25 Years in Austin Taught Me These Can’t-Miss Experiences

I’ve lived in Austin for 25 years, and after a quarter century of hiking, biking, and breakfast taco eating from downtown to the Texas Hill Country, I have a long list of favorite spots I return to again and again. During a recent stay at The Code Austin in the Zilker neighborhood, my teenage daughter and I took full advantage of our centrally-located condo to enjoy Austin to the fullest. We paddled, swam, museumed, and TexMexed our way around town for two glorious days. We had a blast and know you will, too. Here are my picks for the top things to do in Austin, and beyond. Lady Bird Lake SUP rental from Rowing Dock (Heidi Gollub) The best way to experience Austin is on the water. See the city skyline from Lady Bird Lake atop a stand-up paddleboard, or in a canoe or kayak rental from Rowing Dock. You’ll pass turtles on logs and fish swimming so near you can almost touch them. Swimming isn’t allowed in the lake, called Town Lake by locals, so going early is your best bet in hotter months. My daughter and I rented SUP boards on a Monday morning in June, and enjoyed a peaceful paddle before the sun got too strong. From March to October, you can also join a sunset kayak bat tour to see...