Austin lives outside. The city is built around water and parks, and the best of it is free.
Barton Springs Pool
A large, spring-fed pool in Zilker Park, naturally cool (around the high 60s°F) all year — the city's beloved swimming hole and the first thing to do on a hot day.
Lady Bird Lake & the Hike-and-Bike Trail
The dammed stretch of the Colorado River through downtown, ringed by the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail (about a 10-mile loop). Great for running, walking, and paddling — motorboats aren't allowed, so it stays calm for kayaks and paddleboards.
Barton Creek Greenbelt
Miles of natural trail with limestone cliffs and seasonal swimming holes threading through the city — hiking, trail running, mountain biking and climbing. Water levels depend on rain, so pools run high in wet seasons and can dry up in drought.
Zilker Metropolitan Park
The city's central green space, home to Barton Springs, the Zilker Botanical Garden, and the grounds that host the ACL Music Festival.
Mount Bonnell & beyond
Mount Bonnell is one of the highest points in the city, with a short climb to sweeping views of Lake Austin. Farther out, McKinney Falls State Park and Lake Travis add waterfalls and open water.