Category: Area Attractions

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Area Attractions Family Fun

Kyle Railroad Depot and Heritage Center

The restored Kyle Railroad Depot and Heritage Center (100 W. Center St., Kyle, TX 78640) makes it home in a building constructed in 1917. As soon as you walk in, you’ll feel like you’ve traveled back in time to the depot’s heyday.

Inside, you’ll find two waiting rooms with period furnishings and a documentary on the founding of Kyle. The station master’s office contains an audio loop with the sounds of a train station from its golden days.

You’ll also hear announcements and sounds of trains boarding and arriving, calling for passengers, and telegraphs being sent and received.

Take a Trip Through Kyle’s Past

Sadly, many communities have lost their depots. Kyle is grateful to retain this link to its past. The center’s restoration is the result of private donations and grants. Kyle voters also passed a bond to budget $250,000 for the renovation.

The Hays County Historical Commission welcomes visitors to the depot on Saturdays from 10 am to 2 pm or by appointment. Admission is free. Watch the City of Kyle’s website for special events held at the depot.

Walking through the depot, you’ll learn about the economic, social, racial, and logistical impact of the railroad. At some point, it will have a restored caboose added to its collection.

A Photo Is Worth a Thousand Words

Be sure to stop by the Kyle Railroad Depot and Heritage Center Facebook page to see breathtaking photos of trains. One intriguing photo shared shows a train wreck near Lufkin, Texas in 1893. It’s a fascinating photo with two dressed up ladies on the left, a heavily bearded man in the middle, and the reactions of everyone on or beside the train.

It’s clear the train is wrecked. Yet, males and females stand or sit on top of the train. Look closer and you’ll see a dog resting on the train. It turns out staging wrecks was a pastime from the late 1890s until the 1930s according to an Atlas Obscura story.

Do you know the names of the parts of a switch on a railroad? A photo on the Facebook page shows you where the frog point rails are as well as the frog, point of the frog, heal, switch road, and more.

To stay on top of great resources from Kyle, connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Looking to move? Explore the inventory of new homes in Kyle or contact our Crosswinds team.

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Area Attractions Family Fun

Keep It Kyle: Unchartered Adventures

Running out of ideas of new things to do in Kyle? You’ll find not one but multiple activities at Unchartered Adventures. Formerly known as 512 Rage Room, Unchartered Adventures calls itself untraditional entertainment. It wants to give you a place to relax and unwind with unforgettable experiences.

The cool thing about this place is they recycle many items that would otherwise end up in the landfill. They either use or donate the found items. They recycle construction material for axe throwing. Junk cars and salvaged objects from demolitions jobs will get a new lease on life in the zombie tactical experience or the base at the dog park.

Smash Rooms

Unchartered Adventure offers the only smash room aka rage room experience in the Austin and San Antonio area. It’s your opportunity to destroy random items in a safely controlled environment. Bad day at work? Come smash things. Celebrating graduation? Come smash things. People even hold divorce parties in the rage room.

You’ll be armed with a helmet with a face shield, gloves, and coveralls. Step two is easy. Just smash anything and everything. You can even add a GoPro to record your session. Anyone ages 10 and up can bang around as long as a parent or guardian signs a waiver for minors. The smash rooms also offer splatter paint with no age limitations.

Axe Throwing

What’s more relaxing than throwing an axe at a target in hopes of landing on the bull’s eye? Bring three of your friends and enjoy an hour of axe throwing. You’ll learn how to safely handle and chuck the axe. And then you’ll have an axellent time! This station is for adults only.

Interactive Dog Park

Looking for someplace to take your fur baby? Coming soon is a half-acre dog park. It’ll be a great place to bring your dog, relax, and drink a cold and refreshing brew. You’ll be able to listen to live music and look at the stars. The park will contain immersive stations around the perimeter. It’s a great opportunity to dress your dog up to match the different themed scenes and take pictures.

Keep visiting the website. They plan to add a Zombie Tactical Experience and sand volleyball.

Per the Hays County ordinance starting 06/22/20, all customers and employees must wear masks until the order expires.

To stay on top of great resources from Kyle, connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Looking to move? Explore the inventory of new homes in Kyle or contact our Crosswinds team.

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Area Attractions Events Family Fun

Where to Celebrate 4th of July Near Kyle, TX

Many of us are looking forward to the 4th of July this year. It’s a chance to get out and enjoy fireworks and live music. Here’s where to go to celebrate the birth of America.

City of Kyle Independence Day Celebration

The City of Kyle will celebrate the 4th of July with fireworks launched from Plum Creek Golf Course. The show starts around 9 pm and runs for 20 to 30 minutes. For that perfect viewing spot, head someplace where you can see the tall water tower next to Hays CISD PAC on Kohler’s Crossing. The safest location to park is on the paved parking lots around Kohler’s and Kyle Parkway.

If Mother Nature decides to put a damper on the fireworks, the make-up will be on July 5th. Same time. Same place. Viewing is not allowed at the Plum Creek Golf Course this year.

Red, White, and Buda

Due to COVID-19 concerns, Buda is doing things a little differently this year for Red, White, and Buda. They will have a fireworks show. In fact, they’re having TWO shows! Fireworks will be launched from Buda Sportsplex and City Park on July 4th between 9:15 pm and 9:30 pm.

For your safety and to ensure social distancing, there will be no parking available to view the fireworks at these locations. City Park and Buda Sportsplex will be closed to the public. The city encourages you to watch the fireworks from home or from a safe location where social distancing is observed. Watch for updates on the City of Buda’s Website or Facebook page.

Jaws at the Drive-in

Blue Starlite Drive-in Austin and Round Rock will air one of the most iconic American movies on 4th of July. Directed by Steven Spielberg, this classic tells the story of a great white that terrorizes beachgoers. Can the oceanographer and salty old shark hunter track this monster down?

To stay on top of great resources from Kyle, connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Looking to move? Explore the inventory of new homes in Kyle

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Area Attractions Family Fun

Find a New Home in Kyle, Texas This Summer

If you’ve been waiting for the right time to browse new homes in Kyle, now’s the time. The hottest time of the year to find a home is during literally the hottest time of the year, which is in the summertime before school starts. Shopping now offers advantages for home shoppers. For one, rates are lower.

Another reason is that you’ll have a large inventory from which to choose. This improves your chance of discovering a home and community that meet your requirements. One you want to add to your list is Crosswinds master-planned community. It captures the area’s natural beauty and it’s just 20 miles south of Austin.

Here are some of the homes available.

Gehan Homes

Although new to the community, Gehan has been building homes for 25 years. They’ve garnered awards for their design, floor plans, and customer service.

277 Spinnaker Loop

  • Available now
  • Chestnut plan
  • 1,760 square feet
  • 1 story
  • 3 bedrooms
  • 2 bathrooms
  • $279,990

Check out the floor plan to see what the Chestnut floor plan looks and feels like. Featured options include front extension and master shower.

Pacesetter Homes

QUALICO’s Pacesetter Homes has built homes in the Texas Hill Country since 2007. Builder Magazine has recognized Pacesetter Homes as one of the top 10 fastest growing homebuilding companies in the U.S. Only four homes are available for quick move-in, so check them out before they’re snapped up.

298 Tailwind Dr.

  • Available now
  • 1,705 square feet
  • 3 bedrooms
  • 2 bathrooms
  • $289,900

A former model show home, this one-story home comes loaded with upgrades beginning with maple wood floors. Because it’s a model home, it has more landscaping to brighten the front. Cream shaker cabinetry in the kitchen with crown molding gives it a bright and clean look that meshes well with the countertops. You’ll also appreciate having an extra-long driveway and enjoy many nights in the backyard pergola.

Highland Homes

Since 1985, Highland Homes has been welcoming Texas families to their beautiful, high-quality homes. The cool thing is that employees own 100% of the company. Everyone you meet there is an owner. This motivates them to make sure you’re very happy with your home.

762 Spinnaker Loop

 

  • Available now
  • 2,279 square feet
  • 4 bedrooms
  • 3 bathrooms
  • $339,477

Take a virtual tour of this home to experience it for yourself. The entire home contains wood-style floors. No worries about carpet stains. And though it’s one story, it has a three-car garage.

If you’re looking to build, Highland Homes offers a choice of 50-foot lots with 24 floorplans and 60-foot lots with 23 floorplans.

The right home is waiting for you right here in Crosswinds in Kyle, TX. Explore all things Crosswinds by connecting with us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

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Area Attractions Education Family Fun

Kyle Library Offerings

If you love libraries as much as we do, you’re going to love Kyle Library. Residents can do much more than borrow books. As a Kyle resident, you have access to audiobooks, magazines, and DVDs. You can search the catalog as well as reserve and renew books from its website. This barely scratches the surface of the library’s offerings. Here’s what you can do with your Kyle Library card.

TexShare Databases

The TexShare Databases give you access to an extensive collection of articles from more than 27,000 journals, 171,000 ebooks, and 15 million images, videos, and interactive resources. These resources include business, career and job skills, education, genealogy, history, health and medicine, and do-it-yourself.

It’s also a useful resource for homework help. Texas State Library and Archives Commission (TSLAC) administers the resource sharing program.

Computer and Business Services

The library has free wi-fi and you can log into its computers with your library card. Computer and Business Services consist of printing and copying documents, sending and receiving a fax, and scanning documents. Some services come with a low fee.

The Computer Skills Center can take you through the computer and internet basics. It offers video courses for Microsoft software, Adobe Illustrator, and Adobe Photoshop.

Events and Programming

The library calendar contains a variety of programs and events for all ages. Currently, the library has a Digital Summer Reading program with digital storytimes, online performances, and reading incentives. They have Dungeons and Dragons, Lego Club, Kyle Writers Group, and more.

Ancestry.com

Explore your family history with Ancestry.com. Next time you visit the library, log into the genealogy website to browse indexes to birth, death, and marriage records, immigration, passenger lists, and naturalization records.

Little Free Libraries

Finished a book you own? Consider dropping it off at one of Kyle’s Little Free Libraries. If you find an interesting book, go on and take it.

Kyle Library Thrift Shop

Operated by the Friends of the Kyle Public Library, the Kyle Library Thrift Shop is a resale shop on Lockhart Street. Funds from the shop support the library. Visit its page for the latest news.

The library is always adding new programs. Check out the website or follow Kyle Library’s Facebook page.

To stay on top of great resources from Kyle, connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Looking to move? Explore the inventory of new homes in Kyle or contact our Crosswinds team

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Area Attractions Family Fun

Drive-in Theater in Kyle, Texas

Whoever thought drive-in movies would make a comeback? And it’s right in Kyle! EVO is living up to its tagline of being the EVOlution of entertainment. It has evolved the movie theater by moving it from inside to outside with the EVO Drive-In Experience.

About EVO Drive-in Experience

The drive-in is so popular that tickets sell out quickly. Be sure you sign up to receive an email alert when tickets become available. You have a choice in more than one drive-in. EVO San Marcos is only 10 miles from Kyle. If you’d like to go a little further, Schertz is about 45 minutes away.

If you’d like to enjoy the fresh air, bring lawn chairs. You can sit outside your vehicle as long as you stay within your space and respect social distancing.

The drive-in films take place on the exterior wall of the EVO building. It contains a high-grain white paint to enhance visibility. Movie-goers listen to the sound via the AM/FM radio in their vehicles.

Before You Go

Check the “What’s Playing” page for showtimes and to order your tickets. EVO’s movie selection contains a nice variety that includes comedy, musicals, horror, and action. The movies can be classics or as recent as 2019. They have a late-night side-show in which they run R-rated movies at 11 pm on Fridays and Saturdays.

EVO has thought of everything. If you want to order food and pay for it, just use the mobile app. The entire process is contactless. You won’t have to worry about cash payments. Runners wear masks and nitrile gloves when delivering your order.

EVO shares its relaunch plans, so you know how they’re adapting to the changes to serve you. They’re still providing curbside and home delivery via EVO Market. You can shop for pre-built meal kits for pizza, breakfast, grilling, dessert, or margaritas.

Explore the inventory of new homes in Kyle. You can contact our Crosswinds team or connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

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Area Attractions Lifestyle Uncategorized

Things to Do That Are Social Distance-Friendly and Support Kyle Businesses

Texas is slowly reopening businesses but still asks everyone to do our part to stop the spread by staying home, keeping our distance, and wear masks. Even with these restrictions, you can still support local Kyle businesses during this time. Here’s a list of things you can do that are social distance-friendly and support Kyle businesses.

 

Stay Healthy and Strong

Many local gyms have switched to online workouts and coaching. CrossFit Hays has been posting workouts and motivation on its Facebook page. They’ve been scheduling live workouts on Zoom and Twitch. Orangetheory Fitness Kyle has live sessions with their coaches and they’ve been posting at-home workouts.

Soul Yoga PC is holding online yoga classes. They suggest a donation of $5 to $10 for class. They’re also sharing links to yoga videos. TAG’s World Gymnastics has inspirational posts and videos of incredible gymnastic performances. They’re offering private sessions for $10 for a 30-minute conditioning lesson. Want healthy meals? Weusi Wellness has free curbside pickups. Their Facebook page lists the current menu.

 

Order a Delicious Meal

Per Gov. Abbott’s Phase One to Open Texas protocols, restaurants can open at 25 percent capacity starting on May 1. You can continue ordering curbside pickup and delivery from many local restaurants. Even EVO Entertainment is serving up food and cocktails like the Fiesta Boozy Magonada. Craving pies and casseroles? The Texas Pie Company is your go-to source.

Yearning for Texas food? Get your Tex-Mex fix at Garcia’s Restaurant. For BBQ, call Milt’s Pit BBQ or order online. Be sure to visit their Facebook page to verify they haven’t sold out for the day. Vietnamese restaurant Pho Thaison offers online ordering, curbside pick-up, and delivery.

Are you in need of grocery items? Ilario’s has four DIY hearty home packages. You can order the basics or an Italian kit. Want a home meal replacement that you can heat at home? Hays City Store can help. Or you can order from the menu. While the theater’s reopening is up in the air, you can enjoy food from Sylver Spoon by ordering takeout or delivery.

 

Play Old-Fashioned Board and Card Games

Many families are taking a break from electronics by playing board and card games or doing jigsaw puzzles. You can order games online or from Kyle Walmart and Target for pick up.

 

Get Fresh Air at the City Park

Kyle city parks are open. Although city crews regularly sanitize amenities, they encourage visitors to bring their own hand sanitizer and practice social distancing. 

 

Take Online Classes

Is there something you’ve been wanting to learn? Perhaps, how to bake and decorate a cake? A new programming language? Maybe earn professional certification in your field or a new field. You can find a wealth of free classes online. 

Don’t forget Kyle Public Library. They have ebooks and audiobooks that you can download. You can explore your family history, learn a foreign language through Duolingo, and read accurate resources related to history and science. Many of these resources require a login to access. It’s free for Kyle residents.

 

Go Golfing

Yes, there’s something you can do outside of your home. Plum Creek Golf Course is open. You can schedule your tee time online. The golf course is following CDC social distancing guidelines. 

Unless you live with your playing partner, they ask everyone to ride their golf carts alone. All carts are disinfected before and after each use. On the putting green. the cup has a spacer to prevent the ball from going into the hole. It allows you to pick up the ball without touching anything.

For more ideas, connect with our Crosswinds community team on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Want to look at new homes in Kyle? You can safely tour the homes virtually on the Crosswinds website. 

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Area Attractions Lifestyle

Best Picks: Austin Radio Stations

Are you new to Kyle and Austin? Love music and talk radio? Here are some of the best Austin radio stations you’ll want to check out.

Sun Radio Network

Sun Radio promises the “best music under the sun.” Owned by Township Media LLC, Sun Radio Network owns and operates radio stations all around the Texas Hill Country.

Sun Radio stations include:

For everything under the Sun, visit the Sun Radio Network website.

 

ACL Radio 97.1 FM

ACL Radio (97.1 FM) — as in that Austin City Limits — plays songs to compel you to dance, think, cry, sing, or all the above. They may be songs from internationally known musicians or local Austin musicians who may not have a record label or appear on a chart … yet. It’s also the home of Blues on the Green and Unplugged at the Grove.

 

103.5 BOB FM

With a motto of they play anything, 103.5 BOB FM is a community-focused station that does what it can to serve the community and keep everyone informed. They play mostly adult hits.

 

96.7 KISS FM

An iHeartRadio Station, 96.7 KISS FM calls itself Austin’s No. 1 hit music station. Its radio personalities include Billy The Kidd, Anne Hudson, Pooh Washington, and Gossip Greg of the Billy The Kid Show.

 

KASE 101 Austin

An iHeartRadio station, KASE 101 is the home of the Bobby Bones show and Austin’s new country music station. Discover new songs to add to your playlist.

 

102.3 The Beat

Fans of hip hop and hits will want to tune in to Austin’s 102.3 The Beat, an iHeartRadio station. You can catch Pay Your Bills, a show where they help make people’s money worries disappear.

For more radio stations in the area, check out Radio Lineup’s Kyle listing.

 

Share your favorite radio stations with our Crosswinds community team on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Want to look at new homes in Kyle? You can safely explore the homes virtually on the Crosswinds website.

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Area Attractions Lifestyle

Resources in Kyle to Start and Maintaining a Healthy Lifestyle

While some places are currently shut down, Kyle residents and future residents will be happy to know they have a wealth of health options in this small town near Austin and San Marcos. Whether you’re looking to continue your healthy lifestyle or make changes, you’ll find what you need nearby.

These places will be ready to welcome you after things settle down. Some may be offering virtual services. Check out their websites or contact them.

 


CrossFit Hays

With over 3,000 square feet of space, CrossFit Hays (200 Lehman Rd., Ste. 500, Kyle, TX 78640) is an exercise and nutrition program that serves all ages and fitness levels from beginner to athletic. They provide modifications for everyone based on injuries and current fitness levels.

Their workouts represent 10 fitness domains: cardiovascular/respiratory endurance, stamina, strength, flexibility, power, speed, coordination, agility, balance, and accuracy. They also post a Workout of the Day (WOD) every day to provide additional help to experienced athletes while beginners can optimize results.

 

Orangetheory Fitness

Orangetheory Fitness Kyle (5940 Kyle Pkwy., Kyle, TX 78640) is a high-intensity training workout studio. Each OTF studio has three stations: treadmills, water rowers, and floor. A trainer coaches up to 24 or 36 members through each station.

The floor consists of dumbbells, medicine balls, ABDolly, Bosu, and TRX. The studio welcomes fitness levels of all types and sizes. No one needs to be a runner to benefit as it has many power walkers. The workouts change every day. While closed, the company is providing virtual workouts.

 

Soul Yoga PC

How can you not smile when you see the tagline at Soul Yoga (140 Kirkham Circle, Kyle, Texas 78640): “We’re not hot!” In this case, we’re not hot refers to the temperature. Instead of hot yoga, they maintain room temperature between 72 and 78. Just the right temperature to avoid goosebumps while being warm enough for yoga’s deep movements and stretching.

 

Tag’s World Gymnastics

Previously known as Waves Gymnastics, TAG’s World Gymnastics (1151 Bunton Creek Rd., Kyle, Texas 78640) is coming to Kyle soon. Initially, it was going to be 3,000 square feet. But now they plan to expand the gym to 6,000 sq. ft. The original TAG’s World Gymnastics is in Portland, Texas. The gym currently offers gymnastic and tumbling classes for all ages and genders.

 

Weusi Wellness Cafe

Emily Tomlin-Weusi, owner of Weusi Wellness Café (2626 Hunter Rd Suite 101, San Marcos, Texas 78666), wants to provide a place for healthy food options and an environment where the community can relish positive conversations while challenging their physical and mental standards. They serve healthy prepared meals, coffee, smoothies, protein shakes, supplements with lots of love.

The café wants to be a place of hands-on learning and helping people set goals and create meal plans. They work to create delicious meals that range from the low carb chicken curry bowl to the cauliflower taco bowl. The café is partnering with Texas State University to bring in nutrition interns. The café is only a 15-minute drive from Kyle. As of this writing, they’re still open as they offer free curbside pickup.

Here are more health and fitness options:

 

Looking for new homes in Kyle? You can safely explore the homes virtually. Questions? Contact our Crosswinds team.

 

Categories
Area Attractions Family Fun

Looking for Things Do for Spring Break Near Kyle, Texas?

Whether you take a staycation or vacation during spring break, you have lots of great options in or near Kyle, Texas. Hays CISD spring break is the week of March 16 to 20. Here are a variety of things to see and do during spring break and other times of the year.

Texas State Presents

Texas State Presents (430 Moon St., San Marcos, Texas 78666) features live entertainment from the College of Fine Arts and Communication at Texas State University in San Marcos. You’ll find a mixture of events from guest artists and the symphony to dance companies and theater. Only a 20-minute drive from Kyle, Texas, it’s an unbeatable option to enjoy the arts at affordable prices. Visit the website to see what’s coming up.

Texas Indie Fest

Held from March 17 through the 21, Texas Indie Fest is a free four-day showcase of budding independent musical artists from all over the world. This year has more than 40 electric and acoustic acts at three venues in Austin. You can also catch the event on Fish Creek Radio. Visit the website for the lineup.

Spring Break Camp with San Marcos Parks and Recreation

San Marcos’ Parks and Recreation Spring Break Camp is for kids ages 5 to 11, They play games, make crafts, and take field trips including one out of town. Field trips include San Marcos Discovery Center, bowling, Starplex Theater, Children’s Playscape, and Inflatable Wonderland in San Antonio. View the itinerary on the website.

Boys and Girls Club Spring Break Camp

Boys and Girls Club of South Central Texas’ Spring Break Camp in San Marcos serves pre-K through sixth grade. Their options include character and leadership, fine arts, academic enrichment, and sports and recreation.

All-Star Sports Spring Break Camp

Kids who love sports may be interested in All-Star Sports Spring Break Camp. Held at SoccerZone in South Austin, it’s about a 20-minute trip from Kyle. They offer half- and full-day options for children ages 5 to 13 with the full-day option serving lunch.

Dinosaur Valley State Park

This is one of those places everyone in Texas should visit at some point in their lives. Dinosaur Valley State Park in Glen Rose is a little over a three-hour drive from Kyle. Just the perfect distance for a weekend getaway or a short spring break vacation. You may just get the chance to put your feet in dinosaur footprints in the Paluxy riverbed. You can also camp, picnic, hike, bike, swim, and fish. Guided tours are available.

Fifteen minutes from the park is Fossil Rim Wildlife Center. It’s an endangered species research and conservation center with more than 1,000 mammals representing 50 species. They offer guided and self-guided tours. It’s a 7.2-mile scenic drive in which you can drive in your own car or ride in their tour vehicles.

Corpus Christi

Drive three hours south and you’ll reach the coastal city of Corpus Christi in South Texas. If beaches, boating, birdwatching, and of fun is your thing, this is the place to be.

Not into beaches? Corpus Christi has unique museums like the U.S.S. Lexington, Texas State Aquarium, and South Texas Botanical Gardens and Nature Center. The Corpus Christi Convention and Visitors Bureau has everything you need to plan a spring break trip based on your interests.

More things to do near Kyle, Texas:

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