Things To Do in Austin Texas

One can find just about anything in Austin, Texas- no matter what you’re into. So, with that thought, I’ll just share a few things because pages and pages could never hold it all! Music, great restaurants, beautiful natural areas, trails, a great Downtown, historic areas; rivers, lakes and creeks; libraries and archives and so much more. I am so thankful my family chose to settle in the Austin Texas area in the 1870’s.

Austin Texas Live Music

In the “Live Music Capital of the World” attend South By Southwest “SXSW”, Austin City Limits “ACL” every September at Zilker Park or the many live music venues like the historic Continental Club, Antone’s, the Broken Spoke, the One World Theatre, 6th Street, the Bass Concert Hall, the Sahara Lounge, the Nutty Brown Cafe, the Backyard at Bee Cave, Austin City Limits Live at the Moody Theatre and more. For the guitar enthusiast, our local Collings Guitars makes guitars for many amazing artists around the world.

Keepin’ It Weird in Austin Texas

see the South Austin Museum of Popular Culture, attend the Austin Art Car Parade, visit the shops of SoCo (South Congress) including Lucy in Disguise with Diamonds and others.

Catch a Train

Catch the Amtrac Train to Dallas at the Austin Amtrak Station just south of W. 5th at 250 N. Lamar

Ride the new Capital MetroRail commuter train from Austin to Leander, service began March 22, 2010. 32 mile track, modern Swiss trains are comfortable, have Wi Fi, allow bikes, space permitting. No food or drinks are allowed on the train except lunch boxes being carried  to work to be eaten elsewhere or drinks in hard screw top, non-spill drink containers suitable for hiking, etc.

Ride the old Austin Steam Train from Cedar Park Texas through Leander Texas and into Bertram Texas. There are special Murder Mystery trips and more. Run by an all volunteer staff, this old train reminds you of days gone by. I love trains and have ridden the Austin Steam Train.

Enjoy Nature, see Texas Outside

See Mount Bonnell: I take 2222 west of 360 and hang a right (south) on Mt. Bonnell Dr.  Wear walking shoes, it’s a tough ascent up the 99 steps!

See the peacocks and ponds at Mayfield Park. The cottage & gardens are wheelchair accessible. This peacock is heavily involved in showing off his tail feathers. The pea hens weren’t impressed but I was!

See the Treaty Oak between 5th & 6th, 1 block west of Lamar.  Legend has it that Stephen F. Austin made a treaty here with the Indians.

See Austin’s City Hall at 301 W. Second Street, a LEED Gold certified building with an ongoing, everchanging self guided tour art exhibit.  A strip of oak milled from the Treaty Oak graces the dias in the City Council Chamber. Enjoy the Public Plaza performances.

See the Austin Area bats, the world’s largest urban bat colony at the Congress Ave. Bridge, 100 Congress Avenue or on the Interstate IH 35 at 620 and the next exit north. In the Summer they fly out from the underside of IH 35 at the 2 exits like clockwork about 8pm. Few people seem to know about the northern Round Rock Texas bat watch but it is much less crowded and a great bat show too! Ride the Lone Star Riverboat for a cruise on Lady Bird Lake. 208 Barton Springs Rd., Austin, TX 78704

Visit the Umlauf Sculpture Garden on Robert E. Lee and Zilker Park, Zilker Theatre, canoe or kayak at Lady Bird Lake and swim in spring fed Barton Springs Pool. Walk or bike the trail around Lady Bird Lake (formerly called Town Lake Trails).

Visit the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in South Austin.  Learn about Native Texas Plants, green roofs, reducing your carbon footprint.

Downtown Austin Texas

Stay in great Downtown Austin hotels and enjoy the Texas State Capital complex, concerts at Antones, The Continental Club or many other live music venues, see great comedy at Esther’s Follies, The Velveeta Room or others.  There are many interesting downtown Austin clubs- the 4th Street Warehouse District has attracted attention.

360 or Capital of Texas Highway is a scenic Austin drive. Stop off and see Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve.

Sign on 620 for 2 Travis County LCRA parks on Lake Travis. Hippie Hollow is a clothing optional park so don’t go there unexpectantly. Windy Point is a fun park.

For fun with the kids, take them to Kiddie Acres at 4800 W Howard Lane in Austin. It is an old fashioned kiddie park with pony rides, a carousel, a miniature train, putt putt golf, airplanes and more.

Call Betty Saenz a Native Texan REALTOR with lots of history in the Austin Texas area at 512-785-5050 or e-mail Betty Saenz Betty Saenz knows the Austin Texas Real estate market.

Licensed to practice Real Estate in the State of Texas.

Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed.  Buyer or agent must verify.