Austin Outdoors

With over 300 days a year of sunshine, Austin is the place to be for outdoor enthusiasts.  Whether it's a hike in the woods, or a walk downtown past historic landmarks, you're sure to find something fun on this list.

Sixth Street
East 6th Street between Congress Ave. and IH-35
Sixth Street in downtown Austin is known as the city's entertainment district. It's home to many clubs, bars, and restaurants. You'll find all kinds of food and plenty of live music. It's also home to many fairs, art festivals, and antique shops.

Austin Zoo
10807 Rawhide Trail Austin, TX 78709, (512) 288-1490
The Austin zoo is a rescue zoo, which provides sanctuary to a variety of animals. It's not a huge zoo, but is plenty of fun for the whole family. Located just off Highway 290 between Austin and Dripping Springs.

Barton Creek Greenbelt
Barton Creek Greenbelt is a popular area for hiking with 7.9 miles of trails following the path of Barton Creek. Depending on rainfall the creek offers many swimming holes. There are also popular rock climbing walls along the trails.

Barton Springs Swimming Pool
2101 Barton Springs Rd. Austin, Texas 78704, (512) 476-9044
Considered by many to be the premiere swimming hole in town, this 900 plus foot pool in Zilker Park was formed when Barton Springs was dammed.

Bats at Congress Avenue
Congress Avenue Bridge over Town Lake
They start arriving in March but the best bat-watching is in late summer. Find out when and where to see the spectacular showing of bats leaving the Congress Avenue bridge in the evenings. For Times: Bat Hotline at 416-5700 ext. 3636

Enchanted Rock State Natural Area
Route 4, Box 170 Fredericksburg, Texas 78624, (915) 247-3903
Occupying 1643.5 acres north of Fredericksburg, Enchanted Rock State Natural Area and its centerpiece, a 640 acre pink granite dome that rises 425 feet into the air, are a popular destination for both day trips from Austin and overnight camping.

Geocaching
www.texasgeocaching.com
Hidden throughout neighborhood parks, along hike-n-bike trails, in vacant lots, all over area greenbelts, and even in forests and urban areas around the world are little containers full of goodies called caches. They are part of a high-tech sport known as geocaching or GPS Stash hunting.

Hamilton Pool
Location: about 30 miles west of Austin on FM 3238. From SH 71/U.S. 290 junction southwest of Austin, take SH 71 about 81/2miles to FM 3238 (Hamilton Pool Road), turn left and travel about 13 miles to the preserve. The entrance to the 232-acre preserve is on the right.
The lure of Hamilton Pool is its 45 foot waterfall, but there's also picnicking, hiking, and swimming.

Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center
4801 La Crosse Avenue Austin, Texas 78739, (512) 292-4100
Wander through acres of gardens as well as professional and volunteer gardeners demonstrating the many uses of native plants. Located south of town, the Wildflower Center is at its most beautiful in the spring but there are special events and things to see year-round.

Mount Bonnell
3800 Mount Bonnell Road Austin, TX
Rising over 700 feet above sea level,Mount Bonnell is a natural limestone formation that stands about 200 feet above the surrounding area. Take along a water bottle or two for when you reach the summit.

Texas State Capitol Complex
Texas State Capitol Austin, Texas (512)-305-8400 (Visitors Center) or (512)463-0063 (Tour Guide Office)
Taller than the US Capitol, the Texas State Capitol and Capitol Grounds are one of the most popular tourist attractions in the city and a favorite spot for the locals as well. The park-like Capitol Grounds with manicured lawns, old trees, fountains, monuments, and historical markers is open 24 hours.

Town Lake
Located between Cesar Chavez and Riverside, east of Pleasant Valley, west of Lamar Blvd. to the Austin city limits.
The top spot for Austinites, Town Lake offers many things to do: hike & bike trails, scenic views, canoeing, and more in the shadow of downtown. Other nearby outdoor attractions include the Umlauf Sculpture Garden, Barton Springs Pool, and Zilker Park.

Umlauf Sculpture Garden
605 Robert E. Lee Rd. Austin, TX 78704, (512) 445-5582
Moving to Austin in 1941 to teach at UT, Charles Umlauf became famous in the 70s for sculptures of Farrah Fawcett. But his work spans many decades and many styles in diverse materials. Over 130 of his pieces are on display in a lovely garden setting near the Barton Springs Pool.

Volente Beach
16107 FM 2769 Leander, Texas, www.VolenteBeach.com
Volente Beach located on Lake Travis - only 30 minutes from downtown Austin.

Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve
Entrance is on the East side of the Capital of Texas Highway (Loop 360) approximately a mile north of Bee Caves Road and 3 miles south of the Loop 360 bridge over the Colorado River/Lake Austin.
2 1/2 miles of hiking trails that pass through woodland, grassland, and streamside habitats. These habitats are home to threatened and endangered species, and hundreds of native plants, animals and birds. There are a variety of guided walks, or you can walk on your own.

Zilker Botanical Gardens
2220 Barton Springs Rd. Austin, Texas 78704, (512) 477-8672
At Zilker Botanical Gardens you'll find xeriscape, cactus, organic, rose, oriental, and fragrance gardens, as well as a butterfly trail, dinosaur tracks, and historic buildings.

Zilker Park
2100 Barton Springs Rd. Austin, Texas
In addition to Barton Springs Pool, a hillside theater, the Botanical Gardens, and the Barton Creek Greenbelt, Zilker Metropolitan Park offers acres of playing fields, picnic tables, and playgrounds adjacent to the Town Lake Hike & Bike Trail.