To Do: Visit A Museum

1. LBJ Presidential Library
2313 Red River St., Austin, TX 78705-5737
* currently closed due to COVID-19*

2. Thinkery – perfect for the kiddos!
1830 Simond Ave Austin, Texas 78723
View all of the exhibits here.

3. The Blanton Museum of Art
200 E Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Austin, TX 78712
See the current exhibits here.

4. Texas Military Forces Museum
2200 West 35th St. Austin, TX 78703
See 45,000 square feet of Military uniforms, weapons, tanks, artillery, aircraft, helicopters and more!

5. Umlauf Sculpture Garden and Museum
605 Azie Morton Road Austin, TX 78704
It’s close to Zilker Park and offers monthly get-togethers such as: Picnic in the Garden, Garden Parties, and much more.
Learn about the events coming up here (including a summer camp for the kids!)

6. The Contemporary Austin – Laguna Gloria
3809 W 35th St. Austin, TX 78703
Check out their events here

7. Elisabet Nay Museum
304 E 44th St, Austin, TX 78751
The historic home and studio of Elisabet Ney, a wildly iconoclastic German sculptor who moved to Austin in 1882. Admission is free.

8. Harry Ransom Center
*Temporarily closed due to COVID-19*
300 West 21st Street Austin, Texas 78712
The Ransom Center is an internationally renowned humanities research center at The University of Texas at Austin. Our extensive collections provide unique insight into the creative process of some of our finest writers and artists, deepening the understanding and appreciation of literature, photography, film, art, and the performing arts.

9. Jourdan-Bachman Pioneer Farms
10621 Pioneer Farms Drive Austin, Texas 78754
The Jourdan-Bachman Pioneer Farms is a living history museum that interprets and preserves the histories and cultures of Central Texas during the 19th century.

10. Museum of the Weird
412 East 6th St Austin, TX  78701
The mission Steve had in mind when opening the Museum of the Weird was not only to preserve this disappearing part of Americana — the dime museum, the sideshow, and roadside attractions — but also to give people the chance to wonder again. 

11. CAMBIAart Tours
6448 E Hwy 290 Suite A 102 Austin, TX 78732
*appointment only visitations due to COVID*

12. Mexic-Arte Musem
419 Congress Ave Austin, TX, 78701
The Mexic‐Arte Museum is dedicated to enriching the community through education programs, exhibitions, and the collection, preservation, and interpretation of Mexican, Latino, and Latin American art and culture for visitors of all ages.

13. Neil-Cochran House Museum
2310 San Gabriel St. Austin, TX 78705
Just a few minutes’ walk from the UT-Austin campus, we steward the city’s 10th oldest historic site (1856), including Austin’s only intact slave quarters.

14. Texas Toy Museum
314 1/2 Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78701
The Texas Toy Museum is a museum organized to collect, preserve, display and educate the community on the historic significance and cultural impact of rare and vintage toys.

15. Texas Memorial Museum
2400 Trinity St, Austin, TX 78705
In the early 1930s, James E. Pearce, The University of Texas at Austin Chair of Anthropology, later named the museum’s first director, and A. Garland Adair, department historian for the Texas American Legion, joined forces to establish a state museum. They wanted the museum to contribute to the conservation of the historic treasures of Texas and also to the educational system of the state. With this joint effort, the Texas Memorial Museum (TMM) was born.

16. The Contemporary Austin- Jones Center
700 Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78701
The Contemporary Austin, originally known as the Austin Museum of Art, is Austin, Texas’s primary contemporary art museum, consisting of two locations and an art school.

17. South Austin Museum of Popular Culture
*temporarily closed due to COVID-19*
6416 N Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78752

18. George Washington Carver Musem
*templorarily closed due to COVID-19*
165 Angelina St, Austin, TX 78702

19. Texas Music Museum
1009 East 11th Street Austin, TX 78702   
The Texas Music Museum collects and preserves artifacts, documents and reference material surrounding the diverse traditions of Texas music, and utilizes these collections in the presentation of exhibits, educational programs, and performances.

20. Ao5 Gallery
3005 S Lamar Blvd Ste C-110B, Austin, TX 78704
“Ao5 Gallery is Austin’s largest contemporary art gallery, and has been committed to bringing a wide selection of accessible fine art to Austin since 1998. The gallery has artists from six of the seven continents. We are constantly changing our display of featured artists to attract new visitors and keep the gallery fresh.”

21. Austin Rock and Roll Car Musem
4117 Commercial Center Dr, Austin, TX 78744
Tons of cars to explore, a great place to take the family!

23. Art for the People Gallery
1711 S 1st St, Austin, TX 78704
Laid-back, independent gallery providing a wide range of original works from over 120 local artists

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Visit the Austin Zoo

If animals are your thing, I’d love for you to visit the zoo! It’s not the largest in the state by any means but it’s a fun place to spend a few hours. *Make sure you head there when they open. Due to some hot days & feeding schedules, the animals are most active in the morning hours.*

There’s more tho the Austin Zoo than what you probably know:

1. Kids Summer Camps
9AM-4PM Monday-Friday & includes a free camp shirt
$275 (members) / week or $300/week for Non-Members
2. Train Rides
Monday-Friday 11AM-3PM & Saturday-Sunday (&Holidays) 11AM-4PM
3. Capybara Encounter $40/Person
35 Minutes every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday at Noon
Reservations must be made 24 hours in advance
4. Galapagos Tourtise Encounter $25/Person
25 Minute meet & greet daily at 11AM
5. Of course, Visit the Zoo
Visitors will be charged a $1.00 surcharge for purchases made at the gate
No cash is accepted- credit cards only!

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Best Mexican Food Restaurants in Austin Texas

I know. That title sounds like a big undertaking… and it is. This is a list of my favorite Austin Mexican Food Restaurants & what makes them so special. I truly hope you enjoy. These are not listed in any particular order (they’re all delicious:) Happy eating!

Polvos Fajitas (Anthony M)
  1. Polvos
    Locations:
    South Austin: 2004 S 1st St, Austin, TX 78704
    Downtown: 360 Nueces St, Austin, TX 78701
    What to Try: The Steak Fajitas (pictured above) are delicious but at Polvos, you can’t go wrong. They’re known for their Salsa bar which is an experience in itself! If you’re looking for an appetizer, I’d suggest the choriqueso or the . For dinner, I’d say the chile rellenos or carne guisada. And if you’re an enchilada fan, you won’t be let down here. As far as drinks go, you can’t go wrong with a Margarita!
    Things to Know: The South Location *feels* more authentic so I personally enjoy it more! They are known for their Salsa bar but it has been closed (COVID.) Finally, they don’t split checks so come prepared if you’re in a big group.
Matt’s El Rancho Blackened Redfish with Shrimp

2. Matt’s El Rancho
Location: 2613 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704
What to Try: A local staple for scratch-made Tex-Mex since 1952, Matt’s El Rancho has served generations of Austin locals and visitors for over 60 years. No matter what you do… You. have. to. try. the Bob Armstrong dip! For dinner I would suggest the Asadero Beef (tenderloin) Tacos or the Grilled Fish Tacos. They both come with a guacamole salad which is always a nice touch. The staff is so attentive and very helpful if you can’t decide what to try. When it comes to drinks here, I’d suggest the Knockout Mexican Martinis.
Things to Know: Matt’s is usually a packed house. And I mean a line out of the door, 2 hour wait packed. And no, they don’t take reservations. It is WELL worth your wait so do not fret but be prepared if you’re trying to go to dinner at 6 pm on a Thursday night.

Pueblo Viejo tacos, salsa & chips and guacamole salad

3. Pueblo Viejo
Location: 641 Tillery St Austin, TX 78702
What to Try: My favorite tacos are the Taco Nes, the Quesadilla Taco, and the Al Pastor (my all-time favorite.) The creamy green serrano salsa is excellent and always hits the spot. For me, it takes 2 tacos to fill me up (see size in the photo above) so it is very reasonable for a quick and yummy dinner.
Things to Know: If you’re a vegetarian, look no further! This is one of my FAVORITE vegetarian taco finds in the city! If you’re interested, try the veggie gordita!

Suerte Chips and Salsa (Luci H)

4. Suerte
Location: 1800 E 6th St, Austin, TX 78702
What to Try: The best way to describe Suerte is Mexican meets Fine Dining. Every dish you get is plated beautifully and wows me every. single. time. I’d suggest tasting the Suadero Tacos, Fish Tacos, Gnocchi or the Goat Barbacoa. For drinks, I’d suggest the Spicy Marg!
Things to Know: It is more of a *fine dining* experience in comparison to other restaurants on this list. Therefore, it is more pricey. However, the staff, the ambiance, and the experience are well worth the price!

Gabriela’s Downtown (Barbara P)

5. Gabriela’s
Locations:
Downtown- 900 E. 7th St., Austin, TX 78702
South- 9600 S IH 35 Frontage Rd.
What to Get: First of all, let me just say the views and drinks are BEAUTIFUL. I personally have enjoyed the shrimp tacos and choriqueso but there’s not much to get disappointed about here! As far as drinks go, I hope you love them all (because I haven’t found one I don’t like… and I’ve tried… many.) I LOVE the Shrimp Aguachil Michelada and the Piña Para La Niña is a strawberry margarita… served from a Pineapple. If you wanted a drink for the ‘gram, this is the place. Lastly, I’d like to recommend Gabby’s Margarita. It’s not only delicious, but they add a chili powder rim and their house-made syrup that can’t be beat.
Things to Know: There are two locations (and for the price and experience, you’re better off spending your money downtown! The Southpark Meadows location is newer and is still working out some quirks. I, for one, prefer a good view of downtown and enjoy the ambiance more.) The patios are very dog friendly and welcome furry friends.

Granny’s Tacos (Cher Y)

6. Granny’s Tacos
Location: 1401 E 7th St, Austin, TX 78702
What to Try: Yes, it is a taco truck. Yes, it is delicious. I have NEVER tried a Granny’s taco that I didn’t like. You cannot beat these breakfast tacos. My personal favorite lunch tacos are the Campechano Taco (steak, chorizo, pico & avocado) and the Abuela Taco. If you’re a quesadilla fan and haven’t been here yet, let me introduce you to Granny’s.
Things to Know: They have a great central location that’s close to multiple coffee shops – you can’t beat the breakfast taco coffee combo! The tacos are generously portioned, authentic, reasonably priced and are all-around a great meal. Parking is close and they’re usually really quick!

ATX Cocina

7. ATX Cocina
Location: 10 San Antonio St #170, Austin, TX 78701
What to Try: Amazing food and great service. It is a more upscale restaurant and I’d say this one is more pricey but hands down worth every penny. I cannot express how crazy good the flavors are. If you know, you know. Some of my favorite dishes are the: Hamachi, Brussels Sprouts, Chicken tacos, Queso Fundido and the Horchata Ice Cream.
Things to Know: This is one of my favorite Happy Hour spots in Austin! They only have dinner and you’ll need reservations (a couple days in advance!) Happy hour is Sun-Thur 5-6PM or 4-6PM Fri-Sat. They have $8 tacos of the day and $8 house margs.

Fonda San Miguel

8. Fonda San Miguel
Location: 2330 W N Loop Blvd, Austin, TX 78756
What to Try: Fonda San Miguel is traditional Mexican food with the actual ambiance of Mexico! I love their Suzia Enchiladas and the Carne Asada A La Tampiquena. When it comes to drinks, their traditional margaritas are delicious.
Things to Know: You will need to make reservations in advance (or deal with bar seating and up to 2 hour wait times!) When you make your reservation, try to get a spot in the Atrium (pictured above) and you won’t be sorry!

9. El Naranjo
Location: 2717 S Lamar Blvd STE 1085, Austin, TX 78704
What to Try: The Filete De Res Al Chinextl and the Chile Pasilla are to die for. Somehow, the guacamole is incredible and the ahi tuna tostadas are too tasty. The flavors here are unmatched! This small restaurant can be summed up as fine-dining meets Mexican food.
Things to Know: It is small but the staff is very tight-knit and they will make sure you leave happy! This is also a great find for vegetarians- I’d suggest the Azteca. Everything is made fresh- you can’t go wrong here!

Veracruz All Natural (Lauren G)

10. Veracruz All Natural
Location: TONS. They have 6 locations all over Austin!
What to Try: This taco truck has authentic Mexican food made with fresh ingredients and organic juices and smoothies. My favorite tacos are the Migas, La Reyna and the Chicken Mole. Nothing beats a homemade tortilla and fresh ingredients! If you’re a vegetarian, this is another great spot for ya’!
Things to Know: Order online in advance before you get there and you won’t be sorry! Popular taco times = very long wait times here!

La Condesa Brunch

11. La Condesa
Location: 400 W 2nd St A, Austin, TX 78701
What to Try: The Spicy Boca Negra, Guacamole Tasting and the Hongos Y Huitlacoche are worth giving a try! The Margaritas here are everything. When it comes to brunch, the Steak y Eggs for $42 will satisfy the cravings of 2 (it’s meant to be shared.) It comes with ribeye cut steak, beans, fried potato, salsa and tortillas to make your own taco. Add avocado and bacon if you want to spice it up!
Things to Know: The atmosphere of the restaurant is artsy, and contemporary- perfect for a date night or brunch! This is another one of my favorite happy hour spots. It’s 4-6PM Wednesday-Friday and they have 1/2 off all alcoholic beverages. If you’re down for a late Brunch, this happy hour is Sundays 11AM-3PM and offers 1/2 off Signature Cocktails. If the weather is nice, ask to sit out on the patio!

Concha Bread at Mi Tradicíon Bakery

12. Mi Tradicíon Bakery
Locations:
North: 8716 Research Blvd #290, Austin, TX 78758
South: 801 E William Cannon Dr Suite 125, Austin, TX 78745
What to Try: For a meal, I’d suggest trying the carnitas tacos and pollo tostadas. For dessert, their Strawberry Tres Leches will melt in your mouth. They sell individually packaged slices so it’s perfect to grab and eat on the go. Once you’re done eating, be sure to grab some bolillos to take home. These little sandwich rolls are crispy on the outside yet nice and chewy on the inside and are a little sweet- and made fresh daily!
Things to Know: This is a must-try. The prices are insanely cheap, the staff is friendly, and everything is made from scratch daily.

Habanero Mexican Cafe Fajitas

13. Habanero Mexican Cafe
Location: 501 W Oltorf St, Austin, TX 78704
What to Try: I personally stick to the basics here: fajitas or the carne asada tacos (and if I’m feeling crazy I’ll get the green enchiladas.) Their breakfast tacos are one of the best in town! The potatoes are basically fries and I can’t get over it.
Things to Know: It is cash only. During COVID they are only offering food to-go so I would suggest ordering in advance!

El Taquito Tacos


14. El Taquito
Location: 1713 E Riverside Dr, Austin, TX 78741
What to Try: Sometimes you just want a quick (and cheap) taco run. This is the perfect place for that. You don’t go here for the ambiance but the reasonably priced tacos. I personally love their fundido and the barbacoa tacos.
Things to Know: I enjoy the take-out experience from here only. It’s a good grab-and go taco for your commute to work or quick lunch break!

El Alma Tostidas & Queso Fundito

15. El Alma
Location: 1025 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78704
What to Try: This is a great restaurant to enjoy the atmosphere, sit on the patio and enjoy a drinks and the beautifully plated food. My personal favorites are the Fundito, Tostidas and the Crab Relleno. I haven’t tried a dish here I haven’t enjoyed.
Things to Know: Come for the food and stay for the view. This is one of my favorite Happy Hour spots (3-6PM daily.) They have $5 Cervezas, $5 Jacked Sangria, $6 Classic Margs (and my two favorite dishes are on the Happy Hour Menu- the Tostidas and Fundito.)

La Fruta Feliz Tacos

16. La Fruta Feliz
Location: 3124 Manor Rd Austin, TX 78723
What to Try: This is a very casual and authentic Mexican food restaurant. It is very price-conscious with a full plated meal with drink for around $10. Try the barbacoa de chivos and huevos con nopales tacos on their homemade corn tortillas!
Things to Know: If you’re looking for affordable and authentic Mexican food, give this place a try.

Mi Madres

17. Mi Madres Restaurant
Location: 2201 Manor Rd, Austin, TX 78722
What to Try: The salsas here make this restaurant! The staff is great and make it feel like a true, authentic Mexican restaurant with incredible service. I enjoy the crunchy fish tacos or the carne asada breakfast tacos. Be sure to take advantage of the salsas!
Things to Know: This is a great bite for the price! Nothing too fancy, just some great tacos and even better salsa.

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To Do: Ladybird Lake

There’s no better place to soak in some Texas Sunshine other than LadyBird Lake. In the heart of downtown, you literally can’t miss it! 

Ladybird Lake

I can already hear the questions. Yes, it did have another name. From 1960-2007, this beautiful body of water was known as Town Lake. Why did it change, you ask? It was re-named after First Lady Lady Bird Johnson. She spent much of her time making this lake the beauty that it is today. She is the reason we have the hiking and biking trails that we’ll talk about here today. This section of the Colorado was created through the building of the Longhorn Damn in 1960 (so yes, it does look like a river!) It assists in Flood Control and has been a staple for kayaking and hiking for Austinites ever since.

Now that we’ve dug into the details, let’s get to the fun stuff: What to do at LadyBird Lake.

Ann and Roy Butler Hike & Bike Trail

1. Hiking/Walking along the Ann and Roy Butler Hike & Bike trail. This ~10 mile loop is a local hot spot for walking dogs, taking a stroll with a baby stroller, or to get some cardio in.  This well-groomed trail is mostly crushed granite so locals even use it for biking. If you want to avoid the crowds, I’d suggest going before noon to take a stroll. It can get quite crowded on Weekdays around lunch or after 5pm.

Auditorium Shores Dog Park

2. Take your dog to walk/run/visit a dog park! My favorite dog park in Austin is Auditorium Shores. You’ll find it on Riverside Drive, bordering LadyBird Lake. Although it is advised to keep your pups out of the lake, you’ll see many local pups diving into the water on a hot summer day. To get in, they would have to cross the fence and hop over the trail to reach the water.

Ladybird Lake Paddle-boarding Photo: Johannes Schneemann

3. Paddle boarding or Kayaking: If you don’t own a kayak, don’t fret. There are plenty places to rent single and tandem kayaks or paddle boards. One of my favorites is located right next to Zilker Park. To give you an estimate, Zilker Park Boat Rentals will charge $18 an hour or $54 for all day and they only accept cash (there is an ATM onsite.) They’ll hold your ID as you kayak and you will pay when you return. They supply you with paddles, a kayak, and two life jackets. My other favorite option is The Rowing Dock or Epic SUP if you’re on the East side of I-35.

Zilker Park

4. Lay out in in Zilker Park and after, go for a swim. In the summer months, you’ll see plenty of people bringing their towels and mats out to Zilker to tan in the Austin sun. After you lay out for a while, you can head to LadyBird to find a rope swing and go for a swim.

Lady Bird Lake River Cruises

5. River Cruises and Boat Rides: There are 2 boat touring companies that offer a variety of cruise options. Some offer food, some offer drinks and some just offer the ride. My favorites are Lone Star Riverboat (just the ride) and Capital Cruises (food options.) There are separate site seeing cruise companies that are perfect for people who want to see more.

Bat Watching Photo: Austin Bat Tours

6. Bat Watching: You can see the bats from the SE side of the I-35 Bridge where you can bring chairs or a blanket to watch the sun set and see the bats fly out. If you’re looking for a paid option, you can opt-in for a bat river cruise. My personal favorite is Austin Bat Tours. They are very knowledgeable about the Bats and will give you an educational experience. Be sure to know when you’re going and if it is during the Mexican Free-Tailed Bat season (March-November.) These bats will *usually* emerge from under the bridge during these months. This is by far one of my favorite Austin activities to do for tourists. 

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Where to Hike in ATX

There’s plenty of hiking, biking and walking trails in Austin.

EASY HIKES

Twin Falls
  • Twin Falls & Sculpture Falls (Barton Creek Greenbelt) 3918 S. MOPAC Expy.
    – Length: 3.3 mi.
    – This hike is one of my favorites! It is rocky but the views and diverse terrain make it stand out from most other typical Austin Trails. Friendly for all skill levels and open year-round!
    – Directions: Parking is along the highway (be sure to lock your cars / take your valuables with you.) From here, you will hike through Barton Creek and climb over some rocky terrain. You will first pass Twin Falls first and have 1.25 mi. left to get to Sculpture Falls. (If you go after a good rain you’ll see some beautiful falls! Time of year does matter whether they are flowing or not.) Dogs are also welcome on this hike.
Lady Bird Lake Trail
  • Lady Bird Lake Trail
    – Length: 10 mi.
    –This looped trail is perfect for anyone wanting to bike, run, or hike. With a small grade of 5% this is great for beginners and offers scenic views of LadyBird Lake. Dogs are welcome but must be kept on a leash. This hike is also kid and stroller friendly.
St. Edwards Green & Red Loop
  • St. Edwards Green and Red Loop
    – Length: 2.7 mi.
    – St. Edwards Green features a waterfall and is good for all skill levels. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
    – Directions: From Capitol Of Texas Highway take Spicewood Springs Rd to the west 2.5 miles to parking area. From highway 183 take the McNeil Dr./Spicewood Springs Rd exit, turn on Spicewood Springs Rd and the parking area is 3.5 miles.
Walnut Creek Trail
  • Walnut Creek Trail
    – Length: 1.3 mi.
    – This is a great route for dogs, bikes, and walking. If you go in the warmer months, you’ll see people sunbathing or dogs running into the river to play. If you continue scrolling down this page to the moderate hikes, you will see this trail extends into many interconnecting trails. ***If it is raining, please do not go on this hike. Hiking in wet conditions will damage the clay paths**
Great Hills Park Trail
  • Great Hills Park Trail
    – Length: 2.3 mi.
    – This trail is a loop with a river view (as pictured above.) It’s great for hikers of all skill levels and is used for hiking, walking and running. Dogs are welcome but must be kept on a leash.
    – Directions: Search Great Hills Neighborhood Park Trail, Austin, TX 78759
Mary Moore Searight Park Trail
  • Mary Moore Searight Park Trail
    – Length: 2.1 mi.
    – This trail is very scenic and lush when we get enoguh rain (although this trail is open all year.) It features a river and is perfect for a mid-hike picnic. Dogs are welcome but must be kept on a leash.
    – Directions: It is the Outer loop in Mary Moore Searight Metro Park. This trail is connected to many other inner trails and made into a longer/shorter trip.
Hamilton Greenbelt Trail
  • Hamilton Greenbelt
    – Length: 5.1 mi.
    – For a less-trafficked trail with beautiful views, Hamilton Greenbelt is my go-to. This trail is used for a variety of purposes: walking, running, hiking or even bird watching. I’d suggest going in the warmer months from April – September. Dogs are welcome but must be kept on a leash!
Bull Creek Hike
  • Bull Creek Hike
    – Length: 3.8 mi.
    – This is a popular hike so you most likely won’t be the only one checking out this waterfall! This is a multi-use trail for hiking, running and mountain biking (I would only suggest when it is very dry!). This hike can get very muddy after a rain and with many interlocking trails and overgrown brush, it can be difficult to navigate… so proceed with caution. The views are worth it! Dogs are welcome and don’t have to be on a leash.
Slaughter Creek Trail
  • Slaughter Creek Trail Loop
    – Length: 4.9 mi.
    – This is another high trafficked trail that fills with wildflowers in the spring. This terrain is moderately sloped so it can be used for hiking, running, horseback riding or even mountain biking. Although it is accessible year round, I’d suggest going in the spring to see the flowers!
    – Directions: https://circlecranch.com/amenities/trails-parks/
Violet Crown Trail
  • Violet Crown Trail
    – Length: 3.7 mi.
    – This trail is called Violet Crown Trail but is actually Zilker Trailhead to 360 Trailhead. It does have a river that is beautiful when we get enough rain. It’s used for both walking and running and dogs are welcome (no leash required!)

MODERATE HIKES

River Place Natural Trail
  • Riverplace Natural Trail
    – Length: 5.5 mi.
    – This trail is a little further out of Austin towards West Lake Hills. It does have some steeper terrain and that is why it is listed as a moderate hike (see picture.) This is one of my FAVORITE moderate hikes and features a beautiful waterfall. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, running, and bird watching and is accessible year-round. Dogs are welcome but must be on a leash!
    – There is a daily fee per hiker here. Credit Card Payments only. Children 12 and under with an adult are free. See the park page here for more information: http://www.riverplacelimiteddistrict.org/trails.html
Barton Creek Greenbelt Trail
  • Barton Creek Greenbelt Trail
    – Length: 13.8 mi.
    – This is another one of my favorite hikes but has a rocky terrain and will occasionally require you to climb over rocks. It features a small waterfall but the views are incredible. Dogs are welcome and do not have to be on a leash.
Turkey Creek Trail
  • Turkey Creek Trail
    – Length: 2.8 mi.
    – This trail features a flowing river and is used for walking, running, hiking, fishing and mountain biking. It is accessible year round and dogs are welcome with or without a leash. This trail is pretty rocky and has quite a bit of exposed roots. The trail has signage where it is hard to get lost. This being a common trail, you usually won’t be the only one hiking. Once you get to the back there will be several trails branching off for a longer hike.
Hill of Life Trail
  • Hill of Life (Barton Creek Greenbelt)
    – Length: 3.1 mi.
    – The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from April until October. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. Go during spring seasons to see the wildflowers!
Onion Creek and Homestead Trail Loop
  • Onion Creek and Homestead Trail Loop
    – Length: 6.5 mi.
    – This hike is open year round and features this beautiful waterfall. Dogs are welcome but asked to stay on a leash.
    – Please note that reservations are required for day passes either online or over the phone.
Laurel, Yaupon, Possum and Arroyo Vista Loop
Mount Lakeway Trail
  • Mount Lakeway Trail
    – Length: 4.3 mi.
    – This popular route is a great place to feel like you’re in the wilderness and luck into seeing some wildlife. Dogs are welcome and off leash is allowed. This is part of the Greenbelt so you’ll notice changes in terrain from wooded to rocky, hilltops, and other conjoining trails that you can take to explore more.
Bull Creek Trail
  • Bull Creek Trail
    – Length: 4.4 mi.
    – This trail is worth the hassle! It is accessible year round but you will have to check to see if you need a permit before you go. Bull Creek Preserve Entry Permits are issued in January & February and are good for three seasons. A permit is only required March-July. The trail is open to all users August through February.
Homestead Trail
  • Homestead Trail
    – Length: 3.1 mi.
    – This waterfall trail is often closed seasonally (due to weather conditions) but when it is open, it is worth the hike! It is located behind the McKinney Falls State Park (hence, the beautiful scenery) and is $6/per person or free to enter with a Texas State Park Pass. It is a well-maintained trail but does cross Lower Falls so you might want to pack some water shoes to cross the shallow area of the falls (or you can rock hop, your choice!) Check the seasonal closures out here before ya go: https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/mckinney-falls
Spicewood Valley Trail
  • Spicewood Valley Trail
    – Length: 2.1 mi.
    – Spicewood Valley Trail is a 2.1 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail with water views. It is primarily used for hiking, walking, and running and is accessible year-round. Dogs are welcome but must be on a leash.
Mount Bonnell Trail
  • Mount Bonnell Trail
    – Length: 0.5 mi.
    – Mount Bonnell Trail is a 0.5 mile heavily trafficked loop trail that features breathtaking views of Lake Austin. Dogs are welcome but must be kept on leash. This hike is extremely short but is steep. There’s plenty of stairs when you get towards the top.
Canyon Creek Trail
  • Canyon Creek Trail
    – Length: 5 mi.
    – If you’re going to see animals on any hike in Austin, i’d say this is the one. It’s open year round and dogs are welcome but must stay on a leash. Be considerate as you hike this trail as parts of it are on private property.
3 Falls Hike
  • 3 Falls Hike
    – Length: 7.3 mi.
    – The three falls hike waterfall is one of my favorites to sit and listen to. It is open year round although the water flows the most in the spring/heavy rainy seasons. Dogs are welcome but must be kept on a leash.
360 Bridge Hike
  • Lake Austin 360 Bridge Hike
    – Length: 1.8 mi.
    – This just might be the busiest hike in all of Austin. It is open year round and is usually crowded around sunset. I’d personally recommend doing this hike to see the sun rise instead of sunset if you want to avoid the crowds. You can hike, walk, bird watch, have a picnic or bring your pup along this trail.
Lower Falls Trail
  • Lower Falls and Homestead Loop Trail
    – Length: 3 mi.
    – This trail should be used from March-October. It is a popular hike so you’re bound to see another hiker on your trek. It’s primarily used for hiking and bird watching and all furry friends are allowed but must be kept on a leash.
Long Walnut Creek Trail
  • Walnut Creek Trail
    – Length: 19.5 mi. (but there are plenty of shorter trails in the mix)
    – This trail is accessible year round and is dog friendly as long as they remain on a leash. This is a wonderful paved trail that eventually passes a lake. It is a gentle grade so it is stroller friendly up until the 5 1/2 mile marker where the grade gets steeper. This trail is great if you enjoy wider paths that stay groomed.

Hard Hikes:

Emma Long Loop
  1. Emma Long Motorcross Loop
    – Length: 4.4 mi.
    – This hike is only recommended for very experienced bikers (not a hiking trail nor are dogs allowed!) The trail is primarily used for mountain biking and ATV driving and is accessible year-round. The terrain is dry and rocky, perfect for those adventurers looking to bike in town.

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Top 25 Things to do in Austin, Texas

Whether you’re a local looking to expand your horizons or an out-of towner coming for your 100th trip to the city… if you haven’t done all 25- you’ve got some homework to do! If you’re new to Austin, welcome. We are lucky to have you and hope you have time to knock out a few of these during your stay. Let us know if there’s anything we can do to help you during your visit.

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