PROMOTIONS

East Austin

Where hip meets history.

Illustration by Kristian Olson

1. Take a stroll along the shady stretch of the LADY BIRD LAKE HIKE AND BIKE TRAIL that extends east of Interstate 35. (Town Lake, as most Texans know it, was renamed last year after the first lady who helped beautify it.) This section is just as pretty as the trail that runs west of the interstate, but it’s free of the crowds. Comal at Festival Beach Rd.

2. MR. NATURAL serves up lard-free, vegetarian Mexican dishes—such as potato flautas and blue-corn gorditas stuffed with tofu—that are as tasty as they are good for you. Don’t miss the vegan desserts (sweet-potato empanadas, anyone?) and smoothies. You can even buy vitamins and take a yoga lesson or two. 1901 E. Cesar Chavez, 512-477-5228

3. Tucked behind a gate just off the railroad tracks, BREAKAWAY RECORDS isn’t exactly conspicuous. But the treasure trove of vintage vinyl LPs and 45’s makes it worth hunting down. The inventory includes everything from sixties songbirds like Marianne Faithfull to garage-rock legends like the Sonics. 1704 E. Fifth, Ste. 105; 512-538-0174

4. An oasis of calm, BIG RED SUN is part nursery, part upscale gift store, part landscape designer. The xeriscaped garden outside boasts an array of succulents and beautiful planters. Inside the quirky green bungalow are locally made children’s clothes, knickknacks, and even a few chirping parakeets (the birds, alas, are not for sale). 1102 E. Cesar Chavez, 512-480-0688

5. Bookstores don’t get much edgier than DOMY BOOKS, purveyor of graphic novels, zines, limited-edition art books, obscure videos, and, of course, tiny collectible toy robots. The store’s gallery space hosts experimental art installations, like the recent show of DayGlo prints displayed under black lights. 913 E. Cesar Chavez, 512-476-3669

6. Need a caffeine fix? PROGRESS serves up the best espresso on this side of Austin. The hip, modern space, which overlooks the railroad tracks and downtown, is a great place to cool your heels. The menu features tasty, sophisticated sandwiches, like BLT panini and Brie melts, as well as beer and wine. 500 San Marcos, 512-493-0963

7. The stately, white-columned FRENCH LEGATION MUSEUM dates back to the days of the Republic of Texas, when it served as the residence of France’s chargé d’affaires. The so-called French Embassy is decorated with nineteenth-century antiques, but the green, rolling grounds are the highlight of the visit. 802 San Marcos, 512-472-8180

8. The divine brunch at BLUE DAHLIA BISTRO includes daily specials, such as basil-flecked frittatas and smoked trout, as well as artisanal cheeses and complex breads (such as crusty olive-rosemary) that are locally made. Nothing is more satisfying than the tart, fresh-squeezed lemonade garnished with mint leaves. 1115 E. Eleventh, 512-542-9542

9. There’s no inside seating at EAST SIDE PIES, but this tiny neighborhood pizza joint has superlative slices. If you can’t land one of the tables outside, do what the locals do: Eat in your car. We recommend the Girther, which is topped with Gorgonzola, roasted onions, avocado, and—on request—bacon. 1401 Rosewood Ave., 512-524-0933

10. BOGGY CREEK FARM is a working organic farm whose1840’s farmhouse is one of the city’s oldest surviving homes. Fresh eggs, goat’s-milk ice cream, bison jerky, and seasonal vegetables, such as heirloom tomatoes, okra, and arugula, are sold on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. 3414 Lyons Rd., boggycreekfarm.com

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Featured Travel Destinations

Abilene Convention & Visitor's Bureau In the heart of the Texas frontier, the West lives on! Stroll downtown galleries and shops or plan your visit during a world-class exhibit. Feed “the Tallest Texan” on the frontier at the Abilene Zoo or savor the flavor of a juicy rib-eye. 800-727-7704 • abilenevisitors.com

Historic Royal Gorge Route Railroad Climb aboard Colorado’s oldest scenic railroad and cruise through the scenery of the Royal Gorge. Built in 1879, the train provides passengers the ultimate experience of this spectacular canyon. Choose from Coach, Vista Dome, Lunch, Dinner, Murder Mystery, and Wine Trains. Located in Canon City, Colorado.

McKinney CVB McKinney’s upscale shopping, distinctive restaurants, and special events offer visitors a first-class experience just 30 miles north of Dallas. Upcoming events like the return of Dinosaurs Alive!, Oktoberfest, Nationwide Golf Tour, Dickens of a Christmas, and Holiday Tour of Homes make McKinney truly Unique by Nature!

Port Royal There is water as far as the eye can see, from our famous lagoon pool to the Gulf of Mexico. Dive right in or enjoy the view and the balmy breezes from your balcony. And our family-size condos with complete kitchens make us a great value beach vacation.

El Paso Convention & Visitors Bureau El Paso. More than you imagined. Experience 400 years of history, a quick trolley ride to Mexico or one of our newest attractions: golf at Tom Fazio’s newest public golf course or shopping at the newest outlet in the Southwest. El Paso’s got it all.

Granbury Convention and Visitors Bureau Granbury – an unexpected jewel located just 35 miles southwest of Fort Worth. Enjoy shopping in more than 40 unique shops and boutiques on the charming historic downtown square. Upscale restaurants, unique hotel or bed & breakfast inns, live music venues and riverboat cruises – Get Away Today.

Rockport-Fulton Area Chamber of Commerce Fall In Love with Rockport-Fulton! You’ll find seafood, art galleries, shopping, sailing, harbors, history, Texas’ only Blue Wave Beach, lots of fishing and amazing birdwatching! www.rockport-fulton.org Call 1-800-242-0071. You’ll love it!

Angel Fire Resort With our cool summer temperatures, colorful alpine meadows and brilliant autumn foliage, Angel Fire makes a beautiful year-round destination. Come up for world-class mountain biking, a round of golf—and a whole lot more. 800-633-7463 angelfireresort.com

Stockyards Station Stockyards Station exemplifies Texas by providing an exciting blend of old and new with Historic Walking Tours, over 25 unique shops including a winery, art gallery and great restaurants that offer anything from ribs to enchiladas. Check our event calendar to see what’s going on when you’re visiting!

San Antonio From the stones of the Alamo to the meandering paths of the River Walk, San Antonio provides a vibrant, authentic journey. Today, this 17th century Spanish colonial outpost is alive with contemporary venues and accommodations, while maintaining old world charm. 800-The-Alamo or visitsanantonio.com

Lafayette Convention & Visitors Commission Lafayette is a flavorful combination of spirited festivals, savory cuisine, outdoor activities, breath-taking scenery, and a rich history. Our culture, like our dialect, is seasoned with a taste of Cajun French and Creole. Experience the distinct joie de vivre that is Lafayette.

Hot Springs CVB Soak away the day in thermal waters followed by shopping and sightseeing. Explore a woodland garden, art galleries, and lakes. Wind down with dining and gaming. Hot Springs has so much to do—all year long.

Durango Area Tourism Office Durango is the kind of town you dream about. Friendly locals, a magnificent mountain setting, limitless activities, and 300+ days of sunshine. Endless ways to relax, refresh, and reinvigorate, and our scenery is awe-inspiring. Perfecting the good life in Durango, Colorado.

Kerrville Convention & Visitors Bureau Fall in Love with Kerrville, an ideal base for exploring the treasures of the Texas Hill Country. Upcoming fall events include: The 8th Annual Texas Furniture Makers Show and the 88th Annual National Watercolor Exhibition.

Lubbock, TX Home of Texas Tech, Buddy Holly, unique shopping, dining, and legendary ranching and music heritage. Come celebrate 100 years in Lubbock, the Texas you’ve always dreamed of.

Village Of Ruidoso Ruidoso, New Mexico; the high-altitude sanctuary in the Sacramento Mountains welcomes you with casual sophistication, world-class gaming, and exhilarating outdoor adventures. Seasonal highlights include Ski Apache, Spencer Theater, Boutique shopping. 877-784-3676 • MyHighGround.com

League City League City, in Houston’s Bay Area, is home to the luxurious South Shore Harbour Resort and Conference Center. Enjoy Clear Lake dinner cruises, water activities, golf, festivals, the Kemah Boardwalk, NASA, and Galveston, only five to fifteen minutes away.

Mesquite Convention & Visitors Bureau

Gunnison-Crested Butte Our cool 1880s Rocky Mountain towns offer “inspiration included vacations.” See the USA’s largest aspen tree grove in shades of gold and red! Enjoy Colorado’s best outdoor recreation, one-of-a-kind dining and shopping, museums, the arts, and diverse lodging. We may even provide $350 to pay for your gasoline!

Amarillo Amarillo is the gateway to Palo Duro Canyon, the Grand Canyon of Texas, and camping, hiking, biking. See these great events: Tri-State Fair (September), WRCA World Championship Ranch Rodeo (November), Cowboy Mounted Shooting Association World Finals (November), NCHA World Championship Finals (February).

Utah Ski Homes Ski free at Snowbasin and/or Powder Mountain ski resorts. Lodging includes 2 ski passes per night. Utah boasts the “Greatest Snow on Earth”. Call today about real estate and lodging between Snowbasin and Powder Mountain ski areas.

Quail Run Texans enjoy sophisticated accommodations at one of the Southwest’s most luxurious resorts. Quail Run offers exceptional accommodations for vacation and business travelers, just minutes from the Plaza. Impeccable condominiums are complemented by a private health club, golf course, spa, and restaurant.

South Padre Island Convention & Visitors Bureau Located on the tropical tip of Texas, South Padre Island is bordered by the Gulf of Mexico and the Laguna Madre Bay. An abundance of activities such as water sports, dolphin watching, fishing, birding and golf await every visitor. 800-SOPADRE • sopadre.com

Colorado Tourism Office Spend a day hiking or biking through the mountains or go horseback riding at a dude ranch. If it gets your heart pumping, we’ve got it. Enter for your chance to win 1 of 3 Colorado vacations!

Silver City / Grant Chamber of Commerce Escape to Silver City, New Mexico, where there is always something unusual to enjoy! We have art galleries, museums, unique shops, fine restaurants, friendly people, beautiful scenery, and a touch of old west history. 800-548-9378 • www.silvercity.org

New Braunfels CVB New Braunfels will revive your senses and quench any visitor’s interest. Nestled in the Texas Hill Country, New Braunfels is a premier family vacation destination. Relax, shop, dine, float, dance, and stay a while to soak up this historic “burg.”

Royal Sonesta Savor the best of the city with a Bourbon Street location, live entertainment, authentic New Orleans dining, and a tranquil poolside refuge. Our French Quarter Fling starts from just $99 per night and includes a complimentary bottle of champagne upon arrival.

Santa Fe County The desert road curves between towering rock formations and opens to a vista where you’ll feel life is more mysterious than you could have imagined. Santa Fe County—unique and captivating. It’s No Place Like Home! FREE travel guide.

Ghost Ranch O’Keeffe Loved Ghost Ranch – You Will Too! B&B, group facilities, and summer getaways. Join us for an overnight stay to paint, hike, explore, or just relax.

Corpus Christi CVB Beachcombers Wanted. Give them a trip they’ll cherish for a lifetime. Playing in the sand for hours. Chasing crabs. Eating mountains of fresh seafood. Exploring the flight deck of the USS Lexington and experiencing the Gulf from the bottom up at the Texas State Aquarium.

Plano CVB Plano, Texas—close to everything, far from ordinary. Just minutes north of Dallas, Plano offers something for everyone—great accommodations, world-class shopping, fantastic cuisine, a historical downtown district, and many attractions such as the world famous Southfork Ranch and the Plano Balloon Festival held in September.

El Dorado Hotel & Spa Every great city has its premier place to stay. Discover the Four Diamond landmark just off the historic Plaza . . . with pampering treatments at Nidah spa, elegantly appointed guest rooms, and dining at the city’s most celebrated restaurant, The Old House.

Hilton Buffalo Thunder Buffalo Thunder Resort & Casino combines the magic and mysticism of Native American culture with world-renowned Hilton hospitality to create the most magnificent resort in Santa Fe…opening August 2008!

Bishop's Lodge This Santa Fe resort offers a tranquil retreat with the award-winning SháNah Spa, luxurious ranch-style accommodations, outdoor heated pool, horseback riding, trap and skeet, kid’s camp, workout facility, hiking trails, and more! Celebrate 90 years of hospitality with us!

Grand Junction Awe-inspiring natural beauty and a dramatic red rock landscape. Exhilarating outdoor adventures and stunning golf courses. Peaceful places to reflect and unwind and a charming downtown full of great shops, restaurants, galleries and more. This is Grand Junction, Colorado’s Wine Country.

La Fonda On The Plaza Historic La Fonda on the Plaza introduces the Texas 2-Fold Package: 2-night stay and dinner for 2 in La Plazuela Restaurant starting at $449! 2-step to live music nightly in our lounge. Sip a margarita in our Bell Tower Bar with the best sunset views in town.

Ruston-Lincoln Convention & Visitors Bureau Experience a weekend adventure in north Louisiana. Ruston is just four hours due east of Dallas, offering the perfect blend of home cooking mixed with eclectic shopping, historic attractions, and unique outdoor fun.

Albuquerque CVB The true Southwest awaits you in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Come immerse yourself in our rich culture and heritage, rooted in centuries of history. Breathe in the high desert air scented with sage and piñon, and you’ll understand why Albuquerque, NM is a destination like no other.

Iberostar Grand Hotel Paraiso Experience luxury without bounds at the Mayan Riviera’s most exclusive all-inclusive. Iberostar has spared no expense in creating this opulent playground reserved exclusively for adults. Discover a new definition of pampering at Iberostar’s Grand Hotel Paraiso. Call 888.923.2722 or visit www.iberostargs.com.

Northshore - St. Tammany Parish Tourist Commission Feast on life in St. Tammany Parish. Great fun, great food, and the great outdoors await you on Louisiana’s Northshore. Bike the Tammany Trace. Pet a giraffe and ravish a pile of crawfish. Play hard and rest easy in St. Tammany Parish.

New Mexico Unsurpassed in natural beauty, New Mexico is a state of fascination, where scenic grandeur, exotic cuisine and unleashed spirit provide an endless flow of experiences; and the sweet scent of piñon, the enticing aroma of roasting green chili and brightly-colored balloons linger in the dazzling blue skies.

Colorado Springs Experience the heart of Colorado adventure, with breathtaking mountain scenery, exciting attractions, wonderful accommodations, and more at the foot of Pikes Peak. Experience Colorado Springs. Visit www.ExperienceColoradoSprings.com or call 1-888-368-4748 for your free Visitor Guide.

Arkansas Parks & Tourism The six distinct regions of The Natural State provide travelers with many unique destinations—from thermal spas along Hot Springs National Park’s famous bathhouse row, to the charming Victorian village of Eureka Springs.

Grand Hyatt San Antonio Welcoming rooms with flat-panel LCD televisions and our ultra-comfortable signature Hyatt Grand BedTM. WiFi everywhere. A 24-hour Stay Fit gym with heated outdoor pool. Plus unique bars and restaurants like our Achiote River Café, with its fresh pan-Latino menu.

La Posada de Santa Fe Resort & Spa La Posada’s $6 million restoration brings you a more lavish RockResorts Spa; a redesigned AAA Four Diamond Award-winning Fuego restaurant; and enhanced guestrooms and public spaces. Visit the new La Posada and discover all the magic and charm of Santa Fe.

Beaver Creek/Vail Resorts Beaver Creek Resort, the ultimate family ski vacation. A luxurious village with award winning dining, perfectly groomed runs and exceptional guest service. It’s a place where the staff are trained to not just provide what guests want, but to anticipate it.

New Mexico Fiber Arts Trails Support creativity at its source! Your guide to 250 fiber artists and their creations at more than 60 rural destinations along the Trails. Travel and explore.

Santa Fe Convention & Visitors Bureau Santa Fe County-—Explore dramatic history, unique culture, wonderful world-class spas, dining, golf, hiking, art, Native American pueblos and Old West mining towns. Discover the unexpected in Santa Fe County —Itʼs No Place Like Home! 800-548-8272 •SeeSantaFe.org

Fredericksburg CVB Your closest friends, distinctive shopping, regional cuisine, winery tours, spa treatments, and live Texas music. This is Fredericksburg. The ultimate destination for a girls’ getaway weekend. So much fun, you’ll almost feel guilty . . . almost.

Falcon Point Lodge Falcon Point Lodge is a 20,000 square foot luxury lodge with all the features and amenities you’ve come to expect from the most exclusive resorts in the world. Twelve luxurious guest suites offer world-class accommodations. Enjoy fine gourmet dining, kayaking, exotic game reserve, private meeting facilities, and more.

Waxahachie CVB The picture-perfect place for your next visit! Experience the charm of historic downtown with unique restaurants, boutiques, and entertainment venues. Beautiful historic lodging and motels will complete your visit! Upcoming Events: SCREAMS Halloween Park and Texas Country Reporter Festival.