Moving to a big city like Austin when you are used to a small town can be daunting and a little overwhelming. My first year in Austin I didn’t do anything in the city, simply because I didn’t know what to do and I didn’t know where to start. Since my time as a freshman, however, I have learned some cheap and fun things to do around the city for those days when you just don’t want to stay inside.
Barton Springs
For only $3 (for Austin residents), you can enjoy the cool Barton Springs Pool on a hot summer/fall day. When I say cool, I mean COLD. The water is very chilling when you first get in, but once you get used to the water, it can be quite refreshing. Visiting Barton Springs is not only fun, but can help the community as well. The money you pay to visit the springs goes directly back to the community and to help maintain the pool. There are also signs all around the pool to help teach people about the ecosystem of the pool and the delicate life-forms that live there.
Mount Bonnell
If swimming doesn’t sound fun, you can always go hiking. Mount Bonnell is a great place to hike and get a beautiful view at the same time. Located alongside Lake Austin, Mount Bonnell is a beautiful place to get some fresh air when studying for midterms becomes too much. The trail has been around since the 1850s, and became a historical landmark in 1969. The official address is 3800 Mount Bonnell Rd, and there is parking available so you can drive to the trail and hike the entire 5 acres if you like. And the best part, it’s free!
Congress Avenue Bridge
Every March-November night from 8-9pm, people can gather on this bridge and see hundreds of bats fly into the night sky. You don’t have to pay, and can find a spot anywhere near or on the bridge. It is best to get there early to ensure you get a good spot, and good parking. On the Bats in Austin website there is a guide to parking for the event, but the best (and free) spots are: the Austin American-Statesman’s Bat Observation Center (free parking after 6pm), Colorado River Park (free from 5am-10pm), E Cesar Chavez St. (free parking from 6pm-12am along the street).
Lady Bird Lake
Although swimming is not allowed in Lady Bird Lake, you can canoe, kayak, or paddleboard on the lake. A great rental place for these activities is The Rowing Dock. This is the most expensive thing on this list, at only $15-$25 an hour on weekends and $15-$20 on week days. The Rowing Dock is open Monday-Sunday 8:30am-7:00pm, with the last boat going out an hour before they close. This is a great deal if you want to do a little kayaking, but don’t want to spend the whole day on the water. It is very peaceful to row around the lake for an hour, then go about the rest of your day. Although this does cost a few more dollars, it is a good way to get out of the house and get some exercise, while also enjoying yourself.
Hope Outdoor Gallery
Something to do on a cooler fall day is go to the Austin Graffiti Park. Located at 1008 Baylor St., this is something for more artistic people to do on their day off, though you don’t need to be artistic to enjoy graffiting one of the walls in this gallery. Some things to bring with you are spray paint, gloves, and clothes you don’t mind getting paint on. Other than buying your own paint, this activity is free. Designated parking is tight and mostly on the street, so try to park away from the park and walk to your destination.