Things to Do in Lakeway

Working in teams of two, participants straddle either tandem or single-person bikes at the starting line. Together, teams decipher eight clues hidden in riddles and pictures that will lead them to their next destination. By cycling along bike trails in search of photo ops, the Austin Riddle Ride gives competitors a fun reason to explore their city and get outside beyond the reach of their television sets and codependent couches. Taking part in the Riddle Ride gives a spiritual boost beyond the physical benefit as well because profits from the event will go to Stand Up for Kids, a non-profit that organizes outreach programs to help stabilize homeless youths.

Sky Lanterns are handmade and imported from China, where traditional lanterns have lifted off for centuries and are considered good luck. Packs of pristine lanterns, each about the size of a large beach ball or a 1/100,000-scale model of Jupiter, float peacefully into the sky, propelled by hot air wafting from a small flame within. After about 15 minutes of flight, flames self-extinguish, and the fire-resistant lantern body gently falls and begins to completely biodegrade. Launching Chinese sky lanterns can lend extra pomp and symbolism to events such as memorial services, weddings, and driver’s ed class reunions.

In 1969, Howard Barnett drove past Town Lake and immediately became enamored with its idyllic, tree-lined banks. With the image of the lake’s picturesque scenery still in his mind, the avid outdoorsman decided to open a nearby canoe-rental shop, finding a spot hidden from the road and only steps away from a creek that fed into the lake. With full support from his family, Howard manned the shop in between his shifts for the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department. Today, the Barnetts continue to run Zilker Park Boat Rentals, and Town Lake has since been renamed Lady Bird Lake. The shop now harbors more than 100 rental canoes and kayaks, as well as Ocean Kayak standup paddleboards. While renters embark on outings, their vessels glide them under pendulant branches, the bridge at Barton Springs Road, and past turtles racing to beat their best time for the 100-meter dash.

The Austin Lyric Opera provides noteworthy performances under the careful guidance of renowned American conductor Richard Buckley. Join him and a wide range of potent pipes for an evening of airport-bound drama.

Gain insight into the new year and ask burning questions about your future in the present. With today's side deal, $78 gets you at least an hour of intuitive consulting with Lois ($130 value). Unlike standard crystal-ball types who bombard you with frightful forecasts, Lois takes time to address issues, helping clients work through romantic road blocks, career confusion, and other mind clutter that occurs when someone reaches life crossroads.

Bring in your sketches, napkin doodles, dream journal, or alien-induced mashed-potato sculptures, and Under Pressure's friendly, patient staff will help tease out and refine your idea with a complimentary 30-minute consultation. Under Pressure also keeps a host of its own compositions in case your mind experiences T-shirter's block. Once you've settled on your masterful motif, Under Pressure will whip up a screen and imprint your righteous art onto it using non-toxic, environmentally friendly ink. The resulting design is softer and more sumptuous than a traditional T-shirt screen-print. You'll emerge from Under Pressure with a garment that impresses your friends with your expansive '80s sitcom knowledge or seduces your Valentine with an epic pink narwhal—among other unironically ironic uses.