Cast your vote for our ATXtoday’s Best competition. | Graphic by 6AM City
We know how much you love your city. Help your top food truck, coffee shop, or local influencer earn well-deserved recognition for ATXtoday’s Best — vote now.
🎟️ You get a free pass
Nicknamed “Barking Springs,” the free area right beside Barton Springs Pool allows pets, snacks, and drinks. | Photo by ATXtoday
Austin offers endless options for things to do, but it can also be easy to rack up a big bill. Here are 25+ ventures that won’t cost you a dime.
Outdoors
Go to the park. You don’t need to spend any green at the emerald jewels in Austin’s crown.
Spot local landmarks.Play tourist in your own city and visit iconic destinations.
Active
Play pickleball. Challenge your friends to a game at a free court.
Spring Fest | 4-9 p.m. | HeyDey Social Club | Cost of purchase | RSVP to sip cocktails, shop from women-owned businesses, and listen to beats by DJ Wyldflower in celebration of Women’s History Month.
2025 Rodeo Austin | Friday, March 28-Saturday, March 29 | 7 p.m. | Rodeo Austin | $48+ | It’s the rodeo’s final weekend — don’t miss fairground fun + a show featuring bull riders, barrel racing, concerts, and much more.
Saturday, March 29
Rosedale Ride | 8 a.m. | The Pitch Austin | $25+ | Support Austin ISD’s only school solely for students with disabilities by walking or riding your bike at this 31st annual event.
Native Plant Swap | 8-10 a.m. | Elisabet Ney Museum | Free | Show up to the museum’s grounds with your native flora in tow and take home new-to-you plants.
Ready Set Rally | 2-5 p.m. | MUTTS Canine Cantina | Cost of purchase | There’s something for everyone (including furry friends) at this fundraising event: face painting, pet caricatures, live music, a vendor market, raffle prizes, and more.
Sunday, March 30
Coffee + Beats | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Fareground | Free with RSVP | Start your Sunday morning by fueling up with Desnudo coffee and dancing to DJ sets on the Downtown lawn.
Tuesday, April 1
UMLAUF After Dark: April Fools | 6-8 p.m. | UMLAUF Sculpture Garden + Museum | $12 | This party is no joke — get ready for a night of live DJ sets, signature cocktails, comedy, and artist showcases.
Are you eligible to use medical cannabis? Find out.
Presented by Texas Cannabis Clinic
Work with Texas Cannabis Clinic’s expert medical team to see if you qualify for use of doctor-supervised medical cannabis. | Photo courtesy of Texas Cannabis Clinic
With the shifting landscape of Texas cannabis laws, staying informed is more crucial than ever. Are you confident in the legality and safety of your medical cannabis consumption?
Texas Cannabis Clinic offers a straightforward way to ensure you’re on the right side of the law. By obtaining a Compassionate Use card, you gain legal protection and access to medical cannabis under expert supervision — removing the guesswork from the equation.
Luxury condominium The Belvedere officially broke ground on the west side of Downtown Austin. The new build by Pearlstone Partners will feature 158 units, plus a $1.5 million, three-acre park on its lawn with bikeways and public trail access. Construction is set to wrap in August 2027.
Legacy
Carole Keeton Strayhorn, the first woman to serve as Austin mayor and become Texas Comptroller, died at the age of 85 on Wednesday, March 26. Mayor Kirk Watson said Strayhorn was “a powerful personality that filled any room.” Learn more about her life. (KVUE)
Announced
“Austin City Limits” unveiled its initial tapings for Season 51. Country music star Charley Crockett will take the stage on Tuesday, April 1, followed by future performances from a lineup of blues musicians in honor of Antone’s 50th anniversary, singer-songwriter Waxahatchee, and soul band Thee Sacred Souls. Enter to win tickets.
Pets
Austin City Council adopted a new roadmap to enhancing the lives of the city’s four-legged residents. The Animal Service Office’s strategic plan aims to expand access to animal shelter intake, increase community outreach, and improve operations over the next five years.
Coming Soon
Ready to par-tee? The Back Nine will open its first Austin location this summer on Airport Boulevard. The indoor golf facility will be open 24/7, host tournaments + private events, and offer unlimited tee times. (Community Impact)
Try This
Cafe at The Loren will launch a new happy hour on Tuesday, April 1. Expect discounted beer and wine, $12 espresso martinis, and bites like arancini + focaccia available from 4 to 7 p.m. daily. Can’t wait? Check out 30+ other happy hour deals in Austin.
Festival
Hear ye, hear ye. Sherwood Forest Faire, aka the nearest festival of its kind, was named the country’s Best Medieval Festival in the Renaissance Festival Awards. The magical wonderland in McDade is open every weekend through Sunday, April 20 — here’s what to know before you go. (CultureMap Austin)
Sports
With all eyes on college basketball, did you miss Opening Day for the Rangers yesterday? Don’t sweat it, because you can get the biggest stories every day from the local experts of the Texas Rangers with Locked On’s daily podcasts.
Travel
The opposite of sticker shock? Going’s free travel membership, which alerts you when flights leaving your airport are 40-90% off. You’re welcome.*
Job
Your business’s hiring ad could be here reaching thousands of our daily readers. Ready to find your ideal candidate? Post your first listing on our community job board for free + level it up with a Featured Job Post.
Biz
Calling all business owners. For a limited time, we’re offering 15% off your first advertising purchase on our self-service ad portal. No long-term contract required — simply use the code NEW15 at checkout to redeem the discount.
Category
Real Estate
🏡 Home sweet home
Peek inside stunning Austin homes designed by notable architects during this two-day tour in April. | Photos by Jenn Rose Smith and Clay Grier
History buffs, interior design enthusiasts, and real estate aficionados will soon unite for a weekend of historic home-hopping during Preservation Austin’s 2025 Homes Tour.
The 32nd annual event runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, April 26 + Sunday, April 27 and allows ticketholders to step into 10 private homes with roots dating back up to 150 years.
Still need weekend plans? This week, I saw “Hamilton” at Bass Concert Hall and ate at Electric Gravy, a new Indian restaurant on East 11th Street. Both were wonderful, and the two together would make for a fabulous dinner + a show outing.
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