| Texas, is known for a lot of things. It's the Live Music | | | | What started as a 35-acre deed in 1918 has evolved |
| Capital of the World, the home of the UT Longhorns, | | | | into one of the true treasures of Austin. Regardless of |
| and the capitol seat of the Lone Star State. To those | | | | the time of year, visitors to Zilker Park will likely see |
| who live and play here full time, it's also widely | | | | lively soccer, kickball and ultimate frisbee games, |
| regarded as one of the most active cities in the | | | | colorful kites flying, and drowsy folks napping under |
| country. From hiking and biking to swimming, boating or | | | | shade trees. |
| just soaking up the hot Texas sunshine, Austin offers | | | | The Veloway |
| residents and visitors alike a seemingly endless array | | | | If cycling or skating is your activity of choice, The |
| of options for fun in the sun. Here are just a few to | | | | Veloway is one Austin attraction you won't want to |
| get you started: | | | | miss. Off-limits to runners or cars, this 3.1 mile loop of |
| Lady Bird Lake | | | | paved, winding road through South Austin's hill country |
| Formerly called Town Lake, this man-made lake in the | | | | provides a safe haven for cyclists and skaters alike. |
| heart of downtown Austin is a Mecca for the city's | | | | Barton Springs Pool |
| outdoor enthusiasts. The rowing dock rents canoes, | | | | Austin boasts a wealth of lakes, rivers and swimming |
| paddle boats and kayaks out by the hour, and the | | | | holes, but none is quite as beloved and well known as |
| temperate lake waters provide a welcome respite | | | | Barton Springs Pool. Surrounded by Zilker Park, Barton |
| from the mid-day heat. If boating isn't your thing, check | | | | Springs Pool is a spring-fed, 900-foot oasis in the hot |
| out the Hike and Bike Trail, which circles the lake in a | | | | summer sun. The chilly, 68 degree water is a cherished |
| three-to-four mile loop (depending on the route you | | | | refuge from the 100-plus degree heat June through |
| choose). Day and night, all year long, you'll see | | | | September, but the pool is open year-round. In addition |
| Austinites of all ages and fitness levels working their | | | | to man-made aspects like diving boards, Barton |
| way around the trail--pushing baby strollers, walking | | | | Springs Pool is perhaps most famous for its natural |
| their dogs, or just catching up with friends. | | | | rock bottom. While entrance to the pool costs about |
| Zilker Park | | | | $3 per person during the day, you can swim for free |
| A stone's throw from Lady Bird Lake lies one of the | | | | after 9:00 p.m. highlight of many Austinites' summer |
| nation's largest inner-city parks--at 351 acres, Zilker | | | | evenings. |
| Park is Austin's grassy playground, soccer fields, sand | | | | Everyone knows Austin is a great place to let loose |
| volleyball courts, and even a miniature train, the Zilker | | | | after hours and dance the night away, but locals know |
| Zephyr. The park offers several cultural attractions as | | | | the city offers residents and visitors alike just as many |
| well, including the Umlauf Sculpture Garden and | | | | options for daytime diversions. No matter what kind of |
| Museum, the Zilker Botanical Gardens, and the Austin | | | | outdoor activity strikes your fancy, Austin truly offers |
| Nature and Science Center not to mention the famous | | | | something for everyone. |
| Austin City Limits music festival each September. | | | | |