See a Sunset at Mount Bonnell
It's easy to get lost in the outdoors without leaving Austin's city limits, but it's worth taking a five-minute drive west from downtown to get an awe-inspiring aerial view of the entire surrounding hill country. It's a short hike from the street side parking spaces to the 236m limestone mountain's summit, known as Covert Park, which lends an eagle's eye view of the Pennybacker Bridge, Lake Austin and the undulating green hills beyond. It's perfect for a family picnic, scenic photo shoot or romantic sunset tryst.
• 3851 Mt Bonnell Dr, austinparks.org. Free
Swim at Barton Springs Pool
Sixty-eight degrees (20 Celsius) might seem a bit chilly for a swim, but here in the land of seemingly endless summers, this natural spring-fed pool, which maintains that brisk temperature year round, is Austin's most popular place to cool off. Lounge on the grassy green slopes framing the idyllic three-acre pool, always crowded on a sunny day with high schoolers playing hookey, hippies from the city's heyday and everyone in between. And while the park is family-friendly, nudity is optional, so don't be surprised to see a bare-breasted young lady twirling a hula hoop in time to the beat of a nearby drum circle.
• 2201 Barton Springs Rd, +1 512 867 3080, austintexas.gov/department/barton-springs-pool, adult $3, juniors (12-17) $2, seniors and children under 12 $1. Free swims: 5am-8am and 9pm-10pm. Open daily 5am-10pm, except Thu closed 9am-7pm
Take a Stand-Up Paddleboarding Lesson
Austinites will do just about anything to enjoy downtown's Lady Bird Lake, and the latest exercise phenomenon to hit the city is stand-up paddleboarding. It may seem odd at first, but the casual watersport is a pleasantly easy way to admire the skyline from the lake, and getting a surprisingly active core workout at the same time. Austin Paddle Sports, Texas Rowing Centers and SUP ATX all offer lessons for beginners and independent hourly rentals via their lakeside docks. Don't forget your sunscreen: the peaceful paddling might keep you out on the water longer than you think.
• Capital Cruises on Town Lake (Austin Paddle Sports waterfront location), 208 Barton Springs Rd, +1 512 595 1410 or +1 512 777 8958, austinpaddlesports.com. Lessons $75 plus $25 for each additional person up to a group of four; rental $15 an hour, $40 half day, $60 whole day. Open daily 9am-6pm
Hit the Trail
Locals might be proud of the "Everything is Bigger in Texas" slogan, but Austin, consistently ranked as one of the Top 10 Fittest Cities in the US, is proud to keep slim. The 10-mile Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail, commonly known as The Trail, creates a full circuit around the serene inner-city shores of Lady Bird Lake and is Austin's most popular recreational attraction, with more than 1.5 million annual visitors. Both long-term residents and downtown tourists enjoy the proximity and beautiful scenery of the lakeside paths, whether they're training for a mountain bike race at 5am, walking their dog at lunchtime or jogging.
• Access throughout Lady Bird Lake, Mopac to Congress Ave to Pleasant Valley Rd, townlaketrail.org
Wander Through the Cathedral of Junk
Forget the Sistine Chapel. Austin has its own cathedral (and, yes, it's weird). In the lovely Bouldin Creek neighbourhood (in between hotspot thoroughfares South Congress and South 1st), famed local "yardist" Vince Hannemann has created a self-proclaimed Cathedral of Junk – a three-storey structure made from an otherworldly collection of more than 60 tonnes of reclaimed bicycle and auto parts, record players, mismatched pairs of crutches and just about everything else you could imagine. It's a Spike Jonze-esque amalgamation that enchants children and the young at heart alike. Pose for a picture in the "Throne Room" (a mismatched microcosm of the cathedral's unique miscellany) for a uniquely Austin keepsake.
• 4422 Lareina Dr, +1 512 299 7413, roadsideamerica.com/story/7816. By appointment only, free but voluntary donations accepted
Explore the Barton Creek Greenbelt
Austin has more than 190 miles of hike and bike paths crisscrossing various greenbelts, or heavily wooded scenic riverside stretches. And the Barton Creek Greenbelt, just a few minutes from downtown, has just about the best of everything for the rugged outdoorsman or woman. Hike through the myriad trails found in the 809-acre nature reserve, and discover gorgeous natural swimming holes, waterfalls and native vegetation surrounding limestone cliffs (popular with adventuresome swimmers and mountain climbers). Locals have their designated favourite swimming holes (some with a picturesque rope swing), but find your own personal hideaway by accessing any of the numerous entrances.
• Several access points,austinparks.org/apfweb/park.php?parkId=206
See a Live Show
Austin is the live music capital of the world. And there are plenty of opportunities to catch great open-air performances, whether it's at the city's largest open-air venue, Stubb's (801 Red River St, +1 512 480 8341, stubbsaustin.com), Mohawk (912 Red River St,no phone, mohawkaustin.com) a local favourite indoor/outdoor space that hosts some of the city's best shows, and popular annual events such as the Misprint Beard and Moustache Competition, or even Austin City Hall (301 W 2nd St, austintexas.gov/government/city-hall) for the "Live from the Plaza" concert series. Every Friday, local musicians perform free, so spread out on the city hall's tiered amphitheatre-style seating area and lawns.
Join a social ride
Austin is incredibly cycling-savvy, but you don't have to be a fan of hometown (anti-)hero Lance Armstrong or hipster fixed gears to get in on the action. Local organisation Social Cycling Austin ("putting butts on bikes since 2009") presents a diverse series of free, weekly social rides for any type of rider, from Heavy Metal Fitness rides to Saturday Caffeine Cruises and Hump Day Nooners on Wednesdays. Its most popular ride, the Thursday Night Social Ride, attracts around 500 cyclists, who hobnob on-the-go to locations including swimming holes and patio bars, for some truly active socialising. And in upcoming news: Austin's first citywide bike-sharing programme is scheduled to launch in spring 2013.
• socialcyclingaustin.com. Meet up at Plaza Saltillo in autumn/winter at 7pm. Free
Take a walk Through Zilker Park
There are more than 200 parks in Austin, but there is one uncontested crown jewel, not only as a park, but an integral character in the local community. Located in the middle of the city, Zilker Park's sprawling 351-acres (which include hiking trails along Lady Bird Lake, past Barton Springs Pool and through Austin's botanical gardens), act as host to the city's most popular outdoor festivals, such as the annual Kite Festival, seasonal attractions the Zilker Holiday Tree and the Trail of Lights (which will return this December after a two-year absence), and local theatre productions at Zilker Hillside Theatre. The city's best music festivals take place here too, including the free summertime Blues on the Green, and the internationally renowned heavy hitter, Austin City Limits.
• 2100 Barton Springs Rd, +1 512 974 6700, austintexas.gov/department/zilker-metropolitan-park
Visit Red Bud isle
The calm western waters of Lady Bird Lake surrounding Red Bud's 13 acres of prime lakeside are ideal for canoeing, kayaking or a leisurely swim. The island is the westernmost launch site on Lady Bird Lake, but visitors can rent a kayak or canoe by the hour (from $10 and $20, respectively) at the Rowing Dock (2418 Stratford Dr, +1 512 459-0999, rowingdock.com) and paddle west to enjoy the particularly tranquil stretch of the lake's west end. Red Bud boasts scenic shores (popular with local fishermen), a tree-lined half-mile trail, and the most popular off-leash dog park in the city, so dog lovers can run ashore to play with the city's happiest four-legged residents before paddling back downstream.
• 3401 Red Bud Trail, +1 512 974 6700, austinexplorer.com. Free. Open 5am–10pm
• Ramona Flume (ramonaflume.com) writes for CultureMap Austin, Budget Travel and Austin Monthly
