambulance 911 www.capmetro.org Austin Police Department, (512) 974-5000 Travis County Sheriff Office, (512)854-9770 Amtrak, (512) 476-5684 www.amtrak.com SuperShuttle and ExecuCar www.supershuttle.com, 800-BLUE-VAN Hospital Emergency Rooms www.execucar.com, 800-410-4444 St. David’s Medical Center, (512) 476-7111 V.I.P. Limousine Service, (512) 784-6745, www.stdavids.com http://viplimoaustin.com Heart Hospital of Austin, (512) 407-7000 Austin Ultimate Sedan, 512-689-9420 www.hearthospitalofaustin.com www.ausultimate.com Seton Medical Center, (512) 324-1000 Austin Cab Company, (512) 478-2222 Brackenridge, (512) 324-7000 www.austincab.com www.seton.net Yellow Cab Austin, (512) 452-9999 St. David’s South Austin Hospital www.yellowcabaustin.com (512) 447-2211, www.stdavids.com Roy’s Taxi, (512) 482-0000 Seton Northwest Hospital, (512) 324-6000 www.seton.net St. David’s North Austin Medical Center, (512) 901-1000, www.stdavids.com

Double names - Many of the roads in Austin have two names, which can make getting around this bustling city even more difficult.

l MoPac Expressway is Loop 1 and even Burnet Road. (Most locals just call it “MoPac”) l Capital of Texas Highway is Loop 360. l Highway 71 is Ben White Boulevard. l Research Boulevard is Interstate 183. l Ranch Road 2244 is Bee Cave Road. l Ranch Road 2222 is Koenig Lane. l Martin Luther King Boulevard (or “MLK”) is 19th Street. l Enfield Road is 15th Street. l Windsor is 24th Street. l Cesar Chavez is 1st Street. l Dean Keaton Street is 26th Street. l Sixth Street is Old Pecan Street. l If you are directed to Duval Street, ask if it’s the Central one or the North one. l Lady Bird Lake is often referred to as Town Lake by locals.

Locals Pronounce It:

Burnet Road as “Burn-it” Manchaca Road as “Man-shack” Koenig Lane is “Kay-nig” Guadalupe Street is “Gwad-a-loop” or “The Drag” Lavaca Street is “Le-VAK-ka” San Jacinto pronounce the “J” like Jimmy

VIP Limo Services business / corporate charter tours airport prom weddings specials events Salem Joseph at 512-784-6745 www.viplimoaustin.com www.celebrateaustin.com • Celebrating Austin Since 1980 x 24 25

C O N C I E R G E

Historic Sixth

Photo by John R. Rogers www.JohnRRogers.com “Galloping Horses” at The Driskill

26 x www.celebrateaustin.com • Celebrating Austin Since 1980

Historic Sixth Street

Austin is full of beautiful historic buildings and monuments, from the gorgeous granite Capitol to the Victorian houses in Hyde Park. What many visitors, newcomers, and even locals do not know is that one of Austin’s most famous fun spots is also a historic area as well. Sixth Street of Austin is known as a trendy hot spot full of live music, hip bars and lots of great food.

The nights are lit with neon signs and the streets are pedestrian friendly. During the day, however, Sixth Street offers a whole different perspective, not only of historic architecture and history, but also of shopping, upscale dining and fun.

Sixth Street has one of the most interesting histories of all the roads in Austin. Before Sixth Street became the bustling urban center that it is now, it was once called Pecan Street. It was the main thoroughfare into town for the farmland communities to the east, and soon became a major commerce district. Before the Civil War, Sixth Street was already bustling with stores, saloons and hotels. Missouri House, still standing at Brazos and Sixth, erected 1861, was Austin’s first boarding home for travelers on their way to the Wild West.

The beautiful Littlefield Building, at the northeast corner of Sixth and Congress, was built in 1910 and displays the beautiful architecture know as Beaux Arts style. This building was the tallest skyscraper between New Orleans and San Francisco at the time. Located within the Littlefield Mall, in modern day Austin, is Hatbox, a haberdashery that combines old world charm with contemporary style, and is well-recognized for being “every man and woman’s” hat store. Right next door is the beloved Wild About Music store, the world’s first and only art and gift gallery dedicated entirely to music. This unique retail treasure represents over 100 local, national and international artists and carries thousands of items all entirely dedicated to music. Wild About Music is celebrating their 21st year of keeping it local in Austin!

Shopping independent local businesses is a nationwide trend, but it’s always been important in Austin, which makes local shopkeepers really happy. Austin loves its nostalgia and its quirks, and prides itself on its indy spirit. Visitors coming to Austin are looking to hook up with what is “real” about Austin and experience a little of that Austin music mystique that they have heard about.

Downtown is also now the home of many new residents choosing to immerse themselves and live in Austin’s musical urban core. Wild About Music’s “mostly musician” and “totally music loving” staff loves helping visitors and locals find their way around what’s new downtown, plan a music night out, or help them to shop for out-of-theordinary Austin music themed gifts to bring home or send off. We know you will leave this shop saying you’ve never seen anything like it!

Within easy walking distance is Lucky Lizard Curios & Gifts® & Museum of the Weird™, a beloved Austin favorite that cannot be missed! The museum features mummies, unexplained phenomena, and self-proclaimed “freaks of nature,” as well as a clever curio and gift shop on the street front, which carries a large inventory of local artisan’s products and unique imported souvenirs. Right across the street is Bobalu Cigar Co., which proudly presents fine boutique cigars made live in the window by

Celebrate Austin with a New Hat from Hatbox!

512.476.1203 - 115 E 6th Street ste N - Austin, TX 512.883.9595 - 11401 Century Oaks Ter ste 129 - Austin, TX w w w. h at b o x . c o m

H I S T O R I C S I X T H

continued on page 28

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H I S T O R I C

Got Cubans? Watch authentic Cuban cigar rollers and enjoy the best Cuban coffee in Austin’s only indoor smoking establishment on Sixth. Experience the finest cigars north of Havana. Custom-labeled and flavored cigars, lighters, accessories. Open daily.

Highly recommended!

509 E 6th St., 512-469-5877; 888-33CIGAR, www.livecigarrollers.com Celebrating 15 Years!

real Cuban born cigar rollers. This locally renowned shop also carries a fantastic selection of cases and accessories.

Although historical Sixth Street is extraordinarily pedestrian friendly, don’t miss out on your chance to tour Austin in the most fun way possible at SegCity Segway Tours. The tours take you from Sixth Street to the State Capitol and you will be amazed at what you’ll learn! On a hot summer afternoon, don’t forget the opportunity to step inside the crisp air conditioned interior of Alamo Drafthouse, which plays movies in the early afternoon and into the evening. The food is amazing, the atmosphere is fun and refreshing, and you’ll be amazed at the authentic and original old movie interior.

After all this shopping, touring and fun, don’t forget to stop at any of the world famous bars or restaurants that line Sixth Street. Maggie Mae’s has stood proud for 34 years and is located in a beautifully restored building erected in the 1850s. It features an authentic New Orleans style courtyard with a staircase that extends to a rooftop that allows for a gorgeous view of downtown Austin. Right across the street is Iron Cactus Restaurant and Margarita Bar, located in an enchanting turn-of-the-century building that was remodeled to maintain the authentic, historical aspects of its construction.

There are countless hidden treasures along this wonderful corridor that make up the heart of Austin. Don’t miss the daytime opportunities that abound in the form of shopping, retail and, for the historically inclined, the beautiful monuments that stretch from the legendary Driskill Hotel next to the Littlefield Building and on toward IH35.

S I X T H

Live Music, Sports Bar, English Pub, New Orleans Style Courtyard, Rooftop, Art Gallery and More!

Edwin Kramer Gallery, Robert Hurst Artwork, Custom Gibsons Available for Private Events Beautiful 5,000 sf Rooftop Deck 323 E Sixth Street, Austin, TX 78701 Austin Favorite for 32 Years 512-478-8541 www.maggiemaesaustin.com

Four Historic Buildings (circa 1850’s), 14,000 sf of space renovated and restored Gibson Room and Les Paul Lounge

28 x www.celebrateaustin.com • Celebrating Austin Since 1980

Photo by Larry D. Moore

Interesting Facts About Sixth Street Sixth Street was formerly Pecan Street under Austin’s old street-naming system, which had east to west streets named after trees and north to south street named after Texas rivers. The River Streets retained their names, such as Brazos Street.

Most structures on Sixth Street were built by the 1880s, the same decade the Driskill Hotel was erected. The Scarbrough Building was erected in 1910, however.

In the 1840s, Sixth Street and Congress was the stage stop for the stagecoach.

Sixth Street was ideal for this purpose as it rarely flooded and is one of the flattest roads downtown.

The Pecan Street Festival is held every Spring and Fall, and has been an Austin tradition since 1978. It preserves the culture and community of Austin and honors the streets original name, Pecan Street.

Scarbrough and Hicks department store, founded on the southwest corner of 6th and Congress in 1893, erected the Scarborough Building, seen above right, the first skyscraper in Austin.

You can see the O. Henry Hall, seen opposite page, also known as the U.S. Post Office and Federal Building, at 6th and Colorado Street. Completed in 1881, the District Court met there until 1936. It is most famous for the trial of William Sidney Porter, the man known as O. Henry. It is currently owned by the University of Texas, and serves as the administrative headquarters for the University of Texas System.

The Ritz on Sixth Street, above, first opened its doors in the 1920s. Alamo Drafthouse renovated the original theatre and re-opened it under The Ritz in 2007.

The area is sometimes closed to traffic during big events and holidays, allowing pedestrians to stroll the area safely.

S I X T H

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H I S T O R I C

HILL COUNTRY GALLERIA 13420 Galleria Circle 512.263.7636

www.celebrateaustin.com • Celebrating Austin Since 1980 x 29 28

Lake Travis A beautiful Texas sunset over Lake Travis.

Photo of The OASIS taken from SOLEIL

by Drew Kolb of drewkolb.com

30 x www.celebrateaustin.com • Celebrating Austin Since 1980

www.celebrateaustin.com • Celebrating Austin Since 1980 x 31

Photo by James R Granberry www.james-granberry.artistwebsites.com

Volente Beach: The Crown Jewel of Lake Travis

L A K E T R A V I S

Volente, known to locals as the Village of Volente or Volente Beach, is a small lakeside community located just a short, scenic 18-mile drive northwest of downtown Austin in the Texas Hill Country. Considered the crown jewel of the Highland Lakes, the village is approximately two square miles in size and bookended by spectacular Lake Travis and the lush Balcones Canyonlands Preserve.

Volente is home to a myriad of outdoor activities and dining options. VIP Marina offers boat rentals, house boat rentals, party barges and even chartered dinner cruises. Sail high above the water with Airscape Parasail, where no experience is required and all ages are welcome. Adrenaline junkies can take advantage of the five zip lines ranging in lengths of 250 to 2000 feet with Lake Travis Zipline Adventures. The Volente Beach Waterpark offers fabulous slides and rides, a swim-up tiki bar, two lighted volleyball courts and a sandy beach.

The two casual fine dining options are a perfect way to end

Ski Boats v Wave Runners Pontoon Boats v Houseboats Party Barges - coming soon 17141 Rocky Ridge Rd., Austin, TX 78734 www.rentlaketravis.com 512.266.8006 32 x www.celebrateaustin.com • Celebrating Austin Since 1980

an eventful day, and both boast spectacular panoramic views of Lake Travis and the Hill Country. The Shore Club offers hand-cut steaks and fresh seafood as well as the best burgers on the lake. Cafe Blue, perched on the shore of scenic Lake Travis, offers contemporary lakeside cuisine in a relaxed, beautiful Hill Country setting with outdoor seating.

With so much to do and see, travelers often stay in the Village of Volente more than one day. There are several overnight accommodations, including hotels, bed and breakfasts and private rental homes. Both the Shore Club and VIP Marina offer lake front overnight opportunities – the Shore Club has a beautiful hilltop lake house near the restaurant, and VIP offers an exclusive two-bedroom villa floating just above the ship store.

The Village of Volente is a destination secret that provides tons of fun for the whole family. Don’t you owe it to yourself to see where the locals love to play?

Scan for $4 off Water Park Admission

Enjoy 10 attractions, pool bar and grill, sandy beach front and two lighted volleyball courts.

The Shore Club is a fine dining, casual restaurant, open year around featuring hand-cut steaks and seafood.

Gorgeous Lake Travis during sunset, opposite page.

Kids enjoying Volente Beach Waterpark, above.

16107 FM 2769, Volente, TX 78641 512-258-5110, www.shoreclubtx.com

16107 FM 2769, Volente, TX 78641, www.viplaketravis.com (512) 331-5375

Come Enjoy Beautiful Lake Travis in VIP Style. VIP Marina offers everything from Jet Ski Rentals, Ski and Pontoon Boats, Chartered Dinner Cruises, even 110 foot houseboats. The Marina is full service with a store, gas, parasailing, deli and there is even a vacation villa to rent located above the ship store. Call now and let us show you how to enjoy the lake VIP style!! Located just below The Shore Club, a fine dining casual establishment.

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L A K E T R A V I S

The beautiful Texas sunset makes a trip to the Lakeway Resort even more relaxing.

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An Escape Unlike any Other Courtesy of Lakeway Resort and Spa

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Lakeway Resort and Spa

mid the rolling greenery of the Texas Hill Country, the Lakeway Inn has maintained the tradition of lakeside luxury in Austin since 1963. More than 40 years later, it has fostered a resort community in the Lakeway area and transformed itself to provide an exceptional destination on Lake Travis. With a wide array of activities, Lakeway Resort and Spa is the ideal getaway for any traveler – indoor or outdoor, waterfront or winery, golf or galleria, relaxation or recreation.

Take time to experience life at the lake.

Private Balconies with Inspiring Views Contemporary and inspiring, the sophisticated deluxe guestrooms and suites offer spectacular panoramic views.

Lakeside balconies and the calm of the water lure patrons over freshly brewed coffee at the start of each day and provide the perfect ambiance for morning breakfast. From plush robes and blissful beds to oversized desks and high speed wireless internet, every comfort imaginable is available to work and relax.

Lavish Villas Offer Only the Best of Home

Perfectly designed for family vacations, reunions, engagement parties and bridal showers, these suites can also be utilized for small receptions and events with full catering services. Enjoy all the comforts of home with a full kitchen and

appliances, dining room and place settings, living room with flat panel screen and laundry room. Enhance your experience even further by adding concierge welcome packages to stock the kitchen in honor of your arrival, in-room spa treatments, or chef prepared meals brought to you.

Relax, Rejuvenate, Renew Lake Travis offers its most inviting hydrotherapy from the tranquil, quiet rooms of the San Saba Spa. Austin’s signature lifestyle spa caters to the individual with treatments and techniques that adapt to each person, their pains, aches and physical features. Let the caring staff help choose the ideal treatment from among a Texas-sized menu of services for both men and women or select a unique seasonal specialty. The beautifully appointed spa offers clients his and her dry saunas and a fitness center with the latest training equipment and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the garden and infinity edge pool.

Delights for the Palette Nourish the appetite and the imagination with the contemporary American cuisine of Travis restaurant. With expansive views of the shores of Lake Travis, subtle aromas, ambiant lighting and the sunset views of the covered terrace, this signature restaurant provides a feast for all the senses in a comfortably elegant environment. The distinctive fine dining menu complements the relaxed setting of Travis Restaurant, and it provides an exceptional culinary experience for patrons unlike any other in the area. Recent winner of the Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator Magazine, the extraordinary wine list only enhances each flawlessly paired dish.

Casual dining is equally festive with great entrees served alongside unique cocktail creations, billiards and nationally televised sports on multiple flat screens at Josey’s Bar and Grill. To take advantage of the great outdoors, meals can also be arranged poolside, in one of the many patio areas or even aboard a chartered yacht.

Endless Possibilities Linger on the picturesque balconies, enjoy a relaxing spa treatment or select one of many nearby activities. This retreat offers all the privileges and amenities of a luxury resort, including outdoor pools, swim-up bar, lakeside whirlpool, private cabanas, fitness center and tranquil spa facility. Also look for seasonal classes, chef’s table receptions, wine pairings, poolside concerts and much more.

Indulge in sports and recreation offered year-round in the amiable climate of Austin, Texas. Beginning with a full service marina, choose from among chartered sunset cruises, water sports and fishing excursions. Visit the nearby Lakeway World of Tennis or play on up to 72 holes of championship greens. Four golf courses provide links for all skill levels, including designs by Jack Nicklaus and Jack “Jackie” Nicklaus, II. Celebrate In Style From intimate get-togethers to dream weddings, the Catering and Events Team has created a distinctive menu of tantalizing gourmet dinners featuring truly remarkable culinary masterpieces. Experienced planners are on-hand to tailor an occasion that is personalized, exciting and always memorable.

It’s All About Location Lakeway Resort and Spa is located just 18 miles northwest of downtown Austin and 30-40 minutes from the Austin Bergstrom International Airport. Take advantage of being perfectly situated on the edge of the lush Texas Hill Country, alongside stunning Lake Travis, and only minutes from Downtown Austin. As the “Live Music Capital of the World,” Austin offers a rhythm all its own. The culture, nightlife, museums, restaurants, shopping and eclectic spirit of the city are the perfect complement to everything that life at the lake has to offer.

Visit Lakeway Resort and Spa, and create lakeside memories this year.

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Art

36 37 xx www.celebrateaustin.com www.celebrateaustin.com •• Celebrating Celebrating Austin Austin Since Since 1980 1980

Wimberley is fast becoming known as its own sort of a capital- a fabulous center for the arts. Leave your city worries behind and take a scenic hill country drive ...

Nearby Wimberley, TX, An Oasis of Art

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Courtesy of Wimberley COC and Wimberley Glassworks

hether a local resident or a visitor of Austin, don’t miss your opportunity to visit Wimberley, Texas, less than an hour from our Capital City! Wimberley is fast becoming known as its own sort of a capital - a fabulous center for the arts. Leave your city worries behind and take a scenic Hill Country drive for a relaxing weekend in Wimberley.

Wimberley has hundreds of artists and galleries that can be found starting from the downtown square and expanding into the Hill Country. Perhaps the most popular excursion to Wimberley would include a planned trip to visit the wonderful Wimberley Market Days, which occurs the first Saturday on each month, from March through December, starting around 7am and ending around 4pm. Admission to this event is free and parking is a mere $5. The Market is the oldest outdoor market in the state and the second largest, featuring over 450 booths along tree-shaded paths. Dozens of artists showcase their wares during this fun event.

Beyond the Market Days, a good place to start any visit is at the Visitor Center located on Ranch Road 12 just across Cypress Creek from the Wimberley Town Square. Wimberley has been a retreat for artists, musicians and writers for many years and you

will want the dibs on where to start your artistic journey.

While you’re in Wimberley, keep in mind that the quaint city has outstanding venues for critically acclaimed live theater. EmilyAnn Theater—west of Wimberley on Ranch Road 2325—each year hosts Shakespeare Under the Stars and is also the location for the Christmas Trail of Lights with more than 100 separate sparkling displays.

The Annual Wimberley VFW Rodeo is one of the largest in the state and is held on the weekend closest to July 4. Three nights of bull riding, bronc busting, calf roping and much more are held at the rodeo grounds at Veterans Memorial Park.

If you want to experience a “Norman Rockwell” moment, you must see the July 4th Parade that goes down the main streets of Wimberley, followed by an old-fashioned Jubilee.

Be sure and take in the daily glassblowing demonstrations at the Wimberley Glassworks. Watch talented artists manipulate molten glass into works of art, then visit their on-site gallery.

There are two local wineries where visitors may tour the vineyards and wine-making facilities to sample some of the finest in Texas wines.

Wimberley has two magnificent natural swimming holes. The Blue Hole, rated the second best swimming hole in Texas, and Cypress Falls in Woodcreek, welcome swimmers with cool clear waters. Cypress Creek also offers a nature trail and hiking (Old Baldy will provide a unique panorama of the Wimberley Valley).

There’s lots more awaiting you in the town of Wimberley, which somehow beckons with a call that is both trendy and quaint. Don’t miss it!

Visit www.wimberley.org or contact the Visitor Center at (512)847-2201 for more information!

Lighting that will turn you on...

Even when it’s off!

COMMERCIAL

Experience the centuries-old technique of hand blown glass, created in Texas since 1992 by Tim deJong, and see our extensive selection of evocative and ambient art glass lighting.

“A Must See.” - Texas Highways & Texas Country Reporter “Wimberley’s most famous attraction.” -Texas Monthly

RESIDENTIAL

Chandeliers Pendants Sconces Table Lamps Vases Platters Sculpture Iced Tea Sets

SPECIALTY

WGW.COM 800-929-6686 512-393-3316 Glassblowing Demos Open daily 10-5 Sunday 12-5 I-35, Exit 202W, 7.5 miles 6469 Ranch Road 12, San Marcos, TX 78666

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A R T S

Arguably the artistic epicenter of Austin, downtown is alive with the spirit of creation. It is known for its pervasive music scene and diverse performing and visual arts.

A R T S

Can’t Miss Galleries in Artistic Austin

By Christy Wink

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ustin is a city alive with the spirit of creation. It is known for its pervasive music scene, diverse performing arts venues and, of course, its eclectic offering of visual arts.

From Sixth Street to the Warehouse District, South Congress to The Drag, the streets of downtown are a hive of activity for the visual arts, be it painting, glass, sculpture- even those Austin originals that defy the traditional classifications of artistic media.

Austin’s inhabitants are at its expressive and ever-evolving core, and they wear “weird” as a proud badge of their citizenship. The city and its people exist in a symbiotic relationship, each thriving off the creative energy of the other. Austin has an inspirational vibe that is fueled by the enthusiasm of its people, who “Becoming One” are notorious for their active lifestyles,

by Daryl Colburn, Original Patinated Copper, free thinking and love of all things Courtesy of Artworks. art and media. No wonder, then, that Austin’s visitors are eager to take part in its culture and bring back a part of that unique atmosphere to relive and reflect upon, at home.

Art is everywhere you look, so if you’re in the market to take home a little slice of Austin life, your search will not be a difficult one. The diversity that personifies Austin is reflected in the sheer scope of selection to be had. The streets of

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downtown offer every genre of art for purchase, in any imaginable setting. Large selections of fine contemporary art hang quietly in peaceful and austere museum-quality settings. Roomfuls of unique sculptures and glasswork are tucked carefully away in tiny antique houses turned galleries. Austin’s offerings also run the gamut of Texas art, whether it’s quirky cowboykitsch or sweeping Southwestern-style murals.

In addition to the galleries and museums peppering the downtown and hill country scene, there are numerous festivals and exhibitions throughout the year to expand buying opportunities. One of the highlights includes Art City Austin, held the second weekend in April.

Each year, hundreds of emerging and independent artists spread themselves out over the

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A R T S

John R. Rogers visualistimages@gmail.com 512-699-6468 Wimberley Glassworks 512-393-3316 www.wgw.com

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their doors open until 10 p.m. or later, and welcome you in with a cold beer and a smile.

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Framing

Textile/ Weaving

Sculpture

Portraiture

Photography

Paintings

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Photography

Art Glass Lighting

Mosaic

Metalworking

Art Shown on Page 38.

Shooting Star by Lapaso Stainless Steel kinetic sculpture, Enegma by James Dammann, Original oil painting on canvas and Drawn Togerther by Julie Fleschman Gouache on paper. Art like this available at Artworks on West 6th Street. Art inventory subject to change.

Jewelry

Abstract, Ethnic, Local, Modern.

Glass

Artworks 1214 West 6th Street #105, 512-472-1550 www.artworksaustin.com

Antique or Collectable

Abstract, Local, Modern.

Drawings

Art on 5th 512-481-1111 1501 W 5th St. www.arton5th.com

Collage

Art...

At a Glance

Ceramics/ Pottery

food and arts & crafts.  Visitors arriving in Austin early in the month can catch First Thursday on South Congress.

Affectionately referred to as SoCo, this hip, bohemian section of downtown plays host to a wide variety of events and activities, including arts & crafts vendors, street performers and plenty of people watching. Local stores keep

Architectural Elements

rolling hills and streets surrounding Austin City Hall to sell their creations to thousands of eager art enthusiasts.

For even more of the flavor of Austin, head down to 6th Street in either May or September for the bi-annual Old Pecan Street Arts Festival, a 30-year Austin tradition. The Pecan Street Festival is a smorgasbord of local music,

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We’ve been celebrating Austin for 32 years, bringing the best of the Austin lifestyle to locals, tourists and newcomers.

Now celebrate with us online:

www.CelebrateAustin.com For everything Austin, including events, music, dining, shopping and more. www.celebrateaustin.com • Celebrating Austin Since 1980 x 41

Shopping

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Where to Shop!

Austin’s unconventional and extraordinary vibe has taken itself beyond the top-notch music scene and into the world of style and glamour. Amidst the avant-garde architectural specimens that have sprouted in the modest downtown grid, a new, chic shopping district has emerged, solidifying Austin as a city suitable for runway divas and fashion enthusiasts of all kinds.

The expansion of the urban real estate, including luxury lofts, condos and apartments all across Austin, has catalyzed an innovative form of living and shopping. A concept which has literally materialized into the buildings and stores that harbor the articles of clothing themselves: shop outside the box.

Beneath the 15-story high-rise apartments, eclectic and eccentric boutiques feature cutting-edge fashion that transcends clichés and faux pas. At the convenience of the residents who live above these stores, now anyone can live and shop without having to cross a single street.

Tourists and Austinites alike can easily become lost in a labyrinth of exclusive shops that line historical downtown districts as well as areas in the northern and western parts of the city. From downtown to up north, from east to west, there is fabulous shopping for everyone.

Taking a peek inside the multitude of stores that have established Austin as the forefront for shopping never looked so appealing. Outdoor malls wrapped in verdant nature, rolling hills, native trees and streams create an entirely new shopping experience only fit for Austin’s year-round pleasant weather. Use our handy guide, “Where to Shop,” as your tool to find the best local treasures and the hottest locations to snag fabulous trend and special finds.

S H O P P I N G

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DOWNTOWN/ CENTRAL AUSTIN

Gifts | Fountains | Jewelry | Candles

908 A W. 12th Street Austin, Texas 512.472.5597

The Arabic Bazaar

The Arabic Bazaar features gifts, clothing, antiques, and home furnishings, all directly imported from Syria, Morocco, and Egypt. Shipping and custom design services are available. The building is also home to Zein’s Dance Studio, with authentic bellydance classes taught by Zein Al-Jundi. Mon & Wed 11am-9pm; Tue, Thu & Fri 11am-7pm; Sat 10am7pm. The Arabic Bazaar; 5013 Duval St.; www.TheArabicBazaar.com; 512-533-9227

www.crystalworksaustin.com

Art on 5th

Austin’s largest contemporary gallery.

Over 6,000 square feet of originals!

Multiple year winner of “Austin’s Best Gallery.” Local and regional art, one-ofa-kind jewelry and, now, original movie posters! Just a five minute drive from downtown hotels. www.arton5th.com, 1501 W. 5th St., 512-481-1111.

S H O P P I N G

Artworks

CRYSTAL WORKS

Open since 1985, Artworks in the West 6th Street district sells wonderful fine art and glass as well as woodworking, jewelry, fabrics, and more. Artworks also provides art services such as custom framing and art restoration. 1214 W. 6th St. #105; www.artworksaustin.com; 512-472-1550

Bobalu Cigar Company

Manufactures and sells its own line of cigars (20 brands!), plus exotic tobaccos and a large wrapper inventory.

Bobalu brand cigars are made with fine long filler from Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, and Honduras. Bobalu also has smoking accessories and custom label cigars. 509 E. 6th St.; 512-4695877; www.livecigarrollers.com

CRYSTAL WORKS

Delights the eyes and soothes the spirit, providing a unique gift-shopping experience. Featuring 14 kt and sterling jewelry handcrafted by local jewelers, and spotlighting crystals, fountains, Feng Shui items, music, harmonically tuned wind chimes, aromatherapy products and spiritual reminders. An Austin original for 29 years. 908 A W 12th St., www. crystalworksaustin.com; 512-327-0404.

El Interior

With treasures of Mexico for the discerning taste, the store has been an Austin institution since 1979. Exceptional folk art and amazing selection of handwoven textiles and timeless cotton clothing. Includes woodcarvings, silver jewelry, pottery and tin work. 1009 W. Lynn St; 512-474-8680; www.elinterior.com

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Whit Hanks ANTIQUES

A COLLECTION OF FINE ANTIQUE GALLERIES Whit Hanks Antiques is a shopper’s paradise, a collector’s dream and a designer’s resource. Stroll through the galleries of Whit Hanks Antiques and discover why it has earned the prestigious reputation as Austin’s premier collection of fine antique galleries.

Antique Swan, Fancy Finds, Lotus Gallery, Jean-Marc Fray French Antiques Négrel Antiques, Pat Monroe Antiques, 1776 House Antiques Witte Global Antiques, Raritet Antique Gallery

1009 West 6th Street, Austin, TX 78703, 512-478-2101 whithanksantiques.com, Free Parking www.celebrateaustin.com • Celebrating Austin Since 1980 x 44 45

NORTH AUSTIN Dragonsnaps!

Comfortable, captivating children’s clothing.

Modern designs, natural fibers – durable, U.S. cottons. Go anywhere – stay cool – keep warm. Children love them; you’ll love the look.

Infant-10 girls. Infant-7 boys. Accessories, jewelry, outerwear. 2438 W. Anderson Ln.; 512-445-4497; www.terratoys.com

Karavel Shoes Comfort Center

Specializing in fashionable foot comfort, Karavel Shoes is Austin’s premier locally owned shoe retailer. Wide selection of brands, including New Balance, Mephisto, ECCO, Finn Comfort, Birkenstock, and more. The Wellness Center is staffed with Certified Pedorthists. 5525 Burnet Rd.; 512-459-7603; www.karavelshoes.com

KidOShoe

S H O P P I N G

26 different brands of top quality, fashionable children’s shoes, socks, shoelaces, and accessories. Check out these developmentally healthy selections for children from birth through middle school. 2438 W. Anderson Lane; 512-467-7463; www.kidoshoe.com

Simon Malls

Hatbox

A modern Haberdashery, known for its Austin-centric, one-of-a-kind cowboy hats with a rockabilly feel and some of the most hair-raising hat puns imaginable. 115 E 6th St # N; 512- 476-1203; Now also at The Domain. 11401 Century Oaks Terrace, Suite 129, Austin, TX 78758, www.hatbox.com

Lucky Lizard

Sells model kits, toys, action figures, collectibles, comic books, posters, t-shirts, and other novelty items and Austin souvenirs. The Lucky Lizard building is also home to Museum of the Weird, which features oddities and wax figures. 412 E. 6th St.; 512-476-5493; www.luckylizard.net

Nature’s Treasures of Texas

Located just north of downtown on I-35 (lower deck) find this Austin treasure.

With an ample selection of minerals, fossils, crystals, natural stone jewelry, salt lamps and more, well, what can we say... they rock! Open 7 days a week. Nature’s Treasures of Texas, 4103 North IH 35, Austin, TX 78722, www.ntrocks.com, 512.472.5015

Things Celtic

Largest selection of Irish and Scottish wedding rings in Texas. Special order handmade kilts from Scotland. Kilt rentals available. Art and unique crafts are featured throughout: china, crystal, books, music, flags, pewter and selection of Celtic

wall crosses. 1806 W. 35th St.; 512-472-2358; www.thingsceltic.com

Twenty-Six Doors, Inc.

Simon Property Group, Inc. owns several malls in the Austin area, including the Arboretum at Great Hills, the Domain, Lakeline Mall, Barton Creek Square, and Gateway Center. Check out their website to purchase Simon giftcards and to learn about new sales, events, and programs at various malls! www. simon.com

Austin’s 26 Doors shopping center is a hotspot for food, gifts, original toys, and clothing.

Meet up at the central plaza, which features a bronze sundial, or hang out in the courtyards with beautiful fountains, sculptures, and landscaping. Check out businesses such as Santa Rita Cantina, Adelante Boutique, Teo, Sweet Charity, Rootin’ Ridge Toymakers, Rae Cosmetics, Waterloo Ice House and more.

Just head left on 38th St. from Medical Pkwy, north block.

Terra Toys

Whit Hanks Antiques

Best selection of contemporary and traditional Native American jewelry in Austin. Where Austinites bring their East Coast relatives for gifts to take home. Features Zuni carvings, Navajo kachinas, Pueblo pottery, dream-catchers, carvings, plus distinctive furnishings with a Southwest flair. 6103 Burnet Rd. at Koenig Ln., 512-323-5011; www.turquoisetradingpost.com

Austin’s premier antiques gallery features extensive collections of European and American antiques and accessories, including furniture, art, silver, lighting, vintage books, and rare estate jewelry. Select group of fine antiques merchants attracts the most discriminating and selective dealers and individuals from around the country. 1009 W. 6th St.; 512-4782101; www.whithanksantiques.com

Wild About Music

The world’s first and only art and gift gallery dedicated entirely to music. They represent over 100 local, national and international artists and carry thousands of gift items all entirely dedicated to music. They are in their 21st year of operation and bring the spirit of music and its celebration in art and gifts to musicians and music lovers worldwide. 115 East 6th St.; 512-708-8600; www.wildaboutmusic.com

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Terra Toys! Classic, fun, beautiful toys from around the world – intriguing for infant or architect. Children’s bookstore, art supplies, science, novelty candies. Wooden toys, puzzles, games, dolls, miniatures, major plush collection. Landmark store worth the visit.

2438 W. Anderson Lane; 512-445-4489; www. terratoys.com

Turquoise Trading Post

Zinger Hardware

Featuring all kinds of furniture, gifts, kitchenware, housekeeping products, outdoor garden materials, rain harvesting barrels, composting systems, pet and wildlife items, architectural hardware and toys to include Legos and Playmobil. Zinger is the best bet for all your hardware needs! 4001 North Lamar Boulevard, Ste 300, Austin, Texas 78756; (512) 3818111; www.zingerhardware.com

Zoltan David

Zoltan David, winner of sixteen national and international design awards, recently opened his flagship store at the new Hill Country Galleria. His signature line of jewelry is all designed and created in his studio there, and is sold in fine jewelry stores across the US, as well as London. Mr. David has also been selected as one of 25 bespoke jewelry designers from all over the world to participate in a private event in Dubai. As the 2005 Jewelry Designer of the Year, Zoltan David is committed to the notion that masterful craftsmanship is the rarest of luxuries. His hand-crafted, extraordinary pieces reflect a trio of qualities: precision, technical innovation and a strong personal style that no other jeweler achieves quite so elegantly. Zoltan David Atelier; 12901 Hill Country Blvd Ste. D1-120; 512-372-8888; www.zoltandavid.com.

GREATER AUSTIN AREA Premium Outlets®

Shop Round Rock and San Marcos Premium Outlets and discover two impressive collections of designer and name-brand outlets at savings of 25 to 65 percent every day. For the most up-to-date information, including a complete list of stores, center hours, upcoming sales and to join the free VIP Shopper Club, visit www.premiumoutlets.com.

Sunset Canyon Pottery

Handmade pottery for the home, fine art ceramics and beautiful, longlasting casual dinnerware and kitchenware in 12 different glazes – it’s all at Sunset Canyon Pottery. Also features clay classes. 4002 East HWY 290, Dripping Springs, TX; (800) 846-6175; www.sunsetcanyonpottery.com

S H O P P I N G

Texas Hatters

At Texas Hatters, “We Top The Best” is no idle boast. With over 75 years, that’s 4 generations, of true-to-tradition hat making, Texas Hatters has made hats for kings, presidents, everyday folks and rock stars. Order on-line or in person. 911 S. Commerce St., Lockhart, TX 78644; 800-421-4287; 512-398-4287; www.texashatters.com

Wimberley Glass Works

Blown art glass, lighting, home décor and gifts from the Texas Hill Country! Visitors can watch free demonstrations of the glass blowing process and shop in the gallery for indoor, outdoor and commercial selections as well as vases, sculptures and gifts. The lighting studio features custom installations. 6469 Ranch Road, between Wimberley and San Marcos, TX; 512-393-3316; www.wgw.com

SOUTH AUSTIN Allens Boots

Founded in 1977, this store is really Allens boots, hats, pants, shirts, accessories, gifts and more! They’ve corralled two stores full of your kind of merchandise, from simply fine to pretty fancy. Remember: for Western wear, Allens is your one-stop shop. Mon-Sat 9am-8pm; Sun 12pm-6pm. Allens Boots; South, 1522 S. Congress Ave.; 512447-1413; North, Round Rock, 2541 S. IH-35; 512-310-7600; www. allensboots.com

Austin Gift Company

Started at the turn of the century to provide Austinites, tourists, movie sets and the occasional politician a store for one-stop shopping with more than 150 merchants and an array of gift ideas. This is a can’t miss in a great area of Austin. Mon-Sat 10am-7pm; Sun 12pm-5pm. Austin Gift Company; 4211 S. Lamar Blvd Ste. A-19; 512-326-9462; www.austingiftcompany.com

Bead It

Austin’s largest bead store features “hard to find” vintage glass and plastic beads, as well as stone, shell and wood beads. They also carry jewelry supplies like wire, clasps and chains, and a huge selection of already-made jewelry. Mon-Sat 11am-7pm; Sun 1pm-6pm.

Bead It; 2058 S Lamar Blvd.; 512-693-2323; www.beaditaustin.com

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26 Doors Shopping Center:

and art. During the year, Sweet Charity welcomes top designers such as Round Top Collection’s Jeff Krause and chefs like Rebecca Rather and Sibby Barrett. One of the store’s two signature departments is P.S. by Sweet Charity, featuring gifts, cards and candy. The other, Sweet Baby, offers the best in children’s attire, toys and furniture. They are a project of Seton Volunteers and proceeds benefit patients in need at Seton.

Rootin’ Ridge Toymakers offers custommade wooden toys for all ages. Inside, visitors can peek into the workshop to watch the master craftsmen at work.

Rootin’ Ridge also offers a selection of high-quality commercially produced wooden toys, games, puzzles, furniture and musical instruments.

Kids feel special when they visit Margo Bower’s Hair’s Lair. This hair-cutting and styling salon is located in a small cottage and features toys, movies and snacks.

Fast and fabulous hairstyles make kids— and their parents—look forward to a fun haircut every time.

Feel more beautiful when you visit Urban Betty. The salon offers the best and most current trends in professional hair color and styles, as well as fabulous updos and wedding treatments—in the salon or at your location. Urban Betty features PureOlogy and Bumble & Bumble products.

Pamper yourself at Bellissima European Skin and Nails. Skin care is their passion and life’s work. Their methods combine the best of European and American skin care techniques and products.

If it’s burgers, platters and cold beer that you’re searching for, stop by Waterloo Ice House. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, Waterloo is a casual neighborhood gathering spot serving great food any time of day. At night, the dining room comes alive with the best of Austin’s music scene.

Bell and Bird is a jewelry shop

A Midtown Oasis: 1206 W. 38th St. S H O P P I N G

Whether you’re looking for fabulous food, gifts, original toys or clothing, it can be found at 26 Doors, located in the heart of mid-town Austin. The shopping center is an Austin original. The central plaza—featuring a bronze sundial—is a perfect meeting place for friends, family and kids. Courtyards feature fountains, sculptures and beautiful landscaping.

If you’re craving a tasty bite to eat, visit Santa Rita Cantina, in the heart of 26 Doors. The cantina offers specialties such as fish, salads and slow-roasted chicken or pork loin, as well as traditional Tex-Mex. Be sure to sample their awardwinning salsa and famous margaritas.

The Cantina has been featured in Rachel Ray’s Tasty Travels. Dine indoors or on any of several large outdoor patios.

Adelante Boutique is a unique women’s store with an eclectic mix of clothing, handbags, shoes and jewelry. Like its name, which means “forward” in Spanish, this boutique is always on the cutting edge, offering the latest style trends.

To satisfy a sweet tooth, treat yourself to Teo’s, a perennial winner of the “Best of Austin” awards. Teo’s offers a full-service coffee bar staffed by Italiantrained baristas. Gelato is available in a variety of flavors, and for a refreshing treat, sample a sorbetto. The more than 37 flavors range from an unbelievably creamy chocolate cappuccino gelato called mattissimo to a sugar-free strawberry sorbetto. They’ve also added breakfast and lunch menus. In the cooler months, enjoy your treats by the outdoor fireplace.

One of Austin’s most popular boutiques is Sweet Charity, which offers gifts, accessories, seasonal décor, collectibles

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specializing in antique pieces from the 18th and 19th Centuries. Their offerings also include hand fabricated platinum and gold custom jewelry. What a special find in this nook of Austin!

Rae Cosmetics offers a mineral-based cosmetics line designed specifically for the hot Austin climate and active lifestyle.

Their cosmetics are created from the philosophy that makeup should enhance beauty, not mask it. Rae Cosmetics is designed for hard-working, fun-loving women who are always on the go.

Bay Hill Designs offers home furnishings and accessories, as well as interior design services. In their store you’ll find ideas for living and entertaining. Whether it’s bedding, window treatments or lighting, come by and be inspired!

Frost Bank, the largest home-grown, Texas-based banking organization, has helped Texans with their financial needs since 1868. Focusing on outstanding service and one-on-one customer relationships, Frost offers banking, investments and insurance to individuals and businesses across Texas.

Massage Harmony is a locally owned and operated spa offering the most affordable massages across Austin.

Named in honor of Austin’s local music scene, Massage Harmony also differentiates itself from competitors by not requiring clients to purchase a membership in order to take advantage of its low rates. Clients can choose from Swedish, deep tissue, sports, Shiatsu, reflexology, pregnancy and, now, Ashiatsu massages without having to pay extra.

Be sure to visit Pearl Events, a refined and embellished event planning service which provides singular, special and fashionable events. Whether you are raw and edgy or simple and classic, or a combo of both, Pearl Events will help you design the perfect details. Every event is infused with personality and unique Austin touches. Enjoy stress free planning on any budget!

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Adelante Boutique, 512-452-5322, adelanteaustin.com Bay Hill Designs, 512-374-0210 Bell and Bird, 512-407-8206, bellandbirdjewelry.com Bellissima, 512-458-4448, bellissimaaustin.com Frost Bank, 512-473-4391, frostbank.com Hair’s Lair, 512-374-1700 Massage Harmony, 512-276-2481 Pearl Events Austin, 512-673-7377, pearleventsaustin.com

RAE Cosmetics, 512-320-8732, raecosmetics.com Rootin’ Ridge Toymakers, 512-453-2604, rootinridgetoys.com Santa Rita Cantina, 512-419-7482, santaritacantina.com Sweet Charity, 512-324-3399, sweetcharitygifts.org Teo, 512-451-9555, caffeteo.com Urban Betty, 512-371-7663, urbanbetty.com Waterloo Ice House, 512-451-5245, waterlooicehouse.com

www.celebrateaustin.com • Celebrating Austin Since 1980 x 48

Opposite page photo features Terra Toys, the largest toy store in Austin. Left photo features kidOshoe, which carries locally designed shoes.

Shopping Local Austin Shopping at locally owned stores benefits the culture of the community.

Visitors and locals love the originality of the Austin spirit, and spending a portion of your budget with local merchants helps to preserve what is unique about Austin. Some of the most original treasures and finds, such as art, jewelry, clothing, toys, and more can be found at one-of-a-kind stores that can only be found in Austin.

Modest changes in consumer spending habits can generate substantial local economic impact. For every $100 in customer spending at a national chain, the total local economic impact is only $13. The same amount spent with a local merchant yields $45, more than three times the local economic impact.

A marketplace of thousands of small businesses helps to ensure more innovation and competition, and lower prices over the long term. Independent businesses, choosing products based on what their local customers need and desire, not a national sales plan, guarantees a more diverse range of product and service choices.

If you love Austin be sure to love your locals!

Visit the Austin Independent Business Alliance web site at www.ibuyaustin.com for a list of locally owned businesses. The AIBA is a nonprofit organization of locally owned and operated independent businesses that have joined together to promote the cultural and economic benefits of shopping locally.

AIBA works to ensure the success of Austin’s local independent businesses so that we can continue to contribute to Austin’s rich character and vibrant quality of life. By preserving what is unique about our city, we can avoid becoming “Anywhere, USA.” Buy local whenever possible. Every time you spend a dollar at local, independent businesses you not only impact the cultural vitality of our community, but you also help build a stronger local economy.

www.celebrateaustin.com • Celebrating Austin Since 1980 x 51

K I D S

Dining

52 x www.celebrateaustin.com • Celebrating Austin Since 1980

Taste the Flavors of Austin What does a Texan eat? The palette of the average Austinite has developed over nearly two centuries.

Locals crave salt rubbed brisket, enchiladas, barbeque ribs and chili con carne, just to start. The mouthwatering smells of chilies and spices from all over the world create a delicious aroma at local area restaurants and eating joints. As diners leave with smiles on their faces and full stomachs, hardly a few realize the deeply rooted history of Texas that has continuously transformed the face of its legendary cuisine. The Texan isn’t known as a minimalist, after all, there is a reputation to maintain: “Everything is Bigger in Texas,” and appetites and expectations are no exception. Texas is a large state, population over 20 million, with a diverse ethnic history that can be traced over two centuries. From thriving metropolises like Austin and Dallas, to vast lands and rich oil fields, Texas has always inspired individualism in her people, and even in the one-of-a-kind food served in local restaurants throughout Austin.

Indian tribes who first inhabited this state cultivated a diversity of spices and crops that serve as fundamentals in today’s food, such as corn-based dishes with chilies and herbs usually complimented with beans and tomatoes. The Spanish, the first Europeans to arrive here, claimed Texas for their mother country in the 16th century and quickly called the Indians their friends. They combined their diet of rice, pork, chicken, wine, garlic and onions with the native indigenous foods of pre-Columbian Mexico, including chocolate, chorizo, tomato, vanilla, avocado, guava, papaya, pineapple, chili peppers, beans, squash, peanuts, fish and turkey. From the early 16th century and for about 100 years, the Spanish lived in Texas and influenced the culture and flavor of local foods.

With its long ties to its southern neighbor, Mexico, it’s no surprise that Texan food shows strong Mexican influences. In fact, Tex-Mex, a portmanteau of two cultures’ flavors, is a local favorite. Tex-Mex is regional American cuisine that blends food products available in the United States and the culinary creations of MexicanAmericans influenced by the cuisines of Mexico. The cuisine has spread from border states such as Texas and those in the Southwestern United States to the rest of the country. The cuisine so closely coincides with Mexico’s food that an entirely new genre of food was created, Tex-Mex, which combines traditional Mexican flavors and techniques with American customs.

Today’s Mexican food is based on Mayan and Aztec traditions combined with culinary trends introduced by the Spanish colonists. A local favorite, quesadillas, typically flour tortillas with chicken or beef, cheese and salsa, serve as a staple to many Austinite’s diets, and is considered a Tex-Mex creation. Chili peppers represent the indigenous spice used generously in almost every dish and create colorful foods when used in combination with a variety of vegetables and Mexican meats. Chile Relleno, a popular Tex-Mex favorite, consists of a giant poblano pepper that’s stuffed with a meat, cheese, onions and eggs. Chips with queso (melted cheese with salsa), or guacamole (smashed avocado and

salsa), or just plain chips and salsa are eaten as appetizers in nearly every one of Austin’s acclaimed Tex-Mex restaurants. Usually in a variety of heat levels, salsa literally warms people up for the even spicier entrees to follow.

One influence any Texan cannot ignore is that of the cowboy. A cowboy is an animal herder who tends cattle on ranches, traditionally on horseback, and often performs a multitude of other ranch-related tasks. The historic Texas cowboy of the late 19th century arose from the vaquero traditions of northern Mexico and became a figure of special significance and legend. Wranglers were popular in Texas for about a century, as they specifically tend the horses continued on page 54

For truly remarkable steaks served with a generous helping of Austin attitude, visit Austin Land and Cattle Company. Serving great steaks and good friends for 15 years.

S T E A K S

512- 472-1813 Open daily at 5:30

Downtown at 1205 N. Lamar Blvd. www.austinlandandcattlecompany.com

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D I N I N G

used to work cattle, and cattle were a booming industry in Texas and even in Austin. Cowboys ate on the go, at camps, and created many food traditions that we still enjoy today.

Whether you’re eating chili Frito pie, Texas barbeque, or a piece of steak on a grill— they’re all centered on the meat, which is something Texas and Mexico shares. Both countries have a strong tradition of vaqueros, who herded beef for their supper and used it to make signature dishes, which has carried on into modern cowboy’s and cowgirl’s standard diet of meat and potatoes.

One surprising influence in Texas food is that of its German heritage. Chicken-fried steak, comfort food served with traditional southern portions of muffins, biscuits, cornbread, creamed spinach with cheddar cheese and ranch-style beans have played a role in creating the “cowboy” image of Texas. Yet unbeknownst to many, this centerpiece of many menus that consists of pounded sirloin dipped in buttermilk and flour and fried until it’s crunchy on the outside and steamy inside derives from a German dish called Wiener Schnitzel. The Germans, who settled in Austin’s neighboring city of New Braunfels in the mid-1800s, have left a strong imprint on Texas cuisine. While wandering down Sixth Street after a night bar-hopping, clubbing or just visiting the multitude of music venues, you most likely will run into a few tiny brat and sauerkraut stands.

One great thing about Austin being the capital city of a very large and culturally diverse state is that practically any type of food can be found, and very authentic and delicious versions of it. Italian immigrants settled in Texas, along with German immigrants, well over a century ago. You will discover, to your delight, spicy Italian, mouth-watering pizza and traditional dishes, right here in the heart of Texas. There is also a large Asian dining industry to be found in Austin, with some of the best sushi, Asian fusion and ethnic grocery

D I N I N G

stores available. From sashimi to Tex-Mex to barbeque, Austin has it all.

So when you taste the flavors of traditional local foods, consider the amazing and long-reaching influences you are enjoying. The combination of Aztec, Mayan, Native American, Mexican, Latino, Cowboy and German influence have created a myriad of combinations that aren’t found in other regions of the United States. Orange lemon zest, chilies, garlic, tomatoes, fresh herbs and fruits like guavas, are added to lean cuts of meat and stews to create the most piquant of dishes. When it comes to Texas foods, it takes knowledge of a variety of eclectic blends to even brush the surface in understanding its composition. As the saying “everything’s bigger in Texas” goes, big is synonymous with Austin’s cuisine.

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www.celebrateaustin.com www.celebrateaustin.com •• Celebrating Celebrating Austin Austin Since Since 1980 1980 xx 54 55

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Carmelo’s: A Historic and Succulent Dining Experience

by Christy Wink

W

hen one steps in to Carmelo’s Ristorante on 5th, they are not just dining at a restaurant, they’re enjoying an experience. It begins as you walk into the charming courtyard – dappled with trees and overflowing with eye-catching decor and appeal. From that moment, the white Texas stone walls engulf and transport you out of busy downtown Austin and into another world completely. You find yourself in a timeless Italian bistro, where everything you see, hear, smell and taste is engineered to wrap you up and sweep you away in a wave of gastronomical bliss.

Part of the charm comes from the building itself, which is a historically preserved landmark. Recorded on the National Register as the Old Depot Hotel, the building served as a train depot from as early as 1872, accommodating stagecoach and railroad passengers.

The property was renovated in 1964, and the current kitchen and dining room represent the additions made to the building. Carmelo Mauro opened his restaurant in the Old Depot Hotel in 1985, and transformed it into a romantic hot

spot full of old-world enchantment.

Your journey continues as you’re seated in the cozy dining room, taking in the soft, seductive accordion music, the enticing aromas from the kitchen and the mouth-watering descriptions on the menu. Your wait staff offers selections from the restaurant’s inspired wine menu and you start the daunting task of narrowing down your menu choices for the night. While the angel hair pasta with black truffle cream sauce sounds sinful and the Pacific swordfish with eggplant and crab meat sounds heavenly, it’s hard to resist the call of Steak Diane cooked tableside. It’s about this time you start to realize the caliber of culinary expertise involved in the creation of these dishes. However, if you know anything of the owner it shouldn’t be much of a surprise.

Sicilian native Carmelo started his training at a young age, beginning his career as a bellhop in the hotel industry and eventually making his way up to general manager. He moved to Frankfurt, Germany, where he entered into an apprenticeship, and then on to England, Switzerland, Africa, Bermuda and the Cayman Islands, all the while picking up his trade as a chef and learning the languages, customs, and flavors of the world around him. His extensive experience working in restaurants and hotels

56 x www.celebrateaustin.com • Celebrating Austin Since 1980

across the globe gave him the knowledge and the ability to start his own business and create an award-winning menu that focused on the authentic dishes of his homeland.

Carmelo opened his first location in the Memorial area of Houston, Texas in 1981, where he quickly found success and the ability to open his second, equally successful location here in Austin. He prides himself on the use of authentic Italian products in the preparation of his cuisine, and for such he was awarded the Seal of “Ospitalita Italiana” from the Italian Government. He is an active member of the community, both in Austin and in Houston, his city of residence. He was awarded “Cornerstone Humanitarian of the Year” in 2001 by the National Restaurant Association and has been recognized by the Austin Chamber of Commerce for his “Commitment to Community.”

So with a full stomach and a satisfied smile on your face, your empty dinner plate is whisked away and you realize with joy that this is not yet the end of your experience. The dessert list is nothing short of decadent, and it is the shining star at the end of a lovely night.

As you tuck in to your sweet ending, you truly come to understand the difference between simply dining out, and having a dining experience.

Celebrating 30 years …

Austin, 512.477.7497

504 E. 5th Street (Downtown, across from the Hilton) Also in Houston, 281.531.0696 14795 Memorial Dr. (In the Energy Corridor)

Patio

www.CarmelosRestaurant.com Carmelo’s, an Austin tradition, tucked away across from the Hilton Downtown in the historic landmark “The Old Depot Hotel”.

Host your private party in one of our fabulous event rooms accommodating up to 140 people. Privacy, delicious cuisine and great service assured.

• Sunday Brunch Buffet 10am -3pm • Lunch Monday - Friday (we will open Saturday for your event) • Dinner Daily Patio, Private Dining and Event Rooms Catering for 10-500 guests in your home or office @carmelosdining

carmelosristorante

Bar Arancini

Millefoglie

Ospitalità Italiana Seal

Ospitalita Italiana Seal

Granted by the Italian government recognizing Carmelo’s as serving authentic Italian cuisine.

Carmelo’s Ristorante Italiano di Houston ha ottenuto il

marchio Ospitalità Italiana 2011 Ristoranti Italiani nel Mondo

to HERE N A d to SC lo an e m r Ca ant Meet e Restaur h t View Carmelo voted “Maestro della Cucina 2011” at the Houston Italian Expo

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Ancho’s Restaurant, 700 San Jacinto 512-476-3700, omnihotels.com Alamo Drafthouse, *4 Locations to Serve You 512-297-7269, drafthouse.com

l M $$ u u u l A $ u u u

Austin Land & Cattle, 1205 N Lamar Blvd.

512-472-1813, austinlandandcattle.com Café Blue, *2 Locations to Serve You 512-996-8188, cafebluetx.com

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Casino el Camino, 517 E 6th St, 512-469-9330, casineolcamino.net

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Conan’s Pizza, *3 Locations to Serve You 512-459-3221, conanspizzas.com Copper Restaurant, 300 S Congress Ave. 512-469-9000, copper.austin.menuclub.com

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The OASIS, 6550 Comanche Trail 512-266-2441, oasis-austin.com

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Onion Creek Grille, 4140 Governor’s Row 512-383-2795, omniaustinsouthpark.com

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B= Barbeque As= Asian Type of Food: key: M= Mexican or Tex-Mex S= Steakhouse A= Americana I= Italian Average Entree Cost Key: Less than $15 = $, Between $16-25 = $$, Between $26-46+ = $$$ Where to Find Them: l South l Downtown l Central l North l Lake l Multiple Locations l Greater Austin Area

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Finn & Porter, 500 E 4th Street 512-482-8000, finnandporter.com

Pecan Tree Restaurant, IH35 & Town Lake Rd 512-472-8211, holiday-inn.com P.F. Chang’s, 2 Locations to Serve You pfchangs.com ReVive! Restaurant, 3401 S IH35 512-744-4834, wyndhamaustin.com

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Iron Cactus, *3 Locations to Serve You 512-472-9240, ironcactus.com Lynx Steakhouse, 5901 North IH-35 512-454-8004, embassysuites1.hilton.com

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Garrido’s, 360 Nueces & 3rd St 512-321-TACO, www.garridosaustin.com

Hooters, *2 Locations to Serve You 512-478-WING, hooterstexas.com Hill Country Dining Room 512-329-4527, bartoncreek.com

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Fleming’s, *2 Locations to Serve You 512-835-9463, flemingssteakhouse.com Flore’s, *4 Locations to Serve You 512-996-9636, floresmexican.com

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Driskill Grill, 604 Brazos Street 512-391-7162, driskillgrill.com

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The Creeks Restaurant 9515 New Airport Drive, 512-385-6767

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County Line, *2 Locations to Serve You 512-346-3664, countyline.com Courtyard Restaurant, 6505 IH-35 North 512-454-3737, doubletree1.hilton.com

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Reale’s r r Italian Café

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Dine in Catering Full Service or Delivery for any occasion!

13450 Research Blvd Ste 230 Austin, TX 78750 512-335-5115 www.realespizza.com

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Mon-Thurs 11-9:30pm Fri 11-10pm Sat 11-10pm Closed Sundays

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Roaring Fork, 701 Congress Avenue 512-583-0000, roaringfork.com Rudino’s Pizza, *2 Locations to Serve You 512-258-4900, rudinos.com/austin-texas/ Rudy’s, 4 Locations to Serve You 512-418-9898, www.rudys.com Shore Club Volente Beach, 16107 FM 2769 www.shoreclubtx.com, 512-258-5110

D I N I N G

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Stories Fine Dining, 575 Hyatt Lost Pines Road 512-308-1234, lostpines.hyatt.com

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Third Base Sports Bar, * 3 Locations 512-476-BASE, www.thirdbaseaustin.com

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TRIO Restaurant, 98 San Jacinto 512-685-8300, fourseasons.com/Austin/dining

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Best

PIZZA

Rudino’s is a North Austin favorite. They start with scratch-made dough that is baked daily on site and finish with fresh toppings.

They’ve recently added a sports bar to the 620 location. Go on down and enjoy some amazing pizza, fantastic grinder sandwiches and of course COLD drinks. If you’re looking for something to do in Austin...

Rudino’s offers sports and live music. The restaurant is a great family dining experience, so bring the friends! www.rudinosaustin.com 11521 North FM 620 Austin, TX 78726 512-258-4900

1335 E Whitestone Blvd Cedar Park, TX 78613 512-260-6636

in Austin

Located in the heart of Central Texas are two locals pizza places that will blow your taste buds away!

Founded in 1976 by two young visionaries, Conan’s Pizza became the local fave and spread across town and beyond Austin. The locals couldn’t help but love the pizza that was unlike anything they had ever tasted. As the first and only deep pan specialty pizzeria in Southwest Texas, it become the gourmet pizza lover’s first choice for an all-natural topping-filled thick and original deep pan pizza. Reviews by the critics and testimonials from customers attest to this. www.conanspizza.com 2438 West Anderson Ln 2018 West Stassney Austin, Tx 78757 Austin, Tx 78745 (512) 459-3221 (512) 441-6754

603 West 29th Street Austin, TX 78705 (512) 478-5712

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D I N I N G

Entertainment

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Find Local Entertainment Favorites- and Enjoy!

by Christy Wink

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Smoking Available

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Dining Available

Fourth Street from Guadalupe to Congress, you’ll find a vibrant yet still laid-back selection of cocktail lounges, wine bars and tap houses.

Looking for ultra hip? Check out SoCo, an eight-block strip of South Congress that nurtures and fosters the funky little bohemian spirit in every Austinite. Whatever you’re doing for the evening in Austin, get into the vibe and find some great music.

Just duck into the nearest dive – you might very well discover the next big act coming out of Austin… or is that the phantom wail of Janis echoing off those weathered walls?

Sports Bars or TVs

I

Austin nightlife is that there is always f there’s one thing that Austin is known for, it’s got something happening. In any given to be the nightlife! Wander the streets of downnight you can find a wide variety of town during the day, and you will likely encounter energetic live music shows, bumpbands unloading equipment for a gig or rehearsing in ing night clubs and cool cocktail garages cubbied between old stone buildings. As the lounges. The most popular is Sixth evenings descend, the city comes alive and the muStreet where venues range from sic takes over, buoying its inhabitants on sweet guitar cozy pubs to raucous dance clubs, riffs. Imbued as it is in Austin’s history, music leaves music from raw alternative rock to an indelible mark on today’s culture – one that bleeds sweet, soulful blues. Want to hang into the streets of the city and hearts of the people. like a local? Head over to the Red Austin’s great musical heritage is not a tale told by River district to hear the best indie museum portraits or untouchable artifacts. It lives in band you’ve never heard of. the landmark performance venues that gave the city For a slightly slower paced, more and the musicians a name; it haunts the nighttime sophisticated environment, head a establishments packed throughout downtown. From couple of blocks over to the Warelegendary artists like Willie Nelson, Janis Joplin, house District. Spanning along and Stevie Ray Vaughan who got their start back in the early Austin scene, to relatively new or up-andcoming musicians, the spirit of music is a continuous presence in all aspects of life here. It is this deep dedication that has gained Austin the worthy title of Live Music Capital of the World ®.

Chances are, if you aren’t in town for Bars at a G L A N C E business, your trip has something to do with Casino el Camino one of our famous 517 East 6th Street, 512-469-9330 u u u u u music festivals. If www.casinoelcamino.net not, you can be Coyote Ugly u u u 501 East 6th Street, 512-236-8459 fairly certain that www.coyoteuglysaloon.com the music will touch Dallas Nightclub your visit in some u u u u 7113 Burnet Road, 512-452-1300 form or fashion while www.danceatdallas.com you’re here. Austin’s The Dig in Cedar Park inherited namesake 401 Cypress Creek, 512-996-9900 u u u u u u is supremely invoked www.thedigpub.com during any one of its Iron Cactus, yearly music festivals, 3 Locations, 512-472-9240 u u u u u including South by www.ironcactus.com Southwest, Austin Hooter ’s *menu options may vary by location City Limits, and Fun 2 Locations, 512-478-9464 u u u Fun Fun. Lasting anywww.hooterstexas.com where from a couple Maggie Mae’s of days to an entire 323 East 6th Street, 512-478-8541 u u u u u www.maggiemaesaustin.com week, thousands of music makers and Pete’s Dueling Piano Bar lovers alike flock to 421 East 6th Street, 512-472-PETE u u the streets of downwww.petesdeulingpianobar.com town for nonstop aural Rudino’s Sports Bar stimulation and other 11521 N FM 620, 512-258-4900 u u u u u u forms of revelry. The www.rudinosaustin.com excitement often lasts Shore Club Volente Beach long into the night, u u u u u u u 16107 FM 2769, 512-258-5110 spilling over into the www.shoreclubtx.com numerous bars, clubs Third Base and lounges of Austin u u u u 2 Locations, 512-476-BASE in the form of afterwww.thirdbaseaustin.com parties and imprompThe Stage on Sixth tu jam sessions.

508 East 6th Street, (512) 614-1540 u u u The best aspect of www.thestageonsixth.com

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E E N N T T E E R R T T A A II N N M M E E N N T T

Austin: A City of Music Mystique by Hayley Munguia

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t goes without saying that Austin is famous for its reputation as The Live Music Capital of the World ®.

To support the masses of entertainment-goers that roam famous Sixth Street, the city closes it during special events on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights to traffic, making it pedestrian friendly. Austin is certainly unique in its music culture. From the first inklings of the importance of music to the city in 1933 with the opening of Threadgill’s, to an early ‘90s discovery that Austin had more live music venues per capita than any other musical hotbed in Nationally Renowned Artist Robert Hurst, see “Stevie Ray Vaughan” left, is known for his vibrant images of people and scenes from the world of sports, music and more. Considered to be one of the top sports artist in the country, he is the Official Artist of the Texas Sports Hall of Fame and the College Baseball Hall of Fame.

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At A Damn Fine Artist.com, the online home of Hurst, you can find freshly painted originals, limited-edition and autographed prints, canvas art, and affordable double-matted prints.

Whether you’re into sports, music or the Western way of life, you’re sure to find something to please your particular sense of taste and style.

512-444-766, hurst@adamnfineartist.com Phone: 9:00 am - Midnight Central Time. 7 days a week Studio Visits in Austin, Texas: Flexible hours. Just call or email to make arrangements.

Robert Hurst’s art can be seen on the walls of Historic Maggie Mae’s on Sixth Street. Don’t miss an opportunity to visit this famous bar and hear amazing live music any night of the week.

LIVE MUSIC

ALL NIGHT

EVERY NIGHT

NO COVER

508 EAST SIXTH STREET 512.614.1540

THE STAGE ON SIXTH

There’s only one way to hear live music in Austin, TX and that’s at The STAGE On Sixth. The STAGE is a little bit of Nashville and a whole lot of TEXAS with live music all night, every night. So whether you’re in the mood to hit the dance floor or just relax with your friends on the patio come hang at The STAGE, where the whiskey’s on ice and the music’s on fire!

www.THESTAGEONSIXTH.com

CORPORATE EVENTS

PRIVATE PARTIES

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WEDDING RECEPTIONS

the country, Austin’s live music industry has undoubtedly been pivotal in Austin’s growth as a city. As the industry evolved over the years, it has left bits of music heritage in every nook and cranny of the city.

Music Merchandise

The world’s first and only art and gift gallery dedicated entirely to music, Wild About Music, is headquartered right in the heart of Austin. They represent over 100 local, national and international artists and carry thousands of gift items all entirely dedicated to music.

The gallery has no limit to its inclusiveness—merchandise includes everything from Bob Marley stained glass panels to Amazing Grace tapestry throws, opera glasses to KISS checker sets. Instruments of all shapes and sizes, every imaginable form of art and merchandise featuring music of any and every genre are available here. This place is truly a one-stop-shop for all things music. For more information, visit www.wildaboutmusic.com or just check out the gallery for yourself at 115 E. 6th Street, across from the Driskill Hotel.

Make Your Own Music

For those more interested in testing out their own musical talents, a stop by

Alamo Drafthouse or Pete’s Dueling Piano Bar is a must. The Alamo Drafthouse is famous for its quirky events, one of which is their Sing-Along. Always to a different theme, such as Justin Timberlake, Grease, Ultimate Rock or Pop Princess, these events are organized with two hours of themed music revelry to ensure that the whole audience is singing and dancing through the aisles.

Dressing up for the theme is always encouraged, and most themes include unique games and drink specials. Pete’s Dueling Piano Bar, with locations in Dallas, Houston, Fort Worth, Key West, and Las Vegas, is proud to call Austin its hometown. Pete’s prides itself on being a step above other piano bars through the development of its entertainment.

They hire the best and train the best to guarantee that their shows are never watered down and always boiling over with incredible energy and creativity.

Pete’s is sure to mesmerize all patrons with its self-proclaimed “sing-along, clap-along, drink-along, have-onehelluva-good-time-along” charm. For more information on either, go to www. drafthouse.com/series/sing_alongs/austin or www.petesduelingpianobar.com.

Rooftop and Live Rock

For a musical experience unlike any

other, just try attending a concert on a rooftop with a breathtaking view of the city at your fingertips. Experiences like that are available at the one and only Historic Maggie Mae’s on Sixth Street.

It features live music seven nights a week with three different stages on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. The rooftop deck is complete with a cabana bar and offers an unobstructed view of 6th Street as well as the Austin skyline. While Maggie Mae’s is abuzz with live music on a daily basis year-round, it is particularly popular every March during the annual South

by Southwest Festival. The rooftop deck alone features six different artists everyday. This historic venue definitely provides an adventure you could only find in Austin, and is something that every visitor and local alike should make time to experience. For more information, visit www.maggiemaesaustin.com.

Tour The New Home of Austin City Limits Tour the new home of the Austin City Limits television show – See the iconic music photography of Scott Newton & Jim Marshall – Experience a music legend on stage tonight!

Tour Schedule: M-F / 11a -Noon Ticket Information: acl-live.com 310 W. Willie Nelson Blvd ≥ 877 435 9849

ACLL_Celebrate.indd 3

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E N T E R T A I N M E N T

Maggie Mae’s is a local legend and no visit to Austin is the same without a view from the largest rooftop on Sixth Street. No Matter what your taste, you will find exciting entertainment at Maggie Mae’s including; a Sports Bar, complete with big screens for the game, an authentic English Pub, a New Orleans-style courtyard beneath the stars and three live music stages with different genres of music on each. Maggie Mae’s consists of four historical buildings, beautifully restored, which together make for one of the largest entertainment venues downtown. Don’t miss a view of the Gibson Room and the Les Paul Lounge upstairs, which feature dynamic art by Robert Hurst (adamnfineartist.com) and iconic photgraphy by Edwin Kramer, as well as custom Gibson Guitars for your viewing pleasure.

Est. 1978 Locally Owned & Operated 323 E Sixth Street 512-478-8541 www.maggiemaesaustin.com

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photo by Chad Wadsworth Casino el Camino burgers are famous!

Sports Bars for Sports Lovers!

E N T E R T A I N M E N T

Sports lover? Looking for a great place to watch the game and avoid the crazy Texas weather of either blazing heat or the frigid cold? Sports Bars are the place to enjoy the game.

You can catch just about any type of sport on the big screens in comfort. Historic Maggie Mae’s on Sixth Street has dozens of screens and a 26’ screen on their rooftop, overlooking the city. Say you are looking forward to the big UT game, but your favorite pro team is playing at the same time. No problem! You can watch both on two separate screens in the same room. You will still be able to share in the excitement without the hassle of the crowds. Sports bars aren’t just for male bonding anymore. The sports bar atmosphere is as much for the hip crowd as it is for the family friendly bunch.

And don’t forget about the cold beverages and hot meals.

Local bar Casino el Camino features world famous burgers on their amazing menu. And Third Base Sports Bar has a menu fit for your favorite sports lover. And, of course, hot wings are not the same anywhere but Hooters!

Delicious Deals MONDAY All You Can Eat Wings

1/2 lb. Cheeseburger & Fries for only $5.99

for only $11.99 per person from 6pm-Close

TUESDAY Kids Eat free All Day! WEDNESDAY

10 Boneless Wings, Fries & Dressing for only $5.99

DAILY DRINK SPECIALS $3.50 DOMESTIC BIG DADDY DRAFTS

Mon-Fri, Open-Close & Sat-Sun, 11am-6pm $4 You Call Its Mon-Fri, 2-7pm

Two Convenient Locations:

Riverside (Downtown): (512) 478-9464 Round Rock: (512) 341-9464 Find us on Facebook “Hooters Texas” Prices and offers subject to change without notice.

Full Bar Available!

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Story by Ameena Shurdom

Live Music in Austin: A Rich Culture and History

E N T E R T A I N M E N T

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ustin is known for its super friendly vibe, as well as a rich music scene which officially earned the title Live Music Capital of the World® in 1991 due to having the highest number of music venues per capita in the nation. This trend began as early as 1933 with the opening of Threadgill’s, a home style cooking restaurant that also served as a music venue and went on to host musicians such as Janis Joplin. Today, at the Lamar St. Threadgill’s location, there is a room dedicated to her, with photos and various memorabilia hanging on the walls. During the 1940’s, music venues appeared which featured big bands, jazz and blues. Some musicians who graced Austin’s presence during this time were Tina and Ike Turner and B.B. King.

Willie Nelson livened up the country music scene in the late

Looking for COUNTRY MUSIC? Do you like GREAT DRINK SPECIALS? Do you like to DANCE? Come by the WORLD FAMOUS...

Where COOL COUNTRY meets HOT ROCK and DANCE!

7113 Burnet Rd 512.452.1300 www.danceatdallas.com 70 x www.celebrateaustin.com • Celebrating Austin Since 1980

ACL at Zilker Park Photo by Ashley Garmon

1960’s and 1970’s which led to more liberal musicians landing in Austin such as Roky Erickson with the 13th Floor Elevators, who helped to bring in the psychedelic era. In 1970, the Armadillo World Headquarters opened and for more than a decade featured music from all genres, including local ballet, blues and jazz. The punk/new wave era made its way to Austin in the late 1970’s with bands such as The Skunks, the Violators and the Big Boys. The Armadillo went on to host bands such as the Police, Blondie, Talking Heads and Joe Jackson. The blues club Antone’s was opened

by Clifford Antone in 1975 and became one of the first music venues on 6th Street, assisting in launching the career of many musicians, including Austinite Stevie Ray Vaughan who won a Grammy in 1990 for best contemporary blues album. Sadly, Stevie tragically died in a helicopter crash in August of the same year. He was memorialized with a statue on the south side of Town Lake.

Throughout the years, Austin earned a reputation as a place for struggling musicians to be welcomed by receptive audiences.

South by Southwest Music Conference and Festival (SXSW) has been going strong since 1987. The event is held annually in March and is recognized internationally. It was created to bring a wide variety of talent together from all over the world in an effort to develop careers and share ideas. In 1994, a film and interactive component was added to accommodate these growing industries.

Austin is the perfect location for this event with its eclectic and open environment.

Another music festival which is held at Zilker Park in the fall is Austin City Limits. In addition to food and art, ACL includes over 130 live bands from all over the world to play rock, folk, indie, country, electronic and more over a three day period on eight stages. Over 70,000 fans attend each day. In addition to the outstanding music, there is a great food selection including awesome burgers, incredible pizza, burritos, tasty BBQ and more as well as an art market displaying various crafts and merchandise from Austin’s creative community. The festival is family friendly and children aged ten and under are allowed in for free with a ticket paying adult. ACL will be celebrating its tenth anniversary in 2011.

Ticket sales benefit the Austin Parks Foundation, which assists in improving parks throughout Austin.

Music is a way of life in Austin as it is home to approximately 8,000 professional musicians and contributes $1 billion dollars to the economy. A show can be seen almost every night of the week and is the perfect way to unwind after a hectic day. Weekends in Austin thrive on culture and fun with music flowing through every activity. SXSW offers amazing opportunities to see new talent in the spring, and ACL follows through with an incredible line-up each year in the fall. Regardless of personal taste in music, Austin’s unique combination of talent, energy and good feeling vibes guarantee a little something for everyone.

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photo by John R Rogers www.johnrrogers.com

love for the outdoors, the city also emphasizes recycling and green living. It has made a commitment to meet 20% of its energy needs with renewable energy by the year 2020 and ranked 10th on the “greenest cities in America” list by Mother Nature Network in 2009.

For an energetic, urban city, Austin proves that it does not forget about its nature lovers, outdoorsmen and athletes.

Aside from the well-known slogan “Keep Austin Weird,” the city is also celebrated for being the Live continued on page 76

See the real Austin!

The independent, locally owned Austin www.IBuyAustin.com

www.facebook.com/ibuyaustin • www.twitter.com/ibuyaustin

IBIZ DISTRICTS™

These districts, located all over Austin, are home to an exciting variety of locally owned businesses promoting the neighborhoods’ unique blend of services and goods not found in big box retailers. Each IBIZ District reflects the culture, not just of Austin, but the local neighborhood it is in.

W E ST LY N N

N E W C O M E R

“America’s Best Cities for the Outdoors” in 2009 due to its mild climate, assortment of outdoor activities and ample park land. This “mildness” is defined by short winters with snow and ice being rare occurrences, an average annual temperature of 70 degrees Fahrenheit and approximately 300 days of sunshine a year. The city’s 205 parks, 14 nature preserves, more than 50 miles of trails, more than 50 public swimming pools and 25 greenbelts mean an abundance of open spaces and outdoor activities. With such an obvious

South First

IBIZ District

IBIZ Districts are a program of the Austin Independent Business Alliance. See IBuyAustin.com/IBIZDistricts for details.

Look for IndieAustin, AIBA’s membership magazine and directory all over town.

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BECAUSE YOU HAVE MORE IMPORTANT THINGS TO THINK ABOUT. The protection of your private assets and lifestyle requires a personal insurance team dedicated to your financial situation and goal. Time Insurance Agency’s staff of highly skilled professionals can provide a comprehensive insurance package to meet your needs.

Time will identify comprehensive personal property and automobile policies, including homeowners, single or multiple automobiles and collections of fine art, antiques and jewelry.

We provide advice on other important coverage for watercraft and yachts, farms and ranches, family offices, workers compensation for household staff members, executive personal risk management and commercial insurance.

Time recognizes that your personal insurance needs extend far beyond indemnifying you against losses to your home or automobile. We have significant experience in developing strategies to protect the assets that you have worked so hard to earn.

Time is dedicated to serving our clients’ personal insurance needs with the highest levels of professionalism, commitment and service. Our goal is to provide you the assurance that your family and assets are always secure.

800-365-6065 l 512-447-7773 www.timeinsurance.com l 1405 E. Riverside Drive

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Music Capital of the World ®. In addition to the ample amount of concert venues, Austin sponsors several music festivals each year including South by Southwest, Austin City Limits and Blues on the Green. In 2010, Austin was named a favorite music destination

by Budget Travel and one of the best cities in which to make movies by MovieMaker. Enjoying the party scene doesn’t require a special event, however, as Austin’s downtown houses an entertainment district that is sure to cure anyone’s nighttime boredom. The city’s famous 6th Street is often compared to New Orleans’ Bourbon Street, while the Warehouse District offers some cool fun with jazz. Austin’s creative and eccentric flare along with its acceptance of all sorts of subcultures provides a base for concerts, festivals and other fun events to be found almost any day of the year.

All in all, the city of Austin manages to offer a stable environment to build a new life along with a little fun for everyone. It is a city that seems to have everything a newcomer could want, so why not make your new home a great one in Austin, Texas?

N E W C O M E R

How Does Austin Rank?

#1 best city to live in for next ten years – Kiplinger’s Personal Finance #1 best city for young professionals – Forbes

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#1 best city for jobs in U.S. – Monster.com #1 best local music scene – Budget Travel Readers Choice #1 best performing city in the U.S. – Milken Institute/Green street, Real Estate Partners #1 city in nation for young adults – Portfolio.com #1 large metro area where recession is easing (tied) – Forbes #1 most affordable city – Forbes #1 city for small business vitality – Portfolio.com/Bizjournals study #2 America’s Most Innovative Cities – Forbes #2 best city for job growth – Texas Workforce Commission and U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics #2 best city for students in mid-sized cities – American Insti tute for Economic Research #2 best performing city– Milken Institute #2 greenest metros– Business Facilities #3 best city to move to in U.S. – RelocateAmerica.com #3 best performing airport in North America – Airport Ser vice Quality by Airports Council International (2009) #3 dog friendly city in the U.S. – Dogfriendly.com #4 least stressed city in U.S. – Portfolio.com #5 best retirement town – TopRetirements.com #5 city considered to be poised on the edge of greatness – Austin Business Journal (2011) #6 fastest growing city in the U.S. – U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics #6 smartest large metro city in U.S. – CNNMoney.com All stat updates from 2010 unless otherwise indicated.

T O U R A U S T I N

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San Marcos

photos courtesy of San Marcos CVB

photo courtesy of Premium Outlets®

D A Y T R I P S

Conveniently located between Austin and San Antonio, San Marcos is known not only for its natural beauty..., but also for some of the best shopping you could ask for.

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unique blend of old and new, charming and hip, natural and spectacular, San Marcos boasts a unique multicultural heritage and history where cultural influences are a part of everyday life. Conveniently located between Austin and San Antonio, San Marcos is known not only for its natural beauty and the crystal clear, spring-fed San Marcos River, but also for some of the best shopping you could ask for.

Featuring 140 shops and amazing discounts of 25% to 65%, the prices and selection at San Marcos Premium Outlets is hard to resist.

If it’s museums or art you are hoping to find, San Marcos has choices that are sure to please. The LBJ Museum of San Marcos preserves the legacy of Lyndon Baines Johnson by focusing on his formative years when he honed his political skills and developed a strong commitment to education and civil rights. The 36th president of the United States attended what is now Texas State University, the only Texas college to graduate a future president.

Dick’s Classic Garage contains three decades of the finest cars ever made in the United States. With pristine models dating back as far as 1929, the collection is a tribute to the American passion for the automobile.

San Marcos also has many ways to enjoy the natural beauty of our area.

Start at the beginning where thousands of springs bubble to the surface and form the headwaters of the San Marcos

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River at Aquarena Center. Walk the Wetlands Boardwalk on a self-guided tour, take a historic glass-bottom boat ride or paddle out on a glass-bottom kayak tour and see that there’s more to the river than meets the eye.

Enjoy the crystal clear San Marcos River at Rio Vista Falls Park. Shaded by giant Cypress trees and a refreshing 72 degrees year-round, the crystal clear river is the perfect place to jump in and cool off. Rio Vista Falls is three amazingly fun drop-offs of easy, whitewater rapids. Rent a tube or kayak to take a run through it or just float about in the deep-water pools that precede it.

Enjoy half-mile ADA-accessible trails with information kiosks and benches that are perfect for beginners, to miles-long natural trails to satisfy those looking for a little more adventure. The in-town trail locations make them a perfect greenspace when you need your nature fix.

Go deep underground and see up close the devastation of a major quake at Wonder World Park. Unlike most caves, Wonder World is a dry-formed cave where touching the walls is not only allowed but encouraged. Exit by the “Stratavator” and ride high into the sky to the Tejas Observation Tower. Be amazed by the topsy-turvy world of the Anti-Gravity House where everything is backwards, even water flows up hill!

Board the train and splash through the waterfalls of Mystery Mountain on your way to the Texas Wildlife Petting Park.

Dripping Springs

The beautiful Hamilton Pool.

T

he Texas Hill Country is a beauty to behold in Dripping Springs, Texas, where Onion Creek makes its way through the edge of town and into Wimberley, Texas. Just twentyone quick and pretty miles west of Austin, it’s a hidden gem in our own backyard. The small city is a quaint destination for shoppers who crave some Hill Country inspired art and to take in the breathtaking vista.

Besides fabulous shopping, Dripping Springs is home to Hamilton Pool. One of the best swimming holes in Texas, this lush retreat is a great place to picnic and swim during the hot Texas summer. It is located about 30 miles west of Austin on FM 3238.

The preserve is managed as a natural area, or preserve, with emphasis on habitat protection and restoration, environmental education for public and private groups, and ongoing research; it offers limited, day-use only, with recreational opportunities such as picnicking, hiking, swimming and nature study.

The preserve’s pool and grotto were formed when the dome of an underground river collapsed due to massive erosion thousands of years ago.There is a 45 foot water fall creating a great swimming hole. Swimming is allowed only when the water quality meets safe standards and updates can be heard at 512-2642740. The parking lot is sized for 75 cars, and when all spaces are taken, cars are held up at the gate until a space opens- so get there early as “seating” is limited! Drinking water or concessions are not available in the preserve; chemical toilets are provided. Hours are 9am to 6pm and there is an entrance fee. Pets are not allowed, even on leashes and cannot be left in cars.

The well-marked hiking trail leads from the parking lot to Hamilton Creek. At the creek, the trail to the right goes to the pool and the trail to the left follows the creek downstream to the Pedernales River. Bald cypress trees, lush, diverse plant communities, and a variety of wildlife species occupy the grotto and downstream areas. The hike from the parking lot to the pool is about 1/2-mile round-trip; the hike along the creek from the pool to the river is about 3/4 mile, or 1 1/2 miles round-trip from the parking lot.

Besides fabulous shopping, this small city is home to Hamilton Pool. One of the best swimming holes in Texas, this lush retreat is a great place to picnic and swim.

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D A Y T R I P S

Celebrate Austin Advertiser Index Tour Austin 6 11 12 12 12 12 12 12 13 13 13 13 13 13 14 14 15 18 18 19 20

Schlitterbahn Waterpark Bob Bullock History Museum Airscape Parasail Austin Duck Adventures Capital Cruises VIP Marina Shore Club Volente Beach Lucky Lizard Indian Heritage Festival Nature’s Treasures of Texas The Arabic Bazaar Texas Hatters Lady Bird Wildflower Center Austin Ultimate Sedan Austin Gift Company ROT Rally The Hideout Theatre Austin Zoo SegCity Segway Heart of Texas Wine Tours Lake Travis Zipline

Sports 20 21 22 22 23

K1 Speed (Indoor Karts) Round Rock Express Texas Stars Naskart (Outdoor Karts) The Dominion Golf Group

Concierge’s Guest Services 24 24 25

Blo Blow Dry Bar Divaz Fabula VIP Limo Services

Historic Sixth Street 27 27 28 28

Hat Box Wild About Music Historic Maggie Mae’s Bobalu Cigar Co.

29 29

Alamo Drafthouse Iron Cactus

Lake Travis 31 32 32 33 33 34-35

Art 37 38 39 40

SOLEIL Paradise Luxury Boat Rentals Just for Fun VIP Marina on Lake Travis Shore Club Volente Beach Lakeway Resort & Spa

Wimberley Glassworks Artworks Art on 5th John R. Rogers Photography

Shopping

1 The Domain 2 The Arboretum 2 Barton Creek Square 2 Lakeline Mall 3 Zoltan David 7 Premium Outlets

San Marcos & Round Rock 15 Zinger Hardware 43 Karavel Shoes 44 Crystal Works 44 Turquoise Trading Post 45 Whit Hanks Antiques 46 Things Celtic 47 El Interior 47 Bead It 48-49 26 Doors BC Allens Boots

Kids 51 51 51

dragonsnaps! kidOshoe Terra Toys

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From March through fall, Austinites love to watch the millions of bats that live beneath Congress Bridge take flight into the skies for feeding. It can take as long as 45 minutes for the cloud of bats to emerge.

Dining 53 54 55 56-57 59 59 59 59 60 61 61 61 IFC IBC

Austin Land & Cattle Flores County Line Carmelo’s Reale’s Italian Café Third Base Café Blue Garrido’s Interior Mexican Rudy’s Mighty Fine Rudino’s Conan’s Fleming’s P.F. Chang’s

Entertainment 64 65 66,68 67 68 68 69 70 71

The Stage on Sixth ACL-Live Historic Maggie Mae’s Petes Dueling Piano Bar Casino El Camino Hooters The Dig Beer & Wine Pub Dallas Nightclub Coyote Ugly

73 74 75 76 77

Sandy Cary AIBA Time Insurance Agency Austin Relocation Guide All My Sons Moving

Newcomers/Business

Day Trips / Destinations 5 9 78 79

Caza Azul Paradise Bay Palazzo Reale Sunset Canyon Pottery