Energetic, eclectic, and endlessly cool, Austin is a destination like none other. Texas’ capital city has it all: incredible live music venues, brilliant museums, family-friendly adventures, and an amazing food and nightlife scene. In between enjoying Austin’s urban delights and quirky ambiance, take time to explore the city’s natural areas, too. From mountain biking to paddle boarding, Austin is the perfect backdrop for a plethora of outdoor activities. Admire amazing views of the city’s skyline while you stretch in a rooftop yoga session or kayak through downtown Austin. Beat the notorious Texas heat, and cool off by river tubing or wakeboarding on Lake Austin. If you’re in the mood for an exciting challenge, try rock climbing at the Austin Greenbelt, or opt instead for a relaxing day of horseback trail riding out of the city limits. Get outside and check out this list of the top outdoor activities to enjoy in Austin, Texas.
1. Kayak through downtown Austin at sunset (from USD 55.0)
Enjoy the superb beauty of Austin at sunset on this kayak excursion. This fantastic tour is one of the best ways to enjoy the city skyline, and lasts for two and a half hours. As you paddle through downtown Austin, you’ll get to watch the sun dip down over the water, then you’ll head to Congress Ave Bridge for another spectacular sight: bats. Every day between July and November, around 1.5 million bats fly from their home under the bridge into the night sky to search for food. This mass flight is one of the city’s major attractions, and is particularly cool to watch from the water.
Downtown Sunset Kayak with 1.5M Bats!
Duration: 2.5 hours
2. Enjoy yoga from the rooftop of downtown (from USD 35.0)
Soak up the sunshine during your sun salutations, and stretch against the backdrop of Austin’s skyline. This yoga session is the perfect way to relax and unwind, and takes place on a rooftop terrace in the heart of downtown Austin. The yoga session is an hour long, followed by a socializing hour where you can get to know your fellow yogis all while enjoying refreshing mimosas. The yoga session is open to those under the age of 21, but you must be 21 or older to enjoy an alcoholic beverage.
Outdoor Yoga & Mimosas
Duration: 2 hours
3. Go for stand-up paddle boarding at sunset (from USD 49.0)
See Austin from a new angle as you stand-up paddle board through the city’s downtown. This relaxing excursion is a beautiful way to see the city at sunset, as well as witness Austin’s extraordinary bat colony. Austin is home to one of the largest urban colonies of the Mexican free-tailed bat, and each evening in the summer, the bats leave their home under the Congress Ave Bridge in a mass flight. From the water, you’ll get a fantastic view of this incredible event. This excursion lasts two and a half hours, and includes all equipment.
Sunset Paddle Board & Urban Bats-SUP
Duration: 2.5 hours
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4. Go with the flow and float down a river (from USD 69.0)
This excursion is an ideal activity when you’re in the mood to relax. Floating down a river in an inflatable tube is a great way to cool off and unwind, and is a quintessential activity during a Texas summer. This tour takes you out of the city to the nearby town of San Marcos, Texas, where you can launch your tube down a refreshing, spring-fed river, and proceed to just go with the flow. Make sure to bring your own drinks and snacks along for the ride.
River Tubing Float
Duration: 6 hours
5. Tour the Austin Greenbelt on a mountain bike (from USD 99.0)
Traverse the lush landscape of Austin’s Barton Creek Greenbelt on this guided mountain bike excursion. This three hour-long tour is a great way to traverse the lush park and enjoy the spectacular scenery along Barton Creek. The tour covers 5 miles (8 km) area, and includes stops for water and pictures. High quality mountain bikes are provided, as well as snacks and bottled water. Groups are limited up to four participants.
Greenbelt Mountain Bike Adventure
Duration: 3 hours
6. Cruise around on a Segway (from USD 75.0)
Explore Austin by Segway and experience the city at sunset. After an orientation tutorial, you’ll get to cruise about Austin while your experienced guide shares fascinating stories and facts about the Texan capital. Your guide will take you to some of the best spots to admire the skyline, as well as favorite photography spots like Google Fiber’s Peace, Love, and Austin mural. Your final destination of the tour is Congress Ave Bridge, where you’ll get to watch an Austin’s extraordinary colony of Mexican free-tail bats take flight in the evening.
Bats & Skyscrapers on Segways, oh my
Duration: 2 hours
7. Hop on a horse for a scenic trail ride (from USD 185.0)
Explore Southwest Austin on horseback during the scenic trail ride experience. After a meet and greet between the riders and horses, you’ll travel to a beautiful trail area where you’ll begin your ride. Your trail ride with be customized to your experience and comfort with riding, and is a great way to enjoy the splendid beauty of the Texas Hill Country. Halfway through your ride, you’ll get to stop for a picnic filled with lovely snacks and drinks. This small-group tour lasts for four hours, and includes food, transportation, and equipment.
Trail ride in comfort, class & beauty
Duration: 4 hours
8. Try wakeboarding on Lake Austin (from USD 175.0)
Beat the Texas heat and head to the cool waters of Lake Austin. This excursion takes you out on to the water to try wakeboarding, a fun sport in which you stand atop a board while being towed in a boat’s wake. This excursion provides all the equipment, and provides a tutorial in how to master the wakeboard. The tour lasts for three hours, and is limited to groups of eight participants.
Wakeboarding adventure on Lake Austin
Duration: 3 hours
9. Try a unique yoga practice (from USD 16.0)
Start your day with hot yoga and a cold water bath. This revitalizing experience starts at seven in the morning, with a warming yoga routine that includes a Kundalini breath series. After waking and warming the body through energizing poses, you’ll take dips in the cold waters of Barton Springs Municipal Pool. This distinctive combination of activities is an inimitable energizing experience and is sure to start your morning with a boost.
Hot Breath | Cold Bath Yoga
Duration: 1 hour
10. Try rock climbing at Enchanted Rock (from USD 164.0)
Scale the rocks of Austin’s Greenbelt during this beginner-friendly rock climbing course. You’ll begin your day by hiking to the climbing area in Barton Creek Greenbelt, then you’ll learn essential skills and safety techniques, like how to belay and communicate with other climbers during ground school. After gearing up in harness, helmet and climbing shoe, you’ll then get to put your new-found knowledge to use as you begin to climb.
Austin Guided Outdoor Climbing Experience
Duration: Flexible
Get outdoors in awesome Austin
From horseback riding to rock climbing, there’s something for everyone to enjoy outdoors in Austin. Texas’ capital city is an engaging destination for outdoor activities, and you can fill your days with a variety of adventure experiences. Start your mornings with an energizing yoga session, then enjoy the sunset on the water as you kayak or paddle board through downtown. No matter how you want to fill your days, these excursions are great activities to include on your Austin itinerary.
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