Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Activities
Austin has quite a few places to play outside, including Zilker Park, Lady Bird Lake, and
creekside parks and greenbelts throughout the city. You can get just about any information
you might need from the
City of Austin Parks & Recreation Department
( 512-974-6700;
www.austintexas.gov/depart
ment/parks-and-recreation; 8am-5pm Mon-Fri)
. Check its website to find
everything from municipal golf courses to tennis complexes to cemeteries.
Swimming & Boating
Barton Springs Pool
MAP
SWIMMING
GOOGLE MAP
( 512-867-3080; 2201 Barton Springs Rd; adult/child $3/2; 9am-10pm Fri-Wed mid-Apr-Sep)
Hot? Not
for long. Even when the temperature hits 100, you'll be shivering in a jiff after you jump
into this icy-cold natural-spring pool. Draped with century-old pecan trees, the area
around the pool is a social scene in itself, and the place gets packed on hot summer days.
Zilker Park Boat Rentals
( 512-478-3852;
www.zilkerboats.com
; 2201 Barton Springs Rd; per hour/day $12/40; 9am-dusk)
This out-
fit rents 17ft canoes and open-deck ocean kayaks. It also has maps and will describe the
best routes. The price includes paddles and life jackets; arrive early on the weekends be-
fore the boats are all gone.
CANOEING
Lady Bird Lake
( 512-459-0999;
www.rowingdock.com
;
2418 Stratford Dr; 6:30am-8pm)
Named after former first
lady Lady Bird Johnson, Lady Bird Lake kind of looks like a river. And no wonder: it's
actually a dammed-off section of the Colorado River that divides Austin into north and
south. Get out on the water at the Rowing Dock, which rents kayaks, canoes and paddle
boards for $10 to $20 per hour, and paddle boats for slightly more.
CANOEING
Deep Eddy Pool
MAP
SWIMMING
GOOGLE MAP
( 512-472-8546;
www.deepeddy.org
; 401 Deep Eddy Ave; adult/under 11yr/junior $3/1/2; 8am-8pm Mon-Fri,
10am-8pm Sat & Sun)
With its vintage 1930s bathhouse built as part of the Works Progress Ad-
