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Top Ten Fun Things To Do In or Around Austin

Here are Texas Outside' Top Fun Things To Do In Austin - ok, you got me! Austin has so many attractions and fun things to see and do that we had to add a couple more than 10.

  1. Lakes & Boating - boat Lake Austin and marvel at the multimillion dollar homes, ski on some smooth water, and hit some good restaurants (stop at Ski Shores for burgers and music on the deck or Hula Hut for appetizers, drinks, or dinner) or enjoy any of the nearby Highland LakesLake Austin & 360 Bridge - watch the sun set at the Oasis, rent a boat, waverunner, or party barge on any of the Highland Lakes, join the fun at Devils Cove, and have diner and at Carlos & Charles or listen to the music on the deck at Johnny Fins. Read the review of Lake Austin and Lake Travis and check out Boating the Highland Lakes for more information and fun things to do.
  2. Hike or Bike - bike or hike around Zilker Park and Town Lake - take the trail around Town Lake and then over to Barton Springs Pool and continue on into the Barton Creek Trail. Then bike over to watch the bats take flight on the Congress Street Bridge at dusk, and make sure you stop for lunch, dinner, or appetizers and music at Shady Grove or Chuy's for Mexican food. Take a short hike to the top of Mount Bonnell or the bluff on the east side of the 360 bridge for a fantastic panoramic view of Lake Austin and the Austin hills. The Biking & Hiking Section of Texas Outside has more information, including trail maps, on biking and hiking around Austin.
  3. Lake Travis Zip Line AdventureZip Across Lake Travis - imagine launching from a 20 story cliff above Lake Travis and taking a two and a half hour zip line tour on 5 zip lines across incredible canyons and inlets on beautiful Lake Travis and then enjoying some fun in the sun and water on a pristine Lake Travis beach. And you'll zip on the longest zipline in Texas at 2000 feet! A must, so sign up for a tour with .
  4. Austin Nightlife - enjoy the night life by visiting both 6th street or the warehouse district. Visit Austin 360 to get some details on who is playing where. The warehouse district and 6th street as well as SoCo offer plenty of choices.
  5. Music, Music, Music - Austin is the music capital of Texas (and maybe the world) and you'll find every type of music in a wide variety of different venues: for Country try the Continental Club, Hills Cafe, The Backyard, Saxen Pub, Broken Spoke, or one of our favorites Gruene Hall; or better yet, get outside and listen to some good sounds at Shady Grove, Johnny Fins, Carlos & Charles, The Oasis, Ski Shores, or Stubbs BBQ. You can't beat these music festivals and venues: Austin City Limits, Austin City Limits Music Festival, Old Settlers Music Festivals, Texas Music Festival, or South-by-Southwest
  6. Swimming Holes - you can't leave the Austin area in the summer without partaking in the refreshing and clear water at Hamilton Pool, Krause Springs, Barton Springs or some of the numerous other swimming spots
  7. Golf - golf courses don't get much better than what you'll find in the Austin hills (elevation changes, scenic beauty, and challenges), so try River Place, Avery Ranch, or Lakeway's Yaupon, or other Austin golf courses. Austin also has some outstanding disc golf courses.
  8. Cultural - I know, some of these are indoors and it's hard for you outdoor enthusiasts to go indoors, but if it's raining or cold or if you need a break from the sun, then try exploring the Austin Capital Building, the Bob Bullock Museum for some Texas History, tour the University of Texas, or Esters' Follies at night for some humorous political satire (does that count as culture?) Emma Long campsite
  9. Restaurants - Austin has some of the best and we love the ones with outdoor patios - Shady Grove for good food and music; Iron Works for BBQ or County Line on Lake Austin for BBQ on the deck; Hula Hut on Lake Austin; Iguana Grill for great views of Lake Austin. Other great restaurants include: Trudy's for the breakfast buffet; Chuy's for Mexican food; Pappadeaux for seafood;and Hills Cafe for chicken fried steak and great music
  10. Camp - try Emma Long Metropolitan Park for camping on Lake Austin, McKinney Falls State Park to enjoy nature, or Austin Lone Star RV Park or La Hacienda RV Resort for the big rigs - all of these parks are within 15 minutes of downtown Austin
  11. Miscellaneous Fun Things To Do In Austin
    • canoe or kayak on Town Lake
    • take in a ball game or other special event at Dell Diamond - get a large group together and rent one of the group outing venues - read about our fun birthday party at Dell Diamond
    • watch the bats head out for dinner from under the Congress Street Bridge
    • take a tour of Austin and Lake Austin on the Austin Duck
    • enjoy the sunset (plus live music, excellent views, and ok food) at Lake Travis at the Oasis
    • hike to the top of Mt Bonnell for a magnificent view of Austin and Lake Austin
    • visit the Austin Zoo, or smell the roses at Zilker Botanical Gardens or picnic in Ziler Park