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Earlier this month we shared a few of our favorite things to do in the fall in Austin. Today, we’re continuing our list and encouraging you to get out and about in Austin to support our local community.
Prepare for Pumpkin Season!
Yes, it’s that time of the year when Pumpkins start popping up on the doorsteps at Juniper Springs apartments in Austin, and throughout our festive city. Make your plans now to head on over to Sweet Berry Farm (in Maple Falls) then put Georgetown’s Sweet Eats and Springs Ranch on your list as well. Sip on some cider, enjoy the homemade treats and get a head-start on your holiday shopping list, too!
Ride into the Spectacular Colors of Fall
Soon, the Texas Hill Country will be overflowing with the colors of the fall season. And as soon as those temperatures cool off, it’s the perfect spot to head into the hills on horseback. Here are two of the best guided trail ride companies that we recommend.
Texas Trail Rides: For a traditional ride throughout the ranch with more adventurous options, Texas Trail Rides welcomes the novice to the most advanced. Looking for something different to do for that next birthday or bachelor party? Check out what they call the “ultimate Texas experience” that includes skeet shooting, ax throwing and trick roping, too!
Maverick Horseback Riding: Just one click into their website sets the tone with a quote from Winston S. Churchill: “There is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man.” They continue to describe their approach to sharing their horses with humans. “Guests who seek out Maverick’s horsemanship experience love that we offer low-key, relaxing trail rides AND engaging, challenging and highly rewarding horsemanship experiences."
Gather the family around a cozy campfire and enjoy the beauty of nature with an overnight camping trip.
Plan a Fall Stay-cation
Weekends are made for wanderers and Auditorium Shores is a super spot to get away for a Stay-cation in Austin. What to pack? Take it all! This dog-friendly park is well-planned with volleyball and basketball courts and fields to toss the ball for Fido or just a friendly game on the turf. And there’s plenty of water sport opportunities, so take the kayak, canoe, bring your boat and don’t forget the fishing gear.
Get Wet, and Wild!
With temperatures still in the 90s, having fun on the water is always on our “things to do with our family’ in Austin. Krause Springs is one of the best spots to go swimming near Austin as the natural springs keep the pools full year-round regardless of drought. You never have to worry about water levels like many other Austin swimming holes. The property is a sight to be seen with 32 springs, camping grounds, and even a butterfly garden.
Get Ready For Halloween
Forget the stress and step out to see the enormous selection of costume shops in Austin through this list below. If you would rather do something less traditional, keep reading – we have more ideas that follow this list.
Party City – Sunset Valley Village
If you’re feeling a little more daring, hit the thrift or consignment shops to get your creative juices flowing.
Lucy in the Skies with Diamonds
Have a fantastic family fall season full of adventures in Austin!
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As summer comes to a close, it’s the perfect time to create memorable adventures this fall in and around Austin, Texas! Check out these fun activities below and watch for our next Blog later this month with more ideas on what to do in Austin in the fall.
Savor the Seasonal Fruits & Veggies
After you have selected some of the season’s finest fruits, it’s time to savor and save the flavors for those holiday feasts to come. From plums to peaches to all the prunes in season, preserving those seasonal favorites is a classic way to spend a fall day. It’s also a great way to get kids excited about math, as measuring the goods comes with tasty rewards!
To get you started, we found a super simple website that lays out the basics of canning from the folks at SeriousEats.com.
Some of the best recipes can be found at BallMasonJars.com. Some of our favorites that are a little out of the ordinary, yet ideal for fall feasts include:
Habanero Apricot Jam
Carrot Cake Jam
Spiced Tomato Jam
And this ‘must-make’ seasonal favorite: Apple Butter
Attend the Pecan Street Festival
On September 14th and 15th, this Festival is one of the largest, and longest-running, arts/crafts and music festivals in the nation, presented by The Pecan Street Association, a 501(c)4 nonprofit organization. If you have never attended this ultra-popular event, this year is the year to do so. With over 50 bands, arts and crafts, kids’ games and oh-so-much more, you may want to go both days. And it’s a huge fundraiser that supports a variety of projects on 6th Street and the downtown area. Among those who benefit are artists, youth programs and homeless initiatives.
Sip on the Season’s Best Brews
While the adults enjoy a seasonal brew, there are usually family-friendly spaces where kids can join in on the fun. Enjoy the outdoor areas at local breweries where everyone can relax together.
Ziler Brewing Company and Tap Room
1701 East 6th Street
Austin Beer Works
3001 Industrial Terrace
Central District Brewing
417 Red River Street
Meanwhile Brewing
3901 Promontory Point Drive
Want more ideas on what to do in Austin in the fall? Stay tuned for our next Blog post later this month!
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Earlier this month we shared our initial list of things we are thankful for in Austin, Texas. And as there are so many things to be grateful for, we are continuing our list for you below.
On behalf of our entire staff at Juniper Springs apartments in North Austin, we encourage you to experience all that makes your life happy and healthy … and wish you a very memorable Thanksgiving.
Beautifully Maintained Parks
Throughout Austin, we are so fortunate to have so many parks to enjoy the great outdoors in Austin. Right now, the weather couldn’t be better to pack a picnic and plan a stroll, bike ride or hike through our region’s expansive list of Parks.
We are always impressed at the meticulously cared for recreation areas that the Austin Parks and Recreation Department continues to maintain on our behalf.
The Austin Parks and Recreation Department has been the steward of the City of Austin’s public lands since 1928. As such, they protect and maintain parkland and our urban forest. They preserve trails, and offer a variety of sports, recreation, educational enrichment, arts programs, cultural opportunities, nature and aquatic activities.
For a complete list of all the Parks throughout Austin, click into this list now.
Arts & Culture
If you are fond of art and culture, you really don’t need to drive too far to soak in the splendid arts and culture scene in Austin. There seems to be an art gallery around every corner and our impressive list of museums is enviable by every standard. Two of our favorites are the Bullock Texas State History Museum and the Blanton Museum of Art.
We are so well known and appreciated for our art scene that the city is home to the Texas Film Awards and Texas Book Festival.
You can explore a variety of eclectic art and cultural experiences in Austin all year round by clicking into VisitAustin.com now.
Family-Friendly Adventure
Lucky for locals and visitors alike, Austin is a family-filled playground, year-round. So much so that we have dedicated many of our Blogs to the lifestyle that awaits you and yours throughout our colorful seasons. Here are highlights of the adventures that we’re thankful for … and enjoy every year!
- Playdate at The Thinkery Put your family’s grey cells to use at the Thinkery, an interactive museum on Simond Avenue
- Watching Fish at the Austin Aquarium
- Learning at Pioneer Farms
- Kayaking at Lady Bird Lake
- Strolling through the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
- Hiking at Mount Bonnell
- Enjoying Dessert at Amy’s Ice Creams
- Exploring Inner Space Cavern
The FOOD!
Be it for Christmas Dinner or just to toast to a festive night on the town, the vibrant city of Austin has you covered. Below you will find a list of some of the favorite spots our family at Juniper Springs apartments likes to dine or have a holiday toddy to celebrate all that is good in life.
Wherever you choose to go, make a reservation now as many of these local favorites are full every night.
The Peacock Mediterranean Grill
In closing, we hope you enjoyed our top list of things to be thankful for in Austin. As you can see, our city is full of adventure, culture, history, and endlessly fun things to do.
Have a safe and memorable Thanksgiving ~ from the Juniper Springs family!
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Lions, tigers and bears … and so many more options when it comes to making our purchasing the perfect Halloween costumes this year.
To keep you running full stream ahead, enjoying the fall season in Austin, our family at Juniper Springs apartment community is sharing their ideas with you!
Have fun, and we’ll see you at the top spot to celebrate Halloween … noted below!
Top Halloween Costume Stores in Austin, Texas
Forget the stress and step out to see the enormous selection of costume shops in Austin through this list below. If you would rather do something less traditional, keep reading – we have more ideas that follow this list.
Party City – Sunset Valley Village
Consignment Shops in Austin
If you’re feeling a little more daring, hit the thrift or consignment shops to get your creative juices flowing.
Lucy in the Skies with Diamonds
Best Ideas for a DIY Halloween Costume
In addition to all the costume shops throughout Austin, Texas, there are some super easy ideas to take the stress out of this holiday.
For inspiration, we searched the web and found that WomensDay.com had one of the most comprehensive lists to get your creative juices flowing. It has plenty of ideas for DIY kids’ costumes, couples’ costume ideas, scary Halloween costumes, funny costumes, and more.
Top Spot to Celebrate Halloween in Austin, Texas
Just one night touring with Nightly Spirits in Austin will get you in the mood to celebrate all season long. If you have yet to embark on their Nightly Spirits Austin Ghost Tour Pub Crawl, this is the year to do so!
According to their website, they “spent a ton of time drinking and ghost hunting through downtown Austin to create the best ghost tour in Austin. “
The Nightly Spirits Austin Ghost Tour Pub Crawl begins at haunted Buffalo Billiards on 6th Street.
And here’s what their website says about what to expect:
“You are going to visit at least 4 bars on a roughly 2.5-hour journey around Austin. This Austin walking ghost tour pub crawl will cover about 1 mile and is going to follow along the most haunted places in Austin. We are going to take you to some of the darkest places in Austin and tell you some of the seediest stories around town. You will meet your guide inside Buffalo Billiards. Most of the time, we will have private access to the second floor before it opens to tell ghost stories of Buffalo Billiards. The tour, most of the time, will end at Waller Creek Pub House, where we have secured awesome drinks specials for you to enjoy all night long.”
Have a spooktacular Halloween!
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To help you enjoy all the fun and festivities, our family at Juniper Springs apartments in Austin is sharing some of their top ideas on where to go and what to do to celebrate Halloween and the fall season in Austin.
Want to know where and how to pick out the perfect pumpkin? Want to try out some new recipes for canning this year? Read on, then check our Blog later this month for ideas on creating the perfect costumes and where to show them off at the top spot to celebrate Halloween in Austin, this year.
How To Pick Out A Perfect Pumpkin
So, where do you start? It depends on the purpose. If you have plans to host a pumpkin carving party, focus on the large, uniform shapes; they are best for carving creative creatures. If you are seeking a pumpkin for the perfect pumpkin pie, here’s the rule: the smaller and heavier, the better.
While picking out pumpkins, be sure to get a few squashes to make one of the richest and most delicious recipes for Squash Soup from HowSweetEats.com.
To ensure your pumpkin lasts as long as it can, exchange the real candles of yesteryear with battery-operated candles.
And here’s an excellent tip to keep your artistry looking healthy well into the fall season: wipe the fruit off with bleach and water.
Where to Pick Out A Pumpkin
Last year we provided you with a list of pumpkin patches and local farms within a short drive from our apartments to rent in Austin, Texas. All of those listed below are still our favorite spots.
PEAS Community Farm and Urban Orchard
Delicious Fall Canning Recipes
It’s that season again! If you have yet to try canning, perhaps this year is the year to do so. There are so many good reasons to add this hobby to your list:
- Preserving the nutritional value of fresh produce: Canning retains most of a food’s nutrients.
- Cost savings: Canning food is cheaper than freezing food.
- Environmental impact: Canning helps save the environment.
- Convenience: Canned foods are readily available.
- Versatility: Canning allows you to enjoy homemade goodness throughout the year.
- Preservation of family recipes: Canning helps preserve traditional flavors.
- Complete control of the ingredients. You won’t have to have a dictionary to understand what’s in your creation!
Here are a few of our favorites from TasteofHome.com. We hope you enjoy them too.
Apple Jam with Pie Spices Recipe (tasteofhome.com)
Homemade Christmas Jam (tasteofhome.com)
Apricot Jam Recipe (tasteofhome.com)
Favorite Bread & Butter Pickles Recipe: How to Make It (tasteofhome.com)
Mild Salsa Recipe for Canning Recipe: How to Make It (tasteofhome.com)
Autumn Pepper Relish Recipe: How to Make It (tasteofhome.com)
Check out our second October blog later this month to see some new ideas for DIY costumes, the top spots to buy costumes in Austin, and where the parties are that await your spooky and spectacular attire!
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We are all so fortunate to live at our Juniper Springs apartment community in Austin, where we are wrapped with endless music, film, and festivities to enjoy year-round. And during August, it’s one of the best times to grab your family and friends to support the arts and culture that makes our City one of the tops in the country for music and so much more. Enjoy these events this month, and keep your eyes on our Blog for things to do in Austin year-round!
East Austin African American Musicians Celebration
August 2 – 7, 2024
During this celebration, you and your family can join the celebration at the Texas Music Museum. It is during these festivities that the Museum will applaud the” invaluable contributions of nationally renowned musicians from East Austin, who have played a pivotal role in shaping Austin's reputation as the live music capital.” On top is a performance of the Jays Jazz and other impressive musicians.
If you have yet to enjoy this free (or for a low fee) concert series in Austin, you really should put this on your ‘to do’ list. This month, the free concerts showcase some of our favorite artists and those who are here to launch their careers. Bring your blanket or low-back chair, and don’t forget to bring Fido to the show – as dogs are welcome on a leash. There’s lots of food and beverages as well.
To see the full line-up of free concerts in Austin, visit TheLongCenter.org.
Mohawk Austin
It’s another super summer line-up that you don’t want to miss. Check out all the details and get your tickets now through this link.
Here’s the line-up for this month:
August 14 – An Evening with Mountain Grass Unit
August 15 – Dave Hause
August 18 – Peel Dream Magazine
August 24 – Get Up Kids
August 29 – Good Terms with Rematch
August 30 – Big Freedia
Austin City Limits – Live at the Moody Theater
Date night out or no reason at all, there’s always something to see on stage at the Moody Theater, and this month is no exception.
August 3 – Joshua Bassett
August 4 – OAR and Fitz and the Tantrums
August 7 – The Pretenders
August 8 – Treaty Oak Revival
August 9 – Forrest Frank
August 10 – 10CC
August 15 – Tim Minchin
August 15 – FLOW – Rock Band
August 17 – Ben Schwartz
August 20 – Lucky Dave
August 21 – Primus
August 22 – Los Angeles Azules
August 23 – Marca MP
August 30 – Kikuo
August 31 – America
Paramount Summer Classic Film Series
Now through August 17, 2024
Film, music, comedy, and a cool and classic setting at the Paramount Theatre in Austin. Make your plans now for a date night for family fun as you sit back and settle in to enjoy some of the best entertainment in August. This month the Theatre is celebrating its 50th year by highlighting some of our family favorites, which include Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, Oceans Eleven, The Goonies, Honey I Shrunk the Kids. The Classics also include long-time favorites with Cary Grant and Ingrid Bergman in Sherlock Holm’s “Nortorious.” And that’s just the beginning.
See the complete calendar at AustinTheatre.org.
65th Zilker Summer Musical
Through August 15, 2024
If you prefer to pack a picnic and enjoy theater in the great outdoors, the Zilker Hillside Theater is a perfect place to see free performances Thursdays through Sundays throughout the summer months. Right now, the Theater is presenting the musical “Legally Blonde.” The Theater’s website provides this overview for you:
A fabulously fun award-winning musical based on the adored movie, Legally Blonde The Musical, follows the transformation of Elle Woods as she tackles stereotypes and scandal in pursuit of her dreams. Action-packed and exploding with memorable songs and dynamic dances – this musical is so much fun, it should be illegal!
For more information about what’s showing now, and what’s to come this fall, visit Zilker.org.
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With fall in full swing, our family at Juniper Springs apartment community in Austin is spending lots of time in the kitchen preparing some of our favorite fall recipes. We think they are so tasty that we’ve chosen our second blog of the month to share them with you.
Cheers!
Make it YUMMY … all season-long!
Squash Soup with Curried Brown Butter Recipe
Ingredients:
• 3 slices bacon, diced
• 1 sweet onion, diced
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• kosher salt and pepper
• 4 to 5 cups cubed butternut squash
• 4 cups stock chicken or vegetable stock
• ½ cup heavy cream or full-fat coconut milk
• creme fraiche or plain yogurt, for topping
• chopped fresh cilantro, for topping
Curried Brown Butter:
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 teaspoon curry powder
See the full recipe here from HowSweetEats.com.
Roasted Vegetables
Ingredients
• 2 cups cubed butternut squash
• 2 cups halved Brussels sprouts
• 2 cups cauliflower florets
• 2 carrots, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 to 2 turnips, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 small red onion, cut into wedges
• 1 cup halved red radishes or cubed daikon radish
• Extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling
• Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons chopped rosemary or 12 chopped sage leaves, optional
• Apple Cider Vinegar Dressing, optional
• Lemon wedges, for serving, optional
Click here for the complete recipe from LoveandLemons.com.
Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bread
Ingredients
• 3 cups grated fresh zucchini about 3-4 medium zucchini
• 1 ½ cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 3/4 cup butter melted¹
• 3 cups all-purpose flour² properly measured
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 ½ cups mini semisweet chocolate chips
These make super delicious hostess gifts for the holiday to come. Get the full recipe from Ihearteating.com.
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With temperatures dropping and spectacular seasonal colors popping, there's no question that the glorious fall season has arrived in Austin.
To help you ease into the Autumn season, our family at Juniper Springs apartments in Austin is sharing some of their top ideas on what to do during the fall months in Texas.
Want to know how to pick out the perfect pumpkin and where the best spots are for leaf peeping this fall? Read on!
How To Pick Out A Perfect Pumpkin
Throughout our colorful city, you don't have to drive far to find a pumpkin patch when you live in Austin, you will find plenty of places to pile the kids in the car to go on a road trip for the day to hunt for the perfect pumpkin!
Sweet Berry Farm
1801 FM 1980, Marble Falls
The Jersey Barnyard
3117 TX-159, La Grange
Sweet Eats Fruit Farm
14400 E State Hwy 29, Georgetown
Robinson Family Farm
2651 Bob White Rd
Crowe’s Nest Farm
10300 Taylor Lane, Manor
Indian Springs Ranch Pumpkin Patch
403 Elm View Way, Manchaca
Texas Humane Heroes Pumpkin Fest
8760 FM 2243, Leander
So, how do you pick out the perfect pumpkin? It depends on the purpose. If you have plans to host a pumpkin carving party, focus on the large, uniform shapes; they are best for carving creative creatures. And here's an excellent tip to keep your artistry looking healthy well into the fall season: wipe the fruit off with bleach and water.
Here's the general rule for the perfect pumpkin pie: the smaller and heavier, the better. While picking out pumpkins, be sure to get a few squashes to make one of the richest and most delicious recipes for Squash Soup from HowSweetEats.com.
Speaking of yummy and fun ideas, why not throw a party? It's a perfect time to get the neighbors together before the snow flies. No need to spend time doing it yourself. Make it a potluck by the pool for a perfect way to start the season.
Go Leaf Peeping in Austin!
Fall is the perfect time to take a road trip to see the changing of the colors. From the north at Windy Peak to the south of McKinney Falls State Park, you will find fairy-tale landscapes for all to enjoy.
Speaking of which, did you know that those vivid leaf colors are actually hidden from us throughout the summer months? As the sunlight decreases and the colder temps arrive, chlorophyll production in the leaves begins to slow down and reveal the true brilliant reds, golds, and classic deep orange colors of fall.
Now, get out and get leaf pepping!
• Windy Peak
• River Place Nature Trail
• McKinney Falls State Park
• Zilker Botanical Gardens
• Mayfield Park
• Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
• Commons Ford Ranch Metro Park
• Veterans Park
• Violet Crown Trail
• Zilker Park
• Lake Travis
To end our blog, here's an appropriate rhyme created by Charles G. Eastman. He was the first Native American to be certified in Western Medicine and one of the most prolific authors and speakers on Sioux ethnohistory and American Indian affairs in the early 20th century.
The mellow moon, the changing leaves,
The earlier setting sun,
Proclaim at last, my merry boys,
The harvest time begun. –Charles G. Eastman (1816–1860)
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