Austin - A New-Found Appreciation

Once I was able to solidify that I would be staying in Austin for school, it's almost like moving here for the first time all over again.

Some of my personal favorite spots to check out if you live here, or if you just come for a visit - Part 1:

Stay Cool with the city's spring-fed watering holes and lakes:

Barton Springs - A crisp 68 degrees Fahrenheit. Kind of reminds you of the movie Cocoon.
Deep Eddy - Oldest swimming pool in the state of Texas. A crisp 72 degrees Fahrenheit. Better for doing real laps because the pool is in the shape of a square and has an area for lap swimming.
Pace Bend Park on Lake Travis - this year, the water is so-so. But, come on a good summer with lots of rain, and this is what you can find at Pace Bend:













Grab a cool drink:

Crown and Anchor - A UT hangout year-round. You won't find a lot of youngsters at this bar. It caters more to graduate students and professionals. Dogs welcome, "Arf!"
Shoal Creek Saloon - Owned and operated by Louisiana folk, this long-standing Austin pub serves up cold beers, wine, liquor and cajun cooking. Saints fans, look no further. Scream "Who 'dat" like you mean it!
Uncle Billy's Beer and BBQ - Austin's home-brew destination. Drink Billy's beer and eat fairly decent bbq while sitting under the oak trees of Barton Springs Road. For those new to town, you won't have the pleasure of sitting outside at Billy's next to the traditional RV park (where even Matthew McConaughey kept his Airstream trailer.) The owner of another local spot - Austin Java (also located on Barton Springs) bought the park, forced the residents out and is now in the process of building even, more, yes, more, condos for Austin.
The Longbranch Inn - Old favorite. Just started serving liquor 3 years ago. Before that, patrons bought their own bottles of liqour at the store next to the bar and were served setups. The bar itself is an ornate, carved wooden structure taken from the original bar at the Driskill Hotel.

Hot sips:

Emerald City Press Coffee - New and so cool. Drive up to the open front for coffee, treats and the paper.
Quack's - Also known as the 43rd Street Bakery, Quack's has been around longer than I could research. But, because Austin is a young city, that might mean it's been around since 1979, or something. It caters to the graduate and undergraduate set for studying and lounging, but you'll see Hyde Parkers of all walks at Quack's. It's definitely a scene of the intellectual, hip looking and eclectic. "Keep Austin Weird!"
Jo's - Now serving coffee, food and beer at the original South Congress location and now in the new 2nd Street district. Coffee is great, and the food (mostly at the 2nd Street location) is amazing!

Healthy sips:

Daily Juice - With all these chain smoothie places, it's so refreshing to find a local joint that serves up truly fresh and tasty smoothies, elixirs and juices. Drinking a Daily Juice concoction will make you feel healthy, hippie and holistic. I recommend the Subliminator with Almond Butter.
Wheatsville Grocery - one of the original food co-ops in the U.S., grab a smoothie at Wheatsville back at the Deli.

Part 2 of my Austin series will include:

• Hear some live music
• Eat well
• Dress well
• Do something for your body
• Do something for your home
• Where the dogs are