ACL Fest Night Shows to See in Austin

We consulted with our resident music aficionado, Super Experience Host Jax Washington, to get all the shows you won’t want to miss this Austin City Limits Musical Festival season that are not taking place at Zilker Park.

ACL Fest Nights  are ACL official shows that offer opportunities to catch individual shows across town, spanning multiple venues from Moody Amphitheater, Stubb’s, Emo’s, Scoot Inn, Superstition, 3Ten, C-Boys Heart & Soul, and Antone’s. Although tickets will be in demand, the best place to check inventory is on Do512.

Without further ado, here are Jax’s top three recs:

  • Saturday, October 7th: Yves Tumor @ Scoot Inn
  • Monday, October 9th – Cigarettes After Sex @ Moody Amphitheater
  • Friday, October 13th – The Breeders @ Stubb’s Waller Creek Amphitheater

Honorary mention (and non-ACL Fest Nights show):

  • Wednesday, October 11th – !!! @ Parish

We hope everyone has a wonderful festival season!

If you’re looking to get a taste of three music venues in one night (and hang out with Jax), try any of our Austin music tours.

 

 

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Lonely Planet Features Austin!

Christa Larwood and Kris Davidson were in Austin earlier this year researching for Lonely Planet’s “Great Escape – Texas” article that was published in the June 2105 Lonely Planet Traveler magazine. The team visited Austin as well as Lockhart, Bandera, Big Bend National Park, and Marfa, taking in everything from live music, food trucks and poetry slams, to BBQ, dude ranches, Texan art, and canoe trips on the Rio Grande. Kinda comprehensive! The Austin Detours team was honored to escort Christa and Kris around Austin, using a specially-crafted version of our Real Austin Tour to showcase the very best our city offers.

Austin highlights featured in the Lonely Planet article include our good friend Leo Mendoza’s Churro Co on Riverside, who was quoted: “A local chef once said that traditional restaurants are like cruise liners, and food trucks are like pirate ships. I guess that makes a pirate.” Way to go Leo! Also mentioned were Book People, Uncommon Objects (which somehow became Uncommon Things!), the bats at Congress Avenue Bridge, Rainey Street, SOCO, the Continental Club, and Minister Sin at the Spider House Ballroom. We think the Lonely Planet team did an awesome job getting under Austin’s skin and appreciating what makes this truly great city tick. It’s a shame they missed out on a festival or UT football game, but these can come next time.

Lonely Planet is the world’s largest travel guide book publisher, and has sold hundreds of millions of books, digital copies, and apps since it opened for business in 1972. It’s a big organization these days, but its roots are in helping backpackers find cheap culture-packed ways around the world. Austin Detours enjoyed playing a part in helping today’s Austin get some great exposure with this global travel authority. Hopefully Christa and Kris will be back in town soon. You can read more (a lot more!) here: http://www.lonelyplanet.com

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5 Family Things to Do in Austin this Spring Break

With SXSW in full swing, Austin can turn into a madhouse. To add to the chaos, Spring Break directly overlaps with the 9-day festival, with ZERO chance of going anywhere near downtown. So what’s a parent to do? Here are our top five picks during Spring Break that you can take the family this Spring. Enjoy!

Museum of Illusions Austin

Mesmerize the senses in this world of illusions. Packed with edutainment, this multi-exhibit interactive museum is over 6,000 square feet of puzzles, holograms, and more.  Fun fact: Austin’s own Amy Cook, artist of South Congress’ “I love you so much” mural, collaborated with the museum on “Building Illusion,” an exhibit that will have one of the biggest mirrors in the United States.

Opens March 11. Tickets are $24 for adults, $20 for kids

Spring Break Activities – Bob Bullock Museum

Brave the fringes of downtown (but we promise they have ample parking) at The Bob Bullock Museum for their Spring Break at the Bullock events. Check their calendar for mural making, art classes, and throwback movies like Homeward Bound (#TeamSassy).

March 11-14, prices vary | https://www.thestoryoftexas.com/visit/programs-events

Zilker Botanical Gardens Free Day

Zilker Botanical Gardens, a gorgeous and lush sanctuary in the heart of Zilker Park, offers sprawling grounds, gardens, water fountains, dinosaur sculptures, a coffee cart, and a relaxing space for the whole family. March 14 marks one of their free days that you can stop by for, but donations are still encouraged. Enjoy!

March 14, free | https://zilkergarden.org/

Thinkery

Mueller’s museum for kids is the perfect place for them to build, create, explore, and learn. Enjoy multi-levels of exhibits and a vast outdoor playscape that will be sure to be hours of fun. When you’re wrapped up, head down the sidewalk to Lick Ice Cream for a treat or feed the ducks at Mueller Lake Park.

Kids 0-24 months are free, $14 for 24 months + | https://thinkeryaustin.org/

The Contemporary Austin: Laguna Gloria Second Saturdays are for families

Head over to Laguna Gloria for their free event: Collaborative cylinders, curls, and connections. Join artist Carol Bove for an artistic endeavor that will elicit teamwork. Taking inspirations from her sculpture, From the Sun to Zurich, she’ll show the ropes on how to create unique sculpture and shapes through collaboration.

March 11, free | https://thecontemporaryaustin.org/event/second-saturday-are-for-families-collaborative-cylindars-curls-and-connections/

 

Looking for more things to do? We can customize family friendly events, from birthday parties to family reunions. Ask us about our nature hikes or InstaGLAM wig parties. Cheers!

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Best Ways to Celebrate the Holiday Season in Austin

Danielle Houtkooper, our Experience Manager, tells us the best places to get in the holiday spirit around Austin!

A Night on the Town

Miracle on 5th Street at The Eleanor – Relax in this explosion of Christmas cheer! Grab a Christmas themed cocktail in this bar lined wall to wall with Christmas decor. We count down the days until this fun and festive pop up returns. Be sure to get your tickets early so you don’t miss out. Have a group larger than 10? Make a reservation for guaranteed seating!

 

Lala’s Little Nugget – Here it’s Christmas all year round! Originally founded in 1972, Lala’s has been a staple of the Austin bar scene, enduring all the changes the city has undergone. The halls are decked with Christmas decor, and there’s even a newly formed patio to expand the cheer. Check out the elves dancing above the bar when the restroom doors are opened and closed, throw down on one of the pool tables with a new friend, and countdown to Christmas with one of the friendliest staff in town. Lala’s is connected to Brooklyn Pie Co, so come hungry!

 

A Drag Queen Christmas – Fans of RuPaul’s Drag Race will revel in this Christmas themed drag show! Hosted by season 11’s Miss Congeniality, Nina West, and Season 9 contestant and Season 4 All-Star winner Trinity the Tuck, this night of big personalities and even bigger hair is not to be missed. A Drag Queen Christmas is happening at ACL Live on Wednesday, December 14th. Meet and greet tickets and VIP tickets are still available, but going fast!

 

Tinseltown at Wanderlust Wine Co – Our good friends over at Wanderlust Wine Co are putting on the incredible Christmas pop up, Tinseltown! Spend the holidays with Wanderlust at their I-35 and 6th street location. The all-encompassing Christmas-themed pop-up will be fulfilling all your festive wishes. Expect Santa, elves, presents, and more. Tickets include the price of admission and a drink upon arrival. There’s even dedicated family friendly time if you can’t get a babysitter. Christmas for all!

 

A Die Hard Christmas at Little Drinks Lounge – Nestled into the Davis on SoCo apartments, Little Drinks is the little sister bar to Drinks Lounge on Cesar Chavez. If you’re looking for a cute dive bar to relax in, you’ve found it. The perfect place to celebrate a low-key Christmas, Little Drinks is decked out in Die Hard themed Christmas decorations. Sip on Die Hard themed cocktails, enjoy the curated beer list, and take a picture with a cutout of John McClane himself. 

 

Sippin’ Santa at Nickel City – Santa started sippin’ a little early this year, and Nickel City’s Christmas pop up is now live! Check out the Tiki inspired Christmas themed bar located in East Austin. The Tiki drinks come in great themed glasses you can purchase, and if you’re lucky you can catch the bartenders lighting drinks on fire with some Tiki flare. Regular bar service is first come, first served, but if you have groups of 6-12 it’s best to make a reservation. 

 

Get Lit at Kitty Cohens – Representation is important, and Kitty Cohens is here to deliver! Enjoy “Get Lit” the Hanukkah pop up happening at Kitty Cohens now throughout the Hanukkah season. Shiny blue and white streamers hang on the walls, blow up dreidels and menorahs line the patio, and a themed cocktail menu will get you in the mood with the Oy Fashioned, Bubbe’s Hot Buttered Whiskey, and more. A portion of proceeds from the drink specials benefit the Jewish Community Center, drink for a cause!

 

Family Time

North Pole Flyer – Departing from the historic Bertram train depot, the North Pole Flyer is a two-hour train ride full of magic. Fill up on hot chocolate and Christmas cookies while Santa makes his way through the cabin to say hi to all the kids on board. Santa not only poses for pictures, but gives out small gifts to everyone aboard! The North Pole Flyer is running every weekend through December 18th. 

 

Holiday Movie Party at Alamo Drafthouse – Cozy up in Alamo Drafthouse’s comfy chairs and get ready for a movie party! All Alamo movie parties include props, quoting along, dancing along and more. Check out your favorite holiday movies including Elf, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, Gremlins, Die Hard, Love Actually and more! 

 

Mozart’s Light Show – One of Austin’s most famous holiday themed attractions, the light show at Mozart’s is not to be missed. Mozart’s is located on Lady Bird lake, and it’s a great place to bring the whole family. This year check out a brand-new dance floor and silent disco to get you up on your feet and moving. Most of the tables at Mozart’s are standing room only, so get your tickets now if you would like to be seated. Want to get the most out of your visit? Add food and drink to your ticket at check out and enjoy fresh hot cocoa and cookies!  

 

Trail of Lights – The Trail of Lights is a cherished Austin experience. Now in its 58th year, this longest running holiday tradition is a great one to enjoy with the whole family. The Trail now features more than 2 million lights illuminating the park, 90 lighted holiday trees and more than 70 other holiday displays and lighted tunnels. Be sure to check out their special events like the Fun Run and the Night Lights preview party. General admission tickets are just $5, but remember to purchase either a parking pass or shuttle pass before you arrive.

 

Santa’s Ranch – Out in picturesque New Braunfels is Santa’s Ranch, a vibrant ranch full of lights! You’ll wind through Texas back roads and see animated Christmas displays sprinkled in through a full light show. Pull into the concession stand before you head out for delicious kettle corn and hot chocolate. Tickets are available on site, and Santa’s Ranch runs through January 1st. 

 

Shopping!

Blue Genie Art Bazaar – The market for makers, Blue Genie has it all. ​​Established in 2001, the Bazaar features the handmade, unique work of over 200 artists, who are selected from a talented pool of more than 400 applicants each year. You’ll find everything from fine art to body care, clothing to home decor. You can shop in store, or online for extra convenience. 

 

Armadillo Christmas Bazaar – The Armadillo Christmas Bazaar is celebrating nearly five decades of holiday shopping in Austin. They are known for our curated collection of art, gifts and live music in a festive, family friendly, entertaining atmosphere. Featuring 200 touring and local artists, you can learn more about the pieces in the Bazaar from the makers themselves. Love live music? You can catch a variety of musical acts on stage throughout the market. 

 

Lonestar Holiday Farmer’s Market – Sunday, December 11th and December 18th you can catch the Lonestar Holiday Farmer’s Market at the Hill Country Galleria. You can get unique gifts, see some live music, and check out local wineries and breweries all in one convenient location. 

 

There’s so much fun to be had this holiday season! Looking for the perfect gift? Consider an experience with Austin Detours. You can gift your loved one fun this year! Email us at howdy@austindetours.com for a gift card to Austin Detours today.

 

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5 Ways to Enjoy Fall in Austin

From our Experience Manager, Danielle Houtkooper

Are you ready to FALL back in love with your city? Take some time to try out some fun fall activities this season! Austin is a town with unlimited things to do on any given day or night. Check out these fun things to do in the City of the Violet Crown.

1. Sunset at Mount Bonnell

Mount Bonnell, or Covert Park, sits along the beautiful Colorado River. Take your pick of climbing the 100 stairs to the top, or taking the ADA friendly ramp, and check out the beautiful views that Mount Bonnell has to offer. Widely considered the tallest point in the city, the picturesque park is the perfect place to watch the sunset, and see the beautiful skies and sights surrounding Austin. Take a picnic, but be sure to clean up after yourself!

 

2. Bat Bridge

Popular amongst visiting tourists, checking out the bat bridge may seem like something to avoid for the seasoned Austinite. But, sitting along the edge of Townlake near the bridge gives you a whole new vantage point. Walk along the path near the Line hotel, and find yourself a nice place to sit. The bats are vastly unpredictable, so while many will give up, you’ll have the perfect view to see the Mexican Freetail bats fly off into the night. Once you’re done, you’re already downtown and ready to see what else the night has to offer.

 

3. Rooftop Cocktails

With the heat starting to die down, it’s definitely patio season. Enjoy it with a rooftop cocktail at one of the great bars or restaurants the city has to offer. There are some beautiful spots atop some of Austin’s finest hotels, including:
-Azul Rooftop (The Westin Austin)
-Edge Rooftop (JW Marriott)
-Second Bar and Kitchen Rooftop (East Austin Hotel)
-Upstairs at Caroline (Aloft Austin)
-P6 (The Line)
You won’t be disappointed by the view or the cocktails at any of these spots.

 

4. Reading in the downtown Austin Public Library Garden

Speaking of rooftops, in the heart of downtown lies the beautiful Austin Public Library. There’s so much to see in the space, it would take all day to write about it. But, something that is a must-do is reading upstairs on their rooftop garden patio. There are plenty of comfy seats to snuggle up in as you dive into a good book. The library is open until 8 pm on Monday-Thursday, and until 5pm on Friday-Sunday. There is a convenient parking garage, and even a cafe downstairs to grab a coffee before you head up.

 

5. Live Music Crawl

Photo courtesy of Ashley Park

Fall is a great time for music in the Live Music Capital of the World! With so many touring bands coming through, you can see a new show every night of the week. Join Austin Detours on a Live Music Crawl as we take you to three different venues to check out a wide variety of artists crooning their way through the night. These crawls are specially planned to include different types of music so you can get a little taste of everything. The Crawl meets at the Hilton Austin, departs in a Mercedes sprinter van, and takes you all over the city. We handle the cover charge for the venues, and we always tip the band. The Live Music Crawl happens Wednesday-Friday every week. Tickets are only $85, book today! 
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Catch Great Music on a Tight Budget in ATX

Blog takeover with Jax Washington, Super Experience Host and in-house music expert, shares some of her favorite places to catch a show in Austin, Texas: 

Austin, TX remains the “Live Music Capital of the World” where you can catch a great show any night of the week. But shows can get expensive. That shouldn’t stop live music fans with tighter budgets from getting out and supporting talented musicians. Thankfully, there are a few fantastic venues in Austin that consistently book the best talent while managing to keep their ticket prices low.

One of the most beloved music venues in ATX is The Saxon Pub on South Lamar Blvd. Opened in 1990, the venue has hosted more than 30,000 acts and hosts music every single night of the week. Regarded as a listening room, The Saxon Pub is where Austinites go to support newer acts as well as more established musicians of all genres, especially roots, rock, blues, soul and classic country. Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, Bob Schneider and Bonnie Raitt are among the many greats who’ve taken the stage at The Saxon Pub. The venue is so beloved by locals that a documentary was made about it called “Nothing Stays The Same: The Story of The Saxon Pub” which premiered at the 2019 SXSW Film Conference. The first show on the bill each night is usually free and cover prices for the later acts are very affordable ranging from $10 to $25.

 

For jazz enthusiasts, you can’t beat Austin’s premiere jazz club, The Elephant Room. Located in the heart of Congress Ave between 3rd and 4th Streets, the venue hosts the best trios, quartets, orchestras and soloists every single night of the week. Named after the largest archeological discovery of Mastodon bones west of the Mississippi that were dug up at this very spot, the venue itself is quite something to behold. Catch a show Sunday through Wednesday and you won’t pay a cover. On Fridays and Saturdays, you’ll only pay $7 to get in.

Fans of blues, R&B, soul and rockabilly will love C-Boys Heart & Soul on South Congress. Like the Saxon Pub and Elephant Room, C-Boys hosts music every single night of the week and many shows are free. When they do charge a cover it’s typically $5-$15. You’ll get the best value when you go on a Thursday night when they open up the Jade Room, the upstairs hidden gem of a venue where talented local blues duo, Mel & James, often perform.

 

These are just a few of the many places in Austin where you can catch a great show at an affordable price. To see who’s playing at each of these venues and find even more great shows that fit your budget, visit Do512.com. Can’t decide which shows to choose, let us help. Join us on our Live Music Crawl running nightly Wednesday through Saturday from 8pm-11pm. You’ll keep it weird while supporting three great acts at three of our most beloved local venues here in ATX. To learn more about the tour and purchase tickets, please visit: https://austindetours.com/austin-music-tours/.

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Top 5 Historic Downtown Austin Landmarks You Can Explore By Foot

There are so many cities in the United States that have sprawling city centers, but Austin is lucky to be relatively condensed for such a rapidly growing destination. Many historical sites are located downtown and within walking distance of each other. We’ve put together a quick list of stops that highlight Austin’s history.

1) The Texas State Capitol 

The crowning jewel of Austin’s downtown, our Texas State Capitol is an architectural achievement that you don’t have to be a history buff to fully enjoy. With over 22 acres of land, the grounds not only hold one of the tallest Capitol buildings in the United States (everything is bigger here in Texas), but it is also home to an array of monuments and statues. We recommend starting out at the front of the building at the Texas African American History Memorial before making your way into the Capitol. By square footage, the Texas Capitol is the biggest of all the other states; you’ll believe it when you start exploring the hallways. Don’t forget to see the underground extension which was constructed in the early 1990s.

Photo Courtesy of Austin History Center, City Public Library

2) Treaty Oak Square 

Every Central Texan is familiar with the oak tree, and the grandest of them all is the Treaty Oak. Known as the last surviving member of Council Oaks, a grove of 14 sacred trees used as a meeting place for the Tonkawa and Comanche tribes, this tree has been estimated to be over 500 years old. A lot of folklore surrounds this tree, many claim Texas pioneers like Stephen F. Austin and Sam Houston negotiated deals and rested under this tree. Sadly in the late 1980s, a man vandalized the oak with herbicide and almost killed it. Through community fundraising and a blank check from politician Ross Perot, the Treaty Oak was miraculously saved and has since been producing acorns.

3) Buford Tower

We get this question all the time: What is that brick tower? Located just north of the Lady Bird Lake hike and bike trail, the Buford Tower is a fire drill tower build in 1930 for the Austin Fire Department. Austin’s skyline was quickly emerging downtown; although nothing like our modern-day skyscrapers, Austin’s buildings were being built taller than ever before in the early 1900s. Our fire department needed a structure to train for these architectural developments, and that’s how the drill tower was born. With its location so close to the lake, firefighters could easily practice putting out a multi-story fire without the worry of wasting water. Named after firefighter Captain James L. Buford, this is a quick stop you can check out before hitting the walking trails.

Photo courtesy of The Driskill

4) Driskill Hotel 

Known as Austin’s first hotel, the Driskill has seen its fair share of history. Constructed in 1886 by a wealthy cattle baron, Jesse Driskill, the hotel was one of the grandest places you could visit south of St. Louis. Since it’s opening, it has hosted every Governor’s inaugural ball and was even the first date destination for President Lyndon B. Johnson and Claudia Taylor (aka Lady Bird), who would later become First Lady. Located just off Congress on 6th Street, be sure to channel your inner medium when you’re in the building: many say it’s haunted (even by Jesse Driskill himself).

5) Eureka! (Home to the first Antone’s)

Just across the street from the Driskill Hotel, you’ll find a cozy restaurant called Eureka! What you may not know about this building is that it was home to the first Antone’s Nightclub, an Austin live music icon. Since the 1970s, this is the venue for blues and rock and roll. Steven Ray Vaughan, an Austin legend, got his big break there, and although the club has moved off of 4th street, it’s an iconic spot that helped shape the city. You can still catch some live music at Eureka (typically a one-person and guitar setup), but be sure to check out Antone’s calendar to see some great acts (and only a short walk away from 6th street).

 

You can see a few of these landmarks on our Real Austin Tour, a 2-hour bucket list experience of Austin that takes you to iconic spots but also goes off the beaten path for an adventure fit for a local.

Book yours today!

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Rhapsody East Side Restoration Fund

In collaboration with the Austin Revitalization Authority, we are excited to announce that we are starting a donation fund to benefit the historic mural Rhapsody by artists John Yancey, Luis Alicea, and Steven B. Jones. Located in the Charles Urdy Plaza off of East 11th and Waller Street, this colorful mosaic depicts East Austin’s rich black history and live music legacy. All of the money raised will go directly to the preservation of this historic piece of art.

We started a ‘More Than Just Fun’ fund that is an add-on for all guests to donate a small amount of their choosing every time they book a tour with us. Every month, this fund will benefit a different non-profit we love that is serving the Greater Central Austin area. In honor of Black History Month, we have decided to donate every dollar made to the restoration of Rhapsody and ensure its legacy to the Austin community.

The fundraiser will feature a live music show at the Charles Urdy Plaza, highlighting a variety of Austin musicians.

 

This project is particularly special to us; Rhapsody is one of our stops on our Street Art Crawl, and it’s one that has a huge and lasting impact on our guests. Rhapsody is a true tribute to the Black community; commemorating buildings, musicians that shaped these neighborhoods, and celebrating the history that is diverse and dynamic. When people see this piece of art, they truly feel the importance of it and the craftsmanship that went into its creation. We want to ensure its preservation and help in any way we can to assure future generations can admire this mosaic.

Want to contribute? You can donate today!

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Artist Interview: ULO ANG

Austin’s Street Art Scene: A Community of Creators

The Austin street art scene is truly a collaborative and ever-changing landscape. We sat down with Austin’s own ULO ANG, a muralist, painter, and sculptor, who has seen this city’s art scene transform in big ways.

Check out our interview with him here:

Want to learn more about the Austin art scene? Contact us to book a private street art tour or book a corporate event to create your own art!

Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. #WeCreateFun

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Travel Magazines dub Detours an Austin MUST!

Austin has so many unique offerings throughout the city to partake in…it can be hard to choose which is going to create the longest lasting memories! We are lucky enough to live in such a culture-rich community full of different day-to-day opportunities to experience. The Austin Detours family prides ourselves on sharing all the wonderful aspects of Austin with visitors and locals alike!

HOPE, Street Art, Austin, ATX
We were happy to hear that both TravelMag and The Budget Traveler recognize the work we put into our detours to stand out and make sure that your Austin experience is unforgettable! Take a look at TravelMag’s list of  “7 Unique Things to do in Downtown Austin” and The Budget Traveler’s “14 Free and affordable things to do in Austin” to check out the other venues you can venture to after you take our city tour!

 

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