All Blog Entries by staff writer

Hyde Park offers a snapshot of authentic Austin history through its gracious old homes and clapboard bungalows. It’s the oldest, and arguably the most coveted, neighborhood in the Texas capital.

The suburb's two historic districts – the rather evocatively named Shadow Lawn and Hyde Park Historic District – include many buildings that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Walk the quiet tree-lined streets and you’ll encounter examples of Victorian, Queen Anne and Tudor Revival architecture. You'll also discover the eccentric dream homes of legendary old Austinites, which feature a mélange of architectural styles.

Elisabet Ney Museum

© image via Tomkatunion

The cornerstone of Hyde Park’s historic districts is the…

Austin's South Congress, or SoCo, is known and loved for its funky boutiques, retro stores, kaleidoscopic neon-lit signs, and gracious old homes.

Another standout feature of this popular neighborhood is its large selection of gourmet food trucks and trailers. Walking the sidewalks, you’ll find anything and everything, from burritos, barbecue ribs, and sweet and savory crepes to Phuket pork buns, kimchee fries, and oh so tempting tapas.

To help make sure you don't miss out on the best of Austin's tempting sidewalk fare, we’ve hunted down some of the top-rated food trucks that operate in and around South Congress.

Chi’Lantro

© image via 365 Things Austin

A fusion of Korean and Mexican food is the mainstay of Chi’Lantro, home of the…

The Lake Travis Independent School Distinct (LTISD) oversees nine schools in the communities of southwestern Travis County. Its focus is on providing a "comprehensive curriculum emphasizing scholastic emphasis."

The LTISD member schools include the Bee Cave, Lake Pointe, Lake Travis, Lakeway, Serene Hills, and West Cypress Hills elementary Schools; Hudson Bend and Lake Travis Middle Schools, and Lake Travis High School.

Lake Travis Independent School District grabs top honors

According to the latest ratings by independent and state ratings agencies, the LTISD has more than met its mandate.

This is confirmed by Greatschools.org, a non-profit organization that rates schools and publishes parent, teacher, and student reviews. It has given a…

Austin is known and loved for its music, food trailers, and distinctly quirky Texan culture, captured in the city's "Keep Austin Weird" slogan. It's also a paradise for shoppers.

Funky boutiques, vinyl record outlets, and independent book stores rub shoulders with contemporary emporiums, farmers' markets, and big brand department stores.

Here we review some of the most appealing Austin inner city shopping districts.

South Congress Avenue

The strip along South Congress Avenue, colloquially known as SoCo, is known for its trendy, upscale boutiques and bohemian stores, along with fashionable cafés and food trailers selling everything from cupcakes and Louisiana fried chicken to burritos and barbecue ribs.

Popular SoCo shopping destinations…

Allandale is an attractive, upscale community located minutes away from the shopping, entertainment, and business hub of Downtown Austin. Tree-lined streets, large allotments, and lovely old homes define this family-friendly neighborhood.

In addition to Allandale proper, the community includes the more petite Austin North neighborhoods of Treadwell, Shoal village, Shoalmont, Highland Village, Highland Park, Green Acres, Crestmont, and Edgewood.

Ideal location

Allandale enjoys a convenient, central location, between Burnet Road, Mopac 1, Anderson Lane, and 45th Street. It's within an easy stroll of the Austin CBD and is near the city's historic parks, the Austin campus of the University of Texas, and key entertainment and retail zones.

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With graduation rates at an all-time high and its high schools recognized as some of the best in central Texas, South Austin is a prized neighborhood for families seeking a well-rounded education for their children.

Highly rated Austin Independent School District (AISD)

South Austin is currently served by 13 schools, including two high schools, two middle schools, and nine elementary schools. These all fall within the highly rated Austin Independent School District (AISD).

The AISD is recognized state-wide as a model for urban public education. In 2015, 111 of the 130 schools that fall under the auspices of the AISD were awarded the highest "met standards" ranking by the Texas Education Agency.

The district also received the maximum number of…

Austin may be the music capital of the world but the cuisine has to come in a sizzling second. Food trailers, famer's markets, and star-rated restaurants abound, on street corners, in urban parks, and atop gleaming skyscrapers with sweeping views of Tower Lake.

The big BBQ boogaloo

Although the honey-hickory scent of slow smoked ribs is no longer the only pungent aroma to assault the senses of salivating Austinites, barbecue joints with oak-fired smokers and grungy, tattooed pit masters still pull in the public in their droves.

That's because it's hard to beat authentic Texan fare like pulled pork, smoked brisket, and racks of ribs. You can get your BBQ fix directly from the fire pit, from weather-beaten trailers, or from the fabled Franklin…

With its balmy climate, Austin rocks all year round. The city offers everything from fireworks, festivals, and real Texas rodeos to authentic pubs with well-rounded Texan beer, trendy bistros and laid back cafés specialising in healthy, homemade fare.

Here we provide an overview of just some of the key activities that keep Austin residents (and thousands of visitors) entertained year round.

What to do in Austin in the springtime

As the bluebonnets, Blackfoot daisies, and butterfly weeds burst out all over Hill Country, Austin shakes off the last of winter with a series of springtime festivals.

The four-day Euphoria Fest, featuringelectronica and hip hop, is one of the most popular music festivals in Texas. Attractions include a killer line-up,…

The Zephyr takes riders on a scenic ride around Zilker park.

Austinites have access to acres upon acres of parkland and wildlife conservancies. Some are located within the city limits, while others are just slightly further afield.

In and around Austin, you'll find manicured grasslands that are perfect for picnics and games; deep refreshing pools fed by natural springs; and remaining tracts of wild Texas, populated by wild flowers, white-tailed deer, and silvery-gray opossums.

Best urban parks in Austin

Austin is known for its urban parks, which provide ample trails and wide-open spaces right in the heart of the city.

Zilker Park

Blues on the Green at Zilker Park - photo via Xarifx | Dreamstime.com

The crown jewel of Austin's urban…

Austin boasts some of the most eclectic neighborhoods in Texas, with attractions that range from trendy boutiques, art galleries, and health-food eateries to authentic old buildings, antique and curiosity stores, and gritty bars, popular for their great local music.

Urban chic communities

Stroll through the shaded streets of Austin, and you’ll encounter urban chic communities raised on hip-slapping, hand-clapping, live music bands. You’ll be able to feast on tacos, falafel, and barbecued ribs, prepared and sold from mobile food vans.

Factor in vintage retail stores, access to networks of wilderness trails, and proximity to the Colorado River and Lake System, and there are a handful of Austin suburbs that are, indeed, cooler than cool.

Old…