The place where the city meets nature is difficult to achieve in many places. However, downtown Austin has accomplished just that in Town Lake. Located in downtown Austin along the Colorado River, it is the hidden treasure of Austin, Texas. There are a variety of things to do and places to visit in the heart of Austin.



One would not think that they would find such a beautiful, tranquil area in the heart of the urban community of Austin. However, there is a wide variety of outdoor activities that will entice everyone when visiting the hustle and bustle of the big city. Town Lake has many bridges that allow pedestrians to cross over the lake and enter the beautiful parks and activities around the lake. There is canoeing, biking, and hiking to take in the sites. There are also many places to enjoy a picnic, listen to concerts throughout the year and the ever popular bat watching at Congress Avenue Bridge. No matter where you go along Town Lake, you will find something to explore.

If you are looking for a more refreshing stop on your visit, you should check out Barton Springs Pool. Better known as Deep Eddy, it is the oldest swimming pool in the State. It was originally a natural swimming hole off of the Colorado River, but in the early 1900s a concrete pool was put in place. In the summer months, they have movies, concerts and may other performances for entertainment. It is a fun place for the whole family to visit.

Another activity that you will find plenty of on Town Lake is biking and hiking. There is an 8 and a half mile hike and bike trail that travels in and around the Austin neighborhood and by the shore of the lake. The trail is set up nicely allowing for everyone to use it without difficulty. There are also plenty of places to stop and rest when you need one, water fountains if you are thirsty, bathrooms strategically placed and amazing views of the city, its neighborhoods and the lake. It is a veritable heaven for anyone who enjoys the out doors.

The most visited areas on the lake are at Auditorium Shores and Zilker Park. Here, you can see nature in its full glory. You can enjoy the beautiful ducks and swans on the lake with the boats. You can even search near the shore for turtles. You can also see one of the most amazing works of art, the Palmar Auditorium. Most noted for hosting celebrities including Elvis Presley, it has an interesting patchwork dome. It is a great place to take in a show while you are in town. Zilker Park includes a beautiful rock garden, botanical gardens, and plenty of places to play out doors. Every year they hold a kite festival. It is definitely a must to put on your list of places to see while in Austin.

All of this is wonderful, but the one thing that you should not miss while visiting Austin is the Congress Avenue Bridge Bats. Yes, there are bats under the Congress Avenue bridge. With more than one million bats during the peak season, it is the largest urban bat colony in North America. It is a sight to behold at sunset every evening. It looks like a gigantic black cloud coming out from under the bridge as the bats come out looking for food. They are usually there from March through April, but the city goes all out in September, holding a Batfest with good food, music, crafts and the every popular bat watching. If you don’t do anything else while in Austin, make sure to check out this very unique site. It is breath taking.

Austin is a very distinctive and different city to visit because of all the unique activities that it has to offer. You should definitely make is a stop on your trip to Texas. There is something for everyone to enjoy in this beautiful, tranquil place.