Did you know that Austin is home to the largest urban bat colony in North America? From March through November, spectators convene on and below the South Congress Bridge to watch up to 1.5 million bats spiral into the night sky. Peak bat-watching time is every evening from 7:00-8:00pm. Get there early to stake out your spot!

Located in South Austin just minutes from downtown, our much beloved Greenbelt features miles of beautiful hiking trails, with designated areas for mountain biking, rock climbing, and swimming.

Swimming outside in April? You know it! Here in sunny Austin we swim year-round at Barton Springs Pool, a natural, spring-fed pool maintaining a brisk 68 degrees. The three-acre pool is surrounded by grassy slopes, perfect for lounging and people-watching.

Ask Austinites why they love living here and they’ll tell you about our abundance of outdoor spaces. In the heart of downtown Austin is Lady Bird Lake, surrounded by 10 miles of trails ideal for running, cycling, and leisurely bird-watching. Want to get off the trail and into the water? Kayak, canoe, and paddleboard rentals are readily available at multiple locations.

No stay in Austin would be complete without a trip to our iconic SoCo neighborhood. Located just south of downtown, this stretch of South Congress Ave is packed with unique music venues, street art, galleries, boutiques, bars, and restaurants. To plan your visit, check out Doing the Streets: South Congress.