Guidebook for Austin
Parks & Nature
If you're into short, comfortable, shaded hikes with plenty of opportunities to dip your toes into cool water, check out Balcones District Park. I’ve been there several times but only recently discovered the section of the trail that dips into the creek with all the waterfalls.
Every time I don't want to go outside because I’d rather be comfortable at home, I tell myself,
“Hey. Just take a step out your door. If you don’t want to go once you’re outside, you can step back in.” I often don’t feel good so this conversation happens quite often. However, once I get out and get going, my mental state improves and I’m glad I did. Cheers, fellow hikers.
9 명의 현지인이 추천하는 곳
발코네스 지구 공원
12017 Amherst DrIf you're into short, comfortable, shaded hikes with plenty of opportunities to dip your toes into cool water, check out Balcones District Park. I’ve been there several times but only recently discovered the section of the trail that dips into the creek with all the waterfalls.
Every time I don't want to go outside because I’d rather be comfortable at home, I tell myself,
“Hey. Just take a step out your door. If you don’t want to go once you’re outside, you can step back in.” I often don’t feel good so this conversation happens quite often. However, once I get out and get going, my mental state improves and I’m glad I did. Cheers, fellow hikers.
Today, I made my way to Guerrero Park with the thought, “I want to get outside but be away from people.” Secret Beach was just what I needed. The new environment helped me form new thoughts. Better, more positive ones.
I was welcomed by a canopied area with hundreds of broad-leafed plants. It felt like a prehistoric jungle. If you like quiet spaces, I recommend checking it out. I went out there alone on a Tuesday afternoon. It was just me and a small family wading in the water. I felt lonefort, a mixture of loneliness and comfort.
I felt alone being there by myself but comforted by the beach. It reminded me why I get outside. Nature gives me perspective. When I’m inside my house, I’m inside my mind. Open spaces create room for new thoughts. At the very least a distraction.
I can get into negative thinking patterns but when I'm outside, I'm forced to look at things, listen. The familiar sounds in my head take a backseat for a moment. Of course, when I go back home, I may feel some of the same things if I choose to focus on the same thoughts, but for a moment, I enjoy the shift in focus.
If you’ve been to Secret Beach, I think you might understand when I say, “There’s something different about this place.” Even though I know the city is just behind the tree line, it’s remarkably quiet. The lack of noise helped me pause for a moment and tap into myself. I also tapped into whatever was inside and between the trees, the river, and the sky. The wind blew gently, telling me, “Take a moment for yourself. You can get back on the trail anytime.”
I took some deep breaths and thought about all the things I don’t have. All the ways my life isn’t where it should be, etc. I cried. It felt good. I felt peaceful. The great thing about nature is that it will never give you unsolicited advice. It just listens.
40 명의 현지인이 추천하는 곳
Secret Beach
Today, I made my way to Guerrero Park with the thought, “I want to get outside but be away from people.” Secret Beach was just what I needed. The new environment helped me form new thoughts. Better, more positive ones.
I was welcomed by a canopied area with hundreds of broad-leafed plants. It felt like a prehistoric jungle. If you like quiet spaces, I recommend checking it out. I went out there alone on a Tuesday afternoon. It was just me and a small family wading in the water. I felt lonefort, a mixture of loneliness and comfort.
I felt alone being there by myself but comforted by the beach. It reminded me why I get outside. Nature gives me perspective. When I’m inside my house, I’m inside my mind. Open spaces create room for new thoughts. At the very least a distraction.
I can get into negative thinking patterns but when I'm outside, I'm forced to look at things, listen. The familiar sounds in my head take a backseat for a moment. Of course, when I go back home, I may feel some of the same things if I choose to focus on the same thoughts, but for a moment, I enjoy the shift in focus.
If you’ve been to Secret Beach, I think you might understand when I say, “There’s something different about this place.” Even though I know the city is just behind the tree line, it’s remarkably quiet. The lack of noise helped me pause for a moment and tap into myself. I also tapped into whatever was inside and between the trees, the river, and the sky. The wind blew gently, telling me, “Take a moment for yourself. You can get back on the trail anytime.”
I took some deep breaths and thought about all the things I don’t have. All the ways my life isn’t where it should be, etc. I cried. It felt good. I felt peaceful. The great thing about nature is that it will never give you unsolicited advice. It just listens.
68 degree water year round. perfect for a hot day. don't go to the pool. it's a concrete container. Go to the free section of the spring. Great energy. Also known as the heartbeat of Austin. Once there, you'll understand why people love it here.
2454 명의 현지인이 추천하는 곳
바턴스프링스 시립 수영장
2131 William Barton Dr68 degree water year round. perfect for a hot day. don't go to the pool. it's a concrete container. Go to the free section of the spring. Great energy. Also known as the heartbeat of Austin. Once there, you'll understand why people love it here.
unique hike with abandoned cars, creeks, and limestone cliffs.
My friend Ana has lived her entire life in Austin but neither she or I have been to Bull Creek trail. It’s quite lovely and there's lots to explore. We marveled at all the people out and about enjoying themselves. It was a very nice day, a bit warm but with all the trees, it was shady and comfortable. The trail also crossed a shallow creek a few times so we took off our shoes to cross. The cool water was refreshing and we nodded to families wading in the water.
When we crossed the highway underpass there were less and less people until we stumbled upon a lone man and his dog. He had pitched a tent next to him and I had the thought, “Huh. Interesting place to make a home but makes sense. I’d much rather sleep here than under a bridge.”
I wondered if he was traveling or homeless and had found a quiet spot for himself by the water. With the tent ban, I was curious if he’d moved here recently.
I've been homeless before so I can relate to the resourcefulness required to survive outdoors. Things I often take for granted now, like safety and privacy, were things I actively sought out on a day to day basis. I marveled and admired his location of choice.
We talked to him for a bit, shot the shit about the nice, cool weather and water. Then, when I took a second look at his tent, I realized it was not his tent. In fact, it was not a tent at all, but an abandoned Volkswagen van lodged in the middle of the trail.
Later when Ana and I kept walking, I learned that she also thought it was a tent. Perhaps having never seen a van in the middle of a hiking trail before, our brains interpreted this nebulous blue object as someone's tent. I found it interesting how quickly she and I both made the same assumption.
The tent ban has been in the news lately and both of our brains made the assumption the lone man and his dog were homeless when he was probably just another hiker.
I had the thought, “maybe what I believe, isn't always true,” For the sake of safety or making sense of the world, my brain creates its own meaning and I might want to take a second look.
I don't know what compelled me to share with the stranger my inner thoughts, but I said, “you know, what's funny. When I first walked up I thought you were homeless. And this was your tent.”
He grimaced and replied, “ Do I look homeless? Besides, if I were. What kind of person would pitch a tent in the middle of a trail? Do I look like some kind of idiot?” Then he walked away.
There I went making my second assumption, that he would appreciate my misunderstanding.
Ana was quiet. I felt a need to say something.
“You know, Ana…” and she immediately interrupted me.
“Dao, maybe try not saying anything?”
And I thought to myself, “yeah, maybe just listening might work better today.”
16 명의 현지인이 추천하는 곳
Bull Creek Greenbelt Upper
6958 Old Spicewood Springs Rdunique hike with abandoned cars, creeks, and limestone cliffs.
My friend Ana has lived her entire life in Austin but neither she or I have been to Bull Creek trail. It’s quite lovely and there's lots to explore. We marveled at all the people out and about enjoying themselves. It was a very nice day, a bit warm but with all the trees, it was shady and comfortable. The trail also crossed a shallow creek a few times so we took off our shoes to cross. The cool water was refreshing and we nodded to families wading in the water.
When we crossed the highway underpass there were less and less people until we stumbled upon a lone man and his dog. He had pitched a tent next to him and I had the thought, “Huh. Interesting place to make a home but makes sense. I’d much rather sleep here than under a bridge.”
I wondered if he was traveling or homeless and had found a quiet spot for himself by the water. With the tent ban, I was curious if he’d moved here recently.
I've been homeless before so I can relate to the resourcefulness required to survive outdoors. Things I often take for granted now, like safety and privacy, were things I actively sought out on a day to day basis. I marveled and admired his location of choice.
We talked to him for a bit, shot the shit about the nice, cool weather and water. Then, when I took a second look at his tent, I realized it was not his tent. In fact, it was not a tent at all, but an abandoned Volkswagen van lodged in the middle of the trail.
Later when Ana and I kept walking, I learned that she also thought it was a tent. Perhaps having never seen a van in the middle of a hiking trail before, our brains interpreted this nebulous blue object as someone's tent. I found it interesting how quickly she and I both made the same assumption.
The tent ban has been in the news lately and both of our brains made the assumption the lone man and his dog were homeless when he was probably just another hiker.
I had the thought, “maybe what I believe, isn't always true,” For the sake of safety or making sense of the world, my brain creates its own meaning and I might want to take a second look.
I don't know what compelled me to share with the stranger my inner thoughts, but I said, “you know, what's funny. When I first walked up I thought you were homeless. And this was your tent.”
He grimaced and replied, “ Do I look homeless? Besides, if I were. What kind of person would pitch a tent in the middle of a trail? Do I look like some kind of idiot?” Then he walked away.
There I went making my second assumption, that he would appreciate my misunderstanding.
Ana was quiet. I felt a need to say something.
“You know, Ana…” and she immediately interrupted me.
“Dao, maybe try not saying anything?”
And I thought to myself, “yeah, maybe just listening might work better today.”
Drinks & Nightlife
Skylark Lounge
2039 Airport BlvdEntertainment & Activities
Blue Cat Café
95 Navasota Stcoffee and cats
Essentials
H-E-B
5808 Burnet Rdbusiest after 10AM so go early! it's a huge supermarket.
Sightseeing
다렐 K 로얄-텍사스 기념 경기장
2139 San Jacinto Blvdmakes you feel small
there is an awesome fountain there along with interesting architecture and a free museum about LBJ
240 명의 현지인이 추천하는 곳
린든베인즈존슨도서관및박물관
2313 Red River Stthere is an awesome fountain there along with interesting architecture and a free museum about LBJ
Mueller Farmers' Market
2006 Philomena Stlively sunday morning market