Category: Area Attractions

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Area Attractions

Cities Near Kyle, Texas

TV shows that take place in small towns have folks yearning for the small-town lifestyle where everyone knows each other. There was Mayberry in “The Andy Griffith Show.” Stars Hollow in “The Gilmore Girls.” Dillon, Texas in “Friday Night Lights.”

You’ll find that small-town Texas charm you’re looking for in Kyle, Texas. And it’s just big enough to have all the resources you need for everyday living. Nature, small businesses, and quiet all make great reasons to live in Kyle. The town stands out in another way — it’s close to many places you’ll want to explore.

Where’s Kyle, Texas?

Just drive south of Austin for 15 miles and you’ll reach Kyle. The town sits on the I-35 corridor to connect you to retail, dining, educational hubs, entertainment, and more. Its perfect location puts you near to everything you need.

Does it have an airport? Indeed. Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (ABIA) is 40 minutes from Kyle. Because it’s an international airport, you’ll be able to reach many U.S. cities and countries like Canada, Germany, and London with ease.

What Cities Are Near Kyle, Texas?

Of course, Austin is the No. 1 destination for Kyle residents. It’s close enough to go out for the evening without having to stay overnight. If you want to catch big music acts or college sports at Frank Erwin Center, it’s only 30 minutes away from Kyle.

Love history, waterparks, or the Germany culture? You can get all that in fewer than 20 minutes in New Braunfels. You can visit Gruene Historic District, float on the Comal river, or splash up a storm at Schlitterbahn Waterpark. In fact, you don’t have to leave Kyle to time travel to the past as Kyle is home to many historical sites.

If you ask around about the best place to go for outlet shopping, most people will give you one answer: San Marcos. Its two giant outlet centers sit next to each other. When you live in Kyle, you can go there anytime you want because it’s a scant 15 minutes away.

Want to learn? Texas State University is in San Marcos. It probably needs no mention, but the University of Texas at Austin is one of the top universities in the U.S. Austin Community College has an ACC Hays Campus. ACC has a co-enrollment program with Texas State University.

And you can explore other nearby small towns like Driftwood, Wimberley, and Lockhart with its amazing BBQ options. That small-town setting you see on fictional TV is a reality in Kyle, Texas.

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

Commemorative Air Force Central Texas Wing

Have you heard of the Commemorative Air Force Central Texas Wing (CAF)? Not many people know about this cool place that’s 15 minutes from Kyle in San Marcos. The CAF has a long and illustrious history that you can read about on the CAF Central Texas Wing website.

What Is the CAF Central Texas Wing?

It’s the home of six CAF aircraft including a C-47 “That’s All Brother,” P-39 “Big D”, and C-45 “Lone Star Lady.” Their B-25 “Yellow Rose” is a replica of Kate #310 from the movies “Tora! Tora! Tora” and “Pearl Harbor.”  The Central Texas Wing takes responsibility for the maintenance and restoration of these aircraft. It also has several helicopters in its hangar.

What started as a hobby turned into a mission to preserve history. Its four objectives are as follows:

  1. Restore and preserve combat aircraft.
  2. Provide a home for a permanent display of the aircraft.
  3. Remind Americans about these great planes that flew to defend our nation.
  4. Create an organization dedicated to preserve these aircraft.

A great way to appreciate the historical aircraft is to book a ride for a flight to remember. You can view the rates and reserve a flight.

Where to Find CAF Updates

The CAF Central Texas Wing Facebook page occasionally broadcasts live events such as aircraft departures and flyovers. Watch that page for the next one or check out the recordings of past events. To stay updated on CAF Central Texas Wing activities, you can subscribe to its official High Flight newsletter.

They also have #TriviaTuesday. Here’s one. True or false: During the Doolittle Raid on Tokyo, the B-25s’ machine guns were removed to save weight, but so they would not look totally defenseless, broomstick handles were painted black and installed to look like machine gun barrels. Get the answer here.

Take a trip to the past by checking out photos of these mesmerizing planes on their website and Facebook page. They also have a gift shop filled with awesome gift ideas.

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

City of Kyle Founders Day Parade

The first lots in Kyle sold around October 15, 1880. It inspired the city and its residents to start a tradition of holding parades through downtown in mid-October. That parade became known as the Founders Day Parade. This tradition recognizes this great town’s founders.

The City of Kyle is still holding the Founders Day Parade in 2020! They won’t let this unusual year stop them!

About the 2020 Founders Day Parade

This won’t be a typical Founders Day Parade. But then again nothing in 2020 has been typical. This year’s parade is going virtual and its theme is “Life in Kyle.”

The way it will work is that groups and organizations will submit a photo and a description. The photo and description will be placed in a video that will air on the City Live Feed and the City Facebook page. Watch the City of Kyle website for the link. This web page also has photos from past Founders Day Parades.

You can also check the City of Kyle Parks and Recreation Department Facebook page for updates.

A Little Kyle History

Settlers from nearby Blanco and Mountain City founded the town of Kyle in 1880. Sometime between 1870 and 1880, the International and Great Northern Railroad planned to build a line between Austin and San Antonio. The planners saw there were no towns on the route between Austin and San Marcus. They decided to establish a station on that route.

Captain Fergus Kyle and David Moore’s family donated 200 acres for this site. The Texas Land Company deeded the land to develop the town. Within a week, someone surveyed the town and filed it with the county clerk. Officially designated as Kyle, Texas, in honor of one of the people who donated the land.

The town held an auction in October of 1880 beneath Kyle’s famed Oak tree. This is where all the business and residential lots were auctioned off. To encourage more bids, the railroad offered free train rides to those who participated in the sale. The railroad donated the land surrounding this tree. And it became the home of Kyle’s first school, Kyle Seminary.

Want to explore more? Check out these Kyle historical markers.

To stay on top of what’s happening in 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

What’s Happening in Kyle

Residents of Kyle’s Crosswinds community love living here because the city has much to offer. Kyle Library offers regularly scheduled events in the City of Kyle calendar. It’s a great way to meet fellow residents who share the same interest as you do.

Note that some events in the calendar are temporarily suspended. For example, Lego Club meets in the library monthly. Currently, the library isn’t holding events. They’re still open as they provide curbside pickup. You can still enjoy your books!

Some groups have adapted by going online. Be sure to follow up with the group you’re interested in to find out the current status.

Younger Ages

Kyle Library has many options for the little ones who aren’t yet elementary school age. Here are the activities they might enjoy.

Baby Lapsit (ages 0 to 18 months): Baby Lapsit storytime features short stories, simple concepts, and fun songs introduced with fingerplays that emphasize specific motor skills. It closes with a sensory experience.

Toddler Time (18 to 36 months): This is the time for toddlers to enjoy interactive stories, songs, and activities that encourage their emerging language skills.

!Los Cuentos¡ (ages 0-5): This is dual-language storytime for the younger set.

Sensory Fun Storytime (ages 2-5): This is designed to engage children through movement, music, preschool stories, and sensory activity play. It’s ideal for kids with special needs including sensory challenges, social integration, and developmental delays.

Little Yogis (ages 3-6): This is yoga storytime that focuses on early literacy and physical activity through yoga-like poses and movement.

Preschool Express Storytime (ages 2-5): This is an opportunity for parents and caregivers to introduce children to reading and language in a fun, creative way. There will be activities that promote the development and learning through stories, music, fingerplays, and activities.

Older Children

These activities tend to occur after school hours or on weekends making it possible for school-aged children to attend.

Art Hour (ages 8-12): Budding artists meet to do a short studio experience covering a variety of media.

Magic: The Gathering (ages 10+): Trading card game. This is currently held online.

Pajama Storytime: Children can enjoy stories, songs, fingerplays, and a craft.

Lego Club (all ages): Brick-by-brick, attendees build something with Lego in accordance with the monthly theme. The library provides the Lego.

Teen Chat and Chill (ages 12-17): Teens have a safe place to gather and chat.

Teen Anime (ages 12-17): Teens who are fans of anime gather to talk about Japanese and various animation.

Teen Gamers (ages 12-17): This is the time for gamers to gather and talk gaming.

Adults

Love to read? Write? Play games? Or need help to find a job? You have great options here.

Dungeons and Dragons: Dungeons and Dragons still goes strong after many decades of entertainment. It’s so popular that Kyle Library has two online biweekly D&D groups available. D&D Group 1 meets on the first and third Wednesdays. Group 2 meets on the second and fourth Wednesdays. To ask questions and sign up, please contact mlynch@cityofkyle.com.

Page Turners Book Club: The book club meets online on the third Thursday at 6 pm. Visit the book club page to see the current year’s lineup of books. Jesus Hernandez, KPL’s Adult Services Librarian, leads the book club.

Kyle Writers Group: The group meets monthly on the first and third Wednesdays from 6 to 7:45 pm. They welcome everyone including latecomers. Visit the group page to learn more about the group.

Job Search Help: Kyle Public Library cardholders can request personalized job searches, industry information, and job skills training and video. To get started, fill out this form.

There’s truly something for everyone and every interest. Learn more about Kyle Library Offerings.

To stay on top of what’s happening in 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

Doc’s Drive-in Theatre in Kyle

Miss going to the movies? Now you can go to the movies in a different way that’s reminiscent of 1950s. Check out Doc’s Drive-In Theatre on 1540 Satterwhite Rd. in Buda. It’s more than a drive-in theater.

The Doc’s Drive-In Theatre Experience

Doc’s contains two large screens playing modern and classic movies from every genre. It’s your chance to see your favorites in a unique setting and discover new ones. Well-behaved dogs on a leash are welcome to join the fun.

To enhance your experience, bring chairs, blankets, pillows, and any necessities such as medicine and emergency items. Order traditional and no-so-traditional movie food from Doc’s Patio Diner. They even have vegan chicken wings and s’mores. You can order beer and wine options from Mama Merlot’s, their on-site bar. Because they have a restaurant on-site, they ask no one bring outside food and drinks.

You can even make a weekend of it by staying in a themed tiny home.

Take a Hollywood-Style Vacation

Located behind Doc’s Drive-In is Weewok Village. There, you can enjoy a stay in one of three themed tiny homes: magical, classical, or galactical.

Fan of Harry Potter’s? Want a magical getaway? Head to the Wizarding World Theme tiny house. The room has a queen bed, TV with a DVD player, and contains all the Harry Potter books and films. A bathroom and shower stocked with homemade soaps and lotions await. The living room has a couch that turns into a small bed. And the kitchen is stocked with appliances and movie snacks.

Drawn to the classics? Experience Breakfast at Tiffany’s in real-life in the Breakfast at Audrey’s theme filled with sass and class that sleeps five. Featuring two loft bedrooms, the mini home has a king and queen bed. Watch all your favorite Audrey Hepburn films and discover a couple you haven’t seen. Relax in your private deck and yard while taking in the sights and sounds of Buda.

Does the name Weewok make you think of Ewoks? Perhaps, you’d like to go on a space adventure in the Galaxy, Far, Far Away theme. With space for four, the mini home has a king-sized bed in the loft, a couch that turns into a small bed, and a twin blow up bed. The kitchen has all the appliances you could want and movie snacks. You can watch all the Star Wars films, read, and play games.

Everyone from Kyle needs to experience Doc’s Drive-In Theatre at least once!

To stay on top of great resources from Kyle and nearby, 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

Paddle with Style Near Kyle, Texas

School may have started, but that won’t stop folks from enjoying what’s left of summer. This is Texas, so summer temperatures are still happening. What a better way to spend the evenings and weekends than on the water? And Paddle With Style can help you do just that.

What Is Paddle With Style?

Paddle With Style is a business based out of San Marcos, Texas. They offer canoe and kayak rentals, lessons, and guided trips for all ages. Did you know that there are competitive paddle sports? It’s true! One is called the Texas Water Safari the World’s Toughest Canoe Race. In this competition, entrants have four days and four hours to paddle from San Marcos to the little town of Seadrift on the Gulf Coast.

Owner Holly Orr and the folks behind Paddle With Style founded the company in 2009. They wanted to provide a program to help kids learn how to canoe. Within a year, they added lessons to train people for the Texas Water Safari. Now their mission is to introduce people to the sport of paddling with education, water conservation, and adventure.

Holly is passionate about distance paddling. She has competed in marathon canoe races. She’s finished 12 — yes, twelve — Texas Water Safaris. She’s broken six women’s records and won her class nine times. Holly has also done the Colorado 100, a 100-mile marathon canoe race from Bastrop to Columbus, Texas.

Paddling Instruction Programs in San Marcos

Paddle With Style holds their classes in San Marcos, but they do travel to other locations. Their classes include competition training, introduction to paddling skills, instruction certification, and youth programs.

Their competition training programs prepare people everywhere from zero to years of experience to learn how to paddle and improve their techniques.

Just like many sports have associations with certificate programs, there’s one for canoeing. The American Canoe Association (ACA) is a nationally recognized organization for paddle sports. Anyone interested in becoming a paddle sports instructor can get started with Paddle With Sports instructor certification workshops.

For the latest news and contests, check the Paddle With Style Facebook page. Kyle residents don’t have far to go for all this paddle sports fun as the fun is only 20 minutes away.

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

What to Do for Labor Day in Kyle

The City of Kyle is not letting Kyle Pie in the Sky Hot Air Balloon Festival’s cancellation stop them from coming up with a way to provide a little of its magic to Kyle. And that magic will appear in the form of 2020 City of Kyle Labor Day Celebrations. Check out what they have in store to celebrate America’s largest rest day.

Balloon Flyover

Great news! The hot air balloons will still take flight on Saturday, Sept. 5 at 7 am! This one time is worth waking up with the sunrise. Here’s your chance to step outside and watch for hot air balloons to appear at random intervals. This isn’t a city sanctioned event, but it’s sure to make it a magical Labor Day weekend!

Drive-thru Glow Show

Who says driving through neighborhoods only has to happen during the winter holiday season to see the holiday lights? On Saturday, Sept. 5 at 7:45 pm, everyone is invited to line up at 5001 City Lights Dr. for a memorable evening drive. Drive down Physicians Way to see eight to 10 tethered balloons glow in the nighttime. The city asks everyone to please not park or walk up to the event.

Photo Contests

From Sept. 4 to 11, everyone is invited to enter photo contests. This is your chance to share what Labor Day in Kyle means to you in photography. Is it a BBQ with family and friends? Is it decorating your yard? Is it celebrating frontline workers and heroes? Will it be a reflection of Pie in the Sky festivals of the past?

Winners will receive cash prizes. City Council will announce the winners at its Sept. 15 meeting. The next section shares how to enter the photo contest.

Get Updates on Kyle Labor Day Events

All events are free. The hot air balloon events are weather-permitting. Here’s hoping Mother Nature permits it!

Check the City of Kyle Labor Day Celebrations Facebook page regularly for updates. It will have instructions on how to enter the photo contests. This page will also list additional Labor Day events going on around Kyle.

To stay on top of what’s happening in 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 Uncategorized

Amazon Leasing Space in Kyle

What do Buda, Pflugerville, and Round Rock have in common? They’re part of Amazon’s growth in Central Texas. And Kyle is the latest addition to Amazon businesses in Texas. Amazon is attracted to these central Texas cities for their young populations. They want to build where they know these populations will keep the company busy for a long time.

Amazon in Kyle

The city of Kyle has announced Amazon is leasing a facility in Kyle Crossing Business Park. The 307,840 square-foot facility will be a sortation center that houses more than 200 people.

The 40-acre business park is located west of Interstate 35 and 20 miles south of Austin. A sortation center is where employees organize all the boxes by the final destination. They consolidate these orders on trucks to speed delivery.

Amazon’s Order Fulfillment Process

Amazon describes how an item you order makes its way to you. It starts with filling the order at a fulfillment center like the one in Pflugerville that will support 1,000 jobs. Once your product gets picked, it lands on a conveyor for packing.

While traveling on the conveyor, a computer scans and tracks its status and weighs the packed box. After receiving a label, the box goes to a waiting trailer based on the shipping method, delivery speed, and location.

An Amazon trailer truck transports orders from fulfillment centers to sortation centers like the one coming to Kyle. These trucks can hold more than 2,000 boxes. Associates will distribute the package by location and delivery speed.

At this point, the package could land on another truck or an airplane. Eventually, the boxes make their way to a delivery station like the ones in Round Rock and Buda. From here, they’ll go out for delivery. The Round Rock location could potentially employ 700 to 900 associates. Kyle residents are excited to welcome Amazon!

To stay on top Kyle news, 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

Geocaching in Kyle: Go on a Treasure Hunt

Want to get outside and discover new places around Kyle? You can do that by going on a geocaching adventure! It’s fun for the whole family and you may uncover places you never knew existed in your community. Geocaching regulars say they love it because they experience moments of serenity and have stories to tell.

With more than three million geocaches hidden all over the world, you’re bound to find them in your backyard and on your travels.

What Is Geocaching?

Geocaching is a GPS-based treasure hunt game that’s open to everyone all over the world. The purpose is to hide and find hidden geocache with a global positioning system (GPS). It’s a handheld radio-based navigation system. Most people use a phone app for the GPS to look up a location’s longitude and latitude address with coordinates.

Hiders place a container with an object hidden inside. This is called a cache. The hider provides the item’s coordinates. Although it sounds simple, some are harder than others to find. GPS can get you within 40 feet of the hidden cache. The rest is up to the seeker to find. And that’s the fun part.

Some people prefer to hide caches. They want to see how long it takes people to find it. For both hider and seeker, it’s a great way to improve your navigation skills. One tip is to bring a compass in case a phone loses its signal.

If you have a child who is in Scouting, it’s possible to earn a badge. Girl Scouts offers a Geocacher badge. For Cub Scouts, Cub Scout Ideas has a useful geocaching guide. A Geocaching merit badge is available for BSA Scouts.

How to Get Started Geocaching in Kyle

To start geocaching, all you need is a cell phone loaded with the official Geocaching app and a pen. The app is free to use. It does contain premium features, but they’re not required to enjoy geocaching. After you create an account on the app or at www.geocaching.com, you’ll view a map of geocaches near you. The app will help you navigate.

After you spot the geocache, sign and date the logbook. Return the geocache to its hiding spot for others to find. Be sure to share your experience online too.

To help you #ExploreKyle, pick up the passport from the Kyle Chamber of Commerce’s Kyle Texas GeoTour. You’ll use it to log your caches. In the Geocaching app, search for “Kyle Texas GeoTour” and select a geocache to start your search. The first 250 people who reach 25 points are eligible to receive a trackable geocoin.

Good luck in your geocache hunt and enjoy exploring Kyle!

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.

Categories
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.