Hamel's Guidebook
Sightseeing
It is close by and offers a beautiful view. Requires hiking up rocky hillside. It is a great short/quick outing.
63 locals recommend
Pennybacker Bridge Overlook
North Capital of Texas HighwayIt is close by and offers a beautiful view. Requires hiking up rocky hillside. It is a great short/quick outing.
Rent a paddle board or kayak on Lady Bird Lake (once known as Town Lake). You could also rent a swan shaped pedal boat on Lady Bird Lake :(http://www.capitalcruises.com/boat-rentals-on-lady-bird-lake/canoes-kayaks-swan-pedal-boats/).
959 locals recommend
Lady Bird Lake
Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike TrailRent a paddle board or kayak on Lady Bird Lake (once known as Town Lake). You could also rent a swan shaped pedal boat on Lady Bird Lake :(http://www.capitalcruises.com/boat-rentals-on-lady-bird-lake/canoes-kayaks-swan-pedal-boats/).
Get your heart rate up with this uphill hike to a beautiful view. Mayfield park is close by and has peacocks!
1082 locals recommend
Mount Bonnell
Get your heart rate up with this uphill hike to a beautiful view. Mayfield park is close by and has peacocks!
Mayfield Park and Nature Preserve
3505 W 35th St
Bullock Texas State History Museum
1800 Congress Ave
Texas Senate
1200 Congress AveMarch-mid November head out before sunset to watch tons of Mexican free tail bats emerge from the underside of e Ann W. Richards Congress Avenue Bridge. They usually emerge about 20 minutes before sun down. The walkway on the east side of the Congress Avenue bridge offers the best vantage point for watching the bats emerge and fly eastward over Lady Bird Lake. The hillside below the bridge is a little more kid-friendly since you can spread out a blanket and even have a picnic while you wait. You can check this website for general emergence time...
http://www.batcon.org/our-work/regions/usa-canada/protect-mega-populations/cab-intro/cab-emergence-times
286 locals recommend
Congress Avenue Bridge
Congress AvenueMarch-mid November head out before sunset to watch tons of Mexican free tail bats emerge from the underside of e Ann W. Richards Congress Avenue Bridge. They usually emerge about 20 minutes before sun down. The walkway on the east side of the Congress Avenue bridge offers the best vantage point for watching the bats emerge and fly eastward over Lady Bird Lake. The hillside below the bridge is a little more kid-friendly since you can spread out a blanket and even have a picnic while you wait. You can check this website for general emergence time...
http://www.batcon.org/our-work/regions/usa-canada/protect-mega-populations/cab-intro/cab-emergence-times
Austin Central Library is hands-down one of the best libraries I’ve ever been to. It’s colossal – six-floors, high-tech
148 locals recommend
Austin Central Library, Austin Public Library
710 W Cesar Chavez StAustin Central Library is hands-down one of the best libraries I’ve ever been to. It’s colossal – six-floors, high-tech
McKinney Falls State Park
5808 McKinney Falls PkwyYou will need reservations here.
You will need reservations here and check the site to see if they are allowing swimming.
588 locals recommend
Hamilton Pool Preserve
24300 Hamilton Pool RdYou will need reservations here and check the site to see if they are allowing swimming.
Enchanted Rock Summit
You will need a reservation here.
Coffee and dessert
Great view and coffee. May have live music (check their website).
371 locals recommend
Mozart's Coffee Roasters
3825 Lake Austin BlvdGreat view and coffee. May have live music (check their website).
Food scene
Hula Hut
3825 Lake Austin BlvdThe food is just okay, but it has a great vacation vibe.
This is a popular Austin dessert spot with unique donut options. Very shareable!
64 locals recommend
Gourdough's Big. Fat. Donuts.
1503 S 1st StThis is a popular Austin dessert spot with unique donut options. Very shareable!
The food is okay, but great view. There is also a brewery next door.
506 locals recommend
The Oasis On Lake Travis
6550 Comanche TrailThe food is okay, but great view. There is also a brewery next door.
Franklin Barbecue
900 E 11th StStart early there will likely be a line and they will run out.
Start early there will likely be a line and they will run out.
372 locals recommend
Terry Black's Barbecue
1003 Barton Springs RdStart early there will likely be a line and they will run out.
Shopping and dining
South Congress has cute shops, Homeslice pizza, is there. There is also an "I Love you so much" mural near there for photo ops (on the side of a coffee shop)
South Congress
Here is a current directory of shops and restaurants…https://www.simon.com/mall/the-domain/stores
768 locals recommend
The Domain
11410 Century Oaks TerraceHere is a current directory of shops and restaurants…https://www.simon.com/mall/the-domain/stores
There is plenty of outdoor seating, a beautiful view, restaurants, dessert shops, cow sculptures, and open spaces. Here is a current directory…https://thearboretum.com/stores
58 locals recommend
The Arboretum
10000 Research BlvdThere is plenty of outdoor seating, a beautiful view, restaurants, dessert shops, cow sculptures, and open spaces. Here is a current directory…https://thearboretum.com/stores
Brewery
Oasis Texas Brewing Company
6650 Comanche TrailBars and food
Rainey Street
Rainey StreetRelax and play
The park's amenities and wide open spaces allow it to host a variety of large events each year. Most notably, the Austin City Limits Music Festival fills the park for two weekends each fall with numerous live musical performances by prominent artists.
Zilker Park
Barton Springs Pool is a recreational outdoor swimming pool that is filled entirely with water from nearby natural springs. It is located on the grounds of Zilker Park in Austin, Texas. The pool exists within the channel of Barton Creek and utilizes water from Main Barton Spring, the fourth largest spring in Texas. The pool is a popular venue for year-round swimming, as its temperature hovers between about 68 °F (20 °C) and 74 °F (23 °C) year round.
2454 locals recommend
Barton Springs Municipal Pool
2201 William Barton DrBarton Springs Pool is a recreational outdoor swimming pool that is filled entirely with water from nearby natural springs. It is located on the grounds of Zilker Park in Austin, Texas. The pool exists within the channel of Barton Creek and utilizes water from Main Barton Spring, the fourth largest spring in Texas. The pool is a popular venue for year-round swimming, as its temperature hovers between about 68 °F (20 °C) and 74 °F (23 °C) year round.
Pease District Park
1100 Kingsbury StPease park is newly renovated and has a cool structure.
Mueller Lake Park is right across the street from the Thinkery. On Sundays, between 10 and 2, you’ll find a Farmer’s Market onsite
220 locals recommend
Mueller Lake Park
4550 Mueller BlvdMueller Lake Park is right across the street from the Thinkery. On Sundays, between 10 and 2, you’ll find a Farmer’s Market onsite