McKenna

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

On a recent visit to the in Orlando, my three boys joined forces to play an interactive secret agent game.  Communicating by cell phone with Agent P – the secret identity of Perry the Platypus from the Disney show Phineas and Ferb - they set off on a mission to thwart the evil plots of Dr. Doofenshmirtz.  Racing around Epcot’s World Showcase, tracking down leads and solving clues, my little super spies succeeded in saving the world.  Not bad for a half hour adventure. Back home in Austin, I stumbled upon a similar mobile, interactive scavenger hunt, and knew we had to give it a try. Billed as part game, part city tour, Urban Adventure Quest invites locals and tourists alike to explore downtown Austin, while following clues and solving puzzles.  There is no Dr. Doofenshmirtz, but there are teams, tricky challenges, points, and a race to the finish! All you need for this fun family outing – after paying online to participate - is an internet capable smart phone or tablet.  At the starting point, you log in to the Urban Adventure Quest website and receive the first of 18 challenges.  Each directive sends you in search of a new destination - finding it is part of the challenge - and requires your team to solve a complex puzzle.  By the completion of your quest, you will have traveled two miles and seen a good deal of the city. You will also have learned several fun facts about the history of Austin. Urban Adventure Quest is recommended for ages seven to 70.  The most enthusiastic and helpful member of our team was my 11-year-old son.  Having recently completed the 39 Clues series, he was well versed in decoding with ciphers and unraveling word puzzles.  He mentioned that our downtown quest was similar to the fast-paced books, but “without people trying to kill you.” That’s not to say there isn’t an adrenaline factor. If you are a competitive sort, you will feel pressure to score big points in little time, ensuring that you rank high on the online Leader Board.  There are hints available throughout the Quest, but they will cost you five points a pop.  Bonus questions are also provided, offering the chance to gain 15 points per correct answer. My son got so into racking up points that when we were ready to head home he exclaimed, “Our car wasn’t towed! 15 points!” Urban Adventure Quest is a nice motivator to get out of the house and take a turn as a tourist in your own city.  Even as frequent visitors to the Capitol, my family discovered statues, mosaics, a memorial, and historical markers that we had never noticed before.  If you can tamp down on your competitive spirit, you may even opt to extend your downtown exploration, with a little mid-Quest dining and local shop browsing. But, that’s not the way to dominate the Leader Board!

Baylor Street Art Wall: (pictured above) Often called “graffiti park,” “art wall,” “castle hill,” or “the Foundation,” this is the mecca of graffiti spots in Austin. This property was once slated to be condos, and the foundation was poured but things never moved forward from there. Eventually, local artists used the blank concrete foundation as their canvas. Now it is constantly changing, and you're sure to find new works and old favorites covered up from visit to visit. Street art lovers will easily be able to spend hours exploring the plethora of works. Location: 11th & Baylor Street You’re My Butter Half Mural: Can we get a collective “awwwww?” This is hands down one of my favorite street art pieces in the city. You’ll see all types of people posing here, from couples, to people like me who pose with their pets. Either way, the colors and the message can't help but warm your heart. Location: United Way for Greater Austin Building -
MLK and Alamo Smile Even If You Don’t Want To: You can’t help but smile when you see this mural. Your smile will be even bigger if you treat yourself to a cupcake while admiring this piece. Location: Hey Cupcake –1511 South Congress Welcome To Austin Postcard: This mural was originally completed in 1998 but was recently restored. It’s a South Austin staple, and has served as the backdrop to countless family photos, wedding announcements, print ads and more. Austinites, it’s worth the visit and taking a cheesy photo alongside of it. Location: South First Street & Annie I Love You So Much: This is another mural that has become a staple of Austin. You’ll find the famed "I love so much" on shirts, coasters, and in plenty of Austin related art. Tourists and locals always get a kick out of posing in front of the green wall with one of life’s simplest messages in the background. Location: Jo’s Coffee 1300 South Congress Hi, How Are You?: Most people love it because it's weird and very ‘Austin.’ But here’s a little background info: This piece was commissioned in 1993 and painted on the then Sound Exchange record store. The image is actually the album cover of one of artist Daniel Johnston’s albums. At the time, the image gained national attention as Kurt Cobain was often spotted wearing a t-shit with a “Hi, How Are You?” image on the front. Location: 21st & Guadalupe Street Lamar Street Bridge: This location serves as a billboard for Austin street art as it changes almost weekly featuring specific holiday related images to Lance Armstrong or Mathew McConaughey. Every time I head downtown on South Lamar, I catch my eyes wandering over to the wall to check out the latest attributions. Location: Northbound on Lamar before you get to 5th Street