Activity Recommendations
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Concierge Activity Guide Whether you’re planning to spend the day shopping along South Congress, kayaking Town Lake, or checking out the new exhibition at The Blanton Museum of Art, there is plenty to see and do in Austin! We’ve made it easy for you by putting this list together of our favorites. Operating hours of venues may change without prior notice, so please check with Concierge before departing! Feel free to select an activity type below to jump straight to that section, or, keep scrolling down to read the entire list! Select Activity Type: PARKS & TRAILS | CANOES / KAYAKS & SUPS | BOAT TOURS & RENTALS BIKES & SEGWAYS | GOLF | JUST FOR FUN | MUSEUMS | TOURS Parks and Trails LOCATION HOURS ABOUT Ann & Roy Butler Hike 24 hours The iconic waterfront path in the heart of downtown Austin is a & Bike Trail and crushed granite and concrete boardwalk loop with distances of up to Boardwalk 10 miles. Stretching from Longhorn Dam in the Holly Neighborhood Access at Waller Creek to the east to the MOPAC bridge to the west, it meanders along the Boathouse water’s edge and passes by skyscrapers, neighborhoods, ball fields, Zilker Park, Vic Mathias (Auditorium) Shores, and cultural attractions (like the Stevie Ray Vaughan statue). Zilker Park Sunrise - Sunset Zilker Metropolitan Park is considered "Austin's most-loved park." 2100 Barton Springs This 351-acre park is a downtown haven for families and adventurers Road of all ages. The giant playscape, Barton Creek Greenbelt Trail, disc golf course, volleyball courts, and full-service picnic areas are all very popular year-round. The park is also the home of Barton Springs Pool, Zilker Botanical Gardens, and Umlauf Sculpture Garden and Museum. Zilker Botanical 9AM-5PM Located in the northwestern corner of Zilker Park, the gardens Gardens Daily include several displays of local flora, a children’s garden, Japanese 2200 Barton Springs garden, Pioneer Village display, historical artifacts, trails, seasonal Road (Zilker Park) displays, and more. They are closed for major holidays and events in the Park (ACL Fest, Kite Fest, etc). Barton Creek Greenbelt Sunrise – The Greenbelt is a 7.25-mile (11.67 km) stretch of public land that Trail Sunset begins at Zilker Park and stretches South/Southwest to the final Zilker Park Trail Head Daily section commonly referred to as "The Hill of Life" It is famous for the sheer limestone cliff walls, dense lush vegetation, and popular swimming areas. The Barton Creek Greenbelt is truly a treasure for biking, hiking (considered the 7th best hiking trail in Texas), swimming, climbing, and more. You can also get live water condition GO TO TOP OF PAGE For additional details or further assistance, please contact the Concierge at 512-524-4620 or visit the Concierge Desk in the lobby anytime from 8AM-8PM updates at ATX Greenbelt or Greenbelt Now. Reservations are required at this time due to COVID. Mount Bonnell 5AM – 10PM Mount Bonnell overlooks Lake Austin and the 360 Bridge for 3800 Mt. Bonnell Road Daily Instagram-worthy photos. It is an Austin tradition for romantic picnics and proposals. Lady Bird Johnson 9AM – 5PM A major botanic garden and research unit of The University of Texas Wildflower Center Daily at Austin, founded by the late First Lady in 1982. The Center’s 4801 La Crosse Avenue gardens, natural areas and arboretum display more than 800 species of native plants from many of the major ecoregions of Texas Vic Mathias Auditorium 24 Hours One mile from the Fairmont, on the South Side of Lady Bird Lake is Shores one of Austin’s most popular parks. It is the location of a 4.5 Acre 800 W Riverside Drive Off-Leash Dog Park, the Stevie Ray Vaughan statue, Brent Grulke Plaza, and lots of green space dotted with sculptures. It is intersected by the Ann & Roy Butler Hike & Bike Trail and Boardwalk and frequently hosts large events like SXSW Public Concerts and Reggae Fest. Congress Avenue Bat 24 Hours The largest urban bat colony in North America (750,000 - 1.5 million Bridge Mexican free-tailed bats) fly out from under the bridge and head Ann W. Richards Eastward over the Colorado River at dusk each night from March- Congress Avenue November. The observation area at the hike and bike on this side of Bridge the river is my recommended vantage point. Canoes / Kayaks & SUPs LOCATION HOURS ABOUT Austin Rowing Club Fri, Sat & Sun They are in the building at the end of Trinity Street, 6 blocks from the 74 Trinity St, 9AM-5:30PM Fairmont. First-timers and experienced paddlers are accommodated Austin, TX 78701 for kayaks, canoes, and Standup Paddleboards on Lady Bird Lake in Downtown Austin. Guided tours are also available with a reservation. Capital Cruises 10AM – 5PM In addition to the big cruisers, they also have people-powered boats. 208 Barton Springs Daily Canoes are $15/hour, Single Kayaks are $10/hour, Double Kayaks are Road (Hyatt Regency $15/hour, SUPs are $15/one hour or $25/two hours, and the kitschy Hotel) Swan Pedal boat is $15/hour. Zilker Park Boat Rentals 10AM – Zilker Park Boat Rentals, located just downstream from Barton 2100 Barton Springs 4:30PM Springs Swimming Pool, offers kayak rentals, canoe rentals and stand Road Daily up kayak rentals. Rates are $18/hour or $54/day and they only accept cash for payment. A picture ID is required for all boat rentals. Dogs are welcome (bring your own doggie life jacket). Texas Rowing Center 6AM-5PM Located on the north shore of Lady Bird Lake across from Austin High 1541 W Cesar Chavez Daily School. They are an Austin Parks and Recreation Department Street concession. Paddleboards are $20/hour or $45/day. Kayaks are $15/hour or $35/day. Canoes are $25/hour or $55/day. GO TO TOP OF PAGE For additional details or further assistance, please contact the Concierge at 512-524-4620 or visit the Concierge Desk in the lobby anytime from 8AM-8PM Live Love Paddle Sat / Sun They offer kayak and paddle board rentals on Lady Bird Lake with an 1610 E. Riverside Drive 10AM-5PM emphasis on Austin Congress Bridge Bat Tours, Urban Kayaking Tour Friday / Mon of Downtown Austin, Austin Full Moon Kayak Tours, and corporate 11AM – 5PM team building activities. All rentals come with personal flotation devices. Rates are $15-$25 per hour. Boat Tours & Rentals LOCATION HOURS ABOUT Capital Cruises 9AM – 9PM Their all-electric boat fleet offers regular sightseeing, dinner, 208 Barton Springs moonlight, and bat-watching cruises, on Lady Bird Lake. Regular Road (Hyatt Regency public sightseeing and sunset tours are $10/adults, $8/seniors, Hotel) $5/children. The boats can also be chartered with or without a captain. Lone Star Riverboat 10AM – 6PM Daily one-hour Bat Watching Sunset Cruises. The Lone Star Friday 208 Barton Springs Night Moonlight Cruise and The Lone Star Weekend Afternoon Road (Hyatt Regency Sightseeing Cruises are available every Friday night at 10:30PM and Hotel) weekend at 3:00PM. Tickets are $12/Adults, $8/Seniors, $7/Kids 2- 12. All tours are BYOB, and Reservations are highly recommended. Retro Boat Rentals 9:30AM-5PM Located just 6 blocks from the Fairmont their fleet of meticulously Waller Creek Daily maintained and rare classic fiberglass runabout boats from the jet- Boathouse age era (1958-1963), have been made available for everyone to enjoy 74 Trinity St, Austin TX and take out on the beautiful waterways of Lady Bird Lake. They’re 78701 quiet and environmentally friendly, allowing for conversation and to enjoy the fresh air and beauty of Austin. Reservations are required and can be made via their website. Float On Boat Rentals 9AM-6PM They rent pontoon and ski boats for parties of all sizes. Great rates, Lake Austin: nice boats, and a friendly staff make us the highest rated boat rental 5019 Capital of Texas company in Austin! Mon-Fri $295/2 Hours; Weekends $545/3 Hours Hwy N Lake Travis: Hurst Harbor Marina, 16405 Clara Van Street Riviera Marina 8AM-5PM Located in a quiet cove on Lake Travis Riviera Marina prides 14297 FM2769, Daily themselves on renting quality boats and personal watercraft with the Leander, TX 78641 option to have a driver as well. They have many types to choose from including ski boats, pontoons, runabouts, party barges and jet skis. They have the boat you want for a great time one the water. VIP Marina 9AM-5PM Located on Lake Travis they have a wide range of watercraft for rent 16107 FM 2769, Daily at excellent rates. They have Competition Ski Boats of various levels Leander , TX 78641 that include a choice of tubes, skis, wakeboard, or kneeboard. Their Tritoons combine the ease of pontoon boats with the power to pull wakeboards. All the Pontoons/Tritoons come with stereos and seating for large groups. They also rent SeaDoos (with brakes!), JetSkis, Paddleboards, Yachts, Houseboats, and Party Barges with water slides and coolers. All boat rentals come with life vests. They also have regular weekday specials and half/full day discounts. GO TO TOP OF PAGE For additional details or further assistance, please contact the Concierge at 512-524-4620 or visit the Concierge Desk in the lobby anytime from 8AM-8PM Bikes & Segways LOCATION HOURS ABOUT Austin Bike Tours & Fri-Sun Bike rentals and bike tours tailored to guest desires – day long, sites, Rentals 9AM- 5PM historic districts, craft beer. All rentals come with lights, lock, and 102 1/2 W 3rd Street helmet. Keith and the team will also provide a bike that is appropriately-sized for each rider. Their regular tours cover 7-9 miles and are appropriate for riders of all levels.