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Travel and Outdoors

Photo 1: A family of three enjoys a meal on a sunny outdoor patio. The adults smile and engage in conversation, while the child appears curious. Colorful smoothies and salads adorn the table. Photo 2: A joyful family of three plays on a sunny beach. The parents swing their smiling child between them. The background shows a lifeguard tower and blue ocean. Photo 3: Two people ride bicycles on a board walk on the beach on a sunny day.
Travel and Outdoors
Discover an endless summer at Alabama’s Beaches
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The ACL flags flapping over a crowd of festival-goers.
Business
How much do Austin’s festivals contribute to the local economy?
ACL, SXSW, and the US Grand Prix contributed an economic equivalent of three Super Bowls combined in 2022.
July 5, 2023
 · 
Laura Figi
ATX_oscarhome
Real Estate
Hot Homes: 5 Hill Country dream homes on the market right now
Get a little bit out of of the city with a dream home in one of these lakeside towns, like Lago Vista or Spicewood.
July 3, 2023
 · 
Laura Figi
The Sorin Oak at St. Edwards University
Travel and Outdoors
Nominations are now open for Austin’s Tree of the Year Awards
The annual event celebrates Austin’s most beautiful and storied trees.
July 2, 2023
 · 
London Gibson
A baby ringtail cat being held up in a glove
Travel and Outdoors
Help Austin Wildlife Rescue save baby animals
You’re more likely to find baby animals in need this summer, so be informed about how your intervention can help (or harm) local wildlife in need.
June 26, 2023
 · 
Dayten Rose
Isabel Torrealba and Iliana de la Vega smile while working with a mortar and pestle.
Food
Eat your way through Mexico with El Naranjo Chef Iliana de la Vega’s cultural culinary tours
The James Beard Award-winning El Naranjo chef — and master of Mexican cuisine — will host special menus inspired by different regions in Mexico and destination tastings in the next year.
June 19, 2023
 · 
Laura Figi
The Red Line pulling into the Downtown station.
City
11 reasons to ride CapMetro’s Red Line, Austin’s first railway
The city’s current rail system is small, but mighty enough to take Austinites throughout North Austin and Downtown.
June 15, 2023
 · 
Laura Figi
People swimming in Barton Springs Pool, with trees behind them framing the skyline.
Culture
10 must-have items to add to your summer in Austin starter park
To make the most of the summer season in Austin, our readers sent in their go-to items to beating the heat and enjoying the hottest time of the year.
June 12, 2023
 · 
London Gibson
The Austin skyline in the distance, with Lady Bird Lake and the boardwalk in the foreground stretching toward it.
Travel and Outdoors
How hot will it be in Austin this summer?
Between an El Niño phenomenon and an early triple-digit-day, we’re breaking down what you need to know ahead of the summer season.
June 8, 2023
 · 
London Gibson
The Austin skyline as seen from above, focusing on the new Google building and Lady Bird Lake, all the way to UT.
Events
Foolproof Downtown recommendations for new and old Austinites
Be your own tour guide with a Downtown trip full of eats, art excursions, and evenings exploring the city.
June 7, 2023
 · 
Laura Figi
Facing down toward pink granite at Inks Lake State Park, the scene shows a large rock with colorful lichen on it, underneath a blue sky.
Travel and Outdoors
Traversing rainbow rocks at Inks Lake State Park
The most recent edition of our state parks series takes us northwest of Austin, to Inks Lake.
May 31, 2023
 · 
London Gibson
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A group of people playing sand volleyball
Sports
Play ball at the fifth annual ATX SPORTSFEST
The festival brings community members together to spectate, cheer, and compete in five casual sporting events.
April 3, 2025
 · 
Laura Figi
Mayor Kirk Watson stands in front of a “Greetings from Austin, Texas” sign, smiling while wearing a gray suit, blue shirt, and red paisley tie. Behind him, an American flag and another official flag are displayed against a stone wall, with chairs lined up in the background.
City
How locals ‘Keep Austin Open’ with Mayor Kirk Watson
Your ATXtoday City Editors met with the mayor to ask him about his decades-long experience working in Austin and how his terms compare.
April 3, 2025
 · 
Laura Figi
Arjav Ezekiel smiles and leans against a wooden shelf filled with bottles of wine, some with colorful and artistic labels. He is wearing a navy blazer over a white shirt and a blue baseball cap with a small embroidered design. Behind him, a large window with a blue frame lets in natural light, and yellow curtains hang beside it. Through the window, a tree and a house are visible in the background.
Food
Birdie’s Arjav Ezekiel named 2025 James Beard Award finalist
Though many local chefs + restaurants made the semifinalist cut, Birdie’s beverage director Arjav Ezekiel is Austin’s sole 2025 James Beard Award nominee.
April 2, 2025
 · 
Morgan O’Neal
A cozy reading nook inside Vintage Books + Wine, featuring a wooden bookshelf filled with colorful books on the left. To the right, two plush teal armchairs sit against a white brick wall adorned with a butterfly-themed mural that reads "DRINK. READ. AND STAY AWHILE." A small rug lies beneath the chairs, and a postcard display stand is nearby. An open doorway with a "MORE SEATING" sign leads to another room with wooden walls and flooring. A fire extinguisher is mounted on the wall near the doorway.
Culture
Austin’s best book nooks: 10 places locals love to read
Looking for a place to devour your new book? ATXtoday readers revealed their favorite spots to read in Austin.
April 2, 2025
 · 
Morgan O’Neal
A circular atrium in the Austin Convention Center with tall limestone walls, a high domed ceiling with metal supports, and multiple small windows allowing natural light. Glass and metal art pieces are mounted on the walls, and a staircase with a limestone railing leads to an upper level. Large glass doors provide access to the outside.
City
Your memories of the Austin Convention Center
The Austin Convention Center’s doors officially closed on Tuesday, April 1 as the city of Austin prepares to begin construction on a new, bigger facility.
April 1, 2025
 · 
Laura Figi
A fake press release that reads "CatMetro, for immediate release, April 1, 2025. Breaking meows: the CapMetro Cats are Taking Over. Transit Authority Unexpectedly Transfers Control." followed by gibberish and "treatz please."
Culture
Our favorite April Fools’ jokes from Austin businesses
In case you missed it, local businesses trolled Austinites with some silly jokes in honor of the prankster holiday.
April 1, 2025
 · 
Laura Figi
Exterior view of the Austin Convention Center in Downtown Austin, Texas, featuring a modern architectural design with large columns, metal framework, and limestone walls. A covered entrance is visible in the foreground, along with security cameras and potted plants. In the background, a tall glass skyscraper with a large advertisement for the television series "1923" starring Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren rises against a clear blue sky. Pedestrians walk along the sidewalk, and orange traffic cones are placed near the entrance.
City
How Austin plans to boost tourism without a convention center
A new initiative aims to keep the city buzzing with visitors while the Austin Convention Center undergoes a major overhaul.
March 31, 2025
 · 
Morgan O’Neal
One person handing a bag of food to another person on the porch of a home
Play
40 volunteer opportunities in Austin
This list of volunteer opportunities in Austin, TX includes everything from building homes for people in need to fostering shelter animals.
March 31, 2025
 · 
STAFF
A spaceman kite floating facing down in front of a sky filled with dozens of other kites.
Events
A brief history of Austin’s ABC Kite Fest
The ABC Kite Fest — originally called the Kite Tournament — has been an Austin staple for almost a century, providing free fun for kids and adults alike.
March 28, 2025
 · 
Laura Figi
A cozy living room with eclectic decor featuring two coral-colored sofas facing each other, flanked by two cream-colored armchairs. The room has a white textured fireplace with decorative figurines and candles on the mantel. A glass coffee table sits in the center, covered with books and plants. The room is filled with colorful textiles, patterned rugs, and an array of artwork on the walls. Shelves along the right side are filled with books and various decorative items, while plants add a touch of greenery throughout the space. Natural light streams in through multiple windows
Real Estate
Historic Austin homes tour opens doors to 150 years of architecture
Peek inside stunning Austin homes designed by notable architects during this two-day tour in April.
March 27, 2025
 · 
Morgan O’Neal