Do you love that fresh pine smell of a live Christmas tree? We couldn’t agree more – there is no better smell during the holidays. And, while you can get that smell with a candle, Christmas just wouldn’t be the same without heading out to a farm with your family to pick out your Christmas tree! With that in mind, here is a look at some of the best Christmas tree farms around the greater Austin-area:
Christmas Tree Farms
Cross Plants and Produce
705 North Old Highway 81, Kyle
Hours: Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Closed on Mondays
Evergreen Farms
242 Monkey Road, Elgin
Hours: Monday through Friday from 12 to 5 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m.
The Robinson Family Farm
3780 White Owl Lane, Temple
Hours: Monday through Friday from 3 to 6 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Elgin Christmas Tree Farm
120 Natures Way, Elgin
Hours: Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Sunday from 12 to 5:30 p.m.
Tree Lots
Papa Noel Trees
Various locations around the Austin-area. Visit the website for more information.
Hours: Open daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Christmas Tree Lots at The Home Depot
Various locations around the Austin-area. Visit the website for more information.
Hours: Monday through Saturday from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
We wish you and your loved ones a very happy holiday season!
Do you have any questions about Austin and its surrounding areas? Contact our team today! We are always available to help those in our community.
In our small-town community, we always strive to support Georgetown’s local businesses. Although, local isn’t always easy to find. To help you support our community, we’ve compiled a list of shops so you can shop local in Georgetown, TX:
To Wear:
- Adore Boutique
- 4410 Williams Drive, Ste. 102
- Hours: Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Closed on Sundays and Mondays.
- Brazos Market
- 820 S. Austin Ave.
- Hours: Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from 12 to 4 p.m.
- Diva Chicks Boutique
- 109 E. 7th Street
- Hours: Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Closed on Sundays.
- Mesquite Creek Outfitters
- 704 S. Austin Ave.
- Hours: Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday from 12 to 6 p.m.
- Pink Poppy ARTisans Boutique
- 114 W. 8th Street
- Hours: Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m.
- Threads Urban Collective Boutique
- 415 W. 10th Street
- Hours: Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Closed on Sundays.
Electronics:
- Georgetown TV & Audio
- 4201 E. University Ave.
- Hours: Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Closed on Sundays.
For the Home:
- Texas Bright Ideas
- 1013 W. University Ave., Ste. 225
- Hours: Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Closed on Saturdays and Sundays.
Eats & Drinks:
Wine & More
- Georgetown Winery
- 715 S. Main Street
- Hours: Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 12 to 6 p.m.
- Stanzeski’s Cheese, Wine & Charcuterie
- 103 N. Austin Ave., Ste. 310
- Hours: Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Closed on Sundays and Mondays.
Sweets
- Stellar Bakes
- 710 S. Austin Ave.
- Hours: Tuesday and Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursday and Friday from 12 to 9 p.m., Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. Closed on Mondays.
- Sugar Mommy’s
- 1501 Park Lane, Ste. 104
- Hours: Tuesday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Closed on Sundays and Mondays.
- Woops Bake Shop
- 1502 Rivery Blvd., Ste. 2155
- Hours: Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Gift Baskets
- Texas Treats
- 107 Halmar Cove
- Hours: Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Closed on Saturdays and Sundays.
These businesses are some of the best destinations to shop local in our community! However, this list is not comprehensive. Please contact us if you are looking for something in particular!
Exploring a city can be difficult when you don’t live there, or even when you do live there. If you’re looking for an easier way; you’re in luck! The following social media features, on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and the iPhone Maps app, are all available to help you learn more about the city you are moving to or the city in which you already live. Take a look at how to explore neighborhoods with social media:
- Facebook’s secret feature: City Guides
It turns out, Facebook’s City Guides feature, intended as a travel planning resource, can be used to learn more about the city you live in, or are looking to move to. Simply search for a city (currently only 20 cities in America), and then explore each category (restaurants, nightlife, cafes, parks, attractions, etc.). Lucky for us, Facebook has already created a City Guide for the Austin, TX, area. Go in and take a peek! You can explore where your friends in the area go, or you can go straight to the section called “Places the locals go” to get a good feel for the area and places you should try now, or when you move to the city.
How to find it: On your mobile app, click on the bottom right button and look for City Guides in the menu. This feature is extremely new, so make sure to install the latest version before looking.
- Instagram’s secret feature: Places tab
While the Facebook City Guides feature is used to explore the city as a whole, the Instagram Places tab can be used to search through particular neighborhoods. Simply search the neighborhood, city, or area you live in, or want to live in, and the Places tab (located to the far right, after a search) will collect all the recent snapshots from users geotagged by location. This tab will allow you to explore what is happening right now in that area – as well as where people who live in that area, or visit it, like to go to eat, drink, etc.
How to find it: The Places tab is located to the far right, once you have typed in your search. Simply search for the neighborhood and then click on the Places tab to begin exploring the area!
- Twitter’s secret feature: Advanced search
Twitter’s secret feature is the advanced search. How do you use it? Simply go on your computer, type in a location on the search tab, and then hit the advanced search option. This will allow you to customize your search. Once customized, hit search, and start exploring all the local blogs, news sources, and influencers in the area. These people, photos, or news are all located within 15 miles of your location, making them hyper-local.
How to find it: On the computer, simply search for an area, and once searched, click on the advanced search feature.
- iPhone Map App: Flyover feature
Do you want to get an overall feel for a city? There’s an app for that! The flyover feature, located on the iPhone map app, shows you an overall view of an entire city. However, this feature is not available for every area of the United States. How do you know if it is available? There are two ways: one, simply scroll over the city and see if there is a “3D” option, as shown below; or two, search for the city and see if there is a “flyover tour” button available, as shown below as well. Once clicked on, the flyover feature will take you on a flyover tour of the city. This tour points out the major attractions, while also giving you a good feel of what the city looks like.
How to find it: On your iPhone, go into the Maps app and look for either a “flyover tour” button or a “3D” button over the city.
Do you have any questions about the Austin area? Give me a call; I would be happy to help you get to know the city!
Resources:
https://www.trulia.com/blog/3-secrets-exploring-neighborhoods-social-media/
Free fun in Austin has no limits! Below are a couple of free fun activities that we recommend in the Austin area. Have fun!
Concerts in the Park
Concerts in the Park happen every weekend at the Hartman Concert Park in front of the Long Center City Terrace. The Austin ensemble puts on a free concert with shows ranging from classic to jazz!
Tour the State Capitol
If you like history, then the Texas State Capitol is the place for you! The architecture of our Capitol building resembles the look of the U.S. Capitol building and the grounds surrounding the capitol are absolutely gorgeous — making for the perfect location to walk your dog or have a picnic in the park. Tours of the Capitol building are only free for groups of 10 or more with a reservation.
Baylor Street Art Wall
Spray paint art, also known as graffiti, is a great way to express yourself! However, it isn’t always legal — but thats not true of the Hope Outdoor Gallery. The Gallery is located on 11th Street and Baylor Street and boasts a tremendous view of downtown. The art here is always changing – so there is always something new for everyone to see!
Bull Creek Greenbelt
Bull Creek Greenbelt is a great location to explore the outdoors and escape the hustle and bustle of the city. Take a drive, enjoy the creek, and if you’re really up for it, there is a 3.5-mile hiking trail that’s amazing!
Blues on the Green
Live music and Austin, Texas, basically go hand-in-hand, and it doesn’t get more Austin than the Blues on the Green concerts in Zilker Park. This concert series has been hosted every summer and is FREE to the public!
Lady Bird Lake
Lady Bird Lake runs directly through Austin, TX, and is an outdoor haven for Austin residents. If you’re an outdoor enthusiast then this Austin location is the place for you! Austinites love to use the 10-mile trail around the lake to get their daily exercise. Also, in the summer months, you can rent out kayaks, canoes, or paddle boards, and enjoy the outdoors on Lady Bird Lake.
Farmer’s Market
Look around for a local farmers market! This gives you the perfect opportunity to see local Austin fares and produce. Just because you go doesn’t mean you need to purchase anything, you can just go to people watch and see what local Austin farmers and small businesses have to offer!
South Congress
South Congress, known as SoCo to Austin locals, is the very definition of Keep Austin Weird. This Stretch of Austin, just south of downtown, is home to many weird shops, fun eateries, and great views of the Texas Capitol building! This is a stop you don’t want to miss.
Have you ever noticed that the mosquito level in Austin is low? Well, that’s because we have bats! Every night thousands of bats flock from the Congress Avenue Bridge to search for food (mosquitos). You have to see this at least once! Just beware that it may stink!
Austin Wall Murals
Austin is no stranger to weird art, and these wall murals all over the city describe that perfectly! The most photographed mural, “I love you so much,” is located just near South Congress. So, grab a friend and pose for pictures at this wall mural and explore the city! Have fun!
Resources:
https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2012/oct/17/austin-top-10-outdoor-activities
http://www.austintop50.com/p/top-50-things-to-do-in-austin-this.html