Soak Up Some Sun With These 5 Exciting Outdoor Activities Around Austin

As temperatures continue to rise and summer air rolls into Austin, it's time to get outside! There's no shortage of exciting outdoor activities to occupy your time in the Austin area, so be sure to check out some of our top picks!

1. Lady Bird Lake Hike and Bike Trail
First Street Bridge, Austin

Pump up your bike tires or strap on your hiking shoes, and head out to Lady Bird Lake for an afternoon. There are more than 10 miles of wide, flat crushed granite trails winding along the lake. You can also rent a kayak or canoe and paddle out onto the lake for some more exercise. There's plenty of parking available under the Mopac Bridge, and restrooms are available on-site.

2. Austin Nature & Science Center
301 Nature Center Dr, Austin

Located along the edge of Zilker Park, the Austin Nature & Science Center features raised paths and exhibits showcasing bobcats, native birds, porcupines and more. Most of the animals were either former pets or orphaned in the wild, so they wouldn’t survive without the support of the Nature Center. Admission to the center is free for individuals and families.

3. Cedar Rock Railroad
3005 County Rd, Leander

If you enjoy trains or want to learn more about them, visit Cedar Rock Railroad where you can take a 1.3 mile train ride through forests and fields. The train departs every 30 minutes, and tickets are only $2.75 per person. The train, known as Sophie, was built in Phoenix, Arizona in 2001 and was designed to resemble the historic 1870s and 1880s trains.

4. Chestnut Splash Pad
1404 Chestnut Ave, Austin

Located in a small neighborhood park, the Chestnut Splash Pad is a fun place to take your kids to cool off and splash around in the water. The splash park offers numerous sprinklers, and the surrounding park offers a playground, shaded picnic areas and even a few barbecue grills.

5. Benbrook Ranch Park and Disc Golf Course
Bagdad Rd and Halsey Dr, Leander

Spend a Saturday playing disc golf at this 46.5 acre park, where the course features both natural and manmade obstacles. The park also offers BBQ grills, a playscape for kids and numerous hiking and biking trails.

Where do you like to spend time outside during the summer? Share your favorite parks, walking trails and other outdoor attractions in the comments section below!