Austin, TX
MARK BERGERON: Father. Musician. ENTREPRENEUR.
Like any true Austinite, Mark Bergeron "keeps it weird" by enjoying a variety of interests in addition to music. Check out Mark's recommendations for the best Austin has to offer.
Mark started a Government Relations Practice in 2012, focused primarily on IT Procurement and Business Development Services leveraging three careers spanning public accounting, IT consulting, and business development for technology companies in the public sector market.
Mark started a Government Relations Practice in 2012, focused primarily on IT Procurement and Business Development Services leveraging three careers spanning public accounting, IT consulting, and business development for technology companies in the public sector market.
Mark's Recommendations for Sports Fans in Austin, TX

Austin doesn't have a professional sports team. Instead, this college town bleeds orange for UT.
Any sports fan should grab tickets to a Longhorns game when it's football season. The nearly 100-years-old Darrel K Royal Stadium can seat over 100,000 fans, and often does.
For a more authentic experience, forego the stadium seats and join the sororities, fraternities, alums, friends and families tailgating outside. KUT Austin has a great overview of tailgating do's and don'ts for first-timers. Austinites are pretty friendly, so it's okay to wear a color other than orange (although it's not recommended). Even if you still root for your alma mater like Mark, you shouldn't get heckled too much.
Any sports fan should grab tickets to a Longhorns game when it's football season. The nearly 100-years-old Darrel K Royal Stadium can seat over 100,000 fans, and often does.
For a more authentic experience, forego the stadium seats and join the sororities, fraternities, alums, friends and families tailgating outside. KUT Austin has a great overview of tailgating do's and don'ts for first-timers. Austinites are pretty friendly, so it's okay to wear a color other than orange (although it's not recommended). Even if you still root for your alma mater like Mark, you shouldn't get heckled too much.
Mark's Recommendations for Swimming in Austin, TX
For indoor swimming, the TownLake YMCA in downtown Austin is fantastic.
Outdoor swimmers should checkout the West Austin Athletic Club on Patterson Lane and Bee Cave. They have 4 pools, including a 25 yard competition-size pool and a diving pool. It's a great place for serious practice, or for simply having fun with the family, like Mark and his son Brandon in this video:
Outdoor swimmers should checkout the West Austin Athletic Club on Patterson Lane and Bee Cave. They have 4 pools, including a 25 yard competition-size pool and a diving pool. It's a great place for serious practice, or for simply having fun with the family, like Mark and his son Brandon in this video:
Mark's Recommendations for Tennis in Austin, TX

Austin ISD has some stellar educational programs, but Austin High School takes the cake when it comes to sports and recreational facilities. Seated on the edge of Town Lake, the school opens its track and eight tennis courts to the public after 5pm on weekdays during the school year and all day during summer and winter breaks.
Mark's Recommendations for Golf in Austin, TX
Mark has a deep appreciation for the historic value of Lions Municipal Golf Course on Enfield Rd. Known affectionately by locals as "Muny," the course has been open since the times of the Great Depression and is notable for being the first golf course in the South to desegregate before the Supreme Court mandated it in Brown v. Board of Education. The city's lease for the course is due to expire in 2019 and is in danger of being taken over by commercial development. Join Mark and other Austinites by signing the petition to Save Muny here.
Mark's Recommendations for Mountain Biking in Austin, TX
Mark is an avid mountain biker, and the best place to do that in Austin is Walnut Creek Metropolitan Trail. It's a 15-mile intermediate-level course with 683 foot elevation. Bikers will need to keep an eye out for runners, hikers, and dogs.
Mark's Recommendations for Dining in Austin, TX

Everyone in Austin has heard of Tyson Cole and his restaurants Uchi and Uchiko. Well, Fixe on West 5th does for Southern comfort food what Tyson Cole did for Japanese food in Austin. Given his Southern Louisiana roots, you can trust Mark's word on that! Plus, co-owner Keith House is a good friend of Mark's. He's a great host who knows how to take care of guests.
Mark's Recommendations for Music in Austin, TX
If you love live music, Austin is the place to be. One popular hot spot is The Continental Club on South Congress. Get the vibe in this video Mark filmed of Dennis Quad & the Sharks:
If you're looking for true "local" Austin music, Mark plays the drums and jams with local Austin musicians in his free time.
Mark's Recommendations for Volunteer Work in Austin, TX
Mark has served as a board member and financial supporter of several Austin charities over the years, including AIESEC Austin, PACT (Partners Against Child Trafficking) and Imagine a Way. Learn more about Mark's humanitarian work in Austin.
Mark's Recommendations for Travel Outside of Austin
Mark doesn't just confine himself to Austin, either! With one son residing in Denver and another attending Juilliard in New York, Mark travels often. Looking at the places he's traveled, it's easy to see he's a big fan of the outdoors.
© 2017 Mark Bergeron. Austin, Texas.