101 things we’re excited to do in Austin this summer

This year, Zilker Park turns 101 years old! To honor Austin’s favorite park, here are 101 things the Zilker Media team is excited to do this summer:

  1. Head to Zilker Park for a round of Frisbee golf
  2. …or if it’s too hot, watch dogs chase frisbees instead.
  3. Then, head to the free part of the springs so your dog can take a dip.
  4. The Zilker Zephyr is fun if you’ve never done it!
  5. We also love going kayaking…
  6. …or stand up paddle boarding!
  7. See the musical at the Zilker Hillside Theater
  8. A summer staple is Blues on the Green! The lineup isn’t out yet, but you can save the dates, here

  9. If you’d rather escape the heat, heat to Domain Northside to wander around Nordstrom for the afternoon…
  10. …or hit up North Loop for vintage shopping.
  11. See what the new Uncommon Objects location is like.
  12. First Thursday at South Congress is always a good time…
  13. …or head just south to 2nd Street for more boutique shopping.
  14. Spend the afternoon at Book People adding to your “To-Read” list.

  15. Hungry? Play tourist for the day and watch the sunset at Oasis at Lake Travis.
  16. Maybe it’s time to FINALLY wait in line for Franklins?
  17. Ugh, you woke up too late for Franklins? Head to Salt Lick instead.
  18. Upstairs at Caroline for tacos and adult snow-cones on a downtown rooftop.
  19. Trailer Food Tuesday at the Long Center to try out the newest food truck fare
  20. Maybe head to Mueller’s farmer market on a Sunday…
  21. …or to HMart for grocery shopping and snacking at market eatery.
  22. Head to Fareground for the food hall experience…
  23. …or if you’re feeling fancy, afternoon tea is served at Brentwood Social House on Sundays.
  24. Go to Colleen’s Kitchen for blogger-worthy fare…
  25. …or Eden East for farm to table food…
  26. …or Pool Burger for a burgers and tiki drinks.
  27. Literally everything is good at Fresas.
  28. Or, experience the pizza, beer and live music trifeca at ABGB.

  29. Not hungry? You can’t beat drinking a margarita on a porch during an Austin summer. My favorite is the classic frozen at Santa Rita
  30. …while Paige likes the Sangria Swirl Margarita at Shady Grove.
  31. Nichole prefers the margs and rooftop at El Alma
  32. …while Rusty says you can’t beat the margarita at Trudy’s.
  33. Patti gets fancy with a marg at La Condesa
  34. …while Wes keeps it classic with a marg at Chuy’s.
  35. We’re also excited to explore all the breweries around our office on Fitzhugh road. From sipping on a sour at Jester King
  36. …to an IPA at Last Stand Brewery.
  37. If we’re in the mood for a cider, head to Argus Cidery
  38. …or if we’re in the mood for something harder, across the way is Revolution Spirits
  39. …or Nine Banded’s Whiskey Tasting Room, if we’re feeling adventurous…
  40. …or Deep Eddy Distillery, if we want to still with the classics. Obviously we’ll be taking a RideAustin home.
  41. Maybe take a trip to spot Jensen Ackles at Family Business Beer Company.
  42. On Fitzhugh but in the mood for wine? Head to Solaro Estate Winery for Award-winning wines
  43. Don’t want to leave Austin? Our newest favorite spot is Infinite Monkey Theorem Urban Winery.
  44. Or, if you’re in the mood for a day trip, take a day trip to Spicewood Vineyards.
  45. Lastly, for something completely different, Kitty Cohen’s is a great place for cocktails and an Instagram-worthy pool.https://www.instagram.com/p/Bh4twZghRfz/?hl=en&taken-by=amysicecreams
  46. You can’t have summer without ice cream. Some of our favorites we’re excited to have this summer are the white chocolate ice cream at Amy’s
  47. …and the goat cheese ice cream at Lick.
  48. We’re also excited to try Cow Tipping Creamery, which we still haven’t been to!
  49. More summer favorites are a dip cone at Sandy’s
  50. …or a shake from P. Terry’s.
  51. For the days when we’re committed to dairy free, go to Sweet Ritual for locally-made vegan ice cream…
  52. …or Teo for gelato…
  53. …or Dolce Neve for MORE gelato.
  54. You can’t beat Sno-Beach after a day at Barton Springs.
  55. Or head to Casey’s New Orleans Snowballs for something different.
  56. Have we already suggested enough frozen treats? One more: The gourmet popsicles from Steel City Pops.
  57. See the summer blockbusters at Alamo Drafthouse
  58. …or heat north to iPic Austin for a movie and dinner, all in a reclining chair…
  59. …or get your fix of classic movies at the Paramount’s Summer Classic Film Series
  60. …or just keep it simple and sneak in Chick-Fil-A you bought at the Barton Creek Mall food court into a movie at the AMC movie theater there (not like we’ve ever done that…)https://www.instagram.com/p/Bh9Ve0jnBXE/?hl=en&taken-at=220215688
  61. Looking for more indoor summer fun? We love karaoke at The Highball. It’s free from 4-7 pm on weekdays!
  62. See what’s new at the Blanton. It’s still free on Thursdays!
  63. Pinballz Arcade is BYOB and now has multiple locations!
  64. Venture into the heat and play a round or two at Peter Pan Mini Golf
  65. …or get a little more serious at Butler Park Pitch & Putt.
  66. Love bar trivia, but want to try something new? Try the new Bar Spelling Bee from Trivia512 at Spiderhouse.
  67. Bring a sunset wine and cheese picnic to the Pennybacker Bridge 360 Overlook.
  68. Check out Esther’s Follies…
  69. …or explore even more comedy at Austin many’s improv theaters.
  70. Book the Capital Bat Cruise on the Fourth of July for fireworks and bat watching.
  71. Enjoy the beautiful new central library and pick up a few poolside reads.
  72. Check out the new NLand Surf Park.
  73. Spend the afternoon at Topgolf
  74. …or at Dart Bowl for bowling and enchiladas.
  75. Enjoy the Texas State Captail lawns at night…
  76. …or walk off all that ice cream on the hike and bike trails
  77. …or bike the boardwalk at Lady Bird Lake.
  78. Take more Instagrams of the peacocks at Mayfield
  79. …or in the flowers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

  80. A summer in Austin isn’t complete without music, and it’s already started at Shady Grove’s Unplugged at the Grove (celebrating it’s 25th year!)
  81. See music and a movie on the Long Center lawn at the Long Center’s Cinema and Sounds events.
  82. Willie Nelson’s 4th of July Picnic with Sturgill Simpson, Margo Price, The Head and the Heart, and more.
  83. KUTX’s The Wine Down at 3TEN Austin City Limits Live is amazing acts in an intimate setting with free music and food plus wine (of course).
  84. And for more music and museum goodness we’re heading to Music Under the Star in July at the Bob Bullock Museum’s Lone Star Plaza.https://www.instagram.com/p/BbAjB86B5BR/?utm_source=ig_embed
  85. Obviously summer means swimming. If you’re lucky enough to go get reservation (or know someone who did), go to Hamilton Pool
  86. …or Jacob’s Well.
  87. When you inevitably can’t get into either, head to the beautiful Krause Springs..
  88. …OR the Blue Hole in Wimberley…
  89. …OR the Blue Hole in Georgetown..
  90. … and of course, there’s always the greenbelt
  91. …or Hippie Hollow 😉
  92. You can always rent a boat on Lake Travis
  93. …or head to Pedernales Falls to hike around
  94. Downtown? The WET Deck at the W Hotel is open to the public.

  95. On a more personal note, we’re excited for Nichole’s wedding in August!
  96. We’re also stoked for our Zilker Media annual barge party in June…
  97. …and eat veggies from our Zilker Media garden…
  98. …and ride those electric scooters that have been popping up around downtown!
  99. Spend some time volunteering and walk the dogs at Austin Pets Alive!
  100. Or, book a night at a Community Inn tiny home, which proceeds benefit Mobile Loaves and Fishes’ operations and programs.
  101. And of course, swim in Barton Springs Pool.

What are you excited for this summer?

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