Lone Star Riverboat Cruises – Take a sunset tour on the Colorado River. If you come in the summer, you can do a bat watching tour.
Murals – I love you so much, You’re my Butter Half, Love from Austin, Greetings from Austin, SprATX Art, and more (full post coming soon!)
NLand Surf Park – great place to learn how to surf since the waves are consistent. Joel was a great instructor and helped me understand what I was doing right or wrong.
The Oasis – dining over Lake Travis. A beautiful restaurant that’s all over Pinterest.
Pennybacker Bridge – Local Tip: best photos are from the NE cliff or NW cliff.
Pinballz Arcade – personal pinball collection turned into an arcade
Ann and Roy Butler Hike & Bike Trail – trails run along the lake and take you through Zilker Park, Butler Park, Auditorium Shores, and Long Center for the Performing Arts.
Barton Creek Greenbelt – Great for hiking, bouldering, and climbing. You can also swim at Twin Falls, Campbell’s Hole and swimming holes along the Gus Fruh Trail. Sculpture Falls is a one-mile hike and used to be more hidden but is now packed. Check out Seismic Wall aka Maggie’s Wall and see other popular climbs here.
Deep Eddy Pool – It’s the oldest swimming pool in Texas. It’s a spring-fed pool, not as crowded as Barton Springs Pool.
Barton Creek Spillway – free alternative to the popular Barton Springs. Local Tip – water is rushing sometimes, which means you want to be a strong swimmer. Bring river shoes and goggles.
Barton Springs Pool – natural spring fed swimming pool. Local Tip: Upper Barton Springs is free and way less crowded. It’s 1200 ft upstream from Barton Springs Pool.
Bob Wentz Park – a popular spot for scuba diving, windsurfing, sailing, and swimming in the summer. See park fees here.
Bull Creek Greenbelt – There are lots of great secluded swimming holes, hiking trails, and a short, wide waterfall.
Emma Long Metropolitan Park – swimming hole with a true beach off Lake Austin. See entrance fees here.
Hippie Hollow Park – great swimming and the only legally recognized clothing optional public park in Texas. Must be 18+. See park fees here.
Mount Bonnell, Covert Park – Great photo spot and a view of the city. It’s 102 steps from the parking lot but overlooks Downtown, Lake Austin, and hill country. Best enjoyed at sunrise or sunset.
Lady Bird Lake (aka Town Lake by locals, also the former name) – Go on a cruise, kayak, or SUP. It’s illegal to swim, and there is a $150 fine. If you want to photograph Lady Bird Lake and the skyline, popular spots are at the Pfluger Pedestrian Bridge, the Hike-and Bike trail boardwalk near Joe’s Crabshack entrance, and the Lamar Street Bridge.
McKinney Falls State Park (Swimming Hole) – Has a waterfall, 700 acres of hiking trails, and camping. Travel channel it one of the top 10 swimming holes in the US.
Red Bud Isle Park, let your dog off-leash here! It’s a great place for dogs to swim in Lake Austin but not dog owners.
St. Edwards Park for more swimming hole fun, hiking, biking, and running.
West Lake Beach – great for families. It has a roped off swimming area of Lake Austin. Local Tip: Call ahead. It’s often rented out for private events.
Pace Bend Park, Spicewood (35 mi NW / 54 mins away) – Pale Face is a popular cliff jumping spot. You can also find great camping, lake recreation, mountain biking, deep water soloing or water bouldering. See popular climbs here.
Jacob’s Well Natural Area, Wimberley (36.4 mi SW / 48 mins away) – It’s a popular swimming hole with the biggest underwater cave system. Recreational diving is no longer allowed. Local Tip: Make reservations ahead of time. If they’re already booked, keeping checking back since there are cancellations.
