If it's in Texas, it must be bigger and better. That is the motto that architects followed with the Capitol Building in Austin. At one time, it was the tallest capitol building in the nation. Others might be taller now, but this is still a beautiful building that shows off many of the natural resources which are so prevalent in Texas, such as limestone and the landscapes.
Treaty Oak Distillery is named after the famous 500-year old tree in Austin under which Stephen F. Austin signed agreements defining the borders of Texas. Family & dog-friendly distillery with tasting room & craft cocktails made with Treaty Oak spirits.
For anybody interested, this could be a great experience for those new to Austin, Texas or those that just love music. It is, after all, considered the Live Music Capital of the World! There are 8 stages with more than 125 performances. For those not inclined to attend, please be mindful of timing and the areas of town that are expected to be more congested than usual even on the days leading up to the weekend. Please plan accordingly during our weekend of celebration!
Starting in late March and continuing through early fall, North America's largest urban bat population calls Austin home. The bats begin to wake up and start their night flight around sunset. The first few bats begin to trickle out from under the bridge then. After the sun sets, the show really begins, and hundreds to thousands of bats pour out and cascade East over Lady Bird Lake. The best time to witness the bats is around sunset, but the nightly show can take place anywhere from 7:30 to 9:45 p.m. It can take as long as 45 minutes for all of the bats to exit the bridge for the night. Plan to arrive early in order to find parking and get your spot.
There are quite a few popular food trucks in Austin. This is an outdoor eating destination featuring a wide variety of food trucks, plus retail vendors. However, there are food trucks located all through Austin so have a blast exploring and happy eating!
McKinney Falls is a 641-acre park features over 80 campsites, including developed (RV) and hike-in sites. Screened shelters, group shelters and a group dining hall are also available. Outdoor recreation opportunities include hiking, mountain biking, bicycling, swimming, birding and wildlife observation. Onion Creek, which flows 1.7 miles through the park, offers both swimming and fishing opportunities.
Hamilton Pool Preserve is a historic swimming hole which was designated a preserve by the Travis County Commissioner's Court in 1990. Located 3/4 mile upstream from its confluence with the Pedernales River, Hamilton Creek spills out over limestone outcroppings to create a 50 foot waterfall as it plunges into the head of a steep box canyon. The waterfall never completely dries up, but in dry times it does slow to a trickle. However, the pool's water level stays pretty constant, even during periods of drought. The preserve is also home to a variety of native birds, fish, animals and plants. Reservations are required to enter Hamilton Pool Preserve during peak summer months, May-September.