Deals in Tarrytown

In parts of the country where outdoor dining is only limited to a few months a year, “patio weather” is a big deal. Those in the Pacific Northwest, for example, relish in the few months when the drizzle peels away to reveal fair weather. We in Austin, on the other hand, dread the heat and worse, mosquitos.  Fortunately, the Fall weather shift unveiled ideal conditions to wine and dine on the patio, from happy hour until last call. Austin's restaurants have long been taking advantage of patio season. Here are a few of my favourites: Olive & June is home to a multi-level patio that's suited for all occasions, from simply lounging to elegant private events.  Shaded by large trees in the quaint Bryker Woods neighborhood, the patio is one of the best in the city to enjoy artisanal Italian fare and speciality cocktails. Like other establishments in town by Chef/Owner Shawn Cirkiel, Olive & June offers attractive happy hour specials featuring creative small plates & craft drinks. Benji’s, a relative newcomer is earning a lot of buzz for their upscale yet playful Tex Mex menu and dramatic architecture.  During patio season, their spacious roof top draws an eclectic crowd.  The open-air venue with water features overlooks West 6th street.  This colorful oasis in the heart of downtown becomes hopping at night. The patio has its own bar so guests don't have to wait long for one of their fresh, seasonal margaritas. Tucked away at the W Hotel, Trace is an unassuming gem for kicking back.  The relaxed atmosphere and comfy lounge seating makes this an excellent spot to people-watch.  Guests can also enjoy their small bites happy hour menu and innovative, locally-sourced plates, all paired with regional spirits and wines.  Live bands set the tone on Thursday evenings so don't miss out. Lively neighbourhood fixture, Contigo, is essentially one expansive patio with a covered section. The inviting outdoor space is great for restless kids and is also dog-friendly. Strings of lights above create an intimate mood when the sun sets. The kitchen dishes up innovative farm-focused plates using sustainable ingredients.  They take their drinks seriously too, serving up thirst-quenching cocktails, wines, and a large selection of local craft brews. If we're summing up the best-of-the-best patios, it would be unjust to ignore The Oasis.  This scenic hot spot overlooking Lake Travis is a longstanding go-to for visitors.  While this hangout is not recognized for their casual cuisine, it's still undeniably one of the best locations to savor the sunset and live music on weekends.

Austin is such a photogenic city; it makes it tough to take a bad picture. These are some of my favorite places to play photographer. Mount Bonnell: Upon ascending the hundred or so stairs to the top of Mount Bonnell, you’ll understand why it’s a top destination for both locals and tourists. At 785 feet, it’s the highest point within the city limits. Standing at the top offers a one of a kind view in all directions from downtown to the 360 bridge. University of Texas Tower: The tower on its own always makes for an amazing photograph; it’s pretty much the icon of the University. The real treat though, is to go on a ‘Tower Tour,' and to take in the view from the top of the tower. Tower tours offer a complete 360 view of the city. ProTip: Go on the last tour of the day. They start right before sunset, so you get to witness a magnificent show as the colors change and the sun fades into the horizon. Tours are $6.00. Always check the schedule and be sure to make a reservation. 360 Bridge Overlook: The 360 Bridge, or Pennybacker Bridge, is as much part of Austin as the Capitol. There have been countless photos taken from the overlook, it often appears in Facebook profile pictures, it’s even one of the artifacts in my Austin Snow globe. You can climb up the extremely mild hike to get a first class view of the bridge with views all the way to downtown. While you’re in the area, I’d also recommend crossing the bridge and going over to the boat launch as you can get some pretty sweet angels from right underneath the bridge. Barton Springs: One of the things that I enjoy most about Barton Springs is it draws patrons of all walks of life. It’s like a freeze frame of Austin where, even though the faces change throughout the years, everyone is still going there for the same reasons: to enjoy the laid back freedom you feel while hanging out there. I always catch myself snapping photos of the gorgeous springs but also of others as they frolic in the waters or alongside the pool. Baylor Street Art Wall: Often called “graffiti park,” “art wall,” “castle hill,” or “the Foundation,” this is the place to go for street art in Austin. This property was once slated to be condos; the foundation was poured, but things never moved forward from there. Eventually, local artists used the blank concrete foundation as their canvas. Now it’s constantly changing, and you'll often find new works or old favorites covered up from visit to visit. This place really is a two-for-one photo op because you can explore all the graffiti, and then climb to the top to discover a breathtaking view of downtown. I can sit at the top for hours while taking in the beauty of the city. It’s truly a unique Austin treasure. Doug Sahm Hill: This hill located at Butler Park next to the Long Center provides a postcard view of the city’s skyline. Also, in the concrete at the top of the hill, there's a huge map of Texas carved into the ground with many city's names listed along with their distances to Austin.

Kung Fu Saloon - 510 Rio Grande Street Arcade junkies, this is your destination for Sunday Funday. Their vintage arcade games are free all day so you can get lost in Ms. Packman for hours. They also have classics like Street Fighter, Big Buck Hunter and more. Be sure to hit up the Build Your Own Blood Mary Bar, or have a few dollar mimosas if that's more your speed. By Sunday afternoon, it gets pretty rowdy, and surely a few patrons end up calling in sick on Monday. Sundays 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. Tacos & Tequila (TNT) - 507 Pressler Street All-you-can-eat-and-drink can be a dangerous combination. At a cool $18.95, TNT hosts a Sunday Brunch that's well worth the price of admission. It’s almost magical how every time your glass is near empty, you can look away for a moment, and it's filled to the brim again. The buffet style brunch covers everything from house made guacamole to Belgian waffles, so you're sure to find something that's right up your alley.  10:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. The Goodnight - 2700 West Anderson Lane #101 This adult playground offers free bowling and free karaoke all day on Sundays. Come hungry, because they have an extensive brunch menu that is top notch. You can find anything from a simple grilled cheese, to a steak and egg breakfast platter. They have dollar mimosas and 32oz MegaMosas for those who are mega thirsty. Come early and stay late because their dinner menu is just as amazing; add free games to the mix, and what more could you ask for? The Park at The Domain - 11601 Domain Drive The Park at the Domain hosts a solid Sunday Brunch, buffet style ($15) and endless dollar mimosa. What sets them apart from the other dollar mimosa joints in town is that they always have several different flavors of juice for your mimosa to choose from. There's nothing ‘chill’ about Sundays at The Park at the Domain; they have a DJ, and a dance floor that gets hopping after a few rounds of mimosas. They also have plenty of TV’s, and there isn't a bad seat in the house if you're looking to catch a game. Banger’s Sausage and Beer - 79 Rainey Street As if this Rainey Street gem couldn’t be any more enticing, on Sundays they host a Big Band Brunch that's simply amazing. They have a special brunch menu that will make any meat eaters mouth water, and drinks that are dangerously good. Their ManMosa is a liter mug filled with a bottle of champagne; yes, a whole bottle, topped off with a splash of cranberry or OJ. If that's a little too aggressive, you can check out the Build Your Own Bloody Mary bar. There’s live music from noon until 3:00 p.m. and your pup is always welcome to come join the party. 
 Sundays noon – 3:00 p.m. Last words: In the summer, it goes with out saying your Sunday Funday should involve the lake. So buddy up to your friend with that boat, pack a cooler and head on out for the ultimate Sunday Funday. For more ideas, check out our deals for things to do in Austin.