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6 Austin museums are offering free admission for military families all summer long

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6 Austin museums are offering free admission for military families all summer long


Memorial Day is here, which means so are the days of sitting in a lounge chair and sweating while looking unreasonably fabulous. Whether it’s to beat the summer heat or to show off a new swimsuit, Austinites may have more options than they think to take a swim at the many pools around town. Even if you haven’t committed to an overnight stay, most hotels offer day passes, and some even offer other deals or poolside programming.

One great way to find passes not just to pools around town, but also to spas and other hotel amenities, is to browse ResortPass. (Not sponsored, just cool.) There are 26 Austin options on the site right now.

But we wanted to let you know what’s going on beyond the pass — who will set you up for a great meal, who lets you drink out of a coconut, and whose views (or lack thereof) provide the best ambiance for your day off. Some of our choices aren’t even on the platform.

Go grab your sandals, and save us a towel.

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Greater Austin YMCA
Let’s start with the less glamorous before we break out the poolside fashion. The YMCA is a family staple for a reason, and if your goal is just to get in the water regularly throughout the summer, especially with kids, it’s a great place to start. There are “interactive hours” at the outdoor pools (more fun than swimming laps) at the East Communities, Hays Communities, Northwest Family, Southwest Family, and Springs Family YMCAs, as well as the YMCA at Camp Moody. The Y is semi-affordable; It would probably be cheaper to visit a hotel pool once or twice, but a Y membership includes a month of access, guest passes, and much more, and may replace your gym membership for the summer. $69 per month, with age and household discounts. austinymca.org

Hotel Van Zandt
If your pool visit doesn’t include spritz and giggles, why are you even there? Hotel Van Zandt is opening up its stylish rooftop pool for the “Spritz & Giggles Poolside Happy Hour & Sunset Swim” event series. Every Monday through Thursday, visitors can enjoy $8 frozen Aperol spritzes, $8 specialty cocktails, and a special pool menu with items like a refreshing green salad, pork belly al pastor tacos, and a spicy fried chicken sandwich. Geraldine’s, the main restaurant, is right inside for even better drinks, expanded bites, and sometimes live music. Starting at $48 per day for adults, $15 for kids. hotelvanzandt.com

Carpenter Hotel
If one day at the Carpenter Hotel pool is just not enough, the hotel has now added monthly passes. In addition to unlimited access to the secluded pool in the Zilker neighborhood, a pass gets a $30 discount for the new monthly BBQ Pool Parties (bringing attendance down to $25). That will include a great spread of less commonly seen barbecue items like grilled bay scallops, mushroom skewers, elotes, deviled potato salad, and more. Monthly pass holders also get to bring one child under 8 for free. $40 daily, $200 monthly. Both Monday through Thursday. carpenterhotel.com

South Congress Hotel
The South Congress Hotel is right in the middle of where many Austinites want to be on a summer day, if it weren’t so dang hot. This rooftop pool solves that problem in style, with daily pool passes every day of the week, as well as cabana rentals. Café No Sé supplies poolside drinks and snacks, and downstairs, Austin’s Best New Restaurant Maie Day offers a hearty meal after a day of napping in the sun. Cabanas can be rented for four people and include self-parking, bottled water, and a bottle of champagne or bucket of High Noon. Days for $40 and cabanas for $300 on weekdays; days for $75 and cabanas for $400 on weekends. southcongresshotel.com

Hotel Viata
Hotel Viata is a bit of a sleeper hotel among Austin boutiques, as it’s located a little beyond West Lake Hills. Still, if you want a taste of Italy, the drive to this retreat will be worth it. Not to mention, with the extra room these downtown hotels can’t offer, a pool pass includes access to a hot tub, fire pits, and great views of the hills around the city. Pool passes are available, but if you want to see it for free before you spend, wait for June 10; The hotel invites guests 21 and up to check out the pool for free at the “Summer Festa in Piscina” party, with a “Taste of Italy” add-on ($55) for Aperol Spritz, limoncello lemon drops, and negronis all day. $45 per day for adults, $25 for children. resortpass.com

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Wax Myrtle’s
This rooftop bar and pool is known for its never-ending events calendar, and of course that energy extends to poolside entertainment. There will be live music on the weekends, plus live DJ sets on Saturday nights, alongside whatever other programming happens to be going on inside. Even if it’s a do-nothing day, these large, over-the-top drinks will give you a delicious challenge. The “Boot Scootin Fruity” mixes rum, an aperitivo, hibiscus, and lime in a cowboy hat punch bowl ($90); the luxe “Mojito 75” combines Moët & Chandon with rum and mojito must-haves in a disco ball ($230); and an unnamed cocktail is worth trying just to enjoy it from a real coconut. Starting at $15 for adults, $10 for children, and more for daybeds and cabanas. waxmyrtles.com

Austin Motel
Perhaps one of the best known pools in Austin for its retro vibes, fun events, and accessibility to on-foot wanderers is the Austin Motel. This is a great, less expensive choice that’s probably more fun for casual pool revelers who would feel a little put out by having to dress up and behave in a more luxe hotel setting. There are also frequent poolside events at this motel, like the free “Bounce Motel” series with live DJs, or the body-positive “Chunky Dunk.” The pool is offers daily passes every day, even when there’s nothing on the calendar. $25 on weekdays, $45 on weekends, or $600 in three-and-a-half-month “waves.” austinmotel.com



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Austin, TX

Did you know Austin has a pro pickleball team?

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Did you know Austin has a pro pickleball team?


AUSTIN (KXAN) — Did you know Austin has a pro Pickleball team? The Texas Ranchers are one of the 22 teams in Major League Pickleball.

“Our mission is to become Americas pickleball team and the most valuable and highest grossing franchise in the league,” said Texas Ranchers CEO Evan Floersch.

The team consists of four players who were picked in a draft.

“We’ve got Christian Alshon, who was our number one overall draft pick,” said Floersch. “We have Etta Wright, who is the only Tongan in the sport. We’ve got Tina Pisnik who is an ex-Olympian tennis player and then we’ve got Pablo Tellez.”

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The Ranchers play in the premier division with 12 of the best teams, one of those teams being their rival.

“We’ve got a Texas rivalry budding right now,” said Floersch. “We play the Dallas Flash, Mark Cubans team.”

The Ranchers are supported by a list of more than 30 owners, including celebrities, like Kendra Scott, Bobby Bones, Lil Wayne and Bijan Robinson, to name a few.

This year the team won’t play any tournaments in Austin, but fans can still go to local watch parties or catch the games on TV.

“Right now we have two linear deals with ESPN and FOX,” said Floersch.

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As for the future of the sport in Austin, Floersch said there is a lot of excitement building around the Ranchers and pickleball in general.

“I definitely think that the sport at the pro level will continue to grow and it will continue to be a part of Austin’s culture and community,” said Floersch.



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Austin, TX

Round Rock Juneteenth shooting: No suspect in custody, police say

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Round Rock Juneteenth shooting: No suspect in custody, police say


The city of Round Rock’s Juneteenth celebration ended early Saturday night after an altercation broke out between two groups. Round Rock police say during the altercation someone pulled a gun and fired it during the concert.

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“It is unfortunate that we are here celebrating a wonderful event, and we have a tragedy that happens. My thoughts, my prayers go out to our victims. My condolences go out to the families of the deceased at this time,” said Round Rock Police Chief Allen Banks.

Chief Banks confirmed during Sunday morning’s press conference that two people died at the scene. According to ATCEMS, four adults and two children were taken to local hospitals with potentially serious injuries.

“All the victims and the deceased were not emergency personnel or first responders. They were actually folks that were there enjoying the concert,” said Chief Banks.

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Chief Banks says at this time the Round Rock Police Department and the FBI are investigating this mass shooting.

“As you can imagine, with a traumatic incident like this, people are going to have different accounts of what happened and different accounts of what that suspect might have looked like. And so, this is why it’s an ongoing investigation. We’re trying to piece that together,” said Chief Banks.

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“Our goal is to put those folks behind bars. And our goal is to get them put away for life, and, and we’re going to work tirelessly to do that. No stone left unturned,” said Chief Banks.

Round Rock PD says there’s no suspect in custody at this time. They are asking for the public’s help. Anyone with any information on Saturday night’s shooting is asked to report it to the police department at 512-218-5500.



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Austin, TX

At least six shot at Old Settler's Park, ATCEMS says

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At least six shot at Old Settler's Park, ATCEMS says


At least two people are dead and multiple people are injured after a shooting at Old Settler’s Park in Round Rock, according to local officials.

Round Rock Police said they received a call about a shooting at the Juneteenth Festival just before 11:00 p.m. Saturday night.

Officers were already working the event which had been promoted by the City of Round Rock and immediately began rendering aid to multiple victims.

Round Rock police said two people died but said they would not give specific numbers on injuries at this point in the investigation.

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The two people deceased have not yet been identified.

Austin-Travis County EMS reported transporting six people with injuries from the scene to area hospitals, including two children.

Police say they are searching for suspects, none are in custody.

The FBI and Texas DPS are assisting in the investigation.

Round Rock Police Chief Allen Banks called the shooting a senseless tragedy.

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“It breaks your heart for a family that was coming out to enjoy their evening,” Banks said.

He thanked responding officers and firefighters, “I have no doubt their action saved lives tonight.”

The Juneteenth Festival concert was billed as a free family event, scheduled from 5:00 p.m. until midnight.

Performers at the concert included DJ Hella Yella and Paul Wall who wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, “Round Rock, we are praying for everybody.”

Police say the shooting happened near vendor stands, not the stage area.

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Round Rock police is asking anyone who witnessed the shooting or who has video of the shooting to contact them at (512) 218-5500.



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