Austin is definitely a city for nature lovers! If you've never been, you'll be surprised by how much greenery and water surround this small city. If you can only do one thing definitely visit Barton Springs, which has 68 degree natural spring water all year round.
See more of our favorites below:
Outdoor adventures, Austin style
If you can stand the 100 degree heat you'll have an endless list of things to do in Austin!
Hike Green belt
200 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704-1046
+1 512-499-6700
Head to the Greenbelt AKA Barton Creek Greenbelt for over 12 miles of hiking on beautiful paths with watering holes and birds galore. Great for children and bikers.
Several access points including a favorite by Taco Deli, link to overview of trail access points here.
Barton Springs
2201 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78704, USA
Did we mention it's hot in Texas? Well jump in Barton Springs Pool will be your salvation. This natural waterway is three acres in size, and is fed from underground springs with an average temperature of 68-70F degrees year round. Free from 5am - 8am. Robert Redford learned to swim at the pool when he was five years old. This was a favorite of Megan's who lived a five minutes walk away, up a hidden trail.
Wimberly Blue Hole
Swim in an actual aqua-marine watering hole just south of Austin in a sleepy town called Wimberly. You can bring you blanked and a raft if you like, as well as some cold beers to sip on by this cold stream fed watering hole. You'll feel like you're in an old-time generation. But don't expect to layout in the sun, there's so many trees here!
Hamilton Pool
You'll need to make a reservation for each car that wants to visit this picturesque watering hole outside of Austin. Expect a little hike from the parking lot. Sometimes you cannot swim due to bacteria. Worth the visit just to see the scenery.
Bats at the Congress Avenue Bridge at Sundown
From March to October, 1.5 million bats emerge nightly from narrow crevices in the underside of the Ann W. Richards Congress Avenue Bridge. They usually start to emerge from the bridge around 20 minutes before sundown.
Float the river
Floating the river on a black inner tube with a tallboy in hand is a time-honored Texas tradition. There are several rivers to float on outside of Austin and you'll have to book ahead. We also recommend you get a driver. We recommend you do not float the river on Sunday, the day of the wedding, as folks have a tendency to get dehydrated and sleep the night away with strange sunburns.
Walk around Town Lake
KA Ann & Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail, Town Lake Trail, Lady Bird Lake Trail.
10-mile urban trail around Lady Bird Lake and a picturesque path to get from north to south Austin.
You can find many sporting activities, including paddle boarding, kayaking, and canoeing at various points around the lake.
One of Megan and Jason's favorite workout routines.
Butler Park Pitch & Putt
Get your golf fix with this nine-hole par three on South Lamar. You can bring a cooler and play as the sun goes down to avoid the heat.
UT Austin Tour
Wander around the large campus on your own or take the general public two-mile walking tour to learn more about the strange mishmash of building on this famous campus.
UMLAUF Sculpture Garden & Museum
See Charle's Umlauf's work surrounded by the natural green beauty of Austin. Directly across from Barton Springs and around the corner from delicious JuiceLand.
Watch the Sunset from Mount Bonnell
A small hike will take you to a beautiful overlook of the expansive Texas scenery and the lakes below. Usually crowded with teenagers if I recall.
I Love You So Much Mural
The most famous mural in Austin is a simple hand drawn love to humanity, "I Love you so much." Then grab a drink at Jo's Coffee!
See more of our favorites below: