Happy Wednesday, Round Rock! 👋 Today's a big one — a genuine Dale Chihuly glass masterpiece goes on permanent display in downtown Round Rock (yes, that Chihuly), and it's free to see starting today.
Plus a Hill Country glamping getaway to dream about, a drone show at Dell Diamond, a Michelin-pedigree restaurant now open on I-35, and good news from around the community. Let's dig in.
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🎨 It's Here: Round Rock's Chihuly Debuts Today
Starting today, our downtown is home to a genuine Dale Chihuly — the world-famous glass artist whose work hangs in Venice, Jerusalem, and now… 216 E Main Street.
The "Ruby Sunstone Pineapple Chandelier" is nine feet tall, weighs about 460 pounds, and is made of more than 200 hand-blown glass pieces, suspended from the two-story ceiling of the City Arts Center as a permanent installation. It opens to the public today, July 15, alongside a three-month exhibit of additional Chihuly works and "Scents of Austin," a botanical portrait series by Round Rock artist Ziesook You (on view through October 10).
Best part: admission is free. Gallery hours are Tuesday–Saturday, 10am–6pm — with Wednesday evenings open until 8pm, so you can stop by tonight.
📍 City Arts Center, Griffith Building, 216 E Main St
Plan your visit →
🎉 Giveaway Winner
Congrats to Karina S, who won a 2-night stay at The Retreat on the Hill! 🎊
Make sure to head back to our Instagram page for another giveaway launching tonight!
🏞 Spotlight: The Retreat on the Hill
Image Courtesy of The Retreat On the Hill
Since our winner is headed there, we figured you'd want a peek too. The Retreat on the Hill is a glamping hideaway perched on a Hill Country hilltop in Cottonwood Shores — about an hour west of us near Marble Falls, with views out over Lake LBJ.
This is not your average campsite: stay in a three-story open-air treehouse, a mirror-walled house, an A-frame whose walls open like airplane wings, or a clear stargazing dome perched 20 feet in the air. Every unit has real beds, A/C, and Wi-Fi — so "roughing it" is optional. Rates start around $145/night for the tipis, making it a doable date-night escape or anniversary splurge.
💸 Round Rock on a Budget
A running list of the best local deals, freebies, and happy hours:
Rock'N River Water Park
50% off after 5pm — twilight admission is $10 adults / $9 kids (vs. $20/$18 regular)
📍 800 Harrell Pkwy · Get tickets →
Blue Corn Harvest
Thirsty Thursday — $6 Mexican martinis + $5 frozen ritas, plus 10% off for teachers & healthcare workers · kids eat free Mondays
📍 2980 Joe DiMaggio Blvd #150 · See the deal →
The Yogurt Experience
$5 fill-up cup every Monday
📍 200 University Blvd, Ste 230 · Get the scoop →
Buddy's Burgers
$5 margs & $4 beers · Mon–Wed, 3–6:30pm
📍 1551 E Old Settlers Blvd · See the deal →
Jack Allen's Kitchen
Monday Happy Hour, 3–9pm — half off starters, $5 frozen margs, and $1 off all drinks
📍 2500 Hoppe Trl · See the deal →
Kalahari (locals only)
Weekday Wellness spa discounts Mon–Thu, plus free valet when you dine at the resort — bring your ID (40-mile radius)
📍 3001 Kalahari Blvd · See locals deals →
Summer Reading Challenge: Unearth a Story
Free prizes for reading — all ages, no library card needed, through July 30
📍 Round Rock Public Library / ReadSquared app · Sign up →
📅 Events This Week & Just Ahead
Round Rock Express Homestand (vs. Las Vegas Aviators)
🗓 Friday, July 17 – Sunday, July 19
📍 Dell Diamond, 3400 E Palm Valley Blvd
Three home games with the works: Friday Fireworks on 7/17, and a postgame drone show plus a Mystery Jersey giveaway (first 2,000 fans) on Saturday 7/18.
Moonlight Movie Night: Zootopia
🗓 Friday, July 17, 7:30pm (movie at dusk)
📍 Lakeview Stage, Old Settlers Park, 3300 E Palm Valley Blvd
Free family movie under the stars — bring blankets and lawn chairs; food and drinks available for purchase.
Trailside Market
🗓 Saturday, July 18, 9am–12pm
📍 Memorial Park, 600 North Lee St
Your Saturday-morning standby: market vendors, music, a playground, and hiking on the trail.
Pop-Up Play Day: "Roll"
🗓 Saturday, July 18, 9–11am
📍 Kensington Park
A free drop-in play morning for the kids — games, music, dancing, and refreshments in the park.
Artemis Generation — NASA's Next Giant Leap
🗓 Saturday, July 18, 1–2:30pm
📍 Round Rock Public Library, Meeting Room A&B, 200 E Liberty Ave
NASA Engages brings the Artemis moon-mission story to the library — a free deep-space afternoon for curious kids and grown-ups alike. Ages 8+.
Round Rock Car Show
🗓 Sunday, July 19, 9am–12pm
📍 Centennial Plaza, 301 W Bagdad Ave
A Sunday-morning lineup of classic cars, hot rods, and neighborly bench racing — hosted by RRPD.
Just ahead: Brick Rodeo — Texas' LEGO Fan Convention
🗓 Public days: Saturday, July 25 (9am–6pm) & Sunday, July 26 (10am–4pm)
📍 Kalahari Resorts, 3001 Kalahari Blvd
Hundreds of jaw-dropping custom LEGO builds land at Kalahari. General passes are $25 ($30 day-of); kids 2 and under free.
📰 Community News & Headlines
Good things happening around town this week:
Grey Orchard is now open — a Michelin-pedigree chef has turned the old Denny's on N I-35 into a moody, chef-driven modern American spot (duck banh mi, bao sliders, house cocktails). Read more…
The Ruby Hotel is adding a wedding & event space — construction starts this fall on a 2,500-sq-ft expansion into the 1965 house next door, seating up to 150. Read more…
Frank and Margie's is officially one to try — the husband-and-wife Michelin-starred team behind it is serving thin-crust pizza, handmade pasta, and wagyu-elk meatballs in Renaissance Square. Read more…
The library won a statewide summer grant — Texas Library Association funding (backed by H-E-B) will expand Library on the Go with STEM checkout kits and free take-and-make kits for families. Read more…
The District keeps moving — Round Rock's big mixed-use project cleared another approval as the developer teased new retail plans along Greenlawn Blvd. One to watch. Read more…
🏡 Real Estate Corner
Thinking about buying, selling, or simply curious what homes are selling for around town? Our Real Estate Corner highlights notable local listings, market insights, and trends shaping the Round Rock housing market.
109 Glacier Cv, Round Rock 78664
$499,999 · 5 bed · 3 bath · 3,036 sqft
Tucked into a quiet cul-de-sac backing to a greenbelt and creek — with just one neighbor — this two-story checks the boxes big families hunt for: owner's suite plus a guest bedroom and full bath on the main level, three more bedrooms and a game room upstairs. Fresh 2026 updates too — new paint inside and out, wood-laminate floors throughout, and an oversized garage for all the stuff.
See the listing →
🪨 Poll of the Week
🪨 Trivia: The Griffith Building — the new home of our Chihuly chandelier — has lived many lives over the last century. Which of these was it NOT?
That's a wrap for this week. Reply and tell us: are you Team Treehouse or Team Stargazing Dome? See you next Wednesday! 👋
-Doing Round Rock Team
🪨 Trivia answer: a train depot! The Griffith Building — the new home of our Chihuly chandelier — has been a firehouse, an auto shop, City Hall, and even the public library over the last century… but never a train depot. Its latest act as the City Arts Center might be its best one yet. Read about the building →
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