There’s no night out quite like one with live music, and there’s no hotter place to catch a band than Austin. Check out these sound environments for the best audio pleasure Austin can bring you.

The Elephant Room

So maybe you don’t think “jazz” when you think about Austin, but you should. And when you do, think of it at the Elephant Room, a cozy basement of a club with brick walls, low ceilings, and perfect seating.  

 

The White Horse

Prefer tattoos and rockabilly to jazz? You know Austin has you covered.  The White Horse is unapologetically dark and unadorned, apart from the glowing ruby-colored stage. This is the hub of Austin’s country music scene, and any band that plays to what would consider itself a honky-tonk crowd. White Horse…

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Ever get the vague sense that something in a movie looks familiar? Well, you’ve likely walked right through some of cinema’s more mainstream sets and never knew it. Or maybe you did know. In either case, here’s a list of some of the coolest movies ever to set up camp in Austin.


1. True Grit (2010)

While the original True Grit, starring John Wayne, is a Hollywood legend in its own right, 2010’s revisiting of the classic tale of a grizzled cowboy helping a young girl find justice is roundly considered one of the best remakes of the past 25 years. And if you’re familiar with Austin and its surroundings, you already know why the city was the ideal location for this Texas classic.

2. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre

Admittedly, Texas could use a…

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You might have heard rumors to the effect that Christmas and the holiday season are around the corer again. Well, in between fighting the mall traffic, frantic plan-making, and ‘Yeah, I’ll just have one more cookie,” you might want to catch one of Austin’s great holiday shows. Here’s some of the lineup you can catch before 2015 sets in.

1. The Nutcracker, Dec. 6-23, Dell Hall

Kick off the holidays with the legendary Nutcracker. Ballet Austin brings what is probably the most famous Russian ballet ever written, to  Dell Hall, at the Long Center for the Performing Arts, starting Dec. 6. Unlike other renditions of The Nutcracker, this one runs for multiple performances, through December 23. So there’s no good reason to pass this one up (not like there…

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Are you surprised that Austin, of all places, has some great pizza shops? Of course you’re not. Forgive us for asking. How about we go get a slice of pizza and talk it over at one of these places?

East Side Pies

Thin crust makes a pizza a thing of beauty to talk about forever. And East Side Pies has the thinnest crust in the whole city. They also have a variety of sauces for the adventurous (like the Fast Pie, which has spinach curry sauce, sausage, and feta cheese). But don’t worry, you can still get a red sauce pizza any time you want.



Home Slice

Everybody from Austin knows about Home Slice Pizza. Or at least they should. This South Congress landmark is a must-visit stop if you’re looking in or visiting Austin, and it’s a…

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When you live in Austin, it’s easy to stay put when it’s time to take a few days off. The Austin area offers a ton of great things to do on  a staycation, and plenty of great spots to stay. Before you book your next trip out of town, consider booking a staycation at one of these top-notch hotels.

Hotel San Jose

The San Jose on South Congress Avenue is the essence of a great getaway without leaving town. Simple, minimalist, and effortlessly charming, the San Jose is also right on top of Austin’s hottest places to visit, dine, shop, or take in the sights. By the way, if you want a swim in the hotel pool and forget your suit? The San Jose is famous for offering “dipster” swim gear.  

W Hotel

If you’re looking for a cool place to stay in the…

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Now that summer has cooled into some breathable, comfortable weather, it’s time to head back outside, and out of the air conditioning. If the Texas heat has kept you off the patios when you’ve gone out to eat, fear not ‒‒ cooler days and nights make it just right to check out some of Austin’s most chill (but not too chilly) patios.

Moonshine Patio Bar & Grill

Known for its excellent bar and top-tier service, the Moonshine is the place to be when you’re looking for a great dinner on a great outdoor patio. A combination of fine restaurant and laid-back vibe makes the Moonshine a must. Ask the servers for suggestions on meals and drink complements. They won’t steer you wrong.



Trio at the Four Seasons

 

Trio, the restaurant of the…

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Did you know that 25 percent of America’s newest golf courses were built near Austin in the past decade or so? It should be no surprise, then, that Austin offers some of the best golf in Texas. Check out these course next time you’re looking to play a round.

1.Avery Ranch Golf Club

Seated in northwest Austin, Avery Ranch Golf Club was designed by former Jack Nicklaus designer Andy Raugust and is a spectacular blend of up-scale golf and natural splendor. Awesome limestone caverns, rolling hills, and lazy streams and lakes make for a unique and utterly enrapturing golf experience. Avid Golfer magazine has even ranked Avery Ranch  No. 1 for best course conditions, clubhouse, dining area, and design.


2. Barton Creek Resort

Barton Creek’s golf…

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One of the great things about Austin is that there’s little need to stay indoors for too long. With the Hill Country right there and an abundance of trails and parks nearby, it’s easy to get out and about. And a good hike can do wonders for your spirits. Check out these great hikes.

 

Blunn Creek

Random

You don’t have to leave downtown to go on a hike. Blunn Creek is a wonderful nature preserve trail just off South Congress. Yes, it’s small ‒‒ a mere mile walk, actually ‒‒ but you know what they say about good things in small packages. There’s plenty to explore at Blunn Creek and it’s the perfect size and location to step out of the city for a few minutes when you can’t actually get away for too long.

Wild Basin Wildlife Preserve

Views of the…

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We all know Austin is the hottest place to live in Texas. And to accommodate the flow of new residents moving in, developers are ever building new places to live. Here’s a look at three of the best new subdivisions in the capital area.

1. Solavera

Solavera is coming to south Austin this fall from Meritage Homes. This  new community will bring beautiful, energy-efficient homes to the heart of Austin, near Del Curto Road. Solavera will offer one-of-a-kind homesites, that combines new construction with serene, mature trees, a nearby park, and an incredibly convenient location to the hottest downtown in central Texas.  All homes will include 2-car garages and prices average around the $400,000 mark.

2. Gabriels Grove

For luxury living near Austin,…

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…Man’s best friend that is. When searching for a home it’s easy to get wrapped up in beautiful hardwood floors, floor to ceiling window panes, glass French doors leading to a backyard full of exquisite landscaping, and sweeping staircases in the foyer. But if you’re a pet owner, there are several considerations you should make before signing closing papers.

1. Floors

Does your puppy have trouble house-training? Do you have an indoor-outdoor dog who likes to scamper through your house with muddy paws, or a cat with claws who loves kneading soft surfaces?  Carpet may not be for you. Do you frequently forget to take your puppy to the groomer, and therefore let their nails get a little long? Hardwood or laminate flooring might not be your…

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