12.18.2023

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Today’s Forecast

69º | Rainy | 87% chance of rain | Sunrise 7:28 a.m. | Sunset 5:42 p.m.

❄️ Walkin’ in an Austin wonderland

Holiday help: Where to take visitors this season

Two people and a dog walking along the Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail, with buildings in the background.

Who said you can’t find nature in the big city? | Photo by ATXtoday

If you’re hosting out-of-town guests for the holidays, it’s time to step into the role of official Austin tour guide. We’ve got plenty of recommendations for you to build the perfect itinerary for your visitors.

Sightseeing

Is it even a trip to ATX without seeing the Texas State Capitol or the Congress Avenue Bridge? You can also take your visitors to the Trail of Lights for the perfect seasonal family photo or check out these other local landmarks.

A hand holding a mug shaped like Santa's face, with the Frost Bank Tower and the Austin skyline in the background. — Try a Ho Ho Holiday Buttered Rum at Yule at Azul.
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Photo by ATXtoday

Eat and drink

If your guests need a caffeine pick-me-up, Mozart’s Coffee Roasters, Café Crème, and Jo’s Coffee all offer a range of seasonal drinks. If you’re looking for more, check out one of these 18 other local spots.

As for holiday spirits? Keep them high at one of these 21 holiday pop-up bars.

Prepare to get your grub on, because we’ve got plenty of articles to help you navigate the local food scene. Some of our personal picks include brunch at Better Half Coffee & Cocktails and dinner at Loro.

Kids standing in front of a table at the Thinkery. — Kids can learn hands-on at the Thinkery.
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Photo by @brindisirahne/@brindisirahnephotography

Activities

Let the kids — or grandkids — run around and explore Thinkery or see a show at ZACH Theatre where “A Christmas Carol” is currently playing. You could also take the family for a round of putt putt at Peter Pan Mini-Golf, or try one of these other kid-friendly activities.

If your visitors are ready for some holiday fun, grab hot cocoa from Houndstooth and go on the hunt for some holiday light displays. Hint: taking a walk on a popular local hike or strolling the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail is another great way to take in ATX during wintertime.

The fun doesn’t stop there… Be sure to send your visitors the link to our events page in advance to get a feel for what they’ll want to see and do while in town.

Events

Monday, Dec. 18

Vision Board Party | Monday, Dec. 18 | 6-8 p.m. | Vuka - Bouldin Creek, 411 W. Monroe St., Austin | $33 | Reflect on 2023 and plan for 2024 at this event featuring a sound bath, supplies, and drinks.
The Backroom Rumors | Monday, Dec. 18 | 7 p.m. | Mohawk Austin, 912 Red River St., Austin | $10 | Attendees will also enjoy performances from Emma Ogier, Good., and Mockjaw.

Tuesday, Dec. 19

Sarah Brightman: A Christmas Symphony | Tuesday, Dec. 19 | 8 p.m. | Bass Concert Hall, 2350 Robert Dedman Dr., Austin | $50-$170 | Grammy-nominated Brightman will perform holiday classics accompanied by an orchestra and choir.
Kevin Galloway | Tuesday, Dec. 19 | 8-9:30 p.m. | Saxon Pub, 1320 S. Lamar Blvd., Austin | $15 | Get ready to laugh at this south Austin show.

Wednesday, Dec. 20

Texas Star Mushroom Walk | Wednesday, Dec. 20 | 12-1 p.m. | Zilker Botanical Garden, 2220 Barton Springs Rd., Austin | Free with admission | Hunt for the new state mushroom found only in Texas, Japan, and Taiwan.
Mariachi Sol de México de Jose Hernandez | Wednesday, Dec. 20 | 8 p.m. | ACL Live, 310 W. Willie Nelson Blvd., Austin | $37-$60 | See the internationally recognized musician and fifth-generation mariachi perform.

Saturday, Dec. 23

Hoppy Holidays with the Tinsel Singers | Saturday, Dec. 23 | 7-8 p.m. | Neill-Cochran House Museum, 2310 San Gabriel St., Austin | $25 | Join this concert on the front steps of the museum for hot cocoa, warm pastries, and cold beer.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Sports

Texas won its second straight NCAA volleyball championship yesterday, marking the team’s fourth ever national title. The Longhorns defeated Nebraska in a match with record-breaking attendance of 19,727.

Edu

Matias Segura is the sole finalist to become Austin ISD’s new superintendent. Segura — who has been acting as interim superintendent for nearly a year — previously worked as AISD’s operations chief. (Austin American-Statesman)

Travel

Delta Airlines announced will add nearly a dozen new nonstop flights from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport next year. The new routes will fly to Nashville, Cincinnati, and Midland, among other cities. (Austin Business Journal)

Coming Soon

California-based chain Wahoo’s Fish Taco — which closed in the 2010s but returned in 2020 as a food truck — plans to open multiple stores in the Austin area. Starting with two locations, the business said it could open 10+ in Central Texas in the next several years. (Austin Business Journal)

History

Deep Eddy Cabaret may soon earn historic zoning. Austin’s Historic Landmark Commission voted unanimously in favor of the change for the 72-year-old dive, which is one of the oldest bars in the city. (Austin Towers)

Now Open

Gina’s on Congress, a French-Italian bistro from the team behind Gusto, opened this month at 314 Congress Ave. Expect to see house-made pasta, meat dishes, and cannolis on the menu. (Eater Austin)

Civic

Georgetown’s boomtown blueprint

Georgetown’s plan to prepare its roads for rapid growth

A map of Georgetown's downtown with colored lines representing recommended roadway changes.

The City of Georgetown recenrly approved a plan recommending expansions on several of its major roadways. | Graphic via the Georgetown Future Mobility Plan.

Georgetown is the fastest-growing city of its size in the US and officials are taking note.

To help combat increasing congestion on the Austin suburb’s roadways, the City of Georgetown recently approved a Future Mobility Plan. The 73-page document identifies parts of the city where changes like realignments and additions could improve traffic and safety.

The plan could bring about adjustments to several roads, including:

FM 971
State Hwy. 29
Williams Drive
Westinghouse Road

But this isn’t the only way Georgetown is looking forward — it’s just one piece of the city’s 2030 Comprehensive Plan, which also includes long-term goals related to land use, historic preservation, housing, and green space. Explore the full plan online.

The Buy

The Buy 12.18.23 (Affiliate + Six & Main)

A great game you can break out with the family this holiday season. Learn the rules to “Ransom Notes” in under a minute and get ready for belly laughs.

31 Days of Local Shopping

Love at first bite

ATXtoday’s 31 days of local shopping

Gift a little bit of sweetness this year. | Photo provided by Comadre Panadería

Make your holidays a little sweeter with some locally made goodies.

Comadre Panadería, 1204 Cedar Ave. | The 2023 James Beard Award semifinalist offers a range of drool-worthy pastries, cakes, pan pari, and other sweet treats. Online orders open Wednesdays at 10 a.m. for Saturday and Sunday pickup.

17 other shops

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
London

From the editor

I recently took my dog and his best pup friend to the off-leash trail at Emma Long Metropolitan Park, and we all had a great time. I highly recommend the Turkey Creek Trail if you’re looking for a place for your furry friends to run and sniff to their heart’s content.

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