Austin for Couples—Top 10 Summer Must-Do’s
The summer fun never ends in Austin. Here is just a sampling of events you might want to try out during your next visit.
1. Bond Over Brisket—Nothing sparks a lovers’ spat in Texas faster than the question of who makes the best barbecue. Stubb’s Bar-B-Q, Franklin Barbecue and The County Line in Austin and The Salt Lick in nearby Driftwood make a good run for the coveted title with their mouth-watering brisket, ribs and sausage. Other top contenders include Smitty’s Market, Meyer’s Elgin Sausage and Black’s Barbecue—which claims to be open eight days a week. Stop by the Concierge desk at Four Seasons Hotel Austin for a guide to the best barbecue spots—and most likely a personal opinion or two.
2. In Tune in Austin—Grab your dance partner and get ready for endless music options. Home to nearly 200 live music venues, Austin has rightly earned the title of “Live Music Capital of the World.” The city’s diverse music scene ranges from the historic Continental Club, where Tuesday’s Toni Price “Hippie Hour” shows are an Austin tradition, to Antone’s, featuring the finest blues performers in the world. End your evening with a nightcap in the Four Seasons Lobby Lounge, where Austin artists entertain guests and a loyal local following four nights a week.
3. Take a Dip—Reconnect and refresh with a romantic afternoon at one of the city’s nearby lakes, streams and natural springs. Close to downtown, Barton Springs Pool maintains a constant 68-degree temperature and combines a lake-like atmosphere with the feel of a neighbourhood swimming pool. A quick drive away, the cave-like rock formation of Hamilton Pool serves as a unique backdrop to the Pedernales River. (Oh, and for the other kind of dip, there’s always Hippie Hollow, a clothing-optional swimming hole on the shores of Lake Travis.)
4. Wine Tasting for Two—Get a taste of Texas Hill Country, one of the world’s fastest-growing wine tourism destinations. Take your pick of over 30 wineries spread over more than 9 million acres, each offering distinctive varietals and scenic views of rolling green hills and vibrant wildflowers. Before you embark on your Texas wine tour, be sure to stop by TRIO for a chat with sommelier Mark Sayre, one of Wine & Spirits’ “7 Best New Sommeliers in 2010” and an expert on wines from around the world.
5. Lady Bird’s First Love—One of the state’s most lasting love stories is that of Lady Bird Johnson and her fondness for nature. She, along with Ann and Roy Butler, are credited with preserving the picturesque waterway that bisects downtown and provides more than 10 miles of hiking and biking trails—now called the Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail. Take a stroll with your sweetie and enjoy Lady Bird’s legacy—whether you choose the popular parkland in downtown Austin or her well-known Wildflower Center, you’ll delight in the diversity of Central Texas flowers and plants.
6. The Art of Discovery—Discover the Blanton Museum of Art, home to the largest university-owned art collection in the country, including more than 17,000 works ranging from Renaissance masters to contemporary artists.
7. Batty and Beautiful—Admittedly not the most romantic of creatures, bats are surprisingly beloved in Austin, where an estimated 1.5 million make their home underneath the Congress Avenue Bridge from March through November. Head to the Hotel’s Lobby Lounge terrace to watch their amazing nightly flight, and sip a famous Batini cocktail—a concoction of vodka, blackberries, blue curacao, grapefruit juice, a splash of Champagne and a garnish of mint.
8. Picnic in the Park—Fall in love to The Sound of Music as Zilker Theatre Productions presents this classic summer musical July 6 through August 11 at the Beverly S. Sheffield Zilker Hillside Theater. Make it a truly memorable evening under the stars with a picnic packed just for you from Four Seasons Hotel Austin, available with 24 hours’ advance notice for $50 (for two). To order, please call 1 512/685-8310.
9. Make It a Movie Night—Opened in 2011, Violet Crown Cinema on Second Street is a plush four-screen theatre showing independent films and serving concession snacks from the chef at famed Austin restaurant Fonda San Miguel. Or for an old-fashioned date night, head to Blue Starlite Mini Urban Drive-in, an homage to the heyday of drive-in movie theatres complete with vintage speakers, a refreshment stand and cult classics such as E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial and Back to the Future.
10. Amore at the Market—Relish every moment spent at the 80,000 square-foot flagship store of Whole Foods Market in downtown Austin. It features several mini restaurants, over 1,800 wines, a gelato counter and even an in-store bar, but we think you’ll experience love at first bite.
Start planning your city getaway today and enjoy a complimentary third night with our Stay Longer package.
Or, read about more summer fun in Texas.
