Looking to meet your New Year’s resolutions in Austin? From feeling strong to finding more family time, check out our local resolution recommendations below.
Cook more meals at home
- Central Market Cooking School | 4001 N. Lamar Blvd. | Whether you’re looking for the basics, like perfecting your knife skills, or want to gain a new culinary skill, like learning how to make doughnuts, Central Market chefs can teach you. View the list of classes . 🍳
- Kitchen Underground | Multiple locations | Hone specific skills with topics including sheet pan dinners, Thai food workshops, and kid-friendly cooking.
- Make It Sweet | 9070 Research Blvd. | As the name suggests, this is the place to learn how to bake, but you can also take classes on pasta and pierogi making. Here’s the 2023 schedule. 🍰
Donate unused items
- Casa Marianella | 821 Gunter St. | Give back to this charity supporting displaced immigrants by checking off items from its wish lists .
- Caritas of Austin | 611 Neches St. | Help care for Austin’s homeless population with donations of kitchen appliances, home goods, and gift cards.
- Inside Books Project | Multiple locations | This organization distributes free books and educational materials to incarcerated people — and is the only program in Texas to do so.
Join a gym
- Austin Simply Fit | Multiple locations | Start the year off strong with some one-on-one personal training or athletic development.
- Castle Hill Fitness | 1112 N. Lamar Blvd. | This expansive gym has two stories for yoga and pilates studios, spa treatment rooms, and in-person classes.
- Forge Strength Austin | 2032 S Lamar Blvd | For those looking for a deeper workout, this gym promises to “change your mindset inside the gym and outside” with endurance-based workouts.
- HIT Athletic | 7797 Burnet Rd. | This high-intensity gym offers spin classes, yoga, kickboxing, and youth classes.
Nurture creativity
- Austin Creative Reuse | 2005 Wheless Ln. | Make something — and thrift it too — with items from this used art supplies warehouse, where materials are cheap.
- Art School at The Contemporary Austin | Multiple locations | For kids and adults alike, hone in on the skill you want to learn, from ceramics to watercolor or papermaking.
- Dougherty Arts Center Arts Classes | 1110 Barton Springs Rd. | Learn painting, weaving, darkroom photography, or other skills from guest artists.
Read more books
- Austin Public Library | Multiple locations | The easiest and free-est way to expand your mental library is to sign up for a library card. Apply for one online .
- Book People | 603 N. Lamar Blvd. | There’s a reason this pleasant book store has been Austin’s favorite since 1970 — but you’ll have to find out why for yourself.
- Book Woman | 5501 N. Lamar Blvd. | Stock up on your favorite new titles from this woman-owned book shop.
- Vintage Bookstore and Wine Bar | 1101 E. 11th St. | This meant-to-be combination is the coziest place to spend a rainy afternoon, or any afternoon.
- Looking for some local reads? Check out our guide .
Volunteer
- Austin Animal Center | 7201 Levander Loop | Help some of the 11,000+ animals the shelter takes in each year by connecting dogs and cats with potential adopters, taking pets outside for enrichment, pitching in at community events, or fostering.
- Out Youth | 909 E. 49th 1/2 St. | Help organize community events — like the annual Youth Prom or PRIDE Parade — with this organization providing support for LGBTQIA+ youth in Central Texas.
- Refugee Services of Texas | 500 E. St. Johns Ave. | Help set up apartments for arriving refugee families, lead cultural orientations, teach English language classes, or provide childcare, job finding, or legal services.
- Feeling extra committed? Here’s our full roundup of volunteer opportunities .