🌵 A mahjong lounge is opening soon in Lakeway

Old Austin / New Austin

There are things I miss about old Austin.

I miss when the Trail of Lights was smaller and you could just… go. I miss some of the old local businesses and weird little places that disappeared along the way. I miss parts of Austin feeling less polished.

But I’m not anti-new Austin either.

There’s a lot that’s better now. More restaurants. More things to do. More opportunity. More energy.

And you can still have a pretty spectacular Austin day: run Town Lake with the kids, jump into Barton Springs, grab a snow cone, and eat something good afterward.

Cities change. They have to.

I just hope we keep enough of the old stuff around to remember who we are.

Cheers,
Nolan

🀄️ West Austin Social to open this fall in Lakeway

The Gist: West Austin Social, a new private mahjong lounge and social club, is opening this October at the Tillman Center across from Lexus of Lakeway. The member-based spot will feature dedicated tables, a drink menu, and a boutique stocked with gifts, jewelry, and mahjong sets. Founding memberships are available now starting at $165 per month or $1,800 annually before rates go up.

Why It Matters: As mahjong continues to grow in popularity, this new venue offers locals a dedicated, adults-only space to unplug and unwind. It gives neighbors a stylish neighborhood gathering spot to meet new friends, play a few rounds, and enjoy a night out close to home.

🏫 West Austin school districts and high state ratings

The Gist: The Texas Education Agency has officially released its 2026 A-F accountability ratings for public school districts across the state. West Austin public schools continue to lead the pack, with Eanes ISD securing an A rating with a score of 94 and Lake Travis ISD earning an A rating with a 91. Meanwhile, neighboring Austin ISD made notable gains by jumping from a C rating up to a B with an overall score of 81.

Why It Matters: The ratings givea clear snapshot of how our public schools are measuring up and where classrooms are making real progress. Seeing top tier performances from Eanes and Lake Travis, along with steady improvements in Austin ISD, re-affirms why so many young families choose to call West Austin home.

🥃 Lakeside bites with a side of Texas bourbon

Sixty Three Restaurant & Bar blends breezy Lake Travis views with upscale Southern comfort. Led by Executive Chef Jennifer Norrell, the kitchen crafts everything from post-oak-smoked BBQ coated in house lava salt rub to casual patio plates.

The fall lineup brings live music, tasting events like October’s Smoke & Oak Texas Whiskey & BBQ Fest, and seasonal wine dinners, making this relaxed resort spot an easy go-to for gathering by the water.

🌊 Strap in for Texas-sized thrills

Get ready for plenty of pure adrenaline at Lake Travis Zipline Adventures. Located just 30 minutes from downtown Austin, this local staple lets you round up your favorite crew to soar at speeds up to sixty-five miles per hour across five massive lines, including Texas's longest at twenty-eight hundred feet.

You get sweeping Hill Country views, lakefront dock access, and daytime or specialty Sunset and Full Moon tours for those cooler evening rides.