New Years Eve

It's going to be 2014 soon! Here's a list of 5 spots to watch the fireworks and ring in the new year:

1. St. Edwards University- Plop down your blanket on the Main Building hill and watch the various shows that are going on downtown. The view is spectacular.

2. Austin Community College Pinnacle Campus - Park in the back lot and watch the South West Austin sky light up.

3. Auditorium Shores - This is the big kahuna of shows. It gets crowded but perfect for bringing the family.

4. Hyatt Regency Lost Pines - Taking the time to drive out to Bastrop is a bit of an investment but worth it.

5. Lone Star Riverboat  - Reserve a cruise on Lady Bird Lake.  You'll see the fireworks downtown as your floating down the river.

If you are lighting off your own fireworks, have fun but be safe! See you next year!

Salsa and Hot Sauce

Salsa! We like it sweet, creamy, spicy, medium and mild in Texas! With so many choices to choose from I thought I’d make a list of a few emergency “must-try” stand outs:

Chuy’s – They will automatically give you their medium salsa but also ask for the “ketchup sauce”.

Mother’s Café and Garden – It borders that delicious fine line between medium/hot. 

Taco Deli – The salsa station isn't overly convenient when it gets crowded but their hot sauce can clear the stuffiest of noses!

Azul Tequila – Ignore the nearby Target and get yourself some chips, guacamole and the house salsa.

Santa Catarina Restaurant – If you are in the Lakeway area check out their fresh take on Mexican food.

Texas BBQ

There is a lot of BBQ in and around Austin. I have a lot of places that I call my favorite so this list can get long. Instead, I’ll limit it to five top BBQ joints in the area:

Rudy’s – Come here if you like brisket, it is the place to go to. 

Salt Lick – The only way I’ll stop coming here is if they issue a cease and desist order on me. I love this place!

Donn’s – Try the chopped beef and the chicken. The beans are out of this world.

 

Buster’s – If you are in Lakeway, check out them out.

Franklin – To answer the big question, “Yes, it’s worth the wait.”

Fests of Austin

With SXSW coming up hard and fast, I figured this would be a great time to put together a list of some of Austin’s amazing festivals. Whether you’re into music, film, food and everything in between there is an event for it.

SXSW – A huge two week festival with a mix of interactive, movies, music and comedy events and parties throughout Austin.

Austin Chronicle Hot Sauce Festival – Sample a huge variety of hot sauces and salsas. Picking your favorite is harder than you think.

Zilker Kite Festival – Every year around March, people gather to Zilker Park to fly kites.  It’s a perfect place to set up a picnic and enjoy the festivities.

Pecan Street Festival – Two times a year 6^th street turns into an arts and craft haven.

Fusebox Festival - This unique festival presents a variety of performance art, dance, film and music showcases. 

Don’t break the bank staying downtown, check out my lake house in Austin (near Lakeway). Click to inquire about 3207 Brass Buttons Trail, Austin, TX 78734, USA.