Where to Go on Your Next Date: 10 of Austin’s Best-Kept Secrets

You could easily spend a lifetime in Austin and not experience all there is to see and do, but even the most adventurous amongst us occasionally find ourselves relying too heavily on the same tired destinations to fill our dating repertoire. In the spirit of helping you return the flare to your dating life, here (in no particular order) is a list of ten of Austin’s best-kept secrets:

1. Texas Wine Trails – Throughout Texas

When you hear “wine country,” your mind probably turns to Northern California or perhaps certain regions of Italy and France. You might be surprised to learn that Orbitz.com recently ranked the Central Texas Hill Country as second only to Napa Valley on their list of the fastest-growing U.S. wine regions.

In fact there are so many wineries within a short drive of Austin that several companies now offer full-day and half-day tours. Tours typically pick up in or near Austin and chauffeur guests from winery to winery, allowing participants to tour a number of wineries and sample a variety of wines. Both group and private tours are available; though, private tours are typically more expensive.

Because tour accommodations and amenities vary widely (from buses to limousines), so do prices, but there are tours to fit almost any budget. If a formal tour isn’t your style, you can still visit each of the wineries without being part of a tour group; just be careful not to drink and drive.

2. Chez Zee – 5406 Balcones Dr.

A favorite among Austin insiders, Chez Zee restaurant is often overlooked by newcomers and visitors. Though its ambiguous name might bring to mind images of snooty French waiters and small portions prepared by Le Cordon Bleu chefs, Chez Zee actually offers an eclectic blend of continental and American cuisine served in an eccentric atmosphere that is the epitome of “Keep Austin Weird.”

During pleasant weather (of which Austin has plenty), patrons enjoy playing classic games, like Connect Four, on the covered patio. Chez Zee is renowned for its weekend brunches, but no matter what time you visit, be sure to try the crème brulee french toast—it alone is more than worth the visit.

3. Elephant Room – 315 Congress Ave.

In an article in USA Today, Wynton Marsalis, world-renowned Jazz trumpeter and Artistic Director of Jazz at the Lincoln Center in New York City, named the Elephant Room as one of the top-ten jazz venues in the United States.

Whether you’re looking for the best Jazz west of the Mississippi or the hip, relaxed atmosphere of a 1920s speakeasy, the Elephant Room won’t let you down. To find it, start at 4^th and Congress, walk south along the east side of the street, and keep your eyes fixed at knee-level. Like most great Jazz clubs, it’s in the basement.

There is a small cover charge on weekends, but entrance is free on weeknights.

4. Paggi House – 200 Lee Barton Dr.

If you’re looking for elegant dining in a quaint, historic setting, visit Paggi House at 200 Lee Barton Dr. (one block east of Lamar, between Riverside Dr. and Butler Rd). Whether you’re enjoying cocktails at the bar, sipping wine on the large outdoor veranda, or dining on exquisitely seasoned venison in the uniquely re-imagined interior, this upscale establishment offers a classy atmosphere that won’t fail to set the mood for a romantic evening.

Prices are commensurate with Austin’s other fine dining choices. Drinks are 50% off during happy hour (weekdays, 5-7 PM), and there is a Sunday brunch buffet perfectly suited to a simple afternoon get-together.

5. Paramount Theater’s Summer Movie Series – 713 Congress Ave. (May-September)

During the summer months, the era of large, elegant movie theaters and nightly double-features is reborn in Central Texas, as Austin’s Paramount Theater projects a series of classic films ranging from famous comedies to 70mm epics. Usual staples include Casablanca, Lawrence of Arabia, Jaws, and Gone with the Wind, among others. Recent series have also included diverse fare such as Aliens, The Blues Brothers, and The Shining.

If it’s your first visit to the Paramount, you may be surprised to encounter the type of classically adorned, balconied theater where you half-expect to see Mary Todd and Abraham taking in a play from one of the private boxes. Fans of another well-known Austin cinema will be happy to know that the Paramount’s concession stand offers both beer and wine.

6. Vespaio – 1610 S. Congress Ave.

If you’re looking for the romantic ambiance of a classic Italian restaurant, look no further than Vespaio. With its vibrant atmosphere, dim mood lighting, and authentic Italian food, Vespaio sets the stage for a night to remember.

If you’re looking for something a bit simpler, Enoteca, Vespaio’s sister restaurant and deli, is right next door. Be advised that Vespaio doesn’t accept reservations on weekends, and Enoteca doesn’t accept reservations at all, so get there early.

7. Aquarena Center – 601 University Dr., San Marcos, TX

The Texas Hill Country offers activities for every type of outdoor enthusiasts, but as most Austinites know, recreation areas such as Mount Bonnell and the Greenbelt, though beautiful, don’t exactly lend themselves to alone time with that special someone. If you’re not interested in sharing your romantic weekend hike with a hundred or so strangers, you should consider making the drive thirty miles south to the town of San Marcos, home of Texas State University.

The Texas State Aquarena Center offers a picturesque, seldom-crowded setting for romantic nature walks and wildlife observation. The Aquarena Center, formerly known as Aquarena Springs, gained prominence as a kitschy mid-twentieth century roadside attraction. In 1928 Paul Rodgers built a hotel on the shore of Spring Lake—the headwaters of the San Marcos River—and began running glass bottom boat tours to attract tourists. In the 1950s a submarine theater, a gondola ride, and a 220’ observation tower (with a glass-enclosed platform that traveled up and down the tower and rotated 360 degrees) were added to the resort, making it one of the nation’s first theme parks.

The Aquarena Springs theme park, famous for its underwater mermaid show (viewed from the submarine theater) and its diving pig Ralph (numerous adolescent pigs portrayed Ralph over the years; adult pigs are too fat to dive), operated for forty-five years, attracting up to 250,000 visitors per year, at its peak.

In 1994, unable to compete with larger, more modern theme parks such as Six Flags and Disney World, the owners of Aquarena Springs sold the park to Texas State University, which continued to operate the center as a resort and theme park until 1996, when university officials decided to transform Aquarena Springs into the Aquarena Center, an ecological preserve and education center.

Though the mermaids and diving pigs are long gone, many remnants of the theme park, such as the abandoned (and inaccessible) submarine theater, observation tower, and gondola ride remain, giving the park an ambiance that can best be described as a hybrid of 1950s nostalgia and an episode of Scooby Doo.

As for the glass bottom boats, not only are they still there; they still run seven days a week. Texas State continues to maintain and operate the same glass bottom boats that thrilled tourists in the days of Brylcreem and “duck and cover.” The price is $8 for adults, $7 for seniors, and $6 for kids. Or, if you’re feeling a bit more adventurous, the center now offers glass bottom kayak tours. The kayak tours, which last three hours and are limited to five people, cost $40 for adults; $30 for children, seniors, and military personnel; and $20 for Texas State University students and staff. The park is open from 10 AM until dark.

Should you find yourself lamenting the fact that environmental regulations prohibit you and your date from diving into the crystal-clear waters of Spring Lake, just remind yourself that Aquarena Springs was also the filming location of the 1978 cult classic Piranha. We’re pretty sure there aren’t any real piranha in Spring Lake, but then again, that’s what the characters in the film thought.

8. One-2-One Bar – Southwest Corner of 5^th & Brazos

Unless your date just graduated high school, you’re not likely to impress him or her with a trip to Sixth Street. However, there are plenty of adult-friendly bars in Austin’s downtown district. The One-2-One bar at Fifth and Brazos offers nightly live music downstairs and a large, pet friendly (and smoker friendly) rooftop deck (voted by City Search as Austin’s best outside bar in 2007).

With gas heaters keeping the rooftop atmosphere cozy in colder months, the deck is open year-round. Visitors quickly find that the outdoor rooftop seating offers something not found in most downtown bars—a great place to visit and get to know someone.

If you’re looking for livelier entertainment, the music venue and game room downstairs have you covered. And you’ll find that the drink prices are more reasonable than what you’ll find at trendier establishments.

9. Reimer’s Ranch – Hamilton Pool Road, 12 miles west of Highway 71, just east of Hamilton Pool

If you’re looking for an outdoor excursion a bit more invigorating than a boat ride and a romantic walk, you might want to consider Milton Reimers Ranch Park, on the Pedernales River. This oasis—parts of which would look more at home in a Costa Rican rainforest than in the Texas Hill Country—is open daily, from 8 AM until twilight.

Reimer’s Ranch offers adrenaline junkies with perfect terrain for rock climbing, mountain biking, and fishing. For the less adventurous, the park also offers swimming and hiking. And if you keep your eyes open, you might even catch a glimpse of the Alamo in the distance. No, not the one where Davey Crocket and Jim Bowie hung out; the one where Billy Bob Thornton and Dennis Quaid hung out. Disney’s The Alamo (2003) was filmed on the adjoining property, and the massive sets still stand there.

The entrance fee is $10 per vehicle.

10. Imperia – 310 Colorado St.

Named the best Asian restaurant in Austin, by both the Austin Chronicle and Rare magazine, Imperia offers unsurpassed service, a broad wine selection, and some of the best cocktails in Austin. You’ll also find some of the most creative sushi rolls east of the Pacific, including new twists on classic favorites.

Prices are commensurate (high) with Austin’s other upscale sushi restaurants, but there are significant happy hour discounts on sushi, appetizers, and drinks. With its location in the heart of downtown, Imperia is the perfect spot for a happy hour rendezvous.

Can you think of an Austin secret we left off the list? Send your suggestions to adm@connectionsdating.com.