Austin is a unique place to call home — a city that embodies the perfect balance of cool, fun, and weird with all the shopping, dining, cultural, and entertainment perks found in a bustling metropolitan area as the capital of Texas. Not only is this community home to UT, there are a number of fun outdoor activities in Austin to explore.
Lake Travis
If you love being on the water, you will have a blast on Lake Travis — a 63.75-mile long lake that has served as a recreational hot spot since the Colorado River was dammed in 1942. There are all kinds of fun things to do, including boating, skiing, watercraft rentals, kayaking, and canoeing. For stand-up paddling enthusiasts, this is a top-notch body of water to explore, have fun, and get some good exercise in, too.
Lake Travis Zipline Adventures
If some good air time is more your recreational style, head over to Lake Travis Zipline Adventures, which boasts having the longest and fastest zipline in Texas. With only a short one-mile hike, you’ll have access to your choice of five ziplines for a soaring experience over the water. Plus, your adventure includes necessary equipment, boat transportation, and bottled water, as well as access to a private lakefront area where visitors can have a picnic or relax in a hammock.
Golf Courses
Legendary golfer Greg Norman said, “Happiness is a long walk with a putter.” When the weather is stellar, how about a round of happiness with friends? Austin has a number of public courses for you to enjoy, including the Falconhead Golf Club and Roy Kizer Golf Course. If you’re looking to join a private club, check out the course at the Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa — a 6,630-yard, par-71 course perfectly designed in the Texas Hill Country. Looking for something with a collegiate edge? Check out the private club at the University of Texas Golf Club on the UT campus, which offers 18 holes, a clubhouse, a state-of-the-art practice facility, and much more.
Dog Parks
Looking for a place where you and your canine buddy can have some outdoor fun together? With Austin ranked as the second most pet-friendly city in the U.S., you’re sure to find a dog park you’ll love. Check out Red Bud Isle — a 13-acre park that includes trails, shaded areas, large fields, and a shore for water adventures. Other places to visit include Barkin’ Springs, the Barton Creek Greenbelt, Norwood Estate Dog Park, and Bull Creek District Park. (You can find more here.)
Zilker Park
According to locals, Zilker Park is well known for being one of Austin’s most favorite parks. This 351-acre area named after Andrew Jackson Zilker — an Austin businessman and banker — not only has stellar views of downtown, it’s full of things to explore. Aside from grabbing a blanket and it being a great place to relax and soak up the sun, there’s also a disco golf course, five volleyball courts, botanical gardens, the Barton Springs Pool, the Zilker Hillside Theater, a nature and science center, the McBeth Recreation Center, and picnic sites.
Be sure to check out other informative blogs about our lovely city here!
