Southwest Austin offers myriad options for individuals looking to escape the high temperatures of summer. Whether it’s painting a piece of pottery with a friend, taking children to swim in a community pool, catching a movie with a significant other or indulging one’s inner child with a round of laser tag, there are plenty of activities to help beat the Texas heat.

Pools & swimming holes

Dick Nichols Neighborhood Pool
8011 Beckett Road, Austin
512-899-0348
www.austintexas.gov/pools
Hours: Tue.-Sun. 11 a.m.-8 p.m.,
closed Mon.
Fees: $1-$5

Dittmar neighborhood pool
1009 W. Dittmar Drive, Austin
512-693-4698
www.austintexas.gov/pools
Hours: Mon. 11a.m.-8 p.m., Wed.-Sun. 11 a.m.-8 p.m.; closed Tue.
Fees: $1-$5

Garrison Municipal Pool
6001 Manchaca Road, Austin
512-442-4048
www.austintexas.gov/pools
Hours: Thu.-Tue. 11 a.m.-8 p.m., closed Wed.
Fees: $1-$5

Hamilton Pool
24300 Hamilton Pool Road,
Dripping Springs
512-264-2740
www.parks.traviscountytx.gov/find-a-park/hamilton-pool
Hours: reservations required May 1-Sept. 30; daily 9 a.m.-1 p.m., 2-6 p.m., weather permitting.
Fees: $5 (per vehicle if citizen age 62 or older or disabled vet is among party), $15 (per vehicle)

Twin Falls/Sculpture Falls
3900 W. MoPac, Austin
512-974-6700
www.austinparks.org/parks/barton-creek-greenbelt-west-twin-falls/
Hours: 24/7
Fees: free

Arts & Entertainment

Alamo Drafthouse Cinema

Features: Special film screenings with different themes include Terror Tuesday, Girlie Night and Weird Wednesday. Food and drink menu prices vary.

5701 W. Slaughter Lane, Austin
512-861-7060
www.drafthouse.com/austin
Hours: box office opens 45 minutes before first scheduled showtime
Fees: $5-$15

Features: Amenities include walk-in projects; art classes using different mediums such as pottery and glass fusion; art camps; family workshops; and Storytime Art.

11190 Circle Drive, Ste. 202, Austin
512-852-9900
www.theartgarageaustin.com
Hours: Sun.-Mon. noon-6 p.m., Tue.-Wed. 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Thu.-Fri. 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
Fees: $15-$50

Articulture Designs

Features: Monthly events include do-it-yourself classes, including “Plant Therapy: Make a Modern Succulent Arrangement” and “DIY Mounted Staghorn Fern Class.” Included in the price are materials, beer and wine.

6405 Manchaca Road, Austin
512-762-5228
www.articulturedesigns.com
Hours: Tue.-Sat. 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m.-5 p.m., closed Mon.
Fees: $55-$90

Cafe Monet

Features: Open studio painting and paint-your-own pottery and mosaic events occur each month, including a Kid’s Night Out and adult workshop series “Monet Makers” on Sundays. A football-themed “memory plate” will be offered in September in which families can have a custom-designed dish made with their handprints included.

4477 S. Lamar Blvd., Austin
512-892-3200
www.cafemonet.org
Hours: Sun.-Mon. noon-6 p.m., Tue.-Thu. 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Fri.-Sat. 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
Fees: $25-$50

Food & Drink

(512) Brewing Co.

Features: Guided tours  are offered with a sample glass keepsake and six 8-ounce samples. Outdoor games also available.

407 Radam Lane, Ste. F200, Austin
512-707-2337
www.512brewing.com
Hours: Sat. noon-4 p.m., closed Sun.-Fri.
Fees: $12

The Austin Winery

Features: Amenities include tours; tasting lounge; bread, cheese and meat pairings; wine club; and private events

440 E. St. Elmo Road, Ste. A1, Austin
512-326-1445
www.theaustinwinery.com
Hours: Tue.-Fri. 4-10 p.m., Sat. 11 a.m.- 9 p.m., Sun. noon-7 p.m. Closed Mon.
Fees: $15-$20

Deep Eddy Distillery

Features: Amenities include a tasting room; tours; and Red’s Porch food truck

2250 E. Hwy. 290, Dripping Springs
512-994-3534
www.deepeddyvodka.com/distillery
Hours: Thu.-Sat. 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun. noon-5 p.m., closed Mon.-Wed.
Fees: $15-$25, drink prices vary

Features: Hands-on cooking classes and private parties are offered at kitchens across Austin, including at TippingT Tejas Pavilion, 13127 Fitzhugh Road. Groups of eight to 10 participants cook with an international chef teaching his or her native cuisine.

Locations vary
512-900-6643
www.fredaskitchen.com
Hours: check website for schedules
Fees: $48-$80 depending on chef and ingredients

Jester King Brewery

Features: Brewery tours and tastings offered.

13005 Fitzhugh Road, Bldg. B, Austin
512-829-7766
www.jesterkingbrewery.com
Hours: Fri. 4-10 p.m., Sat. noon-10 p.m., Sun. noon-9 p.m.  Closed Mon.-Thu.
Fees: Tours are free.

North by Northwest Restaurant and Brewery

Features: Beer School lets guests sample beer styles from around the world, learn how beer is brewed and partake in beer trivia. Tours are available by appointment.

5701 W. Slaughter Lane,. Ste. D, Austin
512-301-6969
www.nxnwbrew.com
Hours: Mon.-Thu. 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Fri.-Sat. 11 a.m.-11 p.m., Sun. 10 a.m.-9 p.m.
Fees: Beer School $35 per class, brewery tour $75-$100

Treaty Oak Brewing & Distilling

Features: Guided tours and tastings offered. The Ghost Hill Restaurant serves drinks and gourmet bar bites.

16604 Fitzhugh Road, Austin
512-599-0335
www.treatyoakdistilling.com
Hours: Fri. 3-9 p.m., Sat. noon-9 p.m., Sun. noon-6 p.m. Closed Mon.-Thu.
Fees: $10-$25 per tour

Sports & Activity Centers

Blazer Tag Adventure Center

Features: Amenities include laser tag, an arcade and a ropes course.

1701 W. Ben White Blvd., Austin
512-462-0202
www.blazertag.com
Hours: Mon.-Thu. 11 a.m.-11 p.m., Fri. 11 a.m.-midnight, Sat. 10 a.m.-midnight,
Sun. 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
Fees: $8.99 for laser tag and ropes course

Features: Amenities include a 15,000-square-foot indoor inflated playland, Parents’ Night Out and more.

8816 Cullen Lane, Austin
512-282-5867
www.austin.iplaytx.com
Hours: Mon. noon-6 p.m.; Tue.-Thu., Sun. 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Fri.-Sat. 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
Fees: $4.50-$8.50, free under age 1

Loco-Motion Inflatable Play

Features: The 14,000-square-foot “kids’ playtown” offers interactive inflatables.

9811 Vikki Terrace, Austin
512-551-8344
www.locomotionplay.com
Hours: Mon.-Sat. 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Fees $7.39-$8.31 per day, adults and children under age 1 are free

My Gym Children’s Fitness Center

Features: Indoor playground includes mats, slides, a ball pit and more.

5307 W. Hwy. 290, Austin
512-444-6496
www.mygym.com
Hours: Mon.-Fri. 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Sat.-Sun. 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Fees: $7-$10, free under 9 months

The Range at Austin

Features: Firearms for rent and assistance from a range safety officer included.

58301 S. I-35, Austin
512-650-2734
www.therangeaustin.com
Hours: Tue.-Thu. 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Fri.-Sat. 10 a.m.-9 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Closed Mon.
Fees: hourly lane rentals $25-$30, firearm rentals $15-$75 per hour

Red’s Indoor Range

Features: The indoor shooting facility has 10 lanes for both pistol and rifle use.

6200 Hwy. 290, Austin
512-892-4867
www.redsguns.com
Hours: daily 9 a.m.-9 p.m.
Fees: $12-$23.50 per hour, $10 per gun.

SoccerZone South Austin

Features: Drop-in/pickup games are available for indoor soccer and basketball.

9501 Manchaca Road, Austin
512-280-2244
www.soccerzonesouthaustin.com
Hours: Mon.-Fri. 10 a.m-12:30 p.m., Sat.-Sun. 8 a.m.-midnight
Fees: $5-$8

Westgate Lanes

Features: Rock-n’-Bowl and bumper bowling available.

2701 W. William Cannon Drive, Austin
512-441-2695
www.westgatelanes.net
Hours: Sun.-Thu. 9 a.m.-midnight,
Fri.-Sat. 9 a.m.-2 a.m.
Bowling fees: $3.50-$4.10 per game or
$21-$27 per lane per hour, shoe rental $3