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ustin has traditionally been known as a laid-back, cowboy-cool town-although in recent years it has grown into asophisticated, cosmopolitan ciqr that still retains much of this time-honored personaliry The things that people loveabout the place, find quirky and unusual and even a little rebellious, seem to have been discovered by the rest ofthe u'orld.There's a good reason for this, and no better time to explore all Austin has to offer than summertime. >>

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r&ffittY f,fi}ffiTWo cultural institutions have recentlycelebrated their one-year anniversary ofnew, exciting kid-oriented attractions.The Thinkery', an engaging and interactivechildren's museum, opened in December2073 as a replacement for the Children'sMuseum dorvntou,n. Alter a wildly suc-cessful first year, The Thinkery is gearingup for even more exhibits and programsdesigned for children's enrichment, includ-ing their popular Summer Camp.

At the south end oftown, the belovedLady Bird Johnson Wildflorver Center alsou,elcomes families with its nelv Luci andIan Family Garden that opened in 2O14.The 4,.5-acre Family Garden is the onl;, na-

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tive plant garden developed for families inCentral Texas, connecting children to thenatural u,orld by providing more than adozen interactir.e and educational features.

**fl{$trffi ffiLlTAs Austin increasingly evolves irto afoodie destination, new restaurants by starchefs pop up faster than er.er. Laundretteis the East Side's neu, darling from chefsRene Ortiz and Laura Sau'icki, serr,-ingmodern cafd food with Mediterraneaninfluences. Nlany restaurants are focus-ing on Southern food including Jacoby'sRestaurant and Mercantile, elevatingSouthern cuisine with 1ocal, farm-freshingredients in a rustic space that also in-

cludes a garden and shop (also on the EastSide). Dormtourr, Olamaie puts a modern,elegant interpretation on Southern classicsin a lovely restored-home setiing. Theever-popular Jack Allen's Kitchen recentlyopened a neu Westlake locatiort. serringrefined Southern-inspired flavors, crossedrvith the spice of South$.estern cuisine.

$dHf,ffifl ?ffi $$AyIt's an exciting time on the hotel scene inAustin, with the city's largest hotel, the JWMarriott, opening in February 2015 with1,012 rooms, tr,vo specialty restaurants, aburger bar, and several bars. The highlyanticipated Hotel Van Zandt is set to openthis summer, u.ith 319 rooms, 41 suites,and 1z,ooo square feet of meeting space.Also opening this summer are the WestinAustin Donrrtou,n, Sonesta Bee Car.eand the boutique South Congress Hotel,offering a rooftop pool and Otoko, a neu,restaurant by "Top Chef" Paul Qui, along\\'-ith its 83 rooms and suites.

One of 'lcxasis most chartning historictos-ns, Frcdericksburg is the ideal placeto spcncl a sumrrler s'cekencl, u-}rctherit's firmill'fun or a rornantic geta\\'a)'.I(nos'n for its manl-area rvinerics along"\\ irre Roatl :.l9o." ne\\ llrirrg. ut'e opeuirrgnir such as tl're Stout's at Grape Cr:eek\rine1'arcls Trattoria, an Itaiian restaurantconnccted to the sinc terrace at ClrapeCre'ek. Guestlx)11sc collrllounds coutinueto cnlcrge in Fredclicksburg; chcck otttSugtrlbelrl Inn. s'ith 12 indir-iclual gtrestcottages onlr'steps fi'orn Nlain Stleet anclall its attractions.

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to Fredericksburg this summer, kickingoffover 4th of July weekend at GillespieDowns. Four special weekends will offerfamily-fi:iendly racing to visitors. The HillCountry Food Truck Festival on August 1

brings together food vendors, Texas musicand Texds wine. Celebrate peach season(mid-May through mid-August) at theStonewall Peach JAMboree & Rodeo, withevents including a peach contest, crowningof the Peach Queen, parade, Iive music anda rodeo (June 19-2o).

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Kerrville is known as an outdoorplayground, both inside citylimits andout. Louise Hays Park, a downtown citypark on the Guadalupe River, has beenundergoing major renovations for anearh Summer 2O15 opening. The RiverTrail, a day-utse Io-foot-wide walking andbiking trail, has been extended to providea continuous four-mile trail along theGuadalupe River with trailhead offshoots,a new fun spray park, and dog park.

The city of Kerrville has virtuallyexploded with new dining options,boutique shopping, high-end retailestablishments and wine bars. The freeFourth on the River (July a) event will beheadlined by Robert Earl Keen, promisinga day of great music, food, beer and wineand fireworks after dark. A new event thisyear is the Kerrville CHALK Festival June6-Z with chalk art created on downtownplaza sidewalks alongside food trucks andIive music.

Known as the "Honey Capital of theWorld," Uvalde is known for its beautifultrees that create a rich oasis surroundedby Texas River Country, Hill Country wildgame and more. It's a small town that

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still offers enticing restaurants, museums,art and history in the midst of stunningnatural scenery. From bird watchingand hiking at State Parks to flshing andhunting, it's a sportsperson's paradise.

On the second Friday of every monthFour Square Friday is held from 6-9 p.m.in historic downto.,rrr, offering latenight shopping, food, live music and art.On June 20, the Soth Annual ClpressDay Celebration will be held in nearbySabinal, with a competitive chili cook-off,arts and crafts show 5K run, softballtournament, and even bull riding.

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Founded in 1887, shoppers and historybuffs alike will appreciate Marble Falls'sMain Street District where you can shopfor treasures among charming antiquesshops, gift and clothing boutiques, andlocal restaurants. For those who have theHistory Channel programmed on theirremote, this town brings it to life. The areaboasts 17 museums and historical sites to

take in. The LakeFest Drag Boat Races inAugust is a thrilling event, and hundredsof miles of u.aterrvay along the area's sevenIakes allolr. visitors their oun recreationalboating options. Take a tour of a nearbl'cavern or a boat tour and look to the skiesto catch a glimpse of a bald eagle. Hiking,golfing, a tasting at an1'ofthe nine localwineries, or a meal at 86-1ear old BlueRonnet Caf6 - famous for its classic foodand Pie Happl- Hour - will round out1'our trip. ii

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