Austin Vacations

Austin vacations are popular with visitors who come here for a variety of activities and interests. Many of these activities involve outdoor pursuits available in the numerous parks and wilderness areas in the region, including hiking, mountain biking, and camping. You can even find these activities within the city limits at places such as Emma Long Metro Park and McKinney Falls State Park, both within 30 minutes of Downtown Austin. You can find Austin vacation packages that will take you to these places, where you can even get in some golf on several championship courses.

Austin spa vacations are also quite popular, and some of the best spa resorts are located in close proximity to golf courses. The Barton Creek Golf Resort and Spa is one of these, and has four 18-hole championship courses. You can enjoy Austin spa vacations right in the metropolitan area at the Four Seasons Austin, which is quite close to the Austin Country Club and is set in lush garden grounds on the shores of Lady Bird Lake. In addition to its proximity to the city’s nightlife and major attractions, the Four Seasons is located on one of the other major tourism draws of the region—a lake.

There are seven lakes (reservoirs) created by dams along the Colorado River that flows right through the city. The northernmost lakes include Buchanan Lake, Lake Lyndon B. Johnson, and Lake Travis. Austin vacation packages around these lakes include golfing and spas, as well as fishing, hunting, and camping trips. Austin spa vacations at the luxurious Horseshoe Bay Resort on Lake Lyndon B. Johnson take advantage of the kinds of things a large lake offers. In addition to the elegant spa, the resort has three Robert Trent Jones, Sr. golf courses and a full marina on the shores of the lake. More activities that are popular on these northernmost lakes are boating, waterskiing, and swimming. Because of the hunting and fishing that draws so many visitors, you will find that a significant number of lodging possibilities in this area are vacation rentals, including rustic cabins as well as luxurious villas.

The two lakes within the city limits that provide venues for Austin vacations are Lady Bird Lake and Lake Austin. While there is boating, fishing, and water sports on these lakes, they are the site of generally more subdued and sometimes more sophisticated activities. Austin vacations on these two lakes are apt to include serene kayaking for couples or evening dinner and music cruises on elegant party boats. Some of the things to do in Austin if you are visiting one of these lakes are tours of the city that highlight its history and enjoying the celebrated nightlife and music to be found in places like the Sixth Street Entertainment District.

It is possible to book complete Austin vacation packages that are very economical. These usually include flights to the city and an airport shuttle of one form or another, accommodations in hotels, and perhaps a tour or two. Other vacation packages are targeted to special interests (such as golf or fishing) and arranged for special events. Popular events include concerts and festivals showcasing the rich tradition of music and art in the area, such as the SXSW (South By Southwest) festival occurring in March and the Austin Film Festival in October.