You didn't get jabbed for nothing, did ya?
If you're fully & freshly vaxxed, you may be looking to re-enter the world of the living. It's been an entire year and you're ready to finally experience Austin the way it was meant to be enjoyed: by jumping in some natural water, slurping down margs, eating all the tacos and barbecue your stomach can fit, and doing some weird shit.
We can help. With this nifty little Post-Vaccination Austin Bucket List. Bookmark it and cross 'em off, y'all. We'll see you out there in the wild wild west.
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Photo credit: Roger Ho
2201 Barton Springs Rd
Located in Zilker Park, the 3-acre crystal clear natural spring stays a cool 68 degrees year round, making it ideal for the really hot days that we have come to dread so much. Barton Springs Pool comes equipped with diving boards, a large shallow area, public restrooms, and several lifeguards.
See more Swimming Holes.
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SLURP DOWN A MARGARITA OR THREE
Photo via Trudy's
8820 Burnet Road
901-C Little Texas Lane
This local restaurant is a staple in the tex-mex scene, and for good reason. From tipsy memories at their old campus location to more refined evenings at the North Star and South Star spots, most Austinites have sipped their famous Mexican Martinis (or two) and had a dandy time. Opt for house on the rocks, frozen, Mexican martinis, or strawberry margaritas - there's something for every margarita fan at Trudy's.
See more Margaritas.
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912 Red River St.
Simply put, The Mohawk is a Red River icon. With two stages, you can catch your favorite national touring act outside and then immediately head to the inside stage to see some of Austin’s finest local artists. Tons of acts, both big and small, have graced the Mohawk stage at some point. If you like live music, you like Mohawk. While they've been closed throughout the pandemic, they're finally reopening in May!
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Via Arlo's Food Truck Facebook
Various Locations
You'll find: Unbelievable vegan eats that will convert even the most die-hard carnivore - or at least get them to stop asking their vegetarian friends "What do you even eat?"
You should try: The Bac'n Cheezeburger composed of their house-made patty, seitan bac'n, vegan cheeze and more...which is nothing short of magic between two buns.
SIP ON A BEER FLIGHT AT A BREWERY
13187 Fitzhugh Rd
Take a stroll on the Jester King Brewery’s 2-mile trail after enjoying a
slice of pizza and an ice-cold beer. On this 165-acre ranch property
located in southwest Austin, you can expect to meet some furry friends —
and we’re not talking dogs, though they’re welcome, too! We're talkin' cute little goats. Jester King has plenty of seating options, and delicious
pizza, too. Tip: Make a reservation well in advance for any weekend visits.
See more Breweries.
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Photo Credit: Matt's El Rancho / FacebOOK
2613 S Lamar Blvd
Nothing beats Matt’s large outdoor patio… chances are, if you visit, you will most likely be serenaded by live mariachi music. Get a large Bob queso, a Mexican Martini (or a Shirley Temple if you are under 21) and enjoy the beautiful sights of South Austin.
See more Tex-Mex.
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Photo Credit: Roger Ho
900 E. 11th St.
Yes, Franklin is every bit as delicious as the magnanimous reputation that precedes it. The brisket is succulent. Each and every menu item is bursting with painstakingly tuned flavor. And for a limited time due to COVID, you can get your hands on this meat without having to wait in that insane line you've heard about by ordering curbside.
See more Barbecue.
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Photo Credit: Courtney Goforth
5434 Burnet Rd
Yes, Chicken Shit Bingo is a real thing, and we love it. There's just something downright beautiful about a bird's completely random pooping pattern defining the outcome of a high stakes parlor game. As an added bonus, it confirms the rest of the country's strangest suspicions about what we get up to for fun. Check it out at The Little Longhorn Saloon.
See more Weird Shit.
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8940 Research Blvd
If you’ve ever wanted to sip on a fine Merlot while playing Mortal Kombat or pound a few Pilsners while you play Pacman, Pinballz Arcade has you covered. (And if the moves we’ve witnessed on downtown dance floors are any indication, your DDR skills are likely to skyrocket as well.) Note that only the original location on Research Blvd is BYOB.
See more BYOB Spots.
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Photo via Yelp
2906 Fruth St
Did you miss Spider House? We sure as hell did. We're thanking the comedy gods that this North Campus staple is having comedy shows again, with favorite recurring showcases like Shit's Golden! and Beamed Inn. The best part? Most of them will only cost you a whopping $5.
See more Comedy.
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Photo via Do512 Family
1541 W Cesar Chavez St
Texas Rowing Center is located on the Hike and Bike Trail on Lady Bird Lake. They’re open everyday from 6 a.m. until dusk. They teach sculling and sweep rowing and also offer youth classes and camps. They rent kayaks, canoes, and stand up paddles with hourly or daily rates that vary from weekday to weekend. Click here for pricing.
See more Places to Rent Kayaks, Canoes, and SUPs.
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TAKE A HIKE, PAL
The Greenbelt via Wikipedia
2100 Barton Springs Rd
Another Austin staple is the Barton Creek Greenbelt, one of the top-rated hikes in Texas. This 7.8-mile trail will entertain virtually any outdoor enthusiast. Not only can you hike and bike, but you can climb, swim, kayak, float, and party responsibly. The badass scenery speaks for itself, so go out and explore! Everyone has their own favorite piece of this trail, so ask around - we love Sculpture Falls and Twin Falls.
See more Hiking Spots.
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DIG THROUGH SOME RECORDS
4304 Clawson Rd
End of an Ear is where it's at. They are more than just your typical record store, as their inventory also includes CDs, VHS tapes, and various stereo equipment you won’t find anywhere else. After only offering curbside delivery and online orders, End of an Ear is slowly reopening their doors to the public. They are heavily enforcing safety protocols and are offering in-store shopping opportunities through strict one-hour appointments, so schedule your appointment here and support your local indie record store!
See more Record Stores.
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WATCH THE BATS
Photo credit: Roger Ho
It’s a bird! It’s a plane! If you're in Austin, it might just be a bat.
It's common knowledge that Austin has bats, but did you know that we're home to the largest urban bat colony in the entirety of North America? Yep. More than 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats call the Congress Avenue Bridge their home. Nestled in the bridge’s underbelly, you can hear their chatter until they emerge in a dense and dramatic exodus at sunset to hunt for flying insects.
See more about The Bats.
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Photo via Instagram
310 E 3rd St
While we lost many beloved favorites during COVID, many spots opened that are worth your post-vaccination patronage. Nestled right across from the Austin Convention Center and a stone's throw from Dirty 6th, Sunset Strip Comedy Club is Austin's newest comedy venue. They've hit the ground running with various showcases highlighting Austin's favorite comedians. Bookmark this link for all the upcoming shows!
See more Places That Opened During COVID.
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Did we miss a bucket list item?
