Get the true Texas Hill Country experience in Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge, less than an hour away from Austin. The park should be at the top of every hikers bucket list for their trip to the capital city. When the Spanish arrived in the area in the 1600s and viewed the […]
Texas
A dreamy spring-fed swimming hole shaded by giant cypress trees is just what the doctor prescribed on a hot summers day in Texas. Blue Hole Regional Park is located in the charming town of Wimberley, well worth the 40 minute drive from Austin. The clear and cool water of the […]
A notorious summer swimming hole and all year hiking destination, Jacob’s Well is a unique day trip location in the greater Austin, Texas area. Upon European discovery, the overflowing spring was described ‘like unto a well in Bible Times,’ and thus dubbed Jacob’s. In the 1800s people would come in […]
Located right in the city of Austin, but the capital couldn’t feel further away while you walk the trails of Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve. There are 2.5 miles to hike in the Texas Hill Country habitat. A variety of paths are maintained so choosing to make a smaller loop is […]
Austin, Texas isn’t known for it’s strenuous mountain hikes. It does however have some really nice rolling hills. The 2,736 steps in Riverplace Nature Trail means this hike has the highest elevation change in the city. If you complete the trail, you’ll climb 1,700’ over three miles – but this […]
In the middle of the city there is solitude, surround yourself with peacocks in Austin’s secret garden: Mayfield Park. The Mayfield family purchased the estate in 1909 as a summer home and it was gifted to the city in 1971. Its cottages add a romantic flair to the atmosphere and the […]
In the Mueller Neighborhood of Austin, Texas is a town park that turned out to be surprisingly special. To be honest, I only initially visited Southwest Greenway because it was close to my AIRBNB. After walking around however, I would argue that this place is worth a detour regardless of […]
For 40 miles from the Texas Hill Country to Lady Bird Lake on the Colorado River, Barton Creek has been called the soul of Austin. The Native American tribe Tonkawa who inhabited the area considered this waterway to be sacred possessing spiritual healing powers. It is fed by Barton Springs […]
The quintessential public park of Austin, Texas – Lady Bird Lake is actually a dammed portion of the Colorado River. The reservoir was created in 1960 to cool a power plant. The lake is 6 miles long and 2,500 across feet at its widest, generally 14’ deep. It didn’t always […]
From eyesore to so much more, Sparky Park in Austin, Texas is just one of the shining examples of how a city can repurpose something like defunct electrical substation from 1930 for example, into a neighborhood destination. In 2008 local artist Berthold Haas was hired for the job of creating […]
An iconic engineering feat of Austin, Pennybacker Bridge is the greatest structure of its kind, seasonally… Aside from April through October when the bats pour out of Congress Bridge of course! Built in 1982 also known as the 360 Bridge, the platform spans 1,150’ across, and is unique in the […]
One legend states that a young woman leaped to her death from the cliff to avoid capture by Native Americans, who had killed her lover. Another legend suggests that if you hold hands all the way to the top of the stairs, you’ll be with your true love forever. No […]
Three locations, over 150 pinball machines, the Pinballz empire has the largest selection of games in Texas! Pinballz Arcade is the original location. There are rows and rows of machines, it’s almost a challenge to pick which you’d like to try first! I love all of the Star Wars in […]
In the bustling downtown area of Austin, Texas is a bar with a bit of a different vibe. If you want to veer away from the honky-tonks and dance scenes Buffalo Billiards has a heap of fun activities to offer. Downstairs there are pool and shuffleboard tables, along with some great […]
Ever find a restaurant so good, you have to go there twice (even if your trip is just a week long)?! Gourdough’s is that place, known for their epic donuts. There are two locations in Austin, Texas, if you’re looking for just dessert, hit up their Gourdough’s Big Fat Donuts […]