The History of Mayfield Park: Tarrytown’s Calming Escape

A tranquil, shaded oasis awaits on the border of Tarrytown, where peacocks perch on rooftops and sashay through ornate gardens. The birds are one of the many reasons that Mayfield Park, a nature preserve near Lake Austin, feels enchanting and serene. It’s common to see brides-to-be poised near water lilies and toddlers scuttling after birds (all being captured by cameras, of course); many locals have visited Mayfield, but few know …

Brian Talley

Go Local: Buy Holiday Gifts for Children at Austin’s Oldest Independent Toy Store!

Heading to a big-box chain for last-minute children’s gifts to go under the tree this Christmas? Consider buying local instead—you’ll feel the difference. Families have been falling in love with a tiny toy store in West Austin called Over the Rainbow for over 35 years! “Some of my most fond childhood memories involved family trips to Over the Rainbow,” remembers Erin McClanahan of Tarrytown. “My mother would take us there …

Brian Talley

Mozart’s Coffee Lights up the Holidays

Standing under enormous oaks with decks overlooking Lake Austin, Mozart’s Coffee Roasters already warms up the holiday season with its dazzling array of hot drinks and artisanal desserts. But something spectacular awaits customers this holiday season: an hourly light show from 6 p.m. to midnight! It runs through December. “Shows are every hour on the hour out on the decks,” says employee Mandi W. “The lights draw quite a crowd, …

Brian Talley

Tarrytown: An Upscale, Historic, Family-Friendly Neighborhood Minutes from Downtown Austin

Nestled against Lake Austin where it curves east and over Tom Miller Dam to meet Lady Bird Lake, lies the upscale, historic, family-friendly Austin Neighborhood known as Tarrytown. Established in 1915 and named after Tarrytown, New York, this verdant west Austin community is known for its urban forest, which inspired the original 1930’s advertising slogan: “Where oak trees charm the eye.”

Brian Talley