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🎶 ‘Wide Open Spaces’

One, two, tree: 23 parks to visit in Austin

Crystal clear water with rock overhang, and hills in the background at Bull Creek Park.

Visitors to Bull Creek Park often swim, fish, or hike alongside the stream that cuts through the center of the park. | Photo by @oozoo_

Whether you’re looking for a place to play with the kiddos or to decompress with some off-screen time, Austin features ~400 parks and recreational spots for you to enjoy.

Ready to plan your trip to the park? Grab your shades and trusty water bottle — here are some of Bat City’s best.

Nature parks

Bull Creek District Park, 6701 Lakewood Dr.
This 48-acre park is split by a stream often used for swimming and fishing. Hikers can access the Bull Creek Greenbelt, a two-mile out-and-back trail.

Barton Creek Greenbelt, Multiple locations
The Greenbelt is one of Austin’s most cherished attractions and stretches ~7 miles through south Austin. The natural area offers several swimming holes, including Twin Falls and Sculpture Falls, perfect for a post-hike dip.

Rocks in the foreground, framing water in the Barton Creek Greenbelt. Behind the water, you can see a hill rising. — The Barton Creek Greenbelt is one of Austinites’ most cherished natural areas.
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Photo by @roamtheouterspace

Dog parks

Red Bud Isle, 3401 Redbud Trail
Dogs can run off-least on the entirety of this 13-acre island on Lady Bird Lake. Access the island via car or via the water, but make sure to check on the status of the lake’s blue-green algae, which can be toxic to dogs when blooming.

A dog standing in front of the water on Red Bud Isle, wearing a yellow bandanna — Pups can roam free on the entirety of Red Bud Isle.
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Photo by @lemon.sheepadoodle

Family parks

Alliance Children’s Garden, 1000 Barton Springs Rd.
This one-of-a-kind playground contains climbing walls, a sand pit, a splash pad, interactive music features, and tunnels. As an added bonus, it’s nestled right off of Barton Springs Road with gorgeous views of the Austin skyline.

Pease District Park, 1100 Kingsbury St.
Kids will love exploring this park’s newly renovated Kingsbury Commons, complete with a sculptural two-story Treehouse. This is a common spot for Austin festivals, including the upcoming Squirrel Fest, which takes place on Saturday, April 15.

Don’t pack up the picnic blanket just yet — click the button below for 15 more must-visit Austin parks.

More parks, please

Asked

What is your favorite park activity to do in our city?

A. Walking my dog
B. Spending time with the kiddos
C. Having a picnic
D. Jogging or working out

Let us know

Events

Thursday, April 6

The Cohen New Works Festival 2023 | Thursday, Apr. 6-Friday, Apr. 7 | Times vary | F. Loren Winship Drama Building, 300 E. 23rd St., Austin | Free | Check out cutting-edge performances and art installations.
Steve Hackman’s Brahms X Radiohead | Thursday, Apr. 6 | 7:30-9:30 p.m. | Moody Amphitheater, 1401 Trinity St., Austin | $39-$89 | This symphonic fusion experience blends modern sounds and classic tunes.

Friday, April 7

Watchhouse - Duo | Friday, Apr. 7 | 8 p.m. | The Paramount Theatre, 713 Congress Ave., Austin | $30-$60 | The pair formerly known as Mandolin Orange will perform alongside Samantha Crain.
Chris Tucker | Friday, Apr. 7 | 8 p.m. | ACL Live, 310 W. Willie Nelson Blvd., Austin | $41 | The award-winning “Rush Hour” actor is in Austin for one night only.

Saturday, April 8

U.S. Women’s National Team vs. Republic of Ireland | Saturday, Apr. 8 | 1:30 p.m. | Q2 Stadium, 10414 Mc Kalla Pl., Austin | $65-$315 | It’s the US vs. Ireland in this international friendly match.
Riverdance | Saturday, Apr. 8 | Times vary | Bass Concert Hall, 2350 Robert Dedman Dr., Austin | $35-$89 | The Grammy Award-winning Irish dance performance will inspire you to get on your feet.
Precision Camera’s Easter Sale | Saturday, Apr. 8 | 10 a.m.-6 p.m. | Precision Camera & Video, 2438 W Anderson Ln, STE B4, Austin | Free | Join Precision Camera & Video for their Easter sale, including amazing discounts on camera gear, Easter egg hunt with prizes, free candy, and more.*

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Announced

Kimbal Musk — yes, of that Musk family — will open a branch of his American food bistro The Kitchen in the downtown Sixth and Guadalupe tower. The 66-story skyscraper, which is expected to be completed this fall, is currently pre-leasing luxury apartments. (Austin American-Statesman)

Closing

Popular West Campus bar Cain & Abel’s will officially shut down on Friday, April 28 to make way for a new student housing tower. The bar plans to reopen at 907 W. 24th Street, about two blocks from its original location. (KXAN)

Transit

TxDOT is considering a potential highway for autonomous vehicles stretching from East Austin to Georgetown. The roadway would run alongside the abandoned MoKan railway, and offer a safe route for autonomous commuters. (KXAN)

Cause

Roughly 4,500 people are living without a home in Austin, according to most recent data from ECHO, a local nonprofit dedicated to ending homelessness. The number — which is an estimate based on administrative data — is ~1,500 higher than the last count in 2020. (KVUE)

Community

For the first time in almost five years, UT’s Native American students will host a powwow. The event takes place in front of the UT Tower on Saturday, April 8, and will also include a fry bread booth and raffles. (Austin American-Statesman)

Development

A $60 million, five-story office building on West 5th Street could include an internal courtyard and multiple levels of balcony space. See renderings for the incoming project. (Austin Towers)

Now Open

Gràcia, a new Mediterranean restaurant from the team behind Gusto, is now open at 4800 Burnet Rd. The seafood-centered menu includes dishes like serrano ham-wrapped shrimp, baby eggplants with za’atar, and orange-almond cake. (Eater Austin)

Listen

Austin Public Library’s radio show “APL Volumes” is transitioning into a podcast. The show, hosted by Librarian Maddy Newquist, delves deep into the horror genre. (KXAN)

Drink

An electric wine opener is one of those inexpensive kitchen gadgets that you don’t know how you lived without once you get one. We especially love this one for its sleek design and ergonomic grip. To upgrade your wine even further, this set includes an automatic wine aerator and reusable vacuum stopper.

Food and Drink

🥃 New festival alert

Inaugural Whiskey Riot event heads to Austin this weekend

A group of people hold out their glasses for whiskey at a bar, with people behind the bar holding bottles.

Taste whiskeys and meet master distillers at this weekend’s inaugural Whiskey Riot event. | Photo by Kathy Tran for Whiskey Riot

Have you ever wanted to try 200+ whiskies in one day?

Now’s your chance. The first annual Austin Whiskey Riot takes place this Saturday, April 8. The inaugural event is expected to be the largest whiskey event in the region, and will include local, regional, and international brands.

Guests will be able to meet with master distillers, test out cocktails — and sip on some whiskey, of course.

General admission tickets for the event cost $90, and include an official Whiskey Riot tasting glass. VIP attendees — who pay $160 for a ticket — will get the glass, plus early entry and a dinner from LeRoy and Lewis Barbecue.

Get tickets here for the event, which takes place from 4-7 p.m. at Distribution Hall.

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
London

From the editor

Shoutout to Rebecca Y., the high-scorer on our March news quiz.

With just 48% of you answering correctly, the hardest question in the quiz was:
Q: This year’s spring equinox was the coldest recorded in Austin since which year?
A: 1983

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