Hill Country Suffers Flood
If you've got a trip to the Hill Country planned for the coming days, be sure to check the latest on road and weather conditions. Twenty inches of rain on Wednesday morning in Marble Falls brought about a catastrophic flood in that community; other areas have experienced road closures and detours. Flooding on the Highland Lakes goes from Lake Buchanan all the way to Lake Austin.
Check lake conditions on the
LCRA website. Local news stations such as
KVUE,
News8Austin, and
KXAN have information on road closures and conditions plus area forecasts.
Labels: Hill Country
posted by Paris and John @ 4:28 PM
Last Chance for ACL Festival Tickets
Individual three-day passes are sold out, but it’s not too late to rock with Bob Dylan, Robert Earl Keen, The White Stripes, Joss Stone and more at the sixth annual Austin City Limits (ACL) Music Festival, September 14-16. Austin Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) offers exclusive access to three-day passes through an ACL travel package available only at
www.austintexas.org.
With some 130 bands performing on eight stages and genres ranging from indie rock to gospel, the music festival showcases local and up-and-coming artists alongside some of the nation’s biggest acts. Austin CVB’s package includes discounted three-day passes ($135) and a minimum of two nights hotel accommodations. Not only does the package save concert-goers money on their tickets, but it also secures a hotel room in Austin before the entire city sells out.
For package details, visit
www.austintexas.org. For more information on the festival, including the lineup and schedule, visit
www.aclfestival.com.
Labels: Austin, Festivals
posted by Paris and John @ 4:26 PM
Independence Day Fun in Austin, Nearby
As the capital city, it's no surprise that Austin parties with the best of them on Independence Day. The party starts early on July 3, when the Biscuit Brothers Live! Red White and Blue Benefit Concert takes the stage at the Paramount Theatre. Raise your voice at this patriotic sing-a-long, which will be recorded for a live DVD. More information is available at
www.austintheatre.org.
On July 4
Fourth festivities begin with a “bang” at 8 a.m., when runners and walkers take off through downtown Austin in the RunTex Freedom 5K. This first annual event starts at MoPac Expressway and Veterans Drive and weaves a leisurely path along Town Lake and back to the starting line. Families are welcome to participate together. For more information, visit www.runtex.com.
Austin’s largest Independence Day celebration returns to Zilker Park’s Lou Neff Point, where some 100,000 people enjoy the Austin Symphony July Fourth Concert and Fireworks. Highlights of the evening include a rousing rendition of the "1812 Overture," punctuated by booming cannons and an elaborate fireworks display over Town Lake. This free event continues from 8:30 until 10 p.m., with fireworks beginning at 9:30 p.m. Capital Metro’s free shuttle service runs from 4-11 p.m. from Waterloo Park to the Mopac footbridge over Town Lake at Stephen F. Austin Blvd. For more information, visit www.austinsymphony.org.
Austin firefighters and Whole Foods Market join forces for “Fire in the Sky” from 7-10 p.m. This party on the store’s rooftop plaza, which benefits the Austin Firefighters Community Education Fund, features live music, good food and a great view of the fireworks at Zilker Park. Tickets are $7. More information is available at www.wholefoodsmarket.com.
Surrounding Towns
Georgetown’s Independence Day Celebration calls for all-day festivities at San Gabriel Park. Events begin at 11 a.m. with a “Hometown Parade,” as well as local Texas artists performing in the Gazebo. More than 80 arts and crafts booths, food vendors and a children's area with games, a petting zoo, train rides and face painting are available. The “Fabulous Fireworks Finale” at dark concludes the party. Visit www.georgetownsertoma.org for more information.
The city of Buda hosts its Red, White and Buda celebration, which includes children’s activities, crafts, games and live entertainment. A fireworks display and music in the park conclude the evening. For more information, visit www.budachamber.com.
The Round Rock Fourth of July Fireworks and Frontier Days Celebration starts with a parade through downtown Round Rock at 10 a.m. Afterwards, head to Old Settler's Park for “Wild West” fun with reenactments of the Sam Bass shootout, a pepper-eating contest, moon bounces, pony rides, food and more. After a skydiving show, fireworks explode in the night sky to the accompaniment of the Austin Symphonic Band. For details, visit www.roundrockfrontierdays.com.
San Marcos SummerFest returns for its 27th year of riverside festivities on July 4 from 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Events at Sewell Park, on the campus of Texas State University, include food and activity booths, parade and costume contest for kids. Live music continues throughout the day. Lifeguards are on duty, so dive in and enjoy a swim in the river. At 9 p.m., an illuminated float parade travels down the river and is followed by a fireworks exhibition. Details are available at www.summerfestsanmarcos.com.Labels: Austin, Festivals
posted by Paris and John @ 4:20 PM
Austin Hot Spots Included in 1000 Places to See Guide
The New York Times bestselling author Patricia Schulz, author of 1000 Places to See Before You Die, has just released 1000 Places To See in the U.S. and Canada Before You Die--and it includes several Austin events and attractions as “must-sees.”
The book provides visitors with everything they need to experience the best of the destination by detailing what is unique and appealing about the attraction, when and where to find it and how to get more information.
What's her pick of the must see sites in the Capitol City? Austin's appearances include:
• Central Texas Barbecue – “Where’s the Beef?”“The very best Texas barbecue is found in the middle of the state. …The Austin venue of choice is Iron Works, an old tin building near the state capitol, the University of Texas campus, and the party corridor known as Sixth Street.”
• Lake Austin Spa Resort – “Taking Care of Body and Soul”“Lake Austin Spa Resort…has emerged as one of the country’s premier destination spas. The resort makes the most of its waterfront location: All 40 of its charming country-style rooms are laid out in single file along and arbor-lined walkway facing the lake.”
• Austin’s Live Music Scene – “Letting the Good Times Roll”“Although it’s the seat of state government and home to one of the largest universities in the nation, Austin’s soul really comes from its music. Laid-back and fun-loving, the city bills itself as the Live Music Capital of the World, and boasts nearly 200 venues offering everything from rockabilly to Tejano year-round.”
• Spamarama & the Austin Festival Subculture – “Madcap Merriment in the Capital City”“Growing ever more hilarious, the daylong [Spamarama] draws thousands of revelers to Spamophilic events,… Springtime fun in Austin continues with Eeyore’s Birthday Party…Pun-off World Championships,… [and] the stunning sight of 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats…taking flight to make supper of up to 30,000 pounds of insects each night.”
Labels: Austin
posted by Paris and John @ 4:14 PM
Dallas's Hilton Anatole Hotel Offering Family Package
Looking for a family-friendly Texas getaway this summer? Dallas's Hilton Anatole Hotel has put together a summer Family Fun Getaway Package that includes not only good room rates but discounts at some of Dallas’ finest family friendly venues including the Dallas Zoo, the Dallas Arboretum, Six Flags Over Texas / Hurricane Harbor, the Texas Rangers, and more. The Family Fun Getaway Package includes great deals, fun for the whole family and rates as low as $154.00 per night.
The Package: The Family Fun Getaway Package is priced at $154.00 per night and includes:
• Deluxe guestroom accommodations
• Complimentary breakfast for two adults and two children under 12 at the Hilton Anatole’s Terrace restaurant
• Special discount on Dallas Zoo tickets (One free child admission with a full-price paid adult admission)
• Special discount to the Dallas Arboretum ($2 off tickets)
• Buy one ticket, get one free offer from Texas Rangers Baseball (Offer valid June 1, 2007 thru Sept. 9, 2007. Subject to availability.)
• Special discount to Six Flags/Hurricane Harbor ( $10.00 off all tickets (adult, senior and “guests 45 inches and under”) to Six Flags (valid through Dec. 30, 2007); $10.00 off all tickets to Hurricane Harbor (valid Mon. thru Fri., May 28 – Sept. 3, 2007) or $5.00 off all tickets to Hurricane Harbor (valid Sat. thru Sun. May 26 – Sept. 30, 2007)
• Fifteen percent discount to the Hilton Anatole shopping boutiques
• Self-guided tour of the Hilton Anatole’s art collection
The Fine Print: A few details for families to note: Children under 18 not permitted in health club. The package is available June 1 through September 9, 2007. The package and its elements are valid only during the applicable guest reservation date and are subject to availability, blackout dates and to change without notice. Gratuities, transportation, parking, other service fees and incidentals are not included. No refund on unused features. Not valid for groups or conventions. Cancellation fees may apply. Passes, vouchers and certificates are not redeemable for cash and are void if duplicated. Rate subject to change.
Fun for Families: Within the Hilton Anatole’s 45-acre campus, families can enjoy the hotel’s three pools, the recently renovated 80,000-square-foot health club, the private seven-acre Anatole Sculpture Park, On-Command movies and games in their guestroom and discounts to the hotel’s restaurants and boutiques, including the Children’s Corner boutique. Guests can begin their weekend with a free, self-guided tour of the
Hilton Anatole’s own Art Collection . The collection features selected pieces from one of the largest and most intriguing private art assemblies in the world, including works by Pablo Picasso, J. Seward Johnson Jr. and Josiah Wedgwood, many of which once graced the royal palaces of kings, emperors and czars from Japan, China, India, Southeast Asia and Europe.
For More Information:• call (214) 748-1200 (Hotel Main Number), (800) 955-4281 or 1(800) HILTONS
• visit
the Hilton Anatole websiteLabels: Dallas
posted by Paris and John @ 7:52 PM
