Austin and Central Texas  is a fun place to live!
Beautiful Night View of the Austin Skyline!

Staff Picks for Fun Things to do: If you are new to Austin / Central Texas, here's a handful of fun things to do.
 
David's Pick: Zilker Botanical Gardens!

Footbridge at Botanical Gardens, Zilker Park, Austin, Texas
A gardener's paradise with Roses, Choi Pond, Butterfly garden and much more. Enjoy a walk anytime the weather's good. Zilker Botanical Gardens is located just west of Zilker Park on Barton Springs Road.
 
This footbridge is a popular spot in the Taniguchi Garden inside Zilker Botanical Gardens in downtown Austin, Texas, USA.
 
Ross's Pick:  Lady Bird Lake Hike & Bike Trail!
 
Hike and Bike Trail at Lady Bird Lake, Austin, TexasWith an average of 300 sunshine-filled days per year, one of the greatest places Austin has to offer is the Lady Bird Lake Hike & Bike trail. Whether you're a focused athlete training for your upcoming triathlon, or simply enjoy a leisurely stroll accompanied by beautiful scenery, the 8.5 mile course is at your disposal. For the music enthusiast, visit the Stevie Ray Vaughan statue located west of the gazebo and South 1st Street bridge on the south shore of Lady Bird Lake.
Canoeing on Town Lake
Tom's Pick: Canoeing on Town Lake!
 
It's a great way to access the beauty of Lady Bird Lake and our waterfront parks. Canoes can be rented at Zilker Park. In addition to casual paddlers, rowing teams use Lady Bird Lake for training year-round.
 
 
 
 
Kat's Pick: Garrison Park!
Pinic at Garrison Park Austin TX
 
Garrison Park is located in South Austin at 6001 Manchaca Road. A little bit of country in South Austin, it contains several acres of woods with picnic facilities plus a family swimming pool and a baseball park. A great place inside the city to relax and spend some peaceful family time.
 
 
 
What's Special About South Austin?Map of South Austin and South Congress Avenue

South Austin is a little weird--a good thing! There's lots of small privately owned restaurants, particularly Mexican restaurants. A multitude of small local retail stores, particularly on South Congress Avenue,  offers fun shopping along with a laid-back, relaxed lifestyle.

First Thursday - The First Thursday of each month, merchants of the historic, pedestrian-friendly South Congress Avenue keep their doors open until 10 pm (and later in some cases), playing host to an array of events and activities. 
 

Austin, the Live Music Capitol of the World!
 
You've just landed in Live Music Heaven. From Antone's to Z..., Austin is the place to be if you like live music. 
 
Statue of Stevie Ray Vaughan, Austin TX music legend   
Central Texas, more FUN close by
 
More fun stuff within a two hours drive of Austin:
 
Aquarena Springs, San Marcos - One hour south of Austin on the campus of Texas State University, San Marcos. You can tour a large spring-fed crystal clear pond on their glass bottom boats. For directions and information:  
Link to Aquarena Info Website 
 Picture of Enchanted Rock
Enchanted Rock State Park - A huge dome of granite just north of Fredericksburg about two hours west of Austin. Great day trip including a challenging hike up the dome. Also, overnight camping facilities are available.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Visit the Blue Bell Creamery in Brenham, Texas!Blue Bell Creamery, Brenham - Weekdays only, but it's worth a special trip. Here's where our premium Texas ice cream is made. You get a plant tour and a free sample. It's also a pretty road trip particularly during spring wildflower season.
 
 
Fun Facts about Austin
 
Our city was originally called Waterloo and chosen to be the Capital of the new Republic of Texas in 1839. See the following link for a complete history ...
 

A few "fun facts" from the Austin History Center:

1. In 1917, the city allowed only one gas station to be open on Sundays. It was located at 4th & Brazos.

2. Congress Avenue was once the widest street in the world, about three times wider than it is now and originally paved with bricks.

3. In 1911, Austin's Austex Chili factory had the only tamale making machine in the world.

4. Austin's first drinking water was hauled in whiskey barrels up from the Colorado River and sold for 25 cents per barrel.