Austin & Surrounding Area

Austin is a pretty cool place to visit. I’ve been there a few times for work related training and always enjoyed the city, the food and the people.

I decided to take a couple trips just to hang around Zilker Park .

I tried to take a hike, but between the heat and humidity it was impossible. The creek was completely dried out during the summer.

Instead I ended up renting a kayak and paddling around Lady Bird Lake for a couple of hours. It was a lot of fun watching people paddle board with their dogs or kayak in tandem. It felt much cooler than the hike I had planned that morning. All you need to rent a kayak is an ID and a few bucks!

Barton Spring Pool is a recreational pool filled entirely with water from natural springs. Its water is between 68-70 degrees year round. Its depth varies from 0 – 18ft. Daily non-resident entrance fee is $9 for adults and $4/$5 for children.

Another fun adventure in the Austin Area is Jacob’s Well. The Well is a perennial karstic spring 12 ft in diameter with crystal clear water flowing from the bed of Cypress Creek. Its roughly 120ft deep with the first 30 feet being vertical and the rest continues downward at an angle reaching 120ft. Definitely worth a day trip. Its roughly 30 miles/45 minutes from Austin.

Hamilton Pool is also worth visiting if you’re in this area.

It’s a natural pool that was created when the dome of an underground river eroded and collapsed. The preserve is 23 miles (40 minutes) west of Austin. The only downside is they will NOT let you in if you are traveling with a dog. Pets are prohibited. No exceptions, not even leashed or kept in vehicle. Reservations are recommended, although I was lucky to get in without one.

Swimming is allowed if the bacteria levels are acceptable.

Last but not least is a nearby McKinney Falls State Park. Its 10 miles/20 minutes southeast of Austin. There is swimming, camping, bird watching, biking, and fishing. What else can one ask for? +