5 things to do off campus during Homecoming

Not sure what to do in Austin while you’re here for Homecoming? Here is a list to point you in the right direction.

1. Grab some Italian gelato from Dolce Neve: If you’re craving something sweet, Dolce Neve is by far one of the best and most unique gelato places in Austin. All of their gelato is made from scratch with fresh, locally sourced ingredients, and they’re always stocked with a variety of classic gelato flavors like salted caramel and dark chocolate.

If you’re feeling bold, however, Dolce Neve also has more unconventional flavors that are just as delicious. To find out what flavors are available check out Dolce Neve’s Twitter, Instagram or Facebook.

Once you get your gelato, take a stroll down First St where there are art galleries, thrift shops, coffee shops and more….

2. Check out bars on Rainey Street: The Bungalow is a great place to go either day or night. It offers a large outdoor space and tons of great games scattered throughout the bar like cornhole and a life-sized jenga. It serves food, has 20 beers on tap and is open daily from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m.

The hours vary due to seasonal games and events, so be sure to check their website for any upcoming events. Another great spot on Rainey is The Drafting Room — an intimate and dog-friendly space which serves local beer and wine; it shares its yard with a French bistro. By the way, did I mention they have Prosecco on tap?

3. Explore the Greenbelt: If it is a beautiful day and you’re feeling outdoorsy, the Greenbelt is the perfect place to go for a little bit of solitude within the city. With various entrances stretching from Zilker Park all the way to Westlake Hills, the Greenbelt is a large piece of land laced with creeks and streams, limestone cliffs and an abundance of trails to hike.

For the more adventurous, there are caves to climb up to and refreshingly cold waters to take a dip in. Like many places in Austin, the Greenbelt is pet friendly, so feel more than welcome to bring your canine companions and hiking buddies alike.

4. Head to The Velveeta Room for laughs (18+): “The Velv” is located off East Sixth Street. It’s an intimate comedy bar that hosts local comics and touring comedians every week.

Across the street is a trailer food park where you can grab a bite to eat and bring back inside the comedy lounge. On Feb. 19 and 20, local comic Bob Khosravi is set to perform. Tickets cost $10.00 at the door, or you can buy them beforehand online.

So, go watch some stand up, have a good laugh and if you’re feeling up to it you can always visit “Dirty” Sixth just down the street or go to the famous Esther’s Follies adjacent to the Velv.

5. Play some old school arcade games at Pinballz: Take a trip back to your childhood at one of the most unique arcades in Austin. Pinballz boasts the largest number of pinball machines in Texas, but that’s not the only attraction.

There are tons of different games to play for all types of gamers. Whether you want to score some tickets for a prize at the end of the night, break a sweat playing Dance Dance Revolution or just shoot some aliens in Area 51, you’re bound to find the game for you.

Although Pinballz is kid-friendly, after 10 p.m. it becomes adults only until they close at 2 a.m. But wait, it gets better … it’s BYOB. Enjoy fun and games all night long.

For more events in Austin be sure to check out: www.do512.com and www.austin360.com