I've compiled a list of some things that are imperative for a local celebration:…read more Fried Oreos Boiled Crawfish Parade Beer Roasted Corn Live Music Sunscreen (which I didn't have this weekend) Kid leash Carnival BBQ Cook off Alka-Seltzer An average of 25,000 people head just west of Austin to celebrate all that is Dripping Springs, Texas. My highlights included sampling my first ever Pork Bomb. It pays to know everybody in the cook off sampling everything including salsa, brisket, chicken, chili, and the above mentioned pork log wrapped in bacon and then smothered in Jack Daniels BBQ sauce. See my last entry for my essentials list. Hope to get all my Yelp friends out next April!

We visited the Founder's Day Parade this year for the first time and it was so much fun! The…read morevendors only take cash, so you do have to have cash with you but everyone was so nice and the food stands all had great food. The carnival was a blast as well! We had so much fun riding rides and enjoying the atmosphere. This only happens once a year but it's worth saving the date for each year, without a doubt.

Every Austinite should check it out at least once! First Thursday is a monthly Austin tradition…read morewhere local arts and crafts sellers turn out under tents on South Congress, and the stores and restaurants in the area stay open until 10pm. First Thursday is one of the best and most reliable places to pick up unique handmade gifts; most of the same vendors return month after month and prices are reasonable. The sellers have kind of an 'alternative' feel here: edgy and really unique art, handmade and vintage jewelry, ceramics, Austin-themed clothing, woodworking. Just ignore the feather hairpieces and China imports. And hit a few of the shops open late too: Big Top Candy Shop, Monkey Business, Lucy in Disguise, Uncommon Objects and 10,000 Villages, and "i love you so much" graffiti on the side of Jo's Coffee. First Thursday and South Congress are a great place to take visitors to show them a bit of Austin culture and incredible people watching. Like all outdoor activities in Austin, First Thursday is much more enjoyable in the cooler months, or head there after dark. If you've never seen the Bats under Congress Bridge, you can catch them emerging from under the bridge around sunset by walking up Congress to the river (which is a one-mile hike from South Congress). Food trucks in the area just south of the Baptist church have been vacated to build a hotel. Hopefully you can still find a couple of food trucks dotting South Congress elsewhere. Street parking can be found on the little streets off South Congress. Unless you come early (6-7pm), it can be tough to find parking in those narrow streets. And walking back to your car after dark, especially alone, can be pretty horrendous as the streets are not lit.

I came to Austin to get my groove on and back…read more My chest gurgled with excitement - as my cab pulled up to a quaint clean condo just off of South Congress. Padding around on the beige slick wood floor - I did the Tom Cruise Risky Business floor slide a couple of times. I couldn't wait to explore the area the next day. The following morning- donning my feather earrings, my "Don't Worry be Happy" shirt, a pair of aviators, and a distinct swagger - I hit South Congress. For hours. As the sun began to slowly set - casting a sea of poignant and stirring maroons, and soft oranges in the warm air above - I began to notice South Congress come alive in a new way. Quaint stalls were being set up on either side of the street, showcasing vibrant hand-crafted earrings. Masterfully executed Tye-Dye ware. Retro belt buckles. Crocheted hats. Glass jewelry. Hand-selected gems. Leather ware. And much. Much more. Each first Thursday of the month- local artists, designers, performers, and musicians bring great vibes to the sidewalks of South Congress. In addition to the wealth of charming stalls - many of the quaint stores on South Congress stay open - till about 10pm. In the matter - of just one stunning sky hued night - I hula-hooped, I listened to van morrison covers in a lush green garden, foot tapped to a local folk band, devoured fresh cupcakes, bought a purple quartz -set in the top of a bullet casing - necklace, bought a bright green love themed hued tank-top, discussed the intricacies of tye-dye with a merchant, cooed at adorable puppies for adoption, and groooooooved well into the electric Austin evening. First Thursday South Congress - definitely what's up. Trust.

For over 60 years Austin has been celebrating Eeyore's birthday - the sad donkey from Winnie the…read morePooh. The most amazingly fun adventure in Pease Park. Filled with colorful costumes people and activities. Drinks and food available for purchase. Thousands of people frolicking and dancing enjoying nature in celebration of Eeyore. Happy 62nd Birthday Eeyore!!!

This year was my first time getting to attend the annual celebration of Eeyore's birthday! Prior to…read morerelocating to Austin, I would visit family here 1-2 times a year but the timing never worked out for this event. I can't wait to make this part of my annual Austin routine. Parking is an absolute nightmare and we didn't even attempt it. We opted to use a car service to and from our place, and I cannot recommend this option enough. I know this festival has changed over the years especially for those who've been attending since the start. But it was still exciting and fun for me. Lots of things going on from live music, food and beer tents, performances, etc. People just chilling on blankets and enjoying each other's company. Definite flower power, San Francisco in the 60's vibe going on. A family-friendly, legendary Austin happening that I think folks should check out at least once.

April 11, 2026 The universe granted us a really nice night. It's been raining, and gloomy during…read morethe day, but the nightlife came alive and we truly were blessed with GNO. It was warm, a little breezy, but the vibes were there and everyone was happy mingling, drinking, just a typical ATX night out on Rainy. Now yes, some of the charm has left. Little by little every few years something disappears, and something new comes in. The people make up for the "charm" feel. We remember what once was. Little houses that once held family dinners and birthday backyard parties are now bars. Gutted out of the family photos hanging on the walls, to neon signs barring a beer logo. Rainy Street is still charm for those that once knew it and hold it in our hearts. We make the charm because we knew, and we pass that vibe to the college kids (sorry, but you are still kids) that spend their whole weekend night letting lose and being just that, fun kids experiencing life, not corporate life, but life life. It's up to us mature Rainy Street goers to show these kids how it's done. IMO Rainy Street. Bar hoping at its bests. Charming street. Decorated for the season. Come at Christmas, it's a ball! Everything is walkable. Some really nice higher end restaurants have moved in. It's a nice place to start out your night. You will find college kids here. But you'll also see birthday party groups, bachelorette parties, bachelor parties just people having fun, enjoying life. You'll see mature, older men and women with their, "I'm still 28" in my mind. (Me, I'm that woman) They do have a small food truck area too. So when you're looking for something quick, give these food trucks a go. They are pretty good. And they have seating so you can chill, and get back at it. I only saw 1 parking lot. It was $50. For 3 hours. And $55 for 6 hours. Uber in, car pool, or find parking a block or 2 away. Come to Rainy Street. Spend the night here. Grab some dinner, a few cocktails, bar hop up and down the street. Be young, be a kid, life's short.

Rainey Street is not what it used to be 10 years ago…read more That's not awful, but it's also not good. I remember visiting when it wasn't as commercial, wasn't as loud, not as many bars, not the large hotels, and it was cute little old bungalows and restaurants that felt homey and it was charming with a food truck area. None of that appears to remain - it's vastly different and has grown. I'm not entirely sure if I think it's for the better or the worse, but much of the charm I loved is entirely gone.

Pretty sure my mouth was open in excitement the first time we drove down SOCO! lol ..Does not…read moredisappoint. Just about everything your little heart desires is all here on this street . Very vibey , vintage shops , foodie finds , plenty of shopping , fun crowds and yes parking requires some effort but it's worth it . Grab a bite and get your steps in !

South Congress is one of the iconic streets of Austin, TX. It stretches just south of downtown…read moreAustin past Lady Bird Lake. This strip satisfies of everyone's wants...cool boutiques, inviting eateries, captivating street art, and plenty of live music. In addition, vintage clothing shoppers can be easily immersed at a number of vintage shops. There is nothing like the epicenter of the South Congress, The Continental Club. You can purchase from high end stores like Hermes and Chanel to athletic stores like Lululemon and Toms. From elevated restaurants like Aba and Vespio to a variety of food trucks that will satisfy almost any food itch. And if you are in need of some retail therapy, South Congress can satisfy a plethora of shopping tastes. In full transparency, parking can be challenging sometimes, especially during the weekends. For all the benefits that South Congress has to offer, parking is a minor challenge. What makes South Congress memorable, the random jewelry vendors, spray can artists completing paintings live as you look on, street musicians playing their favorite tunes, the random conversation you strike up with another South Congress visitor. South Congress...such a great place to frequent. You literally could spend hours jetting in and out stores, eating ice cream or another treat or listening to live music. It's a fun place to hang out.

I've been going to these as often as possible since 2017 and have yet to regret it. The…read moreinstallations through the creek are always so creative and sometimes incredibly thought provoking. I love that they also have props for branded digital photos guests can take and share with others. It's a very Austin thing to do and I think everyone should go at least once. If you make it to where the live music is, music is always fantastic though food and drinks highly priced. Given that the show is free, I think that's quite alright.

Short but sweet! Wasn't clear where to park and the entrance was but able to figure out after…read morewalking around the block . Felt safe as there were security in the entrance section. Line wasn't too long and they let us in before the time slot indicated on the ticket. Perfect weather for the event. Snacks available near exit-recommended stop as well!

Love a Roadside America attraction like me? Well, here's one right in Austin. It's also literally…read moreon the Roadside America list of attractions. A beautifully designed dedication (by artist Stefanie Disefano in 2020) to the life and memory of the famous Austin broadcaster. He was on the radio in Austin for over thirty years. Did you know Larry was also a music scholar? Yep. The bridge connects from Big Stacy Park/Blunn Creek Greenbelt to Little Stacy Park. Also easily accessible from South Congress. This is a really low bridge with artwork made from mosaic tiles and reflective glass pieces.

How do you rate a warm, loving hug from your child, your best friend, or your extended family?…read moreCause that's what this sweet, tiny bridge is... a community hug. Let me try to share with you why it exists and why I think it's important. If Austin were the City of Lights (aka Paris) in the 1800s, a tribute to Larry Monroe would have been erected on Champs Elysees, alongside epic bronze and granite monuments to Townes Van Zandt and Stevie Ray Vaughan (yep, there, too!). But this is Austin, and in Austin, there's a lively tribe of mosaic artists and story tellers who just can't help themselves... they've simply got to hug the city's soul and inject joy all over the place with their craft. Consider the gargantuan mosaic mural embedded with the deep history of the site at the Deep Eddy Pool at 401 Deep Eddy Dr. Thousands of Austinites came together to create it. Or the glistening mural that's a tribute to families "A Day in the Park" by the community pool at 4400 Avenue G. Then there's the magnificent and wildly exotic throne - also known as "Your Essential Magnificence" at 2204 S. Congress Ave that's embedded with artifacts from more than 60 South Austin institutions, including the Broken Spoke and the Armadillo World Headquarters. Go visit these places and feel the loooove, baby. So... who was Larry Monroe? The Austin music scene is as vibrant and significant as it is because of a few people who challenged the norm relentlessly, with beating, thumping hearts. Larry Monroe was just such a guy. At a time when payola and pre-recorded radio shows were taking over, Larry Monroe refused to be told what to play or when to play it. He had everything to do with training Austinites' ears to great music. As Brad Buchholz put it in an Austin 360 article just after Larry had died, "For almost 30 years, Larry Monroe has been spinning records and CDs on KUT-FM radio - bringing us roots and folk and blues and jazz with a literate flair. Monroe 's signature is the "segway." He takes pride in piecing together creative set lists in which the songs are united by theme, a condition of heart or climate, or an artist's affinity for a single word in a refrain." https://www.austin360.com/article/20140117/ENTERTAINMENT/301179674 This review is getting a bit long, but all I'm saying is... Larry was seriously responsible for shaping Austin's music scene and we need to appreciate that... damn it. This town didn't get this cool just 'cause. That tiny mosaic bridge is a JEWEL in Austin's crown. Get your butts over there and pay homage.

Looks like the sky space has two yelp pages, so I'm posting my thoughts here as well…read more A 5 star review of James Turrell's Skyspace by Courtney T.: https://www.yelp.com/biz/james-turrells-skyspace-austin?hrid=fY2tFreMSX8ZNqVBFwBVaw&utm_source=ashare&ref=yelp-android

I kinda had no idea what to expect. I intentionally didn't read much about The Color Inside. I knew…read moretwo things: Turrell and UT. Oh, and free. FREE. We made a reservation because we wanted to go at sunset. Without a reservation, you might get in but it's first come first served. We arrived extra early because if you're not familiar with UT and all of its ongoing construction, it can be challenging to find the Art Center. We asked some friendly students to point us in the right direction and got to the exhibit right on time. We checked in with the student on duty. There's a circular waiting room to the right of the check in desk where I saw people waiting. Some were sitting on the benches, others were actually lying on the floor. Geez how long had they been waiting? I sheepishly whispered to the student receptionist that I wasn't quite sure what the deal was. She advised that we could go right in. Right in to that circular waiting room? uh, yeah. that IS the exhibit. it fits maybe 20 people comfortably. and suddenly lying on the floor seemed perfectly reasonable. So we laid out our jackets and lied on the floor (there are blankets available at the exhibit in case you are a floor-lier without a jacket). we looked up. the roof is sort of canopy-like, and white, with a big blue oval dot in the middle. there are led lights in the base of the canopy that shine upwards casting a glow on the canopy. so we're lying there. and...we're lying there. and like i said we had no idea what to expect. after a while we saw a red plane fly by and we realized that the blue oval dot was actually a hole to the sky. ok, cool. and we're lying there just looking up. and then, things started to happen. i'm not going to tell you the details of the exhibit. you have to go experience it for yourself and be wowed. i will tell you that the key to the exhibit is patience (and the ability to lie on the floor). if you are patient, you will be vastly rewarded. 5-stars vast.