Live music on the weekends, water jets to cool off and a huge, shaded playground surrounded by restaurants with patios.
Central Texans who want to take a short drive to a beautiful beach can look no farther than Mustang Island. Port Aransas is at the northern end, and a roadway to Padre Island is on the southern tip.
Built in Adm. Chester Nimitz' hometown, this history-rich museum takes hours to go through. The new George H.W. Bush Gallery opened on Dec. 8, 2009, and includes 33,000 feet of exhibition on its own.
One story below downtown San Antonio, the River Walk is lined with restaurants, bars and shops. The first restaurant on the River Walk opened in 1946.
Built in 1886 as the showplace of a cattle baron, the hotel stands as a landmark of Texas hospitality. The luxury hotel is close to the Capitol, Convention Center and entertainment districts.
The historic residence was built by the French diplomat Alphonse Dubois de Saligny to the Republic of Texas in 1840-41. It became a museum under the Daughters of The Republic of Texas in 1956.
This tree is the last of the Council Oaks, a grove of 14 trees that served as a meeting place for Comanche and Tonkawa tribes. In 1989, the tree was poisoned with herbicide, almost killing it.
There’s a bar. There’s a band. There’s a pool table converted into a chicken coop with a numbered plywood floor. Head there on a Sunday, buy a $2 ticket and watch as Sissy the chicken picks a number.
Artist Bob "Daddy-O" Wade has a big New Orleans Saints helmet that sits on top of the roof overhang of this Cajun restaurant. Who dat who can't find dat football hat?
On the outskirts of town, this dive bar still has all the spirit of Austin. World problems are solved daily at the bar.
This museum in Fredericksburg is huge - it will easily take you an entire day to see all of the exhibits. Among the collection: a Japanese mini submarine used during the attack on Pearl Harbor.
Nonprofit community center provides nature exhibits and natural science education resources. Includes rescued wildlife, such as wild cats, birds and skunks.
'The Story of Texas' museum offers exhibits, theaters, films and interactive computer displays. The museum, which opened in 2001, also has Austin's only IMAX theater.
The presidential library for Lyndon B. Johnson includes the presidential archives with millions of documents, and an extensive museum open to the public.
This 524-acre park was opened to the public in 1990. It has multiuse campsites with water and electricity, walk-in campsites with picnic tables and fire rings, and two miles of river frontage.
Includes several dog-friendly districts within the urban range. It's not fenced in, but dogs can go off-leash if they are behaving.
Loose dogs compete with runners and loungers. It’s great for a splash in the lake, and it's leash-free from South First Street to Bouldin Avenue.
A beautiful part of Austin, the greenbelt has a leash-free area from 24th to 29th streets.
The Blanton Museum of Art is a reflection of Austin's eclectic nature: There's something for everyone at this art museum.
You're not in Texas till you've been to the Bullock Texas State History Museum. Here's where you'll learn about every facet of Texas: cattle, oil, space and, of course, the big battles.
"Driving across the Congress Avenue Bridge, you'd never know the world's largest urban bat colony (1.5 million at summer peak) lives under it ... unless you show up at sundown to see them."
This upscale boutique hotel has the perfect location and an even better Austin vibe. The hotel is inspired and themed on the ’60s and ’70s art and music scene.
This hotel owned and operated by the University of Texas has high-quality conference space, upscale rooms and, of course, excellent access to the UT campus.
Austin’s convention hotel is among the finest that Hilton has to offer. It buzzes during the South by Southwest Festival and for dozens of other conventions and festivals year-round.
Nice little par-3 course with enough challenges and teaching moments. Very well maintained.
This short, but challenging course is owned by the City of Leander.
Another mainstay since 1970, Whole Earth has existed for the adventurer and those who are just curious. An outfitter of hiking gear, outdoor living, camping equipment, travel books and more.
An Austin trip isn't complete without visiting an Alamo Drafthouse. Mondo Tees at the S. Lamar Boulevard location is where classic and campy movies are immortalized on tees and award-winning posters.
Mosey on over to Allens Boots on South Congress Avenue and try on true Texan clothing. Tons of Western wear, Stetsons and thousands of boots in every style and color.
A true community-supported grocery selling organic and natural foods, Wheatsville’s mission is to bring its customers what they want.
