AUSTIN ACTIVITIES Lady Bird Lake
Lady Bird Lake is a reservoir on the Colorado River in Downtown Austin. You can take a walk or a run around the lake on the Butler Hike & Bike trail or enjoy paddle boarding, canoeing and kayaking out on the water! Check out the docks by Austin High, or by Barton Springs, for affordable rentals.
Butler Hike & Bike Trail
Circling Lady Bird Lake, the Ann and Roy Butler Hike & Bike Trail provides 3, 4, 6, and 10 mile loops that are perfect for strolling, jogging, biking, or just taking in views of downtown. Park at Austin High School just off of MoPac or just south of the Lamar Bridge. Check out http://www.townlaketrail.org/index.cfm for trail maps and information about how to get involved with maintaining this urban gem!
Zilker Park:
Nature Center, Botanical Gardens and More! Situated alongside Lady Bird Lake, outsiders most notably know Zilker Park as the venue for the Austin City Limits Music Festival. However, there are a plethora of other activities happening in the park throughout the year! Play soccer or disc golf, pack a picnic, or bring a book! The park is also home to the Zilker Holiday Tree, which is lit every December, the annual Kite Festival that takes place each March, and the Zilker Hillside Theater that hosts performances throughout the year. The park also boasts the Zilker Zephyr miniature train, the Umlauf Sculpture Garden, the Zilker Botanical Gardens, and the Austin Nature & Science Center!
Pease Park
Stretching along Lamar and Shoal Creek just off campus, Pease Park is the perfect place to take a short study break! The park features a hike and bike trail, picnic tables, and sand volleyball courts. The park is also home to the annual Eeyore’s Birthday Party, and the Austin Jazz Festival.
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Congress Bridge Bats
Did you know that the Congress Bridge is home to the world’s largest urban bat colony? The 1.5 million bats that live under the bridge are Mexican free-tailed bats. They migrate each spring from central Mexico to various roosting sites throughout the southwestern U.S. Most of the colony is female, and in early June each one gives birth to a single baby bat, called a pup. The bats eat roughly 10,000 pounds of insects (including pests!) every night, and are harmless unless handled. Stop by the Austin American Statesman Observation Center to watch the bats emerge at dusk, and check out Bat Conservation International for more information! http://batcon.org/index.php/get-involved/visit-a-batlocation/congress-avenue-bridge.html
The Greenbelt
With over 6 miles of hiking trails and a perfect watering hole for swimming, the Barton Creek Greenbelt is the perfect place to hike, study outdoors, or go for a dip (water level permitting)! One popular and scenic point of access is just off of Loop 360 at 3755-B Capital of Texas Hwy.
Mt. Bonnell
Located in North Central Austin at 3800 Mt Bonnell Rd, Austin, TX 78731, Mt. Bonnell (also known as Covert Park) is a beautiful overlook that is perfect for taking in views of the Colorado River, and enjoying a taste of the outdoors in urban Austin. The park is open till 10PM each day, so grab a picnic and take the short walk to the top for beautiful views of the Texas sunset.
The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
Located Southwest of Austin at 4801 La Crosse Ave. Austin, Texas 78739, the mission of the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center is to increase the sustainable use and conservation of native wildflowers, plants and landscapes. The short drive down south is well worth the trails, gardens, exhibits and volunteer opportunities! The center is also home to UT’s Ecosystem Design Team’s research initiative, and provides educational opportunities for kids from kindergarten to graduate school! Check out http://www. wildflower.org for more information.
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