I felt like a kid in a candy shop for this episode of Discover Austin, because, well, I'm at Big Top Candy Shop!  Located on South Congress, Big Top Candy Shop offers classic candy, ice cream, a soda fountain, and so much more.  If you'd prefer to read about Big Top, the transcript can be found below the video. Other Discover Austin topics seen or mentioned in this episode: Blue Bell, Din Ho Chinese BBQ Greetings, I’m Craig Smyser with 1835 Realty.  There are a lot of fun businesses along South Congress … [Read more...]

Austin hasn’t always been known as Austin.  And once you find out what the town’s name used to be, you’ll understand why there are quite a few local businesses that use the original name.  If you'd prefer to read about Waterloo, the script can be found below the video. Greetings! I’m Craig Smyser with 1835 Realty.  Austin has not always been the name of this fair city.  We’re going to talk about the city’s original name on this episode of Discover Austin. Austin has a great history – but the city wasn’t always … [Read more...]

The Driskill Hotel has a long-standing roll in Austin.  They allowed me to visit so I can share it's rich history with you for this episode of Discover Austin. If you'd prefer to read about The Driskill, the transcript can be found below the video. Greetings! I’m Craig Smyser with 1835 Realty.  There are a number of exceptional hotels in Austin, but none as storied as this one.  We’re going to check in to the Driskill Hotel for this episode of Discover Austin. Located at the corner of 6th Street and Brazos, … [Read more...]

Home Slice Pizza’s north location doesn’t just have great pizza.  Michael Zook wanted me to try their wings and their Italian sub too.  Don’t worry, we also had pizza for this Eats episode of Discover Austin.  Visit our Facebook page and comment on this post telling us who you'd take with you for pizza and wings for a chance to win a $25 gift card. One winner will be chosen on January 17th. … [Read more...]

This episode of Discover Austin is different than most.  Usually I narrate as the video shows our subject.  When I went to the Alamo, the director of Education, Sherry Driscoll, was a gracious host and has a huge depth of knowledge.  After she shared the history of the Alamo, I decided to scrap the original script I had and just have the Alamo history be the narration for this episode.  As it turns out, though, Sherry shared a lot of history with me.  If you’d like to spend some time learning even more about the … [Read more...]

A festival dedicated to barbecue? Yes, please! I recently attended this year's BBQ Fest, and stuffed myself full of barbecue, for this episode of Discover Austin.  If you'd prefer to read about BBQ Fest, the transcript can be found below the video. Other Discover Austin topics seen or mentioned: Franklin Barbecue, Snow's BBQ, and Blue Bell. Greetings, I’m Craig Smyser with 1835 Realty. I’m at Long Center to eat my way through the Texas Monthly BBQ Fest on this episode of Discover Austin. BBQ and Festivals are … [Read more...]

For this Eats episode of Discover Austin, I had food blogger, Michael Zook, take a road trip to Gruene, Texas to have lunch at the Gristmill River Restaurant. Other Discover Austin topics mentioned in this episode: Gruene Historic District … [Read more...]

For our latest episode of Discover Austin, I went to Uncommon Objects to browse their collection of unique items. Whether you're looking for something antique or perhaps a taxidermied critter, Uncommon Objects is a good place to begin your search. Greetings! I’m Craig Smyser with 1835 Realty. If you’re looking for something out of the ordinary, a bit eclectic, or maybe even one-of-a-kind, then I’ve got just the shop for you. We’re going to visit Uncommon Objects on this episode of Discover Austin. This is not … [Read more...]

Amy's Ice Creams is a textbook example of a homegrown Austin success story so I loved the opportunity to visit for this episode - and, of course, to eat some ice cream! Visit us on one of our social media pages for a chance to win a $25 gift card to Amy's Ice Creams. Greetings! I’m Craig Smyser with 1835 Realty. Central Texans love ice cream. So we’re going to spend some time at a local favorite, Amy’s Ice Creams, on this episode of Discover Austin. Amy’s Ice Creams is an iconic Austin business that is well … [Read more...]

This week, we welcome back Michael Zook to have one of his favorite burgers in Austin.  We're headed to Odd Duck for this episode of Discover Austin.  For several years, Michael has set out to compile a list of the best burgers in Austin and Odd Duck always appears on that list, and for good reason, their burger is delicious!  If you'd like to know, precisely, where Michael places this burger on his 2019 Best Burger in Austin list, head to his website. … [Read more...]