What Are You Looking Forward to? with Jillian Anthony

In this new series, we ask professionally fun Austinites to tell us about some of the events + activities they have on their radars. First up, we have Jillian Anthony, a freelance writer and editor who regularly contributes to Tribeza and Austin Monthly and is the former Editor-in-Chief of Time Out New York. Jillian also writes a newsletter, Cruel Summer Book Club, and hosts a podcast of the same name, all about making space for your art and yourself. She wrote up an old-school NO BUMMER SUMMER bucket list, and today we wanted to share a few of her top picks with you. 

1. Experience the Deep Eddy trifecta
1. Take a dip at Deep Eddy pool ($5). 
2. Grab a burger and a frozen drank up the street at Pool Burger. 
3. Head next door to Deep Eddy Cabaret for a nightcap. 
That’s a summer day in Austin done right.

2. Dive into the Fern Gully of Texas

Get ready to splash around in a real-life oasis at Blue Hole Regional Park. Make sure to make a reservation in advance (either for 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. or 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., $12) and hit the road to Wimberley. This natural swimming hole is encased by ancient, shady Live Oaks, and has a couple of chain swings for adventurous kids and adults alike. Pro tips: Ice chests and inflatables are allowed, and there’s a lot more shade in the grassy areas after 4 p.m.

3. See Legally Blonde in Zilker Park

Celebrate Zilker Theater Productions’ 65th anniversary with a free, Broadway-caliber production of the musical Legally Blonde, starring dozens of talented locals. On Thursday through Sunday, July 12 through August 17, drop off your chairs and ice chest packed with your favorite picnic goodies to secure your spot at 6 p.m.; head next door to Barton Springs to fling yourself off the diving board and beat the heat; then return to watch the show starting at 8:15. What, like it’s hard?

4. Surf the karaoke to club pipeline on a Thursday

The sun’s out till 9 p.m. and it’s still 90 degrees anyway, so if you don’t go out dancing, you’re wasting those hot summer nights. Kick things off on the early side at Outer Heaven so you can get the stage to yourself while you belt out “Jolene,” then grab a car or a scooter and head to Coconut Club or Cheer Up Charlie’s to shake it under the stars.

5. Howl at the full moon

The next full moon is on July 21. Once the sun goes down, head to Barton Springs ($5) for a moonlit dip, and join everyone else in a heavy howl at the Buck Moon to celebrate Cancer season. Awhooooooo!