Adventure Austin

Our Local Expert Says:

With a fantastic Lake Travis view, it's no surprise that this boutique hotel serves as the site of many fairy-tale weddings.

Description:

This collection of villas, each with its own Texas style, is perfect for a romantic getaway or your corporate retreat. Every room overlooks the lake, with many offering balconies. Golfers will enjoy the convenience of three golf courses located nearby and wine lovers will be close enough to walk to the Slaughter/Leftwich winery.

Description:

After being sealed for over 10,000 years, this cave was discovered in 1963 when a group of workers were digging to build a highway overpass. Daily tours are available and last just over an hour. The cave stays a comfortable 72 degrees Farenheit year-round, and features not only beautiful rock formations but also the remains of prehistoric mastodons, saber-tooth cats and other ice age animals. After your tour, enjoy the shaded picnic area with a playscape for children. Its located 24 miles north of Austin on IH 35, exit 259.

Our Local Expert Says:

Though it's a short drive to the outskirts of town, Hamilton Pool Preserve is one of Austin's postcard destinations. It's a breathtaking natural wonder and a great spot for a cool swim.

Description:

Located approximately 30 miles southwest of Austin, Hamilton Pool Preserve appeals to nature lovers in search of swimming, hiking, and birdwatching opportunities. The main attraction is a natural swimming hole formed out of a collapsed grotto. The pool is about 1/4 mile from the parking area, so keep that in mind when you're deciding what to bring. A limestone outcropping, formerly part of the roof of a cave, shades one side of the pool. Depending on recent rainfall, water either drips or flows down the outcropping, creating a refreshing shower for swimmers underneath. Delicate ferns cling to the outcropping, lending the site a tropical flair. Hamilton Pool Preserve is also home to the golden-cheeked warbler, a rare and endangered bird that lives among the area's mixed ashe-juniper and oak woodlands. The hike to the pool is short, but it does include a series of uneven rock steps. Good hiking shoes are recommended. Visitors with physical disabilities should call ahead to arrange assistance. Parking is limited, and the pool is very popular, so try to arrive early. Drinking water and other concessions are not available. Take Highway 71 west through the town of Bee Cave and turn left onto FM 3238 (Hamilton Pool Road). Travel 13 miles to the Preserve entrance, which will be on your right.

Our Local Expert Says:

This location also doubles as the home of the Natural Epicurean Academy of Culinary Arts, many of whose students prepare meals for Casa De Luz on a monthly basis.

Description:

Serving macrobiotic food in a community setting, this restaurant offers natural, organic, vegan meals. One complete, balanced macrobiotic meal is created for lunch and another completely different meal will be offered for dinner. You will not find a menu, as the chef plans meals daily based on the seasons. The cooks work continuously during each meal to keep the fresh food coming, as you may go back for "seconds" as often as you like. The fresh steamed greens with almond sauce are a personal favorite of many patrons. Its environment is spacious and airy with many windows surrounding the dining area. There is even a "silent table" where guests may eat without being disturbed. Check out the weekend brunch where you can explore tofu migas, or spelt pancakes with berries. Meal prices include tax and tip.

Description:

One part vaudeville and one part stinging political/social satire, this place has amused and delighted its guests, as well as the pedestrians who pass by its front-stage windows and observe its goings-on, since the late 1970s. A troupe of multi-talented performers write, act, sing and dance their way across a broad comedic map that pokes fun at our elected officials, celebrity icons, and regular citizens, and the material is constantly being updated. It is not all for laughs, though; a magical act comes on a couple of times per show to startle and captivate your senses. This is a true downtown institution.

Our Local Expert Says:

This small, low-key diner is do-it-yourself when it comes to a wait list. If tables are full, put yourself on the list and keep track of your place. If spots become available at the counter, go for it--those are first come, first served.

Description:

This funky roadside restaurant, located on the grounds of Days Inn University along Interstate 35, provides a hip late-night hangout for all types. Musicians and music fans alike mingle over omelets, breakfast tacos and a full range of diner food. Students are drawn to it because of the late night hours, convenience to UT and affordable menu items. After 2 a.m. there is often a wait while the bar crowd trickles in. The walls are covered with artwork—not anything typical, usually very eclectic or raw pieces are shown. The atmosphere is laid back and casual with diner booths filling the small space.

Description:

See the beautiful sights of the Texas State Capital, Austin, like you've never seen them before by gliding on a Segway. Segways have a platform perched on two wheels with a patented gyroscope balancing system enabling the standing rider to maneuver by tilting forward or backwards while using the steering control on the left side of the handlebar to turn. We offer 7 day a week, 365 day a year guided 2.5 hour Segway tours visiting the Governor's Mansion, the Texas State Capital, the World famous 6th street entertainment district, the new 2nd street shopping district and much more. Our guided Segway tours are informative tours now rated as one of the highest quality tours in Texas. Segway guided tours are ideal for families, visitors, residents and work groups for team building activities.

We currently have a variety of new model Segways in many colors for your enjoyment including the popular XT Off-road models. We believe in safe and fun Segway experiences for all of our guest groups! Reservations are strongly recommended.

Description:

Hippie Hollow Park lies in the basin area of Lake Travis in the Hill Country of central Texas, approximately one-half hour's drive from downtown Austin, The Park features a steep, rocky shoreline and provides some spectacular views of Lake Travis. This heavily-used park, the only clothing optional public park in Texas, is popular for sunbathing and swimming. Hippie Hollow is also the site of Splash Day, a festive, semiannual event celebrating the beginning of spring and the end of summer, hosted by the Gay and Lesbian community.

Description:

For truly exotic food that you won't find at every street corner in Texas, try the subtle cuisine of Persia. In true Middle Eastern style, the reception is warm and welcoming and the menu consists of food evocative of the Arabian Nights - sensuous and bold. The menu highlights are the kashk-o-bademjan; a rich, smoky, baked eggplant starter topped with dry yogurt, mint, walnuts and garlic, and chelo kabob-e-koobideh (ground beef kabob) with chargrilled tomatoes, herbs and onions. The dessert menu has delightful items such as Persian ice cream with rosewater, pistachios and saffron.

Description:

Several Austin restaurants and bars have Live Oak brands (including Big Bark Amber Lager, Live Oak Pale Ale and Live Oak Pilz) on tap. Beer-enthusiasts will appreciate not only the rich malt flavors they find in the tasting room, but also the process behind the brew. The two brewers traveled to Prague to learn ancient techniques, and then developed their own unique process. The free tour, which explains how decoction mash, open fermentation and secondary lagering make Live Oak beers unique, takes about twenty minutes. Free samples follow every tour.

Our Local Expert Says:

With a fantastic Lake Travis view, it's no surprise that this boutique hotel serves as the site of many fairy-tale weddings.

Description:

This collection of villas, each with its own Texas style, is perfect for a romantic getaway or your corporate retreat. Every room overlooks the lake, with many offering balconies. Golfers will enjoy the convenience of three golf courses located nearby and wine lovers will be close enough to walk to the Slaughter/Leftwich winery.