Amazing bird find. I Always find birds and new ones for my life list…read more It's not pretty but the birds love it. Must have been over 25 birds that day. I was able to identify 19. Don't get discouraged if you don't see birds right away keep going and even if you do keep going.

I was camping at McKinney Falls State Park near the airport so came up to this refuge to do some…read morebird watching. You have to sign in at the gate, they ask for ID to record and then you are good to go. They take in a lot of yard waste like brush and tree branches for recycling and they process sewage into mulch and also clean water. There are 5 ponds, you can only drive around 3 or 4 as I recall. At first the road is pretty bad. It is on top of the berm that holds the water in and is very uneven and narrow. Eventually I got to better road but at in early December, the main types of birds are ducks. That would be ok if their was marsh or grass and weeds along the shore but the ponds are pretty much open water, so as soon as you get close to any ducks they would fly away to the center of the pond or the other side. I was shooting with an 800mm lens and didn't get many usable shots. As far as species, I mostly saw shovelers, mallards, teal, widgeon and s some red heads. There is one bird hide or blind on the south shore of one of the ponds but again, nothing in the water below to attract feeding ducks. Also when I stopped at the blind there was a guy in his truck with his radio up as loud as possible which didn't do much for keeping ducks around. In the end, I circled all the ponds and left, only took a few pictures. This place might be better at another time of year or in different weather conditions like some fog or low clouds to keep birds down and close to shore.

Came here for the AFI concert. I liked the venue and it seemed really organized. I had a cranberry…read morevodka and it was reasonably priced. We had table seating and the view was nice. The employees were very helpful getting us in and out of there with ease.

The Mavericks & Friends were great. I hope that when it comes to remodeling that the designers…read moreconsidered their challenged and older demographic in its plans. Two elevators are not enough. At least add an escalator from the street to main entrance. Everything else is very good including the staff.

Yikes, this places has A LOT of hate! Yelp fam, y'all are cold blooded! I came here about two weeks…read moreago (the day before I went to the concert at Dickie's Arena). Getting to this venue isn't difficult but what is difficult is getting IN to the venue. Specifically, I had VIP parking but I still had to wait in a single lane to get into the parking lot for more more than 30 minutes. I literally missed the beginning of the show I was supposed to see because I was sitting in my car waiting for the police to direct the one lane of traffic to the general parking lot vs the venue parking lot. Once inside the venue, concert/event goers will see different lines for VIP check-in vs. regular check-in. As I was late to this concert and was VIP, I didn't necessarily have the same problems as the Yelpers who mentioned overly long waits to get in. Once I was in the venue, I went directly to the VIP suites that are located upstairs. The suite I was in had a bar right next to it, therefore when I requested food or drinks, the waitstafff came quickly as they were within earshot. Unlike others who mentioned long waits for service, I think it largely depends upon what tye of admission you are have (general, standing room vs. suite, vs. lower level seating). This is the first outdoor venue I've been to in Central Texas that has suites. It should also be noted that those who have suits also have thier own VIP bathrooms (not porta-potties). Therefore, my opinion of the seating, bathrooms and view of the event is probably slanted because of the type of access I had. *Here's a tip, if you have a membership to the golf course next door, you can sit and listen to the music for free* Once outside the suite, the general merchandise area and event merchandise area was fairly lackluster. Aside from the stereotypical astronomical prices, this section and selections was generally unimpressive. There appeared to be several food options from Texas Barbecue to Nachos with minimal wait for food offerings. The sound of the event was good but not great. This isn't a deal breaker for me as some of the performers had trouble with their equipment. Also for this event, I went to see Blues Travler and John had COVID so this wasn't the best showing for the group. There was another lead singer reading lyrics from a sheet and as everyone knows that no one can be John other than John Popper. I left this concert early as I wanted to avoid the same issue I had getting into the venue with the traffic. I am not sure based upon this showing that I would return to an event here.

I very much enjoyed visiting the WhiteWater Amphitheater for a recent event with ZZ Top and Willie…read moreNelson. We took the back way into town from Austin which turned out to be a very scenic drive along the ridge tops and also looking down into nearby Canyon Lake. Before we arrived, I was concerned about the arrangements of the performance venue as I had a general admission ticket, which is essentially standing room only. The staff at the facility did a great job of marshaling incoming automobile traffic into the parking areas, and managing the lines. We got through the ID and security checks quickly. There are also plenty of food and drink service points so you don't have to wait long for a beer or chow. While it got a little tiring to stand for the two acts, we were able to easily pick out a great spot to view the stage and did not have any issues seeing or hearing the performance. I would come back here to see other acts in the future. Recommended.

It's so easy to ruin a good venue by having Live Nation take over operations. Good job…read moreguys...not!! The venue is great for concerts but not with the Emo's name on it. I was reading someone else's Emo's review from 7 years ago saying a good beer was $7....i knew the prices kept going up since Live Nation taking over, but last night seeing the cheapest beer at $20 was just sad for what's historically a punk club. I was literally there seeing the most punk band ever, the Sex Pistols... But thank God I did the more punk rock thing and bought a tallboy of beer at the 7-eleven next door and drank it before going in so I didn't have to spend a dollar there. Security is mediocre to tough, but they are generally friendly. Parking is a bitch and now it's even harder since the city but a bike lane up and down the road next to the club. Luckily we just parked a 7 minute walk up the hill so we wouldn't risk towed in one of the parking lots. Only reason this isn't a 3-star review is that I see good bands at this venue and it's usually fun. But it's going downhill so I am looking forward to what they have up their sleeves for when they close in a month or so and move to a new downtown location. Surprise us! Then maybe AEG will fix up this venue when they move in...but I won't hold my breath.

I have been going to Emo's since the 90s, and don't expect much, however:…read moreWent to a show Saturday, purchased one Lone Star because I wasn't feeling like getting my buzz on. Sunday received a fraud alert on my debit card for local and online purchases, and Monday see they charged me $14.00 for said Lone Star (plus the tip i left.) Pretty sure that isn't what the screen said when I checked out. Your bartender is a thief. I may have to go there to see some bands, but they certainly will never get any further funds.

A venue that is really not fully equipped to handle such large crowds for the events they…read moreconsciously take money from. The lack of accessibility not only to access the venue which is off of a FM Road, but accessibility for anyone in general is missing. The parking lots are literally dirt lots which is a nightmare when it comes to heavy rain, lack of even hay or loose gravel is irresponsible. They should really make it a point to have all events here require designated park and ride to avoid the congestion of the one lane, two way road.

I attended an event here and there was no notice that there was a fee for parking. There are no…read moreother parking options so you are forced to pay. Directions to the event were not clear. GPS took us a route on a dirt road by houses that led to a closed gate. Lots of cars backed up because we couldn't get through the gate and everyone had to turn around on this narrow dirt road. We all had to wait while 1 car at a time did a turn around. As we were driving back down that road we passed so many cars also going the wrong way. The ranch has a 2nd entrance near a landscape supplier. There were no signs, etc. leading us to the event. I think they could do a better job hosting events.

This is a great place to go to a concert or catch a live taping of Austin City Limits, the longest…read morerunning music television show that airs on PBS stations. Many people say there isn't a bad seat in the venue but I strongly disagree. The higher balcony seats can suck, especially on the far right side of the stage since you're above the speakers and the sound sucks. You'd think they would do better sound design and care about the people that but tickets on the top too (and add a few smaller speakers up in front of those music fans that paid for tickets too. Drinks are a bit pricey but if you tip you can get a heavy pour from the bartenders. Just be nice to them and they usually do the same back.

My daughter and I traveled from Los Angeles as Concert Tourists to see The Pretty Reckless at ACL…read moreLive. It was our first experience at this venue and we will be back. From asking for help to an ADA accessible elevator to the incredible sound system to the amazing ushers and staff. When we asked for the ADA accessible entrance and elevator, one the staff walked us to the entrance and made sure we were on our way. Texas hospitality! Then taking the elevator to the top was easy, but slow (some elevators are that way). The only issue was the the stair to our seats were a steep grade. UGH! My fear of heights kicked in and it was a little unnerving even though every one around me was fine! When my daughter brought our merch and drinks, the usher helped her. And when I got up to use the restroom, a fellow customer and the usher helped me. The usher then suggested as the seats at the top were empty to sit there. He even went to tell my daughter that we were moving. Texas hospitality again! This is a beautiful venue and we hope to be BACK!!!

After reluctantly seeing Flaming Lips here recently, I affirm my ZERO STAR RATING (pay no attention…read moreto that lone star--i can't find the zero key) for what used to be the Austin Music Hall, but is now a venue which yearns to be nearly as awful as my high school gym, or the Grange Hall out in Nesbitt, but fails to reach even that level of abysmal. The entrance (when you finally find it) sucks, the bar sucks, the lines for the bar and the john (which cross) suck, the security staff seems hell bent on making everyone feel as welcome as a fart in church and best of all, the acoustics boggle the mind with how much they manage to make even a great band with good sound board engineers come off sounding like a bad clock radio in front of a Fisher-Price "My First Megaphone." This is the music hall equivalent of "The Producers," clearly designed to suck and lose money, except it's not funny at all. What IS funny is how fast it will be reduced to hosting stamp collector conventions and WWE cage matches once the new Austin City Limits Studio opens up about 2/10 mile East. Live Nation will be booking the 320 nights a year that ACL is not taping a show, in their brand new purpose-built $30 million theater with two balconies, 2,750 seats and designed to be acoustically perfect for television and radio broadcast (as well as in person) by Steven Durr, a Nashville recording-studio acoustic designer. Should be REALLY easy to sell an expensive show with 3rd rate bands in a venue with horrible sound and terrible sightlines staffed by people that hate customers about 1,000 feet away from Austin's new "dream theater." Yeah right. Take THAT Austin Music Hall. So long.

Eh... Ehhhhhh........ that's really all I can think of to describe this place…read more Last night was my first time venturing into the Austin Music Hall - I've heard they recently remodeled it, and I'm not sure how they really improved it, but since I didn't see the before, I won't bash the after - too much. Muhahahaha. Immediately when arriving it wasn't clear which line was for what - do I go into this line if I already have a ticket, or is this line for Will-Call - what!? Annoying. Then, the not-so-friendly door guy confiscated my water. I'm sure the Counting Crows have had some recent terrorist threats, so I was willing to let that one go. Once inside, I immediately noticed the super ugly and view-blocking sound stage that covered a good portion of what could be standing area. Who thought of this design? I'd like to take you out for a drink or two to talk to you about this. When my boyfriend arrived a little late, I went to head out to the front of the venue to give him his ticket so he could get in, and was told by the door lady that if I went out, I wouldn't be able to get back in. Um, seriously? What if a friend that I was with had an emergency and I had to take her home and wanted to come back and not waste my $45 ticket? (has happened before, so it's not out of the realm of possibility) I wouldn't be able to get back in? Really? LAME. Who came up with that rule? I'd like them to take ME out for a drink or two. The one good thing about this place, was the ease of being able to get pretty close to the stage. Yes, we were off to the side a little, but we were pretty close and if I were there to see a band that I really really liked, it might have trumped all the bad. Maybe. Also, $4.50 for a Lone Star, AMH? Ugh. You disgust me with your trying-to-be-like-Disneyland antics. If I ever spend $45 to go to this place again, it better be Jesus on that stage!!