Destination: Austin, Round Rock, Bryan College Station and Georgetown

1. The historic Commodore Perry Estate, including a 10,800-square-foot Italian Renaissance-style estate and lush gardens, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Now, Austin developers and property management company, Auberge Resorts Collection, have transformed this piece of history into a 10-acre gated compound, including 54 guest rooms and event space for up to 250, that brings modern touches to this charming estate.

2. As the COVID-19 pandemic ravages on, the music community in Austin has stayed busy and hopeful that, soon, things will return to near normal. Throughout the last few months of livestreams, virtual songwriting camps, and socially distant recording sessions, Austin musicians have started to play live music in safe environments to limited audiences in venues like Antone’s Nightclub, The Far Out and Nutty Brown Amphitheater.

3. The pandemic has also brought back to popular an oldie but goodie: the drive-in. In Austin, Blue Starlite Mini Urban Drive-in showcases double features of indie films, cult classics and childhood favorites on the big screen, and just south of the city limits, Doc’s Drive In Theatre presents films under the Texas sky with a bar and expansive menu of food and concessions.

4. The much-anticipated Kalahari Resorts is now open! This family-friendly African-themed water park and convention center in Round Rock includes 350 acres and a nine-story resort with a 40,000-square-foot ballroom, 22,0000-square-foot junior ballroom, indoor and outdoor water park, theme park, 990 guest rooms, spa, fitness centers, restaurants and more.

5. With more time spent online, Round Rock wants to make it more fun. The next time you hop on Zoom to attend a meeting online, virtually pass the time with friends on a Friday night, or catch up with loved ones, use one of the customized Round Rock Zoom backgrounds to spruce up your surroundings and virtually showcase the city you love! Find them at GoRoundRock.com.

6. Now that the cooler weather is here to stay for a bit, warm up with a morning cup of joe or an afternoon pick-me-up. Round Rock has plenty of cafes and coffee shops where you can get your caffeine fix no matter the time of day. Sip and support a good cause at Mi Mundo, try a local brew at Star Coffee or cozy up at Lamppost Coffee.

7. BBQ is a way of life in Texas – we all know that – and in Bryan College Station you can get your fix and support black-owned businesses at the same time. Legendary Fargo’s Pit BBQ, along with local favorite Lamar & Niki’s Pit BBQ & Soul Food and food trailer What’s The Deal BBQ, will have your mouth watering and fingers ready to be licked.

8. While the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum in College Station may still be under reopening restrictions, you can listen to two podcasts produced by the library. All the Best features interviews with the Bushes’ family, friends, former colleagues and fellow Points of Light with a special emphasis on service to others, and the family-friendly Mrs. Bush’s Story Time features original recordings from the radio program of the same name.

9. Take a walk through Georgetown and make sure to stop and take photos next to some of the city’s most Instagrammable murals. There’s the “Greetings from Georgetown” mural along the side of Gus’s Drug, and you won’t want to miss the colorful cityscape (red poppies and Southwestern University included) along the side of the local shop To Have & To Hold.

10. There’s nothing quite as satisfying as a delicious meal enjoyed outdoors. Whether you’re searching for your next date night locale or a place to satisfy your appetite, you’ll find plenty of one-of-a-kind restaurants with outdoor patios in Georgetown, including El Monumento, where mouthwatering street tacos and sizzling fajitas pair perfectly with their signature frozen margaritas.

Sources: Visit Austin, Go Round Rock, Visit Georgetown, Visit College Station