had great fun doing our crafts while sipping on some in house cocktails. chill vibe - great way to…read morespend a few hours with friends or a partner!

I came here for my sister's birthday because we wanted to do something a little more interactive…read morethan just going out to dinner. Funny enough, even though it's called Upstairs Circus, I kept calling it "Uptown Circus" for some reason and still do. My sister had been here once when she first moved to Austin, but it had been a while, so she was happy to go again. We tried to make a reservation for a Monday but found out they're closed that day unless it's a private event. So we ended up booking a Sunday evening during their Sangria Sundays event. Signing up online was quick and easy--no payment required upfront. When we arrived, we were seated at a table and given the option to sit side by side or across from each other. They handed us a laminated flyer with all the available project options, ranging from easy (about an hour) to more challenging projects that can take the full three-hour session. There was a good mix of household items (like coasters and magnetic shelves), jewelry, handbags, clutches, accessories, and even a pricier custom Nike shoe painting project. The sample projects looked very professional, but the final result really depends on your artistic skills and how focused you are during the session. My sister and I decided to pick different projects--she chose a handbag clutch, and I went with coasters. We got all our materials and instructions. One thing I noticed: this kind of activity is probably better suited for people who don't have a ton to catch up on while working. Since my sister and I hadn't seen each other for weeks, we were trying to talk and catch up, which made it harder for me to focus on the project. Some steps were time-sensitive, so juggling both conversation and crafting was a bit stressful. For my coaster project, I initially planned to use a stencil and transfer paper to trace a design, but it didn't work very well. I ended up switching to a simple two-color block design just to make sure I could finish in time. My sister's project was a bit more advanced--she had to do leather hole punching and threading--but she managed to finish and loved how her clutch turned out. Since it was Sangria Sunday, you get one complimentary sangria or mocktail with your reservation, and they keep a card on file if you want to order more drinks. I got a spicy cocktail that actually had really good flavor, even though I didn't finish it. Overall, this is a fun and unique activity if you want to do something creative with a friend or group. I'd recommend it more if you're looking to spend quality time doing something together rather than having a deep conversation--because focusing on the project definitely takes some attention. My sister was happy with her finished product, and I liked mine even if it turned out simpler than planned. It's a cool idea for a birthday, date night, or just a different kind of outing.

Very unique! If you are going to Austin, make arrangements for a tour. This house has been…read morefeatured in a lot of different books and magazines.

Amazing work.fabulous artist. Cool vibes . Saw it years ago and I need to visit soon . True Austin !read more

Truly mesmerizing!! The kids were in heaven. What a sweet experience in Austin. Bravoread more

This is a cute little art experience. Don't go comparing it to Meow Wolf or anything -- its small…read moresize is one of its best characteristics! Hear me out -- it's not a major time commitment, it allows you to really focus on just a few installations, it's great for young kids, and it's affordable. You can see everything in under 30 minutes or you can spend a bit more time really engaging. They give you an hour, I believe, as part of your time slot. I felt like they did a good job limiting the amount of people coming in at a specific time. It didn't feel too crowded. The art installations were cute. They were interactive in pretty basic ways (climbing, etc.) but I brought my kids who really enjoyed them. If my kids are happy then so am I! I've never brought kids to any bigger art installations but I'd imagine the large scope could get overwhelming. This smaller size felt just right. I had my 3-year-old and my 17-month-old with me. They both had fun climbing and touching things. The price is reasonable and the fact that kids 3 and under are free is a major draw! Really nice staff. They had someone on the floor at all times. She was very friendly and not intrusive (offered just enough advice to be helpful). Their customer service is great as well! The first time I booked, I got sick. It was my daughter's birthday so she went with her daddy and I stayed home with my son. Mesmerize staff was super nice and let me rebook on a different date (weeks later). Believe it or not, I got sick again (been endless with my daughter bringing home bugs from school this season). They were also nice enough to let me push the day back so I could get better before visiting. I really appreciate their flexibility. So even though tickets are non-refundable, they will help you reschedule in case of illness. Parking was easy. Clean bathroom inside. Easy to go in/out (if you have to return to your car). Ultimately, this is a cute date idea that leaves ample time for dinner or a nice way to occupy kids, including toddlers!

Fun venue. Very well decorated fitting the phallic theme. Staff is very welcoming and helpful…read more Would come ride again

This is a unique experience perfect for a girls night or bachelorette trip. My one recommendation…read morewould be to play the music a little louder so it's less awkward and more of a party feel but other than that it was great

The sunset light sequence is slow and mediative. Conversation is quiet but I feel like I bond with…read morethe strangers who watch it with me whenever I go. Turrell is a great living artist and this is my favorite of his works. Plus, the benches inside are heated. It's also really beautiful when rain is falling through the oculus. The light show starts at a different time every night according to the time of sunset. It is about an hour and 5 minutes long. You have to walk onto the roof of the student activity center at UT Austin to find it, but someone will be there to check you in and answer questions. The light show is free but it fills up so I recommend making a reservation online.

I have been following Turrell's pieces for awhile now. I was really sad to have missed his exhibit…read moreat LACMA, so when I heard they had installed a new one at UT, it immediately got on my list to visit. We are blessed to have 2 installments in Houston and another in Austin. This one is on the 3rd floor of the SAC (student activity center). It is open to the public, and does not require an ID to enter. When you get to the 3rd floor just make a right and walk outside onto the rooftop patio area. They do have reservations online, but there isn't anyone there to take them. Just like many of the other exhibits, you are there to observe the sky. It usually is very peaceful and quiet. But you are more than welcome to take pictures. Come as close to sunset as possible if you want to see the many colors of the sky along with the interior lighting.

Tiger Lilly is the newest occupant taking over 400 Colorado Street. If you've ever been to the late…read moreEstelle's, it offers a similar vibe with moody, elegant decor, but with a friendlier, more inviting atmosphere. There are no food offerings, but the specialty drinks offered are immaculate (& ridiculously overpriced for the size). Open Thursday to Saturday from 6 PM to 2 AM, the space boasts vintage furniture, eclectic artwork, and carefully curated décor. Tiger Lilly has two floors, the first floor showcasing a bar and bar stools around and the second floor with more dining spaces and modular spaces for intimate conversations. There are also private rooms and a whole venue buyout for rent.

We visited Tiger Lilly for my girlfriend's birthday weekend, and let me just say, it was a vibe…read more She had been looking for a spot that had that moody, speakeasy feel with an artsy aesthetic for some birthday pics, and this place delivered. We actually found it pretty last minute and decided to go early since we knew we'd be taking photos and didn't want to deal with crowds. When we arrived, it was pretty quiet, which honestly worked out perfectly for us. The décor is bold and eclectic in the best way, think velvet booths, curated gallery walls, low lighting, and these amazing feathered chandeliers that tie the whole space together. We ordered the Tiger Lilly cocktail and the Elote, both were fantastic. The drinks are not only pretty but good, which isn't always a given in places that are more vibe-forward. Ours were balanced, flavorful, and well-presented. The DJ was there, early, which was a nice surprise, it gave the whole place some life without being overwhelming. The staff was super kind, especially the manager who came by to check in and even gave us a little background on the space. We appreciated how welcoming everyone was. We heard that the night before had been packed, so it sounds like this place definitely fills up later at night. We're looking forward to coming back when it's livelier to get the full experience, but for a chill early visit focused on ambiance, great service, and creative drinks, it absolutely hit the mark. Pro tip: If you're someone who loves a visually aesthetic experience and wants a place to snap a few pics before the rush, go early like we did. Can't wait to return!

If I could bottle the feeling of being a weird little kid who just wandered into something magical,…read moreMuseum of the Weird would be it. This place might honestly be my favorite spot I've ever visited. I love oddities, and they are surprisingly hard to find all together like this. Walking through here felt like running away to the circus in the best way. Every room has something that makes you stop and stare. Shrunken heads, two-headed specimens, medical oddities, freak show history, UFO lore, Movie props and replicas! and so much more. I appreciated that it felt more like a cabinet of curiosities than a haunted house vibe. The exhibits are thoughtfully laid out, and there's a genuine feeling of love for weird history here. It doesn't feel cheesy. You can take your time, read signs, and really soak it all in if you want, or just wander around wide eyed and delighted like me. If you're into oddities, curiosities, circus history, strange science, or just being a little weird inside, this place is an absolute must while you're downtown. I left smiling and already wanting to go back. Honestly, if this is your thing at all, you'll get it immediately. One small but important thing to note, especially for the rest of my disabled community: there is no bathroom on site. While they do let you leave and come back if needed, that still means stepping out and trying to find a restroom on a very busy downtown Austin street. It was honestly really stressful and upsetting for me. However...that didn't ruin the experience for me because I love it so much, but it's definitely something to be aware of and the only reason this lands at 4 stars instead of 5.

If you like fun, kitschy spots like Ripley's Believe It Or Not or Wax Museums, you'll enjoy the…read moreMuseum of the Weird. Weird vibes on 10! Currently, adults are $13 and kids under 8 are $9. We were warmly greeted when we walked into this cute shop packed full of trinkets. So much to look at and I wanted to buy it all! The couple behind the desk was very friendly & conversational, seemed like a nice pair! The museum itself isn't too big but it's chocked full of exhibits and explanations. I love Fortean fascinating museums so if you too like the strange & unexplained, you'll enjoy this. They also have a small wax museum section with some classic movie monsters. Plus they encourage photos here, so ya know this yelp girlie loved that! I had fun here and it'll take you less than an hour to go through. Cute spot to pop into on 6th Street! Keep Austin Weird, y'all!

I wish they had one of these in Miami!!! Such a cool concept for an arcade…read more It's as noisy as any arcade but they do have seating area outside which is cool because they have swings as seats. Beers were nice and cold and the games are fairly priced. Parking is ample

Arcade bars are a glorious creation. To look at the classic concept of a pizzeria with an arcade…read moreand say, "What if it was 18+ after 9 pm and we brew our own beers and ciders?" is brilliant. Even more brilliant is making all the arcade machines free play, so when you pay the $12.99 to get in, you have the opportunity to play any game your heart desires. I drank two beers while at Cidercade, their Texas Blonde and their Pistolas Mexican Lager. Both were good and easy to drink. All the arcade games have nearby areas to place your drinks so you can lock in on the games as needed. The collection of games is great and varied, from pinball machines and Japanese rhythm games to classic arcade games like Q*bert, Donkey Kong, Tetris, and more. There are racing games, Guitar Hero Arcade, rail shooters, Pop-A-Shot, skee ball, and plenty of other options. I enjoy that most of the people moving around Cidercade feel pretty sophisticated and do not get too rowdy like at other bars. Everyone is there to have a good time and chill. All the games are clean, which is crazy knowing how much beer and how many drinks are being consumed around them. A little booze in your system and playing pinball is an amazing experience, and I cannot wait to go back. RIYL: The Y2K center but you were alive in the 2000s.

This store is genuinely great for gift shopping. If you need a present, you'll probably find…read moresomething perfect without the usual chaos of fighting traffic and crowds on Congress. Much easier to just slip over to 12th Street, do your shopping, and then reward yourself with a drink next door (as you should). Highly recommend for a relaxed, feel-good browse. Also, I've heard about their Pride Market in June ...definitely on my list to visit!

10 STARS ACROSS THE BOARD FOR THE LITTLE GAY SHOP!!!!…read more Anytime I'm traveling, I look for bookstores and libraries. Lucky me this time I paid a visit to The Little Gay Shop. As many times as I've been to Austin, this was my first visit here. We stopped in before getting on the road to head back to Houston. There's a large selection of apparel, socks, stickers, cards for many occasions, enamel pins, decor, art, and books. In my opinion they didn't have the largest selection of books but just enough. It's colorful, bright, and welcoming! Kirt was really friendly and provided us some history/details about the bookstore. We left with enamel pins, stickers, a card, and sweatshirts! The goods are highly worth the value (I mean it's books- duh) When I'm in Austin, I'll make a priority to stop by this bookstore. I looooooooved it! Oh the day we went there was a walk/run going on so streets were blocked and the general parking lot was not being used. All street parking was free and typically is. Their parking lot lies directly across from the bookstore. Enjoy! Check them out!

This was a fun interactive time, that went by really quick…read more There is minimal staff here, 2 at the register and 1 person at the bar. I loved the drink while you art concept and definitely got a drink, which was a good amount of tasty and strong. By far we all loved the first lighting art display the best. The kiddos loved running through it, the changing lights and the music. The other exhibits were less interactive. We enjoyed them as adults, however, the kiddos passed through most of them without interest. The selection was good, but we craved more once we got to the end. I was able to make my drink last the entire time we were there. That being said, the adult prices were fair, however I would not charge children under 12. Overall we had a great time escaping the Texas heat. So if you're looking for a nice adult escape I recommend this thoughtful art space.

Very cool art gallery full of fun and interesting exhibits! They were interactive and immersive…read morewhile maintaining a calm atmosphere. I liked the Submergence exhibit since it had many pretty glowing lights that hung from the ceiling. Great for pictures and videos. Some other exhibits were engaging with movements too. It really involves your various senses with multiple sounds, sights, and things you can touch. You can view at your own pace and no one rushes you. It took us around 2-3 hours to go through everything. There's a wide selection of different installations, so I feel like it's worth the $25 value. There is also a bar with alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks to enjoy. Book your tickets in advance as they have limited spots per time slot so it is not cramped. There's a kiosk near the entrance to check in and then they will help you get started at the front desk. Lots of free parking in front of the building. What a unique and chill place to bring the family. They really are spaces filled with wonder. They do rotate out the exhibits periodically, so there's always more to see. Overall a great experience and I look forward to coming back to see new installations!