Things To Do In Lakeway

Barton Creek Greenbelt – This is easily one of the most popular hiking trails in the city. Unfortunately, it has been many moons since water was at bottom of the greenbelt, but it still makes for a great hike. There are over seven miles of trails that you can hike, run, or bike. The hike is nothing too strenuous but it will certainly get your heart rate going. Dogs are allowed and will love to accompany you on this hike. 3755-B Capital of Texas Highway Austin, Texas 78704 St Edward’s Park – This is one of my favorite parks and hiking trails in town, and it’s great for dog owners. The trails are off-leash and dogs love that! It’s the perfect distance for a mid-range hike (about three miles), and Bull Creek runs through it, giving your furry friend a perfect place to cool down. There are two different trails and both of them are pretty easy walks, and kids and adults should both be able to enjoy them without any real difficulty. The one I've traveled is the 'Creek Trail'-  the 'Hill Trail' may prove to be a little more challenging. Of the countless adventures I've had there, it's never been too crowded, and the scenery is some of the best in Austin; very peaceful and relaxing. I once ran into a couple riding horses, and it was the last thing my dog and I were expecting- so fair warning! 7301 Spicewood Springs Road Austin, Texas 78759 Shoal Creek Greenbelt – You can take this trail from its starting point on 34th Street, all the way down to Lady Bird Lake. It follows along Shoal Creek (imagine that) right through Pease Park, and onto to the Lady Bird Lake Hike and Bike Trail. The terrain on the Shoal Creek Greenbelt has much more of a 'trail' feel to it than Lady Bird Lake. It certainly isn’t too difficult of a hike, and it has great scenery. I also like this trail because there's not as much foot traffic on it as the Lady Bird Lake trail. 2600 N Lamar Blvd, Austin, Texas 78705 Mount Bonnell – Okay, so this isn’t much of a hike in the traditional sense, as there are only about 100 stairs that you need to climb to reach the summit, but once you are on top, what a view. You’ll discover 360 degree views of downtown, and you can see everything from the 360 bridge to the University of Texas Tower. You can also bypass the stairs and take the 0.3 mile trail to the top if you prefer. For the best experience, plan your visit so you can watch the sunset. 3800 Mount Bonnell Road Austin, Texas 78731  Bull Creek District Park – I really enjoy the scenery here. There are several different routes you can take when exploring, and some of them are more treacherous than others. I find myself always spending more time here hiking and exploring than planned. I'll set out on a one hour adventure, and won't make it back to my car for several hours, which is just fine with me. 6701 Lakewood Drive Austin, Texas 78731

Let’s face it. First dates are awkward in general. However, they tend to be SUPER AWKWARD when you um, well you know, “met” online. So unless you’ve been blowing up each other’s Facetime/Skype/(insert other video chat app here) and feel comfortable with said person, I suggest you do something other than rely on conversation and alcohol for your first real encounter, and with some many great things to do in Austin, it will be easy to find that perfect first date activity. Check out my suggestions below: Express Your Creativity Art & Soul, Austin’s newest art studio, has taken the ATX by storm with it’s twist to the traditional art class. Not only are they open 7 days a week, but they are also open to 10pm every evening, making catching a “Creativity & Wine” class very do-able after work or on the weekend. During the class, you and your date will create a beautiful acrylic painting, step by step, while also learning the history of the artist and masterpiece you are recreating. The class is BYOW (Bring Your Own Wine) and caters to all levels of artists so no experience is necessary. Fitness Fanatics They say the couple who sweats together, stays together right? If both of you have fitness as a common denominator, why not have fall back on that for a first date? It’ll be an awesome way to bond and test your actual, real life chemistry, because nothing brings out a person’s character more than when they’re faced with physical challenges. If running around Town Lake or hiking Mt. Bonnell seems a little too easy, I suggest taking an indoor cycling class at RIDE Austin or trying out rock climbing at one of Austin Rock Gym’s various locations. Both places have lots of different options regarding time and level of experience, so you can have the freedom to choose how easy or how challenging you’d like the experience to be. Word to the wise however, maybe inform your partner beforehand of what the date involves instead of doing the whole, “meet me here, text me when you get here” thing. I’d hate for your date to show up in their best heels/best outfit, hair done, etc. only to find out you’re going cycling or rock climbing. Oops. Movie Buffs If you’ve done a sufficient background check (Facebook stalked, Google’d Searched, etc.) and feel like said date is not the next Norman Bates, I’d suggest trying out Austin’s mini-urban drive-in movie venue, The Blue Starlite. As where other modern drive-ins are sprawling, rural affairs, the Blue Starlite happens right in the heart of the city thus making it more exclusive, more personal, and way more convenient. Their movie selections are always crowd pleasers and if you do decide to sit in the pedestrian section, picnics and outside alcohol are welcome. Doesn’t that sound enticing? An evening under the stars, watching an awesome movie, without the glow of a smartphone in sight. Seems too good be true, eh? Well, remember, you still have to acknowledge your date. Music Lovers Did you and your future OkCupid success story bond over the music you listed in your profile? Or maybe you spent countless hours texting about your record collections and how they compare? Whatever the reason is that made you agree to the date in the first place, you should definitely do something that will spark both parties interests and leave you with a better impression of the person. After all, someone can only be SO charming via text right? If music is your thing, go to Austin’s best kept secret, Motown Mondays at One-2-One Bar on South Lamar. Not only will you be able to enjoy live Motown, funk, and soul cover bands all night long but you can show off some of those dance moves that only make their appearance at weddings or family functions. If dancing isn’t your thing, the music itself is enough to go. The bands are amazing and will get your foot tapping to your favorite Motown jam no matter how awkward your date gets. Promise! Just be sure to get there early as it gets VERY packed and parking is limited.

Austin is a city that loves its furry friends. Luckily there are countless activities around town that are fun for both you and your pup. Here are our favorites. Rainey Street: Several of the bars on this recently popular street are dog friendly. Start at Bar 96, it’s a great place to watch games, and they have a massive patio on all four sides of the bar. After a round or two there, head over to Bunglow, where the atmosphere is always laid back. They have beer, wine, and a cocktail menu that suits all tastes and preferences. Lastly, head on over to Bangers Sausage House, where you'll find over 100 beers on tap, and a sausage menu similar to those of the great beer gardens in Germany. They even have a sausage on the menu made especially for dogs, so you both can enjoy a snack. Moontower Saloon: Consider Moontower one massive playground for adults and dogs. I picture this as the type of place you would see people hanging out on Friday Night Lights or Dazed and Confused (Both filmed in Austin). They have live music, sand volleyball courts, corn hole, washer pits, a massive TV (that's either showing games or is hooked up to an old school Nintendo), food trucks, campfires and plenty of booze. All of this fun, and you can bring your dog along too. It’s a win for everyone. 10212 Manchaca Road Austin, Texas 78748 Red Bud Isle: Red Bud Isle is a little slice of doggie heaven. There's plenty of space for your dog to run off leash as you walk the half-mile trail. Throughout the trail there are numerous places for your dog to access the water, so you can stop and play fetch. Red Bud Isle backs up to Lady Bird Lake, and that part of the lake is pretty calm, normally only a few kayakers around. The island is definitely a doggie haven. 3401 Redbud Trail Austin, Texas 78703 Mozart’s Coffee Roasters: After you've tired your dog out at Red Bud, head over to Mozart’s. It's the type of place where you can spend an entire afternoon without realizing any time has passed. They do coffee, pastries, and small snacks, but what makes them so inviting is the massive desk that overlooks Lake Austin. The patio has plenty of tables, is heavily shaded with trees, and they offer free wifi. It’s a great place to get some work done or to be social and grab a cup of coffee with friends. 3825 Lake Austin Blvd. Austin, Texas 78703 Freddie’s Place: Freddie’s Place feels more like you are hanging out in a backyard than a restaurant. Freddie’s is one of those joints that has been in Austin longer than most of its residents. It’s a super casual hangout, and Thursday through Friday they have live music and a happy hour, Monday through Friday from 4 - 7pm. On weekends they have a self-service Bloody Mary Bar from 11am – 4pm. The atmosphere is great for families as well. 1703 South 1st Street Austin, Texas 78704   Bonus Places: Also, check out Red's Porch, House Wine, Black Sheep Lodge, Dog and Duck Pub, Third Base Sports Bar, Little Woodrow's, Snack Bar, and Crown and Anchor Pub. They're all pet friendly (on their patios at least) as well.