Entertainment

Austin Adventures with Angela

Angela Le

Dispatch Reporter

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bowie.journalism@gmail.com Angela visits holiday attractions in Austin that uplift Christmas spirit

Tis the season in warm Austin, Texas. Still with the air getting colder by the minute, there are so many winter activities to do in the city. If you or your family are ever in need for an event to celebrate the Holidays, Austin is surely the right place for you. From Mozarts Light Show to Luminations, Austin has it all.

TRAIL OF LIGHTS

Starting off with the most prominent holiday activity in Austin, the Trail of Lights. This light show will take you throughout Zilker seeing various light shows. A perfect, romantic idea for a date or even with the family.

This year, just like the last, it will be a drive through event. This is to ensure COVID protocols and safety. The general admission starts at $30 per vehicle. You must reserve and buy your tickets before going to the attraction.

Sadly, the amusement rides such as the carousel and ferris wheel will not be open this year. However, concessions will be available for purchase as you wait in the queue but feel free to bring your own drinks and food. For more information you can go to austintrailoflights.org.

SPARKLING SNOW: The entryway to Mozart’s Coffee Roasters is decked out with white lights to look like snow. Mozart’s is open from 7 a.m. to 12 a.m. PHOTO BY Angela Le

PEPPERMINT PARKWAY

The Peppermint Parkway is another light show that takes place at the Circuit of Americas. This is also a drive through event just like Trail of Lights, however they have activities such as a kissing booth, go-karting, small amusement rides, delectable treats, and even a zip-line.

The parkway hours are from 6:30-9:30 pm with the Peppermint Plaza open from 5:30 pm-10:30 p.m. Each ticket is per vehicle (up to eight people) starting at $40. During peak hours, wait times can last between 45-65 minutes. To avoid the rush, come early right at 6:30 pm or purchase a Twilight Ticket for entry between 8:30-9:30 p.m. Twilight Tickets are $5 less than the standard ticket. Traditionally, this is the time when The Parkway has minimal wait.

POSING FOR PICTURES: Mozart’s light up wreath is a great picture place. Mozart’s offers their iconic light show tickets this year from Thursday, November 11, 2021 to Thursday, January 6, 2022. PHOTO BY Angela Le LIGHT UP GARDEN: Purple roses and green vines are on display in the Mozart’s light show. Mozart’s uses almost a thousand extension cords to power their light show. PHOTO BY Angela Le

MOZARTS COFFEE ROASTERS

Last but not least, Mozarts Coffee Roasters on Lake Austin Blvd in Oyster Landing. With the winter season coming along they’re hosting light shows with live music. It’s best if you reserve a table ahead, four-person tables are $20 and six-person tables are $30, to get the best view and experience because it gets really packed.

They serve warm treats and have a hot chocolate stand that is always packed. For information and to reserve a table go to their website mozartscoffee.com.

SHINING BRIGHT: The Trail of Lights sign is on display for everyone to see. Trail of Lights is open from 5:45 pm to 7p.m. PHOTO BY Reagan Zuniga

LUMINATIONS

Apart from Trail of Lights, there’s also Luminations at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower center. Taking place all of December and January, you can get tickets up to $25, free for ages up to four.

What makes this place different is that this is actually a walk through event where you can look at all the different sights of light and sculptures. Their path goes around the whole wildflower center with a cafe too. You can find the map and more important information on their website at wildflower.org/luminations.

TOWERING ABOVE: Mozarts’ iconic pink tree sparkles in the sky. Mozart’s serves hot chocolate and lots of snacks to enjoy at the light show. PHOTO BY Angela Le

WHOLE FOODS ICE SKATING

Looking for the perfect winter activity? Ice Skating at Whole Foods on Lamar Blvd is that and so much more. They have an ice skating rink on the top floor, only during the winter, where you can show off your ice skating moves.

They also serve hot chocolate as well if you’re parched after skating. The tickets are $12 in advance and $15 at the door per person. The rink is open from 10 am-10 pm daily however they have special hours on holidays.

Holidays brewing at STARBUCKS

Exciting new drinks are sure to sweeten your daily routine

Lucille Price Reviews Editor

Winter is finally here and no brand does holiday treats quite like Starbucks. Every year the company brilliantly combines America’s love for coffee and Christmas treats into a lineup of holiday beverages and food.

On Thursday, November 4, Starbucks launched their highly anticipated seasonal drinks along with a new addition. This lineup debuts a Caramel Brulée Latte, Toasted White Chocolate Mocha, Chestnut Praline Latte, Pumpkin Spice Latte, Peppermint mocha, Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew, and the newest feature added to the seasonal menu, an Iced Sugar Cookie Almondmilk latte.

If you’re looking for a sweet coffee that captures holiday flavors and gets you caffienated, definitely order from Starbucks’ new holiday menu.

Not to mention, all of the hot holiday edition drinks are served in Starbucks’ iconic cup.

I loved how all of the drinks had some sort of topping that went with its flavor. I loved trying the Chestnut Praline Latte, Pumpkin Spice Latte, Sugar Cookie Almondmilk latte, and the Caramel Brulée Latte if you need a coffee treat over the holidays.

SUGAR COOKIE ALMONDMILK LATTE

PHOTO BY Lucille Price

The Sugar Cookie Almondmilk Latte was my favorite. Although it’s usually served with almond milk, I had to order oat milk instead because Starbucks ran out of almond milk that day.

I’m not sure how much a difference the milk substitution made in the way the drink tasted overall, but I loved it with oat milk.

It was pretty sweet and it would have been better if there was less syrup, but I didn’t mind the sweetness too much and I really liked the way the coffee combined with the sweetness. I’m a really big fan of the blonde roast espresso that Starbucks uses as the base for this drink, it has a really calm flavor that I love.

Overall, I loved this drink and I’m rating it a five out of five stars. If you don’t like the flavor of dark espresso, you should give this one a try before it leaves the holiday menu.

PHOTO BY Lucille Price

PEPPERMINT MOCHA

I ordered the Peppermint mocha, iced, and honestly I was really disappointed. I expected the peppermint flavor to pair well with the mocha and espresso flavor, but it just didn’t taste good together. This drink was very sweet and I wanted it to have much less syrup. I liked the peppermint, and I think it could have been much better without being so sweet.

I also thought that the mocha was really rich and the espresso was too. I don’t usually like chocolate combined with coffee, but if you like this combination, then maybe this drink would be for you. I did however love the little dark chocolate shavings on top of the drink and it added some more texture to the drink.

Unfortunately, I wouldn’t recommend this drink and I would rate it a one out of five stars.

CHESTNUT PRALINE LATTE

One of my favorite drinks I tried was a Chestnut Praline latte. I will say it was very sweet and had a strong flavoring taste and not so much of a coffee taste.

I ordered it iced and Starbucks definitely did not disappoint on this one. It tasted similar to the Caramel Brulée Latte, but had a different flavor. It didn’t exactly taste like a praline, but it didn’t really need to because it was very delicious.

It had a nutty roasted flavor and it was really creamy and sweet. Again, I wish it was a little less sweet, but other than that I loved it.

The drink had spiced praline crumbs on top and they helped add more texture and they tasted flavorful too.

Overall I really liked this drink and would recommend this one. I’m rating the Chestnut Praline Latte a four

PHOTO BY Lucille Price

CARAMEL BRULÉE LATTE

The first drink I tried was the Caramel Brulée Latte, and it was certainly a must-try. I ordered this one iced, and it was really good, but next time I’d want to try the hot version. I sort of expected it to taste like a créme brulée mixed with caramel and I wasn’t sure if Starbucks would be able to capture the flavor, but they definitely didn’t disappoint.

The Caramel Brulée Latte didn’t taste too much like créme brulée, it tasted more like caramel, but it was still really good.

I think next time I order this drink, I would ask for less sugar because it was overpoweringly sweet, but if you like sweet drinks then I would recommend this one. Overall, the flavor was great and the coffee wasn’t bitter and it was really delicious despite being a little too sweet.

PHOTO BY Lucille Price

BULLDAWG OPINION:

What is your favorite holiday activity around Austin? What is your favorite holiday drink from Starbucks?

Trail of Lights (47%)

Ice Skating at Whole Foods (23%)

Mozart’s Light Show (15%)

Peppermint Parkway (8%)

The Nutcracker Ballet (6%)

The Driskill Tree Lighting (1%) Peppermint Mocha (36%) Iced Sugar Almondmilk Latte (34%)

Chestnut Praline Latte (25%) Pumpkin Spice Latte (5%)

111 Students polled

via Google Forms

Celebrating the season on the screen

Donna Kim Dispatch Reporter

With Christmas just around the corner, and the season of giving and family time close by, new movies are being released that are perfect for those holiday themed movie nights with family. With this in mind, here are a couple movies that you can watch with your family that are perfect to celebrate the Christmas spirit.

RED NOTICE

When a priceless artifact is stolen, an Interpol agent must team up with a thief to track down the most wanted art thief in the world. This movie was truly a comedy, and contained thrilling action scenes. I never expected a movie from these iconic actors, but they truly delivered an amazing movie about art and history. This is the perfect movie to watch with family to exchange good laughs.

HAWKEYE

confront his past, and so he can get back to his family in time for Christmas.

Though all the episodes are not out yet, Hawkeye is, so far, an incredible show that focuses on new character Kate Bishop, and dives deeper into Clint Barton and who he is. Hawkeye is an amazing show to binge for Marvel and superhero loving families who also enjoy celebrating Christmas.

LOVE HARD

Imagine thinking that you have met the perfect guy on a dating app that likes everything about you, and imagine you fly out to another state to see him for the holidays. Now imagine that you have been catfished all along, and the dream guy you met on the dating app looks nothing like he does in his pictures.

This is what happens to Natalie Bauer in a new Netflix movie called Love Hard, featuring prominent actors such as Nina Dobrev and Jimmy O. Yang.

Before watching this movie, I had very low expectations, as it looked like another cheesy holiday movie with unfunny comedy. But after finishing this movie, I can say that I enjoyed it. The humor is very millennial-esque, and the plot seems very unrealistic, but I ended up getting very invested, as it does teach a very valuable lesson in the end.

This movie is perfect to watch when you don’t know what holiday movie to watch with your family.