Things To Do In Lakeway

So you suddenly find yourself with an unexpected day off in the city. What to do you ask? A little bit of playing tourist in your own town, followed by checking off a few of those things you’ve ‘been meaning to get too.’  Start early, because you have a full day ahead of you. Franklin BBQ - 900 E. 11th Street You've heard tales of the endless lines at Franklin BBQ, and you wouldn't dare waste one of your weekend mornings there. Here's the secret, go on weekday... Tuesday or Wednesday if your schedule allows. You will still deal with a line, but not anything like the one you'd find on a weekend. It’s worth the wait, and you've probably recommended it to every friend who visits Austin, but have you ever been there yourself? Rent A Rocket Electric - 1608 E. Riverside You need to burn off those BBQ calories. While I highly recommend one of their guided tours, you can also just choose to rent a bike and cruise around town on your own. If you’ve never been on an electric bike (I hadn’t), you need to try it. Regardless of your biking abilities, these things are great. I’d describe them as a cross between a moped and a beach-cruiser. You can pedal when you want to, and give it some juice when you don’t. If you have enough time to plan ahead, the "Live Music Capital of the World Tour" is awesome and ends with your own private concert on Lady Bird Lake. Visit The Mayfield Park Peacocks - 3505 W. 35th Street Now for something low key. Someone at your office has surely mentioned these elusive peacocks that stroll around Mayfield Park like they own the place. There's something so ‘Secret Garden’ about this place, and the fact that the peacocks come right up to you and show off their feathers is just icing on the cake. Visit the Capitol 
 As an Austinite, this is surely one of those things that you keep meaning to make time for, but you've never gotten around to actually doing. Just go. Being on the grounds alone feels incredibly historic, and looking up at the dome from the inside is pretty breathtaking. Fun fact: the star in the center at the top of the dome looks tiny, but is actually eight feet in diameter. Wandering around on your own is fun, but they also offer both guided and self-guided tours for free. Tours last about 45 minutes and run year round. Check out their website for more details. Treat Yourself at Milk + Honey – What's better to do with unexpected free time? This is my favorite spa downtown when I'm looking for an afternoon of rejuvenation and self improvement. They offer massages, waxing, body treatments, manicures, pedicures, and much more. I promise, you’ll be planning your next visit before you walk out the door. There's no denying it feels great to be pampered. Watch The Sun Go Down at Mount Bonnell - 3800 Mt. Bonnell Road You’ve had a long day, and Austin sunsets are the best way to end one. Head on over to Mount Bonnell for the ultimate sunset. Upon ascending the hundred or so steps to the top, you’ll immediately realize why it's such a popular destination for both tourists and locals alike. Random fact: it has the title of highest point within the City Limits, at 785 feet. The view is one of kind, and you can gaze at everything from downtown to the 360 bridge. It’s Mother Nature at its finest. Explore our whole list of deals for things to do in Austin.

The term “Treat yo self” can be interpreted in several different ways. In most cases, it refers to spending a little extra money on pampering yourself; or it could mean dining as if it's your last meal. In either case, the following offers some of the best ways to "treat yo self" in Austin, Texas. (Explore our things to do deals for even more ways to treat yo self.) Lake Austin Spa: This is the spa of all spas. It's the ultimate destination to relax and unwind. The welcoming staff and serene lakefront atmosphere are instantly calming. You can partake in cooking demos, hikes, wine tastings, meditation, kayaking, yoga and more. ProTip: If you're looking to treat yourself, but can’t spring for an overnight stay, book a spa treatment in the morning and then lounge around the pool and enjoy the café for the rest of the day. 1705 S. Quinlan Park Road Austin, Texas 78732 Spend A Day Shopping at The Domain: Some say shopping is the best medicine, and even if you don’t NEED anything, buying new things is always fun. This outdoor shopping mall has something for everyone from Louis Vuitton to an Apple store. Once, you’ve splurged on a few not necessary, but total can’t pass up items, treat yourself to drinks and a snack at one of the restaurants. I’d check out NORTH, Blackfinn or McCormick & Schmick’s. If time and money allows, end your day at iPic theaters for the ultimate movie going experience; they have a full service waitstaff and reclining lazy-boy style seats. 11410 Century Oaks Terrace Austin, Texas 78758 Gourdough’s Public House: Gourdough’s Public House won't put you in the poor house, but you might eat a week’s worth of calories in a single sitting. Their menu is focused around gourmet donuts. Even their salads come with a single glazed donut on the side. I definitely recommend the ‘Bacon Me Crazy’ it’s their take on a BLT and it’s the perfect combination of sweet and salty. Make sure to save room for a dessert donut; you can have your pick at everything from a donut smothered in Nutella, cinnamon, and strawberries, to one topped with bacon and maple icing. It's really a one of a kind treat, and the nemesis to any diet. 2700 S. Lamar Blvd. Austin, Texas 78704 Qui: This much anticipated restaurant came after local chef Paul Qui achieved Top Chef fame and it's completely lived up to the high expectations. If you're gonna to do it, do it right, by ordering the ‘cote du beouf,’ it’s a $100 steak that's meant to be shared (between two or six people) and it's well worth every penny. Eating this steak will definitely have you feeling like you've ‘treated yo self.’ The food, drinks, and atmosphere all come together here for a unique and delicious dining experience. 1600 East 6th Street Austin, Texas 78702 Great Nails and Spa: Never judge a book by the cover, nor a nail salon by the building. Connected to a convenience store, it doesn't look like much from the outside, but they give some of the best pedicures in town. Insiders know that it's BYOB; that paired with their super low prices seals the deal for me. If you happen to run out of champagne, the aforementioned convenience store has everything you need! 2911 South First Street Austin, Texas 78704

A major rock act and some beloved alt comedians are in town this week, but the most exciting arrival just might be a bunch of folks bearing pork: Texas Monthly’s BBQ Fest is bringing together 25 of the state’s best barbecue joints. Elsewhere, catch a Frozen sing-along in the park and a Robin Williams tribute at Blue Starlite Drive-In. And as always, check Groupon for more ideas for things to do in Austin. Kings of Leon Southeast Austin | Saturday, September 13 Kings of Leon continue their world tour in support of their most recent album, last fall’s Mechanical Bull. Expect a mix of the band’s earlier, bluesier tunes as well as the arena-rock hits that brought them mainstream success.(Austin360 Amphitheater, 9201 Circuit of the Americas Blvd.; $29.50–$69.50; buy tickets here) TMBBQ Fest 2014 Bouldin Creek | Sunday, September 14 Every five years, Texas Monthly releases its list of the 50 best barbecue joints in Texas (and therefore the world). The reward for making the cut? An invite to serve up samples and sides at this popular barbecue bacchanalia. (City Terrace at the Long Center, 701 W. Riverside Dr.; $10–$80; buy tickets here) Tim & Eric and Dr. Steven Brule Downtown | Wednesday, September 17 John C. Reilly brings Dr. Steven Brule’s clumsy advice to the stage alongside groundbreaking surrealist comedians Tim & Eric, whose show is where Reilly developed the character. There will be singing. There will be dancing. There will probably be shouting, and we’re betting on some other form of emotional outburst as well. (Paramount Theatre, 713 Congress Ave.; $44.50–$49.50; buy tickets here) Frozen Sing-Along Pflugerville | Friday, September 19 This outdoor presentation is officially screening the “sing-along” version of Disney’s mega-hit, but odds are a good chunk of the audience already have the lyrics memorized. When you’re not belting out “Let It Go,” chow down on popcorn, shave ice, and other eats from food vendors. (Heritage Park, 901 Old Austin Hutto Rd.; free) Robin Williams Tribute Night at the Drive-In East Austin | Saturday, September 13, to Thursday, September 25 This month Blue Starlite Mini Urban Drive-In pays tribute to the late comedian the best way it can: by screening his work. Catch Hook, The Birdcage, Good Morning, Vietnam, Dead Poets Society, and more during the month’s double features, which also include a Mork and Mindy pre-show. (1901 E. 51st St.; $5.50+; discounted tickets available on Groupon; buy tickets here)