Austin, TX
Where is the best place to see Texas bluebonnets in 2024? Check out our map
These police officers pose in bluebonnet fields for fun
You’ve seen those cute photos of children and families posing in fields of bluebonnets but these Texas police officers took things to another level.
Monica Lopez, Corpus Christi
We’re in prime bluebonnet viewing season in Texas, which also means it’s time to break out those cameras.
The Texas state flower, known scientifically as Lupinus texensis, normally blooms from late February to early April, according to thetexaswildflower.com. The flowers are most commonly found in fields and are extremely prevalent in Central Texas.
Photos of groups of bluebonnets are stunning. Their colors can vary from blue to purple, and they’re great for personal and nature photography. To get the best shots, here are some locations in Central Texas where bluebonnets thrive:
State parks
Several state parks in Central Texas offer great bluebonnet viewing and photography opportunities, according to the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department. The most notable parks are Lyndon B. Johnson State Park & Historic Site, Inks Lake State Park, Pedernales Fall State Park, Palmetto State Park and Enchanted Rock State Natural Area.
All of the parks are within an hour-and-a-half drive from Austin. So, make it a day trip and go see Texas’ official state flower in full bloom.
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center features nearly 900 different species of plants, including the star of the show: the bluebonnet. The center allows visitors to get up close and personal with wildflowers of all varieties, making it a great place to view bluebonnets.
The center also features its very own bluebonnet photo station, according to TheAustinThings.com. There’s a small entry fee and reservations are required, but it’ll likely make your bluebonnet photos worth it.
Turkey Bend Recreation Area
Consider heading to Marble Falls to gawk at the bluebonnets growing in Turkey Bend Recreation Area and Muleshoe Bend. It’s a wildflower hotspot, according to TexasHillCountry.com, complete with more than 400 acres of land and views of the Colorado River to boot.
Marble Falls is also home to the aptly named Blue Bonnet Cafe, where visitors can enjoy all-day breakfast and the cafe’s “world famous” pies.
McKinney Falls
Some of the best views of bluebonnet fields come courtesy of McKinney Falls State Park, less than a 30-minute drive from Austin. Waterfalls complement the scenery, and Sierra Schmidt, lead writer and photographer at VeryTrulyTexas.com, recommends the park’s Onion Creek Trail for the best viewing opportunities.
St. Edward’s University
A hometown favorite for bluebonnet viewing is St. Edward’s University, a private, Catholic university situated along South Congress Avenue.
The campus’ bluebonnet fields are a major draw for students and visitors. They even prompted one student to create a map of the best spots to view the flowers.
Austin, TX
Austin opens cold weather shelters ahead of freezing temps
As the Austin area prepares to plunge into freezing temperatures Sunday night, the city is initiating its Cold Weather Shelters protocol.
Those wanting to use the emergency shelters, which open when overnight temperatures reach 35 degrees or lower, must register between 6-8 p.m. at One Texas Center (OTC) on Barton Springs Road, according to a release from the city. Those interested and in need of transport can reach the OTC via bus lines 1, 7, 10, 20, 30, 105 and 801. Anyone who can’t pay bus fare but needs shelter will still be allowed to ride, a Facebook post from the city said.
Following registration, CapMetro shuttles will take guests from the OTC to a cold weather shelter. The addresses for these shelters are kept confidential due to “safety, privacy and capacity concerns,” according to the Austin American-Statesman.
The Statesman also reported that shelters provide meals and allow leashed, friendly pets.
All parks and libraries are meanwhile serving as warming centers during regular operating hours, except for Austin Public Library’s Old Quarry Branch and Willie Mae Kirk Branch.
Austin, TX
Building cleared after non-credible bomb threat made in Downtown Austin
AUSTIN, Texas — A Downtown Austin building was cleared after a bomb threat was made Saturday night.
Police say that the call came in at 9:38 p.m., after which officers arrived to the scene and cleared a nearby building at 311 E 6th St.
ALSO: H-E-B delights Austin airport travelers with surprise gift vending machine pop-up
The threat was found to not be credible, and no one was injured.
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Police say no one is in custody and they will be clearing the scene shortly.
Austin, TX
The richest small town in Texas tops our most popular Austin stories
Texas Governor Greg Abbott and Austin Mayor Kirk Watson held a press conference Friday to discuss a new deal with Southwest Airlines and its expected impact on the city.
The deal, approved Thursday by the Austin City Council, awards Southwest $2,750 for each new Austin-based hire over the next five years. In exchange, the airline plans to add 2,000 high-paying jobs with an average salary of $180,000 and invest in local workforce initiatives, including the city’s new Austin Infrastructure Academy.
Officials say the deal will strengthen Southwest’s presence at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, where the carrier already handles more than 40 percent of all passenger traffic.
The partnership is expected to bring in nearly $20 million in local tax revenue, and the incentive program will last for five years and pay Southwest up to $5.5 million.
Mayor Watson said the agreement will not only create new jobs in Austin but will improve the overall experience at AUS.
“We’re building lives and careers at the same time we’re building tarmacs and terminals,” Watson said. “Southwest is choosing Austin because our people, our workforce, and our future make us a smart investment. This deal creates thousands of good-paying jobs, improves the passenger experience, and ensures the benefits flow directly to Austin workers, families, and tourists. This agreement is proof that Austin means business and cares about the success of its people.”
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Read the full story at KVUE.com.
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