Spend a day at Zilker
Zilker Park
2100 Barton Springs Road
Austin, Texas 78704
http://zilkerpark.org

With everything from volleyball to kite flying, Zilker is one of the places in Austin where anyone and everyone can have a great time. During the summer on Wednesdays, there is Blues on the Green at Zilker for everyone to enjoy music free of charge. You can also play sand volleyball, walk or bike on the adjoining trail, play Frisbee, or just chill out with a picnic or music on a blanket. If a younger sibling is with you, take a ride of the Zephyr, Zilker’s miniature train that goes around the park.

Go Paddle Boarding or Kayaking at Lady Bird Lake
SUP ATX Paddle Board Rental
1541 West Cesar Chavez St.
Austin, Texas 78703
http://www.supatx.com/rentals

As one of the new trendy Texas traditions, paddle boarding is a favorite on Lady Bird Lake. At SUP ATX, it’s $15 per hour or $35 is for all day, $20 per hour, $40 all day on the weekends. If paddle boarding makes you nervous, opt for kayaking where you sit down and let your arms to the paddling. Out on the water, people get to see Austin in a whole new perspective under all of the bridges and get to experience downtown in a new light.

Go Zip Lining at Lake Travis
Lake Travis Zip Lining Adventures
14529 Pocahontas Trail
Volente, Texas 78641
www.ziplaketravis.com

Afraid of heights? Well, time to get over your fears and have this moment of lifetime. The freedom, the ride, and the beautiful view over Lake Travis. For the price of $109 plus tax, visitors get three hour daytime and nighttime tours and a private beach. They are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and are closed on Tuesdays.

Climb Mount Bonnell
3800 Mt. Bonnell Road 
Austin, Texas 78731
http://austinparks.org/parks/Mount%20Bonnell

As the highest point in Austin, Mount Bonnell has the best view of the sunset cascading down and highlighting the Colorado River. The tourist attraction dates back to the 1850s and is considered the highest point in Austin. But the gorgeous, expansive view comes after tackling a long staircase, about 100 stone steps.

Walk the Hike and Bike trail
Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail
Austin, Texas
www.austintexas.gov/department/ann-and-roy-butler-hike-and-bike-trail

Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail gives hikers the complete Austin scenery. Stretching from east Austin to Riverside Drive and Lakeshore Boulevard, the workout is worth the experience. The fairly new boardwalk on the I-35 section of the trail is worth seeing as it was built over the Colorado River. Whether you clock three or 10 miles, you can enjoy the trees and Austin skyline along the way.

Watch the bats on the Congress Bridge
Congress Bridge Lady Bird Lake
Austin, Texas
www.batcon.org

With the famous bats comes an evening out with your friends in downtown and seeing a million-plus bats flying out at sunset. From March to November, the Mexico free-tailed bats make their nightly debut after sunset. The aerial flight is a 45 to 60 minute free show and is the perfect spectacle to view from the Congress Avenue Bridge, the grassy area below or on the water. Don’t forget your cameras, blankets and bug spray.

Visit Zilker Botanical Gardens
2222 Barton Springs Road
Austin, Texas
www.zilkergarden.org

The garden is the centerpiece of Zilker Park, with 26 fenced acres of different habitats and native, hybrid and exotic plants. Walk through the rose and herb gardens, visit the Pioneer Village and take pictures at the Butler Window, a historical arch from the 1887 home of brick manufacturer Michael Butler But don’t miss the beautiful Japanese garden which has bamboo, ponds, stepping stones, Koi fish and a tea house with a view of the Austin skyline.