Bark and Park

New pet hotel with valet parking debuts at Austin airport

Bark&Zoom is now boarding pets and parking cars at ABIA.

Photo courtesy of Bark&Zoom

Just in time for the summer travel season, Bark&Zoom pet hotel and parking complex has opened on the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport grounds. Conveniently located at 2601 Cardinal Loop, the 24-hour facility makes boarding your pet — and hopping on a flight — a breeze.

The facility features accommodations for both dogs and cats, with no breed restrictions. Overnight boarding ranges from $48-$85 per night, and there is also a $35 daycare option. Owners can spoil their pet with extra baths, grooming, pool time, and walks for additional fees.

Austin-based Taurus Academy operates the pet hotel. "We've always been dedicated to making dogs' and people's lives better in the Austin community. This opportunity gives us the perfect chance to take that one step further," says Taurus Academy co-owner Melanie McLeroy in a release. Taurus Academy also offers a variety of dog training programs.

There's valet parking onsite, at the affordable rate of $9.95 per day. Just drive up, drop off your furry friend, hand over your keys, and you will be shuttled to the airport. Scott Airport Parking, which operates ABIA's standard Park&Zoom lot, manages the parking.

"When we sought a new parking service that offered our customers something they had never had before in Central Texas, Scott Airport Parking delivered with Bark&Zoom," says ABIA executive director Jim Smith. "This public/private partnership has transformed previously unused airport property into a service for pet owners flying Austin."

A grand opening celebration for Bark&Zoom is slated for Saturday, May 13 with free food, drinks, and pet photo sessions.

transportation pets openings

hottest headlines of 2024

Hill Country escapes beckon in Austin's top 10 travel stories of 2024

Photo by Jeff Jones

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Editor's note: As 2024 comes to a close, we're looking back at the stories that defined Austin this year, and that includes travel — in and out of the Texas capital. Austinites were most interested in escaping to the Hill Country and exploring San Antonio. To fuel your wanderlust, here are the top 10 travel headlines of 2024.

1. Texas has 2 of the country's top 10 state parks, says new list. Palo Duro Canyon State Park came out as the No. 2 best state park in the country. Travelers who don't want to make a drive to the Texas Panhandle can head to the Hill Country to visit Garner State Park, which landed at No. 9.

2. San Antonio rodeo rounds up Jon Pardi and Pesado for 2025 lineup. Austinites have a few key reasons to travel to the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo each year, such as seeing big music stars like Nelly, Keith Urban, LeAnn Rimes, Turnpike Troubadours, and more.

3. New downtown San Antonio hotel debuts with 4 bar and dining concepts. Overnight visitors to Alamo City may remember the Wyndham San Antonio River Walk, but things are looking very different now. After a transformation that has been in the works for at least three years, the InterContinental San Antonio Riverwalk Hotel opened for visitors in August.

A rooftop pool 21 stories up completes the new InterContinental San Antonio Riverwalk Hotel. Photo courtesy of InterContinental San Antonio Riverwalk Hotel

4. Texas predicted to be No. 1 destination tourists will hit for the eclipse. Great American Eclipse predicted Texas would see over a million tourists during April's solar spectacle — the highest number out of the 48 continental states.

5. Hill Country resort inflates its 10th annual hot air balloon festival. The annual Balloons Over Horseshoe Bay Resort includes more than balloons, with live music, tastings, and more.

6. Self-flying air taxis to take flight at airports in major Texas city. Keep an eye on the sky in 2025 — maybe you'll spot one of the new electric and autonomous air taxis expected to take flight in Houston.

7. New Hill Country treehouse resort tops Texas travel ideas for October. Our October monthly roundup of travel tips highlighted the recently opened Onera resort in Wimberley, which features 28 treehouses and "earth home-style units" with panoramic views of the Hill Country.

8. Stunning Hill Country resort lodge gets a chic update. TheAntlers Lodge at the Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort and Spa in San Antonio got a major makeover that also included a new chef and updated menu.

9. 15 best eclipse watch parties and events across Central Texas on April 8. Central Texas and the Hill Country were the hottest destinations for eclipse-watchers, and we compiled the ultimate list of viewing parties and events for the occasion.

10. Buzzy Hill Country hotel featuring VIP Austin chef sets opening date. Located right on the main street of charming Fredericksburg, the Albert Hotel is officially accepting reservations as of January 3, 2025.