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Texas BBQ Doesn’t Get More Iconic Than SaltLick BBQ

 

The Salt Lick at Driftwood is as iconic a venue as you’ll find anywhere in the meaty world of Texas BBQ. A stone’s throw from Austin, you can smell the awesome smokiness as soon as you drive into the (vast) parking lot. You’ll still smell it when you get home. Great atmosphere, amazing food and an all-round iconic experience…even if half the Austin Detours team is veggie…

Start to salivate at www.saltlickbbq.com

We carefully design our detours to be ‘Handcrafted Austin Experiences’, and BBQ & Brew has been planned with the beer drinking Texas BBQ enthusiast in mind. On this detour we’ll take you to visit Real Ale in Blanco, TX, and then, as those hunger pains start, we’ll park up at the Salt Lick just in time for you to feast on their amazing food. We advise our clients to turn up for this detour thirsty and hungry!

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Avery Moore’s Top 5 Austin Comedy and Arts Venues

Did y’all know we have a few comedy legends on our team? Avery Moore, one of our Super Experience Hosts, is an amazing standup comedian who has headlined comedy clubs, performed at comedy festivals, and recently had an amazing showing at Moontower Comedy Festival.

She’s also nominated for Best Comedian by the Austin Chronicle! Can you tell we’re proud? Here are Avery’s Top 5 Comedy and Arts Venues:

  1. The Paramount Theatre –  To me the paramount is the heart of Austin. A lot has changed here, but the old movie palace and neon fan still stands. The Paramount is a great place for families with their famed Summer Film Series (celebrating its 50th anniversary this summer!) and the Story Wranglers (an interactive literary youth theatre program) and incredible live programming all year long. The film series is my preferred way to beat the heat in the summer, and performing at the theatre and seeing comedy there is one of the joys of my life! Moontower! Wow!
  2. The Velveeta Room – standup comedy in downtown Austin is rooted on the intersection of Sixth and Red River. Open since 1988, The Velveeta Room or The Velv gets its name from muralist and comedian Kerry Awn’s lounge act character, Ronnie Velveeta. So no, cheese cannot be found there, just funny jokes. Texas comedy legends like Bill Hicks, Ron White, and Johnny Hardwick have all performed on the legendary stage, and every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday you can see the funniest local and touring acts light up the stage.
  3. KMFA Studios – tucked away on the east side are the KMFA studios where I frequently catch the beautifully curated theatre, jazz and classical performances in their very cool space. Ticket prices range from Free to like 40 bucks, but there are TONS of free events. Just go to KMFA.org/events and get your mind blown.
  4. The Fallout – I love it here. My incredibly talented friends banded together to create an artists owned community driven haven for weird weird people. It’s in the fallout shelter of a Masonic lodge.  Ash I think you can elaborate on this one.
  5. East Austin Comedy Club – started over in the pedi cab warehouse district over on the east side by the recycling plant in the back of an art space in a hidden velvet clad speakeasy type joint called the tiger den. They were challenged with licensing by the city and have since moved to their new home at 2505 E 6th St suite d, Austin, TX. This club is run by comics and I just think they do good stuff :)
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National Tourism Week: Top 5 Family Things To Do Around Austin

Our Chief Experience Office, Elizabeth Alderson, chimes in on National Tourism Week to share her favorite kid-friendly activities around Austin. Being the mother of three, she knows the best spots to keep the kids (and parents) entertained.
 
  1. Texas State Capitol – My kids loved have always loved going here, from when they were younger to now. From going at night and running down the halls (security guards were cool but maybe don’t say that to the whooollleee world), to making the speech in the echo chamber, to staring up at the big star…it’s all grandiose and beautiful! And of course the huge yard is magical to run, throw a frisbee, and have a picnic.
  2. Botanical Garden – We love this place. Lots of fun little spots for kids to check out. Pretty year round but in the fall and spring the flowers look amazing! It’s also right next to Zilker Park and Barton Springs, more ways to enjoy the great outdoors Austin has to offer.
  3. Cidercade or Pinballz – Kids love this place, and it’s a lot cheaper than Dave + Busters.
  4. Food trucks + funky shops – In a city with endless street food and fun shops, this could be a whole day out on its own! My kids love using some of “their own” money to go thrifting for treasures.
  5. Home Slice + Big Top – Obviously, the best pizza in town followed by the best candy shop in Texas.  A South Congress stroll is always a perfect way for the whole family to do something fun.
  • BONUS / FAV THING TO DO (OUTSIDE OF AUSTIN): I’d do beekeeping classes at Two Hives Honey. Tara and her staff are amazing, and it is SUCH a unique experience!
Enjoy!
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National Tourism Week: Top 10 Plates Around Austin

In the famed words of Nicki Minaj, you can tell “I ain’t missin’ no meals,” and thankfully in Austin, there are many amazing restaurants to keep one from going hungry. Here are Ashley’s Top 10 Dishes:

Clark’s – Crab Louie

I have met many a Crab Louie in my day. From San Francisco to New England, this gal has tried them all. I mean it truly when I say I love this salad. This salad makes me want to stand outside on West 6th with a boombox, blasting Peter Gabriel’s “In Your Eyes” at top volume.

Justine’s – Moules Frites

Aside from the incredible ambiance that Justine’s always provides, whether you’re in the tent or the main restaurant, you’ll feel très chic ordering my go-to menu item. The mussels themselves are great, but the broth is so dang good I could just drink it on its own.

Wow Poke – Ponzu Truffle Tuna Bowl

Located just off Lovebirds cocktail lounge off Cesar Chavez, this is THE poke place you must hit up. Offering a variety of bowls with fresh and bold flavors, Wow Poke is a step above all the other poke spots in town. The Ponzu Truffle Tuna and California Poke Bowls are dynamite.

Aba – Classic Hummus

This is one of those restaurants that’s always a fun patio for people watching and my favorite dish to enjoy while doing so is their classic hummus.

Lin Asian Bar + Dim Sum – Soup Dumplings

The soup dumplings from Chef Ling Qi Wu and team are truly a warm hug of a meal. Although their patio is a popular destination, I love to sit at the bar and throw down some of these bad boys over a lovely cocktail list.

Launderette – Beet Hummus

I realize two hummus’ have made the list, but hear me out on this one (it’s different)! I live around the corner from this spot and the beets with labneh has consistently been an item I’ve ordered every time I’ve visited. Bonus: their patio is dog-friendly (a favorite of George Michael, my son).

Patrizi’s – Red Sauce Pasta

Family red sauce topped with cheese? Yes, please! Although they have a brick and mortar, I love the trailer out of Butterfly Bar. There’s nothing better than grabbing a Red Sauce and chilling under the twinkle lights of the patio. The handmade pasta is always delicious, and I have always been a fan of the depth of flavor on their red sauce mixed with the creamy cheesy goodness.

Nixta Taqueria – Duck Carnitas Taco

There’s a saying I have in my life: the cuter the animal, the more delicious it will be. I realize I now give off Hannibal Lecter vibes with this life philosophy, but I stick by this with Nixta’s duck carnitas tacos. Duck confit, watermelon radish, and salsa cruda are the perfect combo for a taco you don’t see every day.

Ezov – Kofta

I dream about those little skewers of lamb and beef bliss once a week. The meat is incredibly tender and packed with tons of flavor, and it doesn’t’ hurt that it’s enough food to feed an army.

Odd Duck – Legit everything

I’m cheating here, but literally every plate here is divine. Hands down, this has and will always remain to be my favorite restaurant in Austin. Chef Bryce Gilmore and his team stick the landing every damn meal. Sourcing only from local vendors, every dish is a thoughtful, creative, and a perfect blend of tastes and textures.

If you were twisting my arm, I tend to love most of their starter roasted vegetable dishes (enticing for even the meat eaters in your life), but if you want a true taste of Texas, you can’t go wrong with their skillet cornbread with seasonal butter.

Bonus: Phoebe’s  – Chile Relleno

I must confess, Elizabeth, our Chief Experience Officer, is currently standing over me telling me to include this on the list. Since we don’t say no the boss, this will be our bonus meal (but hey, she’s totally not wrong as it’s quite delicious).

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National Tourism Week: Jax’s Top 5 Austin Music Venues

 

In honor of National Tourism Week, we’re highlighting our team’s favorite spots that truly make Austin an international destination. Every day this week, we’re bringing you ways to enjoy the Live Music Capital of the World.

 

Jax Washington, our Super Senior Experience Guide and music expert, was given the impossible task of picking out her top music venues in Austin. We say this is hard for her because she goes out almost every night to catch live music. From collecting set lists to making SXSW spreadsheets, Jax is a hotbed of music knowledge (and we are so lucky to have such an expert curate our Live Music Crawls with such precision and care).

 

Without further ado, here are Jax’s picks:

My Top 5 Favorite Austin Music Venues

5 – Saxon Pub

Feels like old Austin and it’s so beloved by locals, a documentary was made about it that premiered at SXSW in 2019. This venue truly is a listening room where guests know good music and every act that takes the stage is amazing. Most acts are local, blending Blues, Country, Roots, Rock and Americana.

4 – Sahara Lounge

A hidden gem in the Northeast that specializes in World music from Latin to African and every band will make you wanna get up and shake it out on the dance floor.

3 – ACL Live

Stellar acoustics and none of the 2,750 seats are more than 75 feet away from the stage. A truly ideal place to catch bigger touring acts in all genres or attend a live taping of Austin City Limits.

2 – Hotel Vegas

Very authentic Eastside Austin vibe and shows on their patio always feel like a festival. They host mostly local acts in all genres, including regular cumbia nights.

1 – Mohawk

Intimate rock venue w/two stages, a tiered balcony for better viewing and a capacity of 900 guests. My advice is always to get there early so you can snag a space on the first row of the balcony and enjoy the clearest view.

My Top 5 Favorite Local Bands:

5 – Star Parks – Experimental Pop
4 – Black Pumas – Psychedelic Soul
3 – The Octopus Project – Indietronica
2 – Spoon – Indie Rock
1 – The Black Angels – Psychedelic Rock

Thanks to Jax for putting together these lists, and keep posted on what else we have lined up for you this National Tourism Week!

#WeCreateFun

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Things To Do In Austin 2024

Austin may be known as the Live Music Capital of the World, but it’s so much more than that. Whether you’re a local or a visitor looking for something unique & fun to do, this list can help you Keep it Weird all year long!

  1. Catch Downtown Views – The best views of the Austin skyline are at the Pfluger pedestrian bridge, the top of the parking lot at Alamo Drafthouse on South Lamar, and the St. Edwards campus.
  2. Join Us on Our Real Austin Tour– Want to see all the highlights in only 2 hours? This overview tour is led by a local tour guide and will take you to the most iconic landmarks as well as some lesser-known hidden gems.
  3. Learn at the Carver Museum – Austin’s neighborhood history museum, featuring rotating exhibits and a permanent collection highlighting the African-American experience in Texas. 
  4. Eat Tex Mex – Tex-Mex is the original fusion food. Not quite Mexican and not quite Texan, it’s a cheesy combination of the two. There is no shortage of Tex-Mex restaurants in the city. For authentic cuisine, try Cafe Hornitos. Visit Chuy’s for the quintessential Austin experience. Head to Taquero Mucho for the trendiest Tex-Mex in town.
  5. Ride Over the Flyovers – Did you know the towering highway interchanges are called five-stacks? The tallest and scariest are at Ben White heading East and turning North onto I-35, 290 heading west and then South onto I-35, and Mo-Pac heading North and turning West onto 183. Experiencing all that Austin has to offer also includes witnessing the traffic first-hand. Plus, you’ll likely see these overpasses on your way to one of the activities on this list. Two birds, one stone!
  6. Buc-ees – Out-of-towners will appreciate a day trip to one of the giant Buc-ees stores in New Braunfels, Luling, or Bastrop. It’s the only truck stop worth a trip all by itself.
  7. Visit Lockhart – It’s not actually Austin, but it’s a short jaunt from Austin to find The BBQ Capital of Texas and a picturesque small-town courthouse square.
  8. Twelfth Street Bar Crawl – Everyone knows about the three different party districts of Sixth Street, but no one has told you yet about the bars and nightclubs on East 12th. A Sixth Street bar crawl would be strenuous and require detailed planning, but Twelfth Street is short enough to be survivable.
  9. Eat Your Gizzards – Some people don’t realize that fried gizzards are amazing. Ask for them by name at Terry’s Seafood on Airport, or at Lucy’s Fried Chicken.
  10. Get Off at the Crestview Train Station – Where Lamar and Airport Boulevards meet, there’s a train station and a magical neighborhood filled with breweries, bars, Korean hot dogs, Asian groceries, and Japanese books and gifts.
  11. Take Our Live Music Crawl Tour – With hundreds of live music venues scattered throughout the city, the Austin live music scene really is something special. We’ll go to 3 different shows throughout the night and return before midnight.
  12. Laugh at the LBJ Library – There’s an animatronic LBJ who tells jokes, and he’s waiting for you. The Library is filled with permanent & temporary exhibits, and there are usually some interesting events happening too!
  13. Explore the Texas Hill Country – If you want to get out of the city for a beat, join us on our Hill Country BBQ & Wine Shuttle. This round-trip experience lasts about 5 hours, and you’ll get to experience authentic Texas BBQ at Salt Lick followed by visits to 2 Hill Country wineries. Perfect for solo travelers and groups alike!
  14. Watch the Butterflies at Waterloo Park – Nowhere in America will you find a more overly landscaped park. But the butterflies love it. Currently spanning 11 acres with plans to stretch from The Capitol to Lady Bird Lake, there is no shortage of unique sights to take in.
  15. Catch a Flick at Austin Film Society – AFS is home to various screenings & events and aims to highlight Austin filmmakers. Know a local indie director? Reach out to AFS to see if you can book space for a private screening!
  16. Get Nostalgic Media at We Luv Video – The last video store in town went out of business in the pandemic but was reborn as a non-profit. Check it out before the volunteers get tired of cos-playing as video store clerks.
  17. Wander a Farmer’s Market – On nearly any day of the week, you can find a bunch of farmers trying to make eye contact with you to tell you about their organic bok choy. 
  18. Circle Mueller Lake – It’s not just rainwater retention. Mueller Lake is the closest Austin has to Central Park’s Great Lawn.
  19. Get Terrified at a Haunted House – It doesn’t matter if it’s not actually Halloween. Haunted houses have to pay the bills, so they’re open for nearly every holiday now.
  20. Get Creative at Austin Creative Reuse – You can probably find something to do with the recycled art supplies. You were thinking of getting into scrapbooking anyway. Don’t know where to start? They also regularly host workshops to help you get inspired!
  21. Eat a Kolache –  The best places to get this iconic Texas mistranslation of a Czech desert are at Batch, near Mueller, and Weikels, technically in Leander. Driving from Houston? The halfway mark is home to Hruska’s Bakery, which offers authentic kolaches, coffee, gifts, and more!
  22. Eat some Breakfast Tacos – Our popular Breakfast Taco Tour will leave you feeling full & happy. We’ll visit 3 taco spots so that you can taste a little bit of everything. Try the Texas Holy Trinity (queso, salsa & guac) out for yourself.
  23. Visit Circuit of the Americas – Whether you’re looking to catch a race or do some karting yourself, there’s no shortage of entertainment at Austin’s iconic COTA.
  24. Paddle Board on Lady Bird Lake – Is any “Things to Do in Austin” list really complete without mentioning stand-up paddleboarding? At any given time you’ll find at least one person using a paddle board to take in the Austin skyline.
  25. Visit the LBJ Wildflower Center – Spanning 284 acres, the Wildflower Center is home to various flora & fauna. The perfect activity for all ages. Side note – you’ll soon notice that nearly everything in Austin is named LBJ or Moody.
  26. Eat at DeSano Pizzeria – Authentic Neapolitan pizza with two locations in Austin? Enough said. Featuring wood-fired grills, DeSano is one of the few places in Austin that offer a true Italian pizza experience.
  27. Hang out at Cidercade – With no shortage of arcade games or cider choices, Cidercade is located in the heart of Austin and is a great option for children & adults alike.
  28. Walk the University of Texas – The 40 Acres is located just north of Downtown Austin. Home to over 50,000 students, UT is a campus worth exploring. From the iconic Texas Tower to the newly constructed Moody Center, there’s plenty to see no matter which direction you look.
  29. Check out The Domain – Whether you’re looking to shop, explore the nightlife, or view some of Austin’s big tech hubs, there’s plenty to see at the Domain.
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