Our Staff Picks of Fun Stuff Around Austin

Staff Picks for Fun Things to do: If you are new to Austin, here's a handful of fun things to do.

Danielle's Pick: South Congress Avenue

I enjoy visiting and photographing the many unique locally owned shops along South Congress Avenue. The store Uncommon Objects is my favorite.

Link to Uncommon Objects store site: http://www.uncommonobjects.com/
 

David's First Pick: Zilker Botanical Gardens

The Zilker garden is 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.
 
More information about Zilker Botanical Gardens.... http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/zilker/gardencenter.htm
 

David's Second Pick: Watching the Congress Bridge Bat Swarm

If you are in downtown Austin on an early summer evening, it is hard to miss our bat swarm. The bat colony emerges just before sundown from their roost under the Congress Street Bridge in search of an insect supper. A winding horizontal vortex of an estimated 1.5 million Mexican Free-Tailed Bats streams from beneath the bridge and then snakes along Lady Bird Lake.

Link: Austin's Bat Swarm 

Ross's Pick:  Lady Bird Lake Hike & Bike Trail

With 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.

Isela's Pick: The Grove at Southpark Meadows

I enjoy taking my son to The Grove area at Southpark Meadows shopping center. He enjoys playing in the fountains and on the large playscape. During the Christmas season, we also enjoy the lights. It is also a fun place for lunch and shopping.

More information on Southpark Meadows: http://www.shopsouthparkmeadows.com/Event/EventEngine/Index.htm

Jennett's Pick: Letterboxing at McKinney Falls State Park

This is a beautiful place to hike, picnic and swim in the summer. There are also a few old protected structures that have been there for many years. If you are into letterboxing, there are many hiding there. Since it is a state park, there is an admission fee but it is worth it.

More on letterboxing:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Letterboxing

McKinney Falls State Park official site: 

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/parkguide/rgn_hc_013.phtml

Jennett's Second Pick: Mount Bonnell Park

This is another good place for hiking and picnicking besides providing the best view of Lake Austin. At night, you can see a wonderful display of the city's lights. Bring a camera; you will want to take pictures! Also, this is another great place to check for letterboxes!

Renee's Pick: Canoeing on Lady Bird 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.

More information about canoe rentals ... http://www.zilkerboats.com/ 

Kat's Pick: Garrison Park

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. This provides a great place inside the city to relax and spend some peaceful family time.