Plus, Zilker's overflow parking lot will close in September.
 
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69º | Rainy | 87% chance of rain | Sunrise 7:28 a.m. | Sunset 5:42 p.m.

 

⛰ Meet me at Mount Bonnell

Austin’s most iconic landmarks

Looking up to the sky, the image frames eight of the new, petal-shaped structures that make up the canopy at the Blanton Museum of Art. They're painted white and filled with little holes, giving the impression of a starry sky.
The Blanton Museum of Art’s new Moody Patio is shaded with 15 petal-shaped covers. | Photo courtesy Blanton Museum of Art
We’ve all been there: someone’s trying to give you directions by describing 10 lefts, 20 rights, and a jumble of cardinal directions. Isn’t it easier to just point out a landmark?

That’s exactly what we’re doing. We have 12 of the most recognizable Austin landmarks — from Pennybacker Bridge to the plethora of moontowers. Not only are these local icons easy to remember, but they’ll also get you where you need to go in a jiffy.

Spectators witness bats flying from the Congress Avenue Bridge in Austin, Texas.

Nearby city of Round Rock is home to a bat maternity colony.

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Photo via Texas Parks & Wildlife

Ann W. Richards Congress Avenue Bridge

Address: 100 S. Congress Ave.
Nearby: The LINE Hotel, YETI Flagship, and Fareground
There’s a reason why Austin is known as Bat City — the bridge is home to ~1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats. You can catch them coming out for a meal at dusk from late spring to early fall.

Blanton Museum of Art

Address: 200 E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Nearby: Bullock Texas State History Museum, Harry Ransom Center, and UT Tower
The newly renovated art museum spans 189,340 sqft and offers free admission on Tuesdays.

A view of the 360 bridge over Lake Austin.

Pennybacker Bridge is located in northwest Austin.

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Photo by Jeff Gunn

Pennybacker Bridge

Address: 4801 Plaza on the Lake
Nearby: Capital of Texas Highway and Ranch Road 2222
The majestic Pennybacker Bridge (aka the 360 Bridge) was only the second bridge in the world built with a cable support system.

Mount Bonnell

Address: 3800 Mt. Bonnell Rd.
Nearby: Balcones Park, Camp Mabry, and Laguna Gloria
Gaze upon the hills of West Austin and the Colorado River at the top of this popular spot for tourists and locals alike.
7 more landmarks
Events
Wednesday, July 26
  • Sad Summer Festival | Wednesday, July 26 | 2:30 p.m. | Germania Insurance Amphitheater, 9201 Circuit of the Americas Blvd., Del Valle | $25-$65 | Dance all afternoon to Taking Back Sunday, The Maine, and other artists.
  • Barbie-themed Drag Queen Bingo Party | Wednesday, July 26 | 7 p.m. | Lefty’s Brick Bar, 1813 E. 6th St., Austin | Free | Catch Louisianna Purchase at this free-to-play bingo event and reverse happy hour.
Thursday, July 27
  • “Lizzie, The Musical” | Thursday, July 27-Sunday, July 30 | Times vary | Austin Playhouse, 405 W. 22nd St., Austin | $28-$42 | After a five-year hiatus, Doctuh Mistuh Productions will return to Austin with this play about Lizzie Borden.
Friday, July 28
  • The Free Fringe | Friday, July 28 | 7 p.m. | Hideout Theatre, 617 Congress Ave., Austin | Free | Catch some experimental improv for free at this legacy theatre.
  • “Grease” | Friday, July 28 | 7:30 p.m. | McCullough Theatre, 2390 Robert Dedman Dr., Austin | $45 | Step back in time during this local production of “Grease.”
  • The Rocky Horror Picture Show | Friday, July 28 | 9 p.m. | The Paramount Theatre, 713 Congress Ave., Austin | $11 | See this star-studded movie on the big screen as part of The Paramount’s Summer Classic Film Series.
Events calendar here
Click here to have your event featured.
 
News Notes
Outdoors
  • Austin Parks and Recreation Department’s board voted to permanently close Zilker Park’s overflow lot, with the exception of special events, on Monday night. The lot — which is one of the two largest parking options at Zilker Park, with 750 spaces — will close on Monday, Sept. 4. (KXAN)
Open
  • Cookie Rich founder — and former chef at California Michelin-star restaurant The French Laundry — Lorin Peters opened a new walk-up concept in Tarrytown this week. Goldy’s, located at 2401 Winstead Lane, serves breakfast and lunch in the same space as the cookie brand. (Austin Business Journal)
Sports
  • Longhorn quarterback Arch Manning is giving back to the community with his new name, image, likeness deal. Yesterday, Manning and trading card company Panini America kicked off an auction of his signed card, and all proceeds will benefit St. David’s Healthcare. You can bid until Saturday, July 29.
Development
  • While the former Native Hostel undergoes transformation into putt-putt bar Holey Moley, omakase restaurant Toshokan is moving east. Toshokan can currently be found inside the Pershing, 2415 E. 5th St., but the owners plan to move back into Holey Moley around November. (Eater Austin)
Drink
  • Now here’s a deal for you. Stop by Blue Owl Brewing tomorrow, July 27 and mention “ATXtoday” to get your first beer free as part of Drink Up Month. But don’t stop there — stick around for a spin of the brewery’s wheel to choose a $3 pint or a $5 growler.
Community
  • Austin Resource Recovery and UT Austin are joining forces to help students move out for the summer waste-free. The annual MoveOutATX initiative will accept students’ used furniture, small appliances, and clothing at eight campus donation stations between 11 a.m.-6 p.m. from Friday, July 28-Monday, July 31.
Austinites
  • Akins High School students are on duty. Students at the AISD school can now take a lifeguard certification class to replace a P.E. credit. Once they are certified, they can apply to work the pools for the City of Austin. (KVUE)
Finance
The Word
Events

🦁 Happy Leo season

How to celebrate Leo season in Austin

A shiny bar with multicolored wood and bar stools.
These Leos are ready to take the spotlight with a specialty cocktail (or mocktail) from Bar Moxy. | Photo by Mark Compton
Happy Leo season, Austin.

Leo season falls annually from July 22 to August 23, and whether you’re celebrating yourself or a loved one, it’s time to party.

Here are a few ways you can celebrate.

Zodiac cocktail series — Leo | Now-Tuesday, Aug. 22 | Hours vary | Bar Moxy, 2552 Guadalupe St., Austin | Cost of purchase | Celebrate the Leos in your life during this monthly revolving cocktail (and mocktail) series. This month’s cocktail: Cat Scratch Fever, after the Leo’s signature lion motif.

Austin Witches Market @ Leo Zodiac Party | Friday, July 28 | 7-11 p.m. | The Far Out Lounge & Stage, 8504 S. Congress Ave., Austin | $5-$10 | Leos get half off admission at this collective birthday party and market, with plenty of live music.

This is Your Sign: Astrology Themed Comedy | Sunday, Aug. 6 | 7:30-8:30 p.m. | Fallout Theater, 616 Lavaca St., Austin | $8-$10 | Join in on this comedy show about the signs.
Asked

Do you enjoy astrology?


A. Yes
B. No
It's a sign
Shop
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  • Start a new self-care routine, just in time for the new school year. From vitamin skin serums to shaving sets, we’ve got you covered.
Wellness
Travel
  • Get 12% off when you upgrade your Going membership to Elite or Premium with code 12DAYS. Think: Even more cheap flight alerts, including first-class tickets.
Traffic
  • Parking your car on sunny streets while running errands around town? This No. 1 bestselling sunshade keeps your car’s interior cool and minimizes rays.
 
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The Wrap
 
Laura Figi.jpg

Today’s edition by:
Figi

From the editor
I just learned that Austinites Richard Linklater and Sandra Bullock are Leos — today is actually Sandra’s 59th birthday, and Richard’s is on Sunday, July 30.

I also learned that Matthew McConaughey and Frank Ocean are Scorpios, just like me.
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