Because Austin, Texas is the kind of area that sees sunshine during more than half of every year, we are quite fond of outdoor activities. From games to hikes and even meals, if we can turn the party into an outdoor event then we are going to do so. Keep reading to find out what we are getting into this summer in Austin and stay until the end to find out what our favorite summer activity is.
Deep Eddy Pool
4.5 ★
In Texas, the oldest man made pool exists right in Austin on Deep Eddy Ave. This pool was made by AJ Eilers in 1915 and the water is provided by natural springs located nearby. Built during the depression era, this pool has been providing Austin with a place to swim for a lot longer than anyone reading this article has been around. Take part in a piece of living history when you wade around in Deep Eddy Pool. This pool is not incredibly deep but is set up to feel cozy, with a separate area made specific for enjoying snacks. We won’t tell if you don’t wait exactly thirty minutes before getting back in the pool, don’t worry. All you need is a swimsuit and less than ten dollars per person to have a great afternoon at Deep Eddy Pool.
Barton Springs Pool
4.6 ★
Full of water that comes from natural springs nearby, Barton Springs Pool is a popular spot for Austin’s locals and visitors to swim. With water that stays right under 70 degrees all year round, Barton Springs is like an oasis for anyone who wants to take a natural swim without worrying about what might be in the water. Clear, blue, and inviting at any time of day, you can bring the whole family out to Barton Springs Pool and get lost in a virtually flawless summer hangout. Find this pool inside of the 350+ acre Zilker Park, an active location with trails and parks and picnic tables galore. On Thursdays they close the swimming area for cleaning and the swimming hours range depending on the day so check times beforehand to avoid any confusion. Unless you decide to visit on spring break, admission to this natural pool is usually free so be sure to utilize that info often.
McKinney Falls State Park
4.7 ★
Countless publications will tell you to think of this state park as a sort of “back yard” to Austin, and there is more to the area than just swimming. At McKinney Falls State Park, the possibilities are endless when considering the room they have for activities like swimming, playing sports, fishing and sunbathing. Hiking, mountain biking and other methods of exploration are all accessible at McKinney Falls State Park, and the area is only about 13 miles away from downtown Austin. Though we are more interested in discussing the swimming accessibility, doing some research on this state park would be beneficial to anyone wanting to make the most out of a summer day in Austin. Rent out the group hall (featuring a full kitchen) for your next gathering or big event. Otherwise, just hang out there sometime from 8 am – 10 pm for only $6 per person.
Hippie Hollow Park
4.6 ★
This particular entry is for the adult crowd, as Hippie Hollow Park is the only “clothing optional” park in the entire state of Texas. While lewd behavior is not allowed, they allow the sense of freedom that comes with being able to choose just how much to wear. For many years, locals have been aware of this beautiful spot that provides a view of Lake Travis that can’t be beat. When you want to try something new in a relaxed setting, Hippie Hollow Park is a long time loved spot for locals and travelers from all over. Visit this park on Comanche Trail from 9 am – 7 pm every day and bring cash as they don’t accept cards. For less than 10$ per person, Hippie Hollow Park gives you access to a side of Texas that isn’t part of everyday life and the ability to get a tan without worrying about any bikini lines.
Blue Starlite Urban Drive In Theater
4.5 ★
“Making Memories Under The Stars” is the mission statement for Blue Starlite Urban Drive In. They are keeping one of our oldest traditions alive with two locations in Austin that bring on the best summer vibes. Grab a few blankets and load up on snacks, but also prepare to snag a treat from their snack menu and hang out at either of Blue Starlite’s two locations. Pick the VFW Road location to sit under a massive sky with plenty of stars, the way they used to show movies back in the golden era. When you want to experience a totally new style of drive in theater, the downtown location is where you want to be. Located on San Antonio St, this setup includes two screens and a 360 view of downtown Austin’s skyscrapers. Either way, you’re going to get the best out of going to the movies with the added privacy and comfort of hanging out in your own car so call up the person you know with an SUV and check the schedule. Both theater setups include a two screen setup playing movies from all over the cinematic spectrum. When an idea works well, you stick with it. At Blue Starlite, they know that nothing beats the classic movie night at the drive in.
HELP US
Help us keep making awesome content like this, and save a few bucks while having a good time! Use promo code Spooky24 to get 20% off the #1 Highest Rated Party Bike in Austin during October!
Please support bat coservation at Merlintuttle.org
Bats at Congress Ave Bridge
4.6 ★
Ladybird Lake is already a well known body of water in Austin, people love to kayak and boat in the area or just sit on the banks and enjoy the day. While the lake itself is already a beautiful section of Austin that is worth visiting for photographers and general nature lovers, we want to talk a bit about the Bats and Congress Ave Bridge on Ladybird Lake. Downtown Austin is happy to have the Congress Ave Bridge nearby but not because of the ease of travel, though the pedestrian only access is definitely a huge plus. This bridge is special because of the bat population that rests underneath during the season that they are in Austin. The largest urban bat colony in all of North America (that’s nearly 2 million bats) can be seen taking flight every night about thirty minutes before sunset. You have a couple of options when considering how you would want to experience this incredible moment. For free, access to the bridge is generally open to the public but you will have to consider the potential of crowds depending on how busy the day happens to be. For an affordable ticket cost, there are a couple of different options for boat tours that will give you a front seat view of the bats taking flight. This activity is one that is near and dear to the hearts of Austin’s locals and visitors from all over the world. Make sure to set aside time to experience the awesome beauty of watching over one million bats taking flight all at once. Since the bats started hanging around this bridge in the 80s, the numbers keep rising and Austin is thrilled to have the space for them.
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Refuge
4.8 ★
More than 900 species of plants and flowers reside at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Refuge on La Crosse Ave and you won’t find a prettier place to spend some time this summer. Nearly 300 acres awaits you with flowers covering more space than you can imagine. Parking is limited here so plan to carpool when you can and prepare to pay a small fee per person to get inside. The cost is definitely worth what you get out of the experience that Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Refuge provides. Spend all day wandering through the trails and download their TravelStorys app to enjoy an audio tour as your personal guide. Look into their website for information on what plants and animals to expect while you’re there and don’t forget to bring binoculars if you want a chance to see hummingbirds. With the exception of service animals, this refuge is not pet friendly so leave the pups at home but don’t hesitate to bring the whole family out. At Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Refuge, there is always something to do or see for nature lovers of all ages. If you need an activity for the kids, encourage them to find a different flower to match every color of the rainbow. The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Refuge is bound to have them all.
Austin Zoo
4.6 ★
Located on Rawhide Trail, the Austin Zoo where they promise that every visit you make will be one-of-a-kind. Assisting animals through rescue is what the brains behind the operation care about at the Austin Zoo, they even open their doors to animals who have been retired from other exhibits for being too old. Each and every animal has a special place in the hearts of employees at the zoo and you will be able to feel the love as you ponder the various exhibits. What began as a goat ranch back in the 90s has grown over the years into the 15 acre large facility that we know and love now. Over 200,000 visitors come to the Austin Zoo annually and repeat visitors are a regular occurrence. Spending the day at the Austin Zoo is more than animal watching, you get to immerse yourself in learning material and achieve an up close view of the different species in a safe way. Plan your visit between 9:30 am – 5 pm any day of the week and keep an eye on their online calendar. The Austin Zoo is regularly adding adventures to their schedule from summer camps to in depth animal studies.
CONCLUSION
Before you run off to book a party bike tour or go swimming in a natural pool, don’t forget to look through our past posts by clicking on the “Guides” tab at the top of this page. At The Austin Insider, we love to talk about this wonderful town and help you plan your stay at the same time. If you want insight on how to spend your time while in Austin, we have got you covered with a number of different articles from food to entertainment and everything in between.