Plus, food + drink specials on Longhorn game days.
 
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🔎 Alternatives to ATX’s top attractions
A serene lakeside scene with a colorful inflatable watermelon tube and a blue float resting on grassy ground near the water’s edge. A colorful beach bag and water bottles are also in the foreground. The lake is calm, surrounded by lush green trees and distant hills, with a small boathouse visible on the far shore. The sky is overcast, with clouds hanging above the peaceful landscape.
Sit on the shores of Lake Austin or float in the water and watch boats pass by. | Photo by ATXtoday
Whether you’ve lived in Austin for 50 years or are just spending a summer here, there are plenty of exciting activities and areas to explore — if you can find them.

Instead of turning to Google this time, let your dedicated ATXtoday City Editors offer up some alternatives to well-known spots.

Barton Springs Pool

We’re missing the historic watering hole while it’s under repairs due to a leak. Plus, its bathhouse will be under construction until summer 2025. Let’s take a look at some spots to cool off in the meantime.
  • Deep Eddy Pool is another famous locale, featuring a walk-in area, a dedicated section for swimming laps, grassy areas to sunbathe, and a concession stand. Psst — head to Pool Burger after for the ultimate play day.
  • Float in Lake Austin at Emma Long Metropolitan Park, which also boasts a beach, camp sites, and plenty of space for playing sports and gathering with friends.
  • Slip down the natural slide at Bull Creek District Park, or sit in its shallow waters and watch for turtles before taking a walk along the greenbelt.
A whimsical scene set deep in the forest, where a large wooden sculpture of a seated, mystical figure blends into the greenery. The sculpture features intricate detailing, including a face with a crown of leaves and an earthy, woven necklace. Children and adults gather near and inside the sculpture, with some sitting on tree stump benches and a small bike resting nearby. Tall, vibrant green trees with blue-painted trunks line the pathway, enhancing the enchanted forest atmosphere.

Spend an afternoon with Malin, an 18-ft tall troll, at Pease Park.

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Photo by ATXtoday

Zilker Park

Don’t get us wrong — we love a day at Zilker — but it’s not the only park worth visiting in Austin. Plus, it will temporarily close soon to prepare for ACL Music Festival. Here’s where we recommend heading for a park hang.
  • Pease District Park, which is also centrally located, features a basketball court, ample green space, a treehouse hammock, and a massive troll named Malin.
  • Auditorium Shores features a closer look at the ATX skyline, plus a dog park, nearby Lady Bird Lake access, and an outdoor gym.
  • Mueller Lake Park is a picturesque escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. It surrounds a 6.5-acre lake and includes a trail, spots to picnic, and a playground.
Old 6th Street + barbecue alternatives
 
Events
Thursday, Sept. 12
  • Sip, Shop, and Stroll | Thursday, Sept. 12 | 5-8 p.m. | Downtown Elgin | Free | Escape the Capital City for an evening and explore the shops and restaurants in Downtown Elgin — about 45 minutes east of Austin — at this monthly community gathering.
  • “Garage” | Thursday, Sept. 12 | 8:30-9:30 p.m. | Fallout Theater | $8+ | This improv trope — made up of women and non-binary comedians — put on a show inspired by an audience-suggested song.
Friday, Sept. 13
  • Parks, Plants, and People | Friday, Sept. 13 | 9-11 a.m. | Kingsbury Commons at Pease Park | Free with RSVP | Wear clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty to learn gardening skills from the park’s Native Horticulture Coordinator.
  • So So Spiffy September Shopping Shindig | Friday, Sept. 13-Saturday, Sept. 14 | 9 a.m.-5 p.m. | Spiffy Design | Cost of purchase | Say this event’s name five times fast — then head over to shop luxury furniture at discounted prices.
Saturday, Sept. 14
  • Doom Metal Goat Yoga | Saturday, Sept. 14 | 10 a.m. | Jester King Brewing | $28 | If you love juxtaposition, now’s your chance to listen to heavy metal music while practicing yoga with goats.
  • Second Saturdays are for Families: All Together Now | Saturday, Sept. 14 | 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | The Contemporary Austin - Laguna Gloria | Free | Join in on creating a new community mural with artist Katarina Janečková Walshe, then let the kids play in the splash zone while you sip on local beverages.
  • Los Verdes Watch Party | Saturday, Sept. 14 | 6:30-11 p.m. | Austin Beerworks | Cost of purchase | Watch Austin FC take on Toronto FC while sipping on a limited edition Los Verdes beer called “Papi’s Paile Ale.”
Plan your weekend
Click here to have your event featured.
 
News Notes
Announced
  • The State Theatre, an almost century-old venue that neighbors the Paramount Theatre, is set to undergo interior and exterior renovations. The $22 million makeover is expected to begin in March 2025. (Austin Business Journal)
Opening
  • Something’s brewing at St. Elmo Brewing Co. — its second location, called St. Elmo Springdale, will open Saturday, Sept. 14. Expect a larger taproom, outdoor seating, on-site food trucks, and an exclusive beer called “Zero.” (Eater Austin)
Arts
  • The city’s Art in Public Places Program is seeking local artists to create new public art installations on the Elisabet Ney Museum grounds, in a few parks + streets, on a water tank, and at Red Bud Isle. Applications for the opportunities, worth $2 million in total, open Tuesday, Sept. 24.
Show
  • No need to curb your enthusiasm — Larry David is coming to Austin (his tour’s only stop in Texas) for “A Conservation With Larry David” on Wednesday, Dec. 4 at Bass Concert Hall. Pre-sale begins at 10 a.m. today. (KVUE)
Tech
  • Silicon Hills has a new resident: BillionToOne. The life science company, which focuses on molecular diagnostics, broke ground on its Parmer Lane facility yesterday. The California-based tech company’s new site is expected to be complete by 2026 and will bring over 1,000 new jobs to Austin. (KVUE)
Try This
  • In honor of National Bourbon Heritage Month, Hotel Viata’s Laurel Restaurant is slinging a special menu that highlights its exclusive Viata Single Barrel Bourbon by Heaven’s Door. Taste one of the limited edition cocktails — or a flight of Still Austin spirits — through the end of September.
Sports
  • The San Antonio Spurs will be in town this weekend for their fourth annual Austin Immersion x Business Summit. Get the biggest stories every day from the local experts of the San Antonio Spurs with Locked On’s daily podcasts.
    The Word
    • Balance transfer cards: One of the best-kept secrets for managing credit card debt. This card gives you almost two years to pay off your existing balance, sans interest — plus, that sweet, sweet cash back.*
    Fun Fact
    • You can advertise in this newsletter with no long-term commitment or contract. Your message could be right here in as little as two days. Secure your spot.
     
    Food

    🏈 Horns up, chow down

    Where to eat + drink on Texas Longhorn game days
    Two photos rotate in a gif. In the first, two orange cocktails sit in front of two buckets of beer. In the next, one orange cocktail with Tajin on the rim sits on a table with multiple plates of food, including a burger, oysters, a seafood boil, and tater tots.
    Show your team spirit by sipping Longhorn-themed cocktails at a local bar. | Photos courtesy Mylk Collective and TLC Austin
    Football season is back — and we’re donning our burnt orange until further notice.

    If you’re hitting the town on Saturdays to cheer on the Longhorns, here are some food and drink specials you won’t want to miss.

    Swim Club | When the Longhorns play at home, local influencer Jane Ko will host Club Koko tailgates on The Lawn at Swim Club. Chefs will join to serve up special bites, and attendees can sip beverages like the “Longhorn Lemonade.”

    The Long Goodbye | If you’d rather watch the game from a big screen, head to this bar on Manor Road for free snacks (while supplies last) and all-day drink specials like $18 buckets of beer + canned cocktails and $10 game day cocktails and frozens.

    TLC Austin | Big Tex College Football Tailgate watch parties include a game day food menu (which sports a “40 Acres” seafood boil) and drinks like the “Bevo’s Burnt Orange Rita.”
    5 more food + drink specials
    The Buy

    The Buy 9.12.24 (Affiliate)
    The cutest ghost pillow to get your couch ready for fall and Halloween. Psst — choose your favorite size or get all three for an adorable trio.
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    The Wrap
     
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    Today’s edition by:
    Morgan
    From the editor
    We ate dinner at Space Cowboy in east Austin this week and I’m still drooling over the Beef Wellington and potato puree, which is made with a hint of vanilla. It’s a Sunday special, but you could get lucky like me and be able to order it on a Monday.
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