Austin Fling kicks off with fajitas and fun at Thursday's Welcome Party

Central Library, where our Welcome Party will be held

Flingers, we can't wait to welcome you to Austin in just 8 weeks! We'll be kicking off the Fling with a fun Welcome Party on Thursday, May 3, from 6 to 8 pm, at the architecturally stunning new Central Library in downtown Austin.

We've reserved a spacious private-event space on the ground floor that overlooks the library's native-plant landscaping, and we'll have a catered fajita buffet to start things off Texas style. New Flingers will receive a warm welcome, and we'll all have a chance to mingle and get to know each other before the garden tours begin on Friday.

Central Library opened in October and is already the darling of Austin residents thanks to its inviting modern architecture (pics here) and sun-washed interior. It even has a rooftop reading garden with a view of Lady Bird Lake! If you enjoy architecture and want to take a look around after our welcome event, the library will be open until 9 pm. It really is a must-see.

Rooftop garden at Central Library

We'll walk over to the library together from the lobby of the Courtyard by Marriott Downtown, our official Fling hotel. It's a pleasant 20-minute stroll that'll take us down storied Congress Avenue and along Lady Bird Lake, right past Austin City Hall, which is notable not only for its striking architecture but its sustainably designed landscaping, entirely planted with native Texas plants and irrigated with A/C condensate and other recaptured water.

Our event ends at 7:30 pm, and on the way back, if you're still feeling energetic, there are some great places along the way. You and your new blogging friends might like to stop off for a drink and dessert at Fareground, Austin's hip but totally casual new foodhall. Or check out the cattle-baron-era elegance of the Driskill Bar -- "Texas through and through" -- and settle in with a Batini or Texas Rivival cocktail. Just be sure to get back to the hotel before it gets too late because we start touring bright and early on Friday!

Here's a map of the walking route between our hotel and the library. As you can see, it's super easy. We look forward to kicking off the 2018 Fling with you at Thursday's Welcome Party!