Palmer Event Center, at 900 Barton Springs Rd, will host Jurassic Quest, the most extensive & realistic traveling dinosaur experience in North America, on August 8-10. Families can experience the largest and most realistic Dinosaur Exhibit available, including walking and stationary dinosaur rides, dino bounce houses, a bungee pull, a soft play space for little ones, and fossil digs. Visit https://www.jurassicquest.com/ to secure tickets.
Texas Toast Brunch and Burgers has recently opened at 2801 Guadalupe St. at the former location of Torchy’s Tacos near the UT campus. The menu features a variety of burger and sandwich options, as well as Mexican food and breakfast items, including omelets, biscuits and gravy, waffles, and more. Hours of operation are daily, 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Anderson Parker opened its doors in Westlake at 3300 Bee Caves Road, Suite 375. The store offers apparel and shoes for children and babies, accessories, gifts, and monogramming services. Open 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Mon-Fri and 10:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. on Saturdays. Shop online at www.shopap.com.
El Mercado Restaurant and Cantina, located at 1302 S. First St. and 7414 Burnet Road, is celebrating 40 years in Austin. The Tex-Mex headquarters offers a lunch menu, weekend brunch, appetizer buffet, and dinner buffet, as well as a full menu. Visit this iconic Austin restaurant’s website to check out their full menu, daily specials, and each location's hours at www.elmercadorestaurant.com.
The Balloon Museum, located at 2930 W. Anderson Lane, formerly the longtime home of Louis Shanks Furniture, is now open. Their Let’s Fly exhibition, making its debut in Texas, features a celebration of art, air, and creativity. The one-of-a-kind experience features monumental inflatable artworks by renowned international artists. Open now until November 2nd, Monday-Sunday. Visit www.balloonmuseum.world for more information and to book your visit.
Austin Regional Clinic celebrates 45 years of patient care in Austin. In 1980 ARC, founded by Dr. Norman Chenven, had its first location on Far West Blvd. with three doctors. Today ARC has grown to 35 clinics in 15 Central Texas cities with 450 physicians and clinicians providing care to about a quarter of our Central Texas population and to generations of families. Austinregionalclinic.org
McCallum and Anderson high schools are among five AISD campuses where modernization work is underway. McCallum High at 5600 Sunshine Dr. will get athletic field upgrades, including scoreboard, turf, resurfaced track, seating, lights at baseball and soccer fields, concessions, and restrooms; secure entry vestibule; and HVAC, electrical, plumbing, roofing, and technology improvements. Anderson High at 8403 Mesa Dr. will receive similar athletic field upgrades including lights at baseball and softball field; as well as improvements to gyms and locker rooms; secure entry vestibule; and HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and technology improvements. Both modernization projects are expected to be completed in 2027. Austinisd.org
Old Quarry Branch Library has been closed since June 2024, but its reopening is coming soon. City of Austin says a fall opening is planned for Old Quarry, pushed back from its original spring opening because of some revisions and additional upgrades. When Old Quarry at 7051 Village Center Dr. comes back to us we’ll see new shared Learning Rooms, improvements to the Children’s Area, a new Teen Space, and an Outdoor Reading space. I’m ready. Library.austintexas.gov
Thrift House at 4901 Burnet Road closed May 31 for renovations. The upscale nonprofit Thrift House plans to reopen in the fall after major renovations to the 70-year-old building I first knew as Davis Hardware on what my Round Rock-born parents called the Old Austin Highway, so hold on to your donations for a couple of months until the new store opens and can take donations again. Thrift House profits have benefited Central Texas families for decades through programs with local schools, Austin Community College, local hospitals, and emergency relief efforts. “A major glow-up!,” say the volunteers who run Thrift House.
World Market, with its offerings of furniture, one-of-a-kind and handmade home décor, and international food findings, has relocated to Great Hills Station at 10225 Research just across Great Hills Trail from Target. World Market moved from Arboretum Crossing which Culture Map Austin says has been losing tenants as “things were growing quieter.” The space at the nexus of 183 Research and Loop 1 would become much more valuable if it were developed under Austin’s new zoning, which allows dramatically taller buildings, Culture Map Austin also says. Worldmarket.com
