My favorite places to find out about what's going on in Austin:
The Chronicle (free at stores)
Austin Family magazine (free at grocery stores)
Austin monthly ($15/yr for a year subscription)
check the sidebar for more
Also become a fan of "Austin" on facebook or of "365 Things To Do In Austin, Texas."
Here is the latter's January To Dos:
1. Mozart’s Coffee
2. See Bob Schneider
3. Cap City Comedy Club
4. Lady Bird Lake Hike and Bike Trails
5. Bridal Extravaganza
6. Austin Segway Tour
7. Visit University of Texas Co-Op
8. IMAX Theater at Bob Bullock Museum
9. La Fuente’s
10. Rudy’s BBQ
11. Blanton Museum of Art
12. Volunteer at Town Lake Animal Shelter
13. Austin Boat Show January 14-17th
14. Sprouts Farmers Market
15. Texas Basketball Game – Lone Star Shootout
16. Enjoy the view at the Oasis
17. Hey Cupcake!
18. Climb Mount Bonnell
19. Tuesday Trivia Night at a Local Bar
20. Kerby Lane Café
21. Lady Bird Johnson Wildlife Center
22. Peter Pan Mini Golf
23. Huts Hamburgers
24. Stubbs BBQ Gospel Brunch
25. Grow your own organic food & flowers at Sunshine Community Garden
26. Dog & Duck Pub
27. Taste of Austin
28. Indoor Rock Climbing
29. The Belmont
30. Le Garage Sale
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Sources + January's to dos
Posted by natalie at 10:07 PM 0 comments
Labels: ideas/info/important, january
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Chinese New Years Festival Austin
Chinese New Years Festival Austin
February 20-21, 2010
Chinatown Center
10901 N. Lamar BLVD
Austin, Texas 78753
Admission - FREE
http://chinatownaustin.com/
Posted by natalie at 1:26 PM 0 comments
Labels: event/festival, february
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Cathedral of Junk
Cathedral of Junk
4422 Lareina Drive
Austin, TX
(512) 299-7413
Official Hours: Tuesday-Sunday 9-6 pm (Call ahead to verify)
Admission: Free with donations accepted (Leave an object on his front porch. If it is unique enough, he may just add it to the Cathedral.)
Posted by natalie at 1:01 PM 0 comments
Labels: free, year round location
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Lakeshore Learning Stores
For Ages 3 and up
Every Saturday 11:00 - 3:00, every store!
Lakeshore Learning Store Website
Free Craft page/calender
**our closest store is by the Arboretum**
Posted by Walker family at 10:35 PM 0 comments
Labels: esp for kids, free
Cameron Park Zoo
I've heard this zoo in Waco, TX is better than the one in San Antonio. It is about 80 miles north of me... less than 1 1/2 hrs.
http://www.cameronparkzoo.com
- Adults(13+) - $9
- Children 4-12 yrs - $6
- Sr. Citizens (60+) - $8
- Children 3 years old and under - free
Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday; and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. The zoo is open year-round. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day holidays, and the last Friday and Saturday of June. Phone 254-750-8400 for general information.

Posted by natalie at 10:42 AM 2 comments
Labels: day trip
Monday, January 4, 2010
Dia de los Tres Reyes or Three Kings Day
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Spain, Mexico, and most of the Spanish speaking world will celebrate Dia de los Reyes (The Day of the Kings) on January 6th. Belgium, France, The Netherlands, Switzerland, and more celebrate the same thing, although a little differently, and call it Three Kings Day.
Side note: We are celebrating this at mutual this week. Make sure your daughter comes. :)
If you want to celebrate, here is a good article and here is where you can buy the cakes in the Austin area.
Fiesta Mart (where I plan to get mine. It seems to be the best price).
3909 N I-35 Service Rd, (512) 406-3900
Sells rosca de reyes (Mexican cake)
La Mexicana, 1924 S. First, 443-6369
Serves rosca de reyes
Sweetish Hill Bakery, 1120 W. Sixth, 472-1347
Traditional French galette des roi
La Madeleine, Various locations
French-style king cake (galette des roi) and Mardi Gras-style king cake
(I called the Arboretum location and they have both).
Since I grew up in Belgium, I am partial to the galette des roi, but like all things French, it is also more expensive.
Posted by natalie at 10:59 PM 0 comments
Labels: january
Monday, December 28, 2009
2010 Year of Fun in Austin
I made a list of events because last year I missed a few things I had been looking forward to. Not that I really plan on going to all of these, but this way I won't miss it just because I forgot! I resisted the urge to include a few day trips. This is solely Austin! To find more info, click on the corresponding month under Labels.
January
Posted by natalie at 1:10 PM 0 comments
Labels: event/festival, ideas/info/important
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
More Lights
Community Impact has an article about good Cedar Park light displays.
Find the following on Google maps:
2410 Sharon Drive
Anna Court
2004 Marysol Trail
Castleguard Way
Horizon Park subdivision
Posted by Candace at 8:22 AM 1 comments
Labels: Christmas
Monday, December 14, 2009
37th street Christmas lights
37th St. between Guadalupe and Home Ln.
The center of the lighting display is just east of Guadalupe. Walking or driving through is free.
I hear they are doing their part to keep Austin weird. You won't get your typical light displays!

Posted by natalie at 11:43 PM 2 comments
Labels: december
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Where do you take your guests?
My husband's family is coming into town for 3 weeks over the holidays. Here is my list of things we can choose from to do. Maybe it will give you an idea of what to do with your guests.
FREE:
Mt. Bonnell
Dino Pit at Austin Science & Nature Center
Blanton Museum on thursday
Barton Creek Greenbelt
feed ducks at Brushy Creek Park
walk/bike along Town Lake
Zilker Park botanical gardens
Harry Ransom Center (copy of gutenburg bible, 1st photograph, and other cool/random things)
Trail of Lights
AMOA- Laguna Gloria (takes donations)
1st Night on the 31st
Cost:
Wed night Austin Childrens Museum ($1 min donation per person)
Hula Hut- dinner on the lake
Austin Museum of Art on 9th- under 12 are free
Phil's Ice House - fun dinner for kids
Teo's Gelato $2 Tuesdays
UT Tower $6 per person
La Feria Mariachis on at Lamar location thurs
Farmers market wed or sat (entrance and parking are free)
rooftop skating at Whole Foods. $10 includes ice skates rental
Mexic-Arte Museum
Posted by natalie at 8:21 AM 0 comments
Labels: ideas/info/important
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
free sample music together classes at Heartsong Music
This week and next week Heartsong Music is offering up some free sample classes at their studio and also around town!
2700 West Anderson Lane, Ste. 320 , Austin
Heartsong Music hosts an Open House and free sample classes.
Thanks, Austin Savvy's website for information!Posted by Walker family at 8:37 PM 0 comments
Labels: esp for kids, free
Monday, December 7, 2009
2nd weekend's events
Friday 11th
34th Annual Armadillo Christmas Bazaar
11am-6:30pm
2nd & Trinity
armadillobazaar.com
9th Annual Children's Nutcracker
austin-conservatory-arts.com
Mainstreet Bethlehem is still going on
fbcburnet.org
Saturday 12th
The Georgetown Kids Book Swap
for every book you bring in, you get a ticket for a replacement book.
12-5pm
entry fee is one new/like new book donated to Blue Santa Christmas
Georgetown Library, upstairs
Georgetownkidsbookswap.com
Cocoa & Cookies w/ Mrs. Claus
for kids age 2-11
hot cocoa, cookies, craft project, sing along, story time with Mrs. Claus before Santa comes
9, 10, 11am and 12pm
limited space so sign up beforehand
Twin Lakes YMCA
ymcagwc.org
Santas Workshop
music, games, inflatables, art projects, Santa Cluas
bring an unwrapped gift for Blue Santa
6-8pm
Heritage Oak Park
cedarparkfun.com
Sunday 13th
Zilker Park Trail of Lights & Tree Lighting
tree lighting 6pm
www.ci.austin.tx.us/tol/
Posted by natalie at 8:57 AM 0 comments
Labels: december
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
This weekend's events
Some of these events happen on more than one day. Check the websites for details. If you have done any of these in the past, please let me know if you liked them or not.
Friday Dec 4:
Holiday Tree Lighting 6:30-8:30pm
FREE
Santa, caroling, carriage rides
Heritage Oak Park. cedarparkfun.com
Main Street Bethlehem 6-9pm
FREE but donations accepted
Burnet. fbcburnet.org
Saturday Dec 5:
Annual holiday Sing Along, Downtown Stroll, and Tree Lighting 6-9pm
FREE but please donate a jar of peanut butter
south steps of Capitol building
downtownaustin.com/holidays
Christmas Market Festival 10-4pm
live performances, a visit from St. Nikolaus, imported German Christmas items for sale (nutcrackers, pyramids, smokers)
germantexans.org
36th Annual Dickens on The Strand 10am-7pm
kids under 7 are FREE
voted best holiday event in Dec by TX Monthly
Galveston. galvestonhistory.org/dickens
University of TX Tower Tours
$6. Reservation required
12-5pm on the hour
utexas.edu/txunion
Kids Workshops for ages 5-12
All Homedepots
FREE
homedepot.com
47th Annual production of The Nutcracker
The Long Center
$15 and up
balletaustin.org
Posted by natalie at 8:57 AM 0 comments
Labels: december
Monday, November 30, 2009
Rooftop Skating at Whole Foods downtown
The rink opens Friday, November 27th and is open every day except Christmas through Sunday January 17th. Tickets are $10 per person, which includes skate rentals.
Skating hours are 10:00am - 10:00pm, with the last skating session starting at 9:00pm.
Whole Foods Flagship
525 Lamar Blvd.
Austin, TX 78703
(512)476-1206
www.wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/lamar
Special Hours:
December 24th - 10 - 7
December 25th - closed
December 31st - 10 - 7
January 1st - 10 - 8
- Sessions begin each hour on the hour and run for 50 minutes, with a 10 minute ice maintenance time to follow.
- Tickets will be available for the same day skating sessions on the plaza, beginning at 9:00am. Limit 10 tickets per guest. Absolutely no advance day ticket sales will be offered.
- Tickets are only available at Whole Foods Market downtown Sixth and Lamar location.
- 40 people maximum capacity on ice. Skate sizes range from Junior 9 to Men's 14. Because it is a small rink, we only have a limited number of skates in each size. We discourage planning large parties for this reason.
- We are not offering private party bookings - for a large event please contact our Catering Center at 512-542-2209.
Posted by natalie at 10:35 AM 0 comments
Labels: december
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Caffe Teo review
If you are ever near 38th street, I highly recommend stopping by.
$2 Tuesdays!! if you pay in cash.
The northern location no longer exists. They really should update their website.
Posted by natalie at 8:06 AM 0 comments
Labels: food, year round location
Monday, November 9, 2009
Persuasion
My brother has an interview in Austin! He is coming for 4 days in December and in that time I want to convince him that he needs to move here. He likes being active and being outdoors. Where should I take him?
Where do you take someone you are trying to persuade that Austin is a great place to live? What was it about Austin that convinced you to move here?
He is also interviewing near where my other brother lives, so the fact that a sibling is here is not enough.
Oh P.S. I know a lot of you check my blog and don't comment. Now is the time to comment! My brother and his cute wife and baby living in the same town with me is on the line. :)
Posted by natalie at 10:41 AM 3 comments
Thursday, November 5, 2009
New Bounce House

There is a new bounce house coming to Cedar Park. They are coming "Fall 2009," but I'm not sure if that means they are open yet. They are located on Bagdad Rd.
http://www.thebigbouncetx.com/
I heard they were going to have half off days on Mondays and Wednesdays, which would be great. Inflatable Wonderland at the mall has half price days on Tuesdays and Thursdays, I believe, if you can make them.
Posted by Candace at 12:53 PM 1 comments
Labels: esp for kids
Austin Planetarium

http://www.austinplanetarium.org/
I wish someone would also build an aquarium so I could take my kids...
Posted by natalie at 11:34 AM 0 comments
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Blue Genie Art Industries
Among other things they have an annual, free Blue Genie Art Bazaar every December featuring the work of over 100 local and regional artists and artisans.
See the website here
See reviews on yelp here

Posted by natalie at 9:43 PM 0 comments
Labels: december, event/festival, year round location




