By Robert Macias
Austin Expert, about.com
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Austin is fortunate to have tons of green space, hike-and-bike trails
and swimming holes. Here are some of the best outdoor attractions in
town.
1. Barton Springs
The
three-acre, spring-fed pool stays at a constant temperature of 68
degrees year-round. It’s by far the best place to be in the middle of
summer, whether you want to cool off, swim laps, snorkel or enjoy
fantastic people watching.
2. Mount Bonnell
An
ideal site for a romantic picnic, Mount Bonnell overlooks Lake Austin
and has a panoramic view of downtown. You’ll climb up a long staircase,
though, before you can enjoy the scenery. Over 770 feet high, the hill
is one of the tallest in central Texas.
3. Lady Bird Lake
Just south of downtown, Lady Bird Lake is the recreational hub of the city. For on-the-water fun, you can rent canoes, kayaks, stand-up paddleboards
and, for the romantics at heart, a paddleboat in the shape of a giant
swan. A trail goes around the entire lake, but you can take a shorter
route by crossing the lake at Lamar Boulevard and S. 1st Street.
4. Zilker Park
With
350 acres to roam, you can play Frisbee on the Great Lawn, feed ducks
along Barton Creek or visit the Austin Nature Center and its
kid-friendly Dino Pit. Zilker is also home to the annual Austin City
Limits Music Festival.
5. Barton Creek Greenbelt
The
greenbelt is a minimally developed trail that starts at Zilker Park and
meanders through 800 acres in west Austin. After heavy rains, several swimming holes develop along Barton Creek. The area also has a number of sheer limestone cliffs that are popular among rock climbers.
6. Emma Long Metropolitan Park
The
park can get a little rowdy on summer weekends, but it’s still a great
place for a group picnic. You can lounge along the lakefront, play
volleyball or take a hike on the dog-friendly Turkey Creek trail. The
lake isn’t very wide at this point, but the small swimming area is
protected from passing boat traffic.
7. Congress Avenue Bridge Bats
The
city’s most popular tourist attraction never fails to disappoint. Even
if you’ve seen them before, you can see the flying mammals from a
different vantage point, such as in a kayak or on a party boat. Most
people gather on the sidewalk along the Congress Avenue Bridge. You can
also bring a blanket and relax on the hillside next to the bridge.
8. Zilker Botanical Garden
The
peaceful Japanese garden is my favorite part of the grounds. It
features ponds brimming with koi fish, little walking bridges and exotic
flora. In spring, the butterfly garden is a riot of eye-popping colors.
Native and exotic flowers and butterflies are a feast for the senses.
