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