Activities in Texas
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Zilker Zephyr
The Zilker Zephyr miniature railroad has trains that make the 25-minute, 2-mile ride along Barton Creek and Town Lake year-round. They leave the depot near the playground every hour on the hour weekdays and every 30 to 40 minutes on weekends.
reviewed
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Barton Springs Pool
Hot? Not for long. Even when the temperature hits 100, you'll be shivering in a jiff after you jump into this icy-cold natural spring pool. Draped with century-old pecan trees, the area around the pool is a social scene in itself, and the place gets packed on a hot summer day.
reviewed
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Deep Eddy Pool
- Austin, USA
- Activities › Other
With its vintage 1930s bathhouse built as part of the Works Progress Administration, Texas’ oldest swimming pool is fed by cold springs and surrounded by cottonwood trees. There are separate areas for waders and lap swimmers.
reviewed
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Zilker Park Boat Rentals
- Austin, USA
- Activities › Other
Zilker Park Boat Rentals, just downstream from Barton Springs Pool, rents 17ft canoes and open-deck ocean kayaks. It also has maps and will describe the best routes. The price includes paddles and life jackets; arrive early on the weekends before the boats are all gone.
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McAllister Park
For a taste of the Hill Country without venturing outside the city limits, head to the 850-acre McAllister Park. It has about 7 miles of trails for walking and cycling; one of the trails is also wheelchair-accessible.
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Mary Moore Searight Metropolitan Park
- Austin, USA
- Activities › Other
Disc golf is big in Austin. One place to putt is the Mary Moore Searight Metropolitan Park, a South Austin fave just over a mile west of I-35 (exit Slaughter Lane).
reviewed
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SeaWorld
A curious combination of marine mammals and roller coasters, SeaWorld San Antonio is home to both Shamu the killer whale and 'Great White,' an inverted 'heels-over-head' roller coaster. Numerous opportunities arise to get wet – which is a welcome relief during the hot summer months – including the Shamu show, three different water rides, and the Lost Lagoon Waterpark, which is included in your admission. Animal feedings and shows take place at scheduled times, so plan your day to make sure you don't miss out. Check the website for behind-the-scenes tours; parking is $15.
reviewed
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Chinati Hot Springs
- Texas, USA
- Activities › Other
West of Lajitas, Rte 170 hugs the Rio Grande through some of the most spectacular and remote scenery in Big Bend country. This river road takes you up and down through a rugged landscape of low desert arroyos, sweeping vistas and stony mountains - at one point there's a 15% grade, the maximum allowable. Keep going past Presidio (50 miles, 1½ hours) and 35 miles west, just past Ruidoso, and you'll come to the turnoff for Chinati Hot Springs. Locals love the isolation of the outdoor tubs, campgrounds (campsites $15, bathing included) and cabins ($75 to $115).
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Wyler Aerial Tramway
Sure, you'd feel a sense of accomplishment if you hiked to the top of the Franklin Mountains. We're not suggesting you take the easy way out (or are we?) but it only takes about four minutes to take a gondola to the top.
reviewed
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Balmorhea State Park
- Texas, USA
- Activities › Other
Swimming, scuba diving and snorkeling are the attractions at the 46-acre Balmorhea State Park, a true oasis in the west Texas desert. The swimming pool covers 1.75 acres, making it the largest spring-fed swimming facility in the US, 25ft deep and about 75°F year-round. The park is at Toyahvale, 5 miles south of the town of Balmorhea (pronounced bal-mo-ray), which itself is just off I-10 and midway between Pecos and Fort Davis on Hwy 17.
reviewed
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San Antonio Grand Sightseeing Tour
8 hours (Departs San Antonio, Texas)
by Viator
Discover the origins of San Antonio on a sightseeing tour featuring sights including the Alamo, Mission San Jose and the Japanese Sunken Gardens.You'll visit…Not LP reviewed
from USD$56.79 -
Fiesta Texas
This popular theme park has plenty of rides that you must be ‘this tall’ to ride, for grown-ups to lose their lunch over. There are more than 25 kids’ rides for the vertically challenged, as well as swimming pools and water rides over in the White Water Bay area (open May to September). The setting – against a limestone quarry that looks similar to the Arizona desert – is dramatic, and there’s plenty of music and shows. Parking is $15.
reviewed
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Fall Creek Vineyards
- Texas, USA
- Activities › Other
A well-known vineyard is Fall Creek Vineyards, located just over 2 miles north of the town post office in Tow, close to Llano and perched beautifully on the shores of Lake Buchanan. Now in its 28th year, Fall Creek churns out several different French- and German-style varietals, including a popular chenin blanc and a tasty Riesling. The winery offers a colorful, modern tasting room as well.
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SeaWorldreg; San Antonio
Flexible (Departs San Antonio, Texas)
by Viator
Spend the day at SeaWorld® San Antonio, and come face-to-face with the ocean's most fascinating marine animals. With over 30 attractions, shows and rides, this…Not LP reviewed
from USD$57.99 -
Houston CityPass
Varies (Departs Houston, Texas)
by Viator
Enjoy Houston’s premier attractions at one amazing low price! See the Space Center Houston, Downtown Aquarium, Houston Museum of Natural Science, Houston Zoo…Not LP reviewed
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Bicycle Sport Shop
Reserve ahead and rent a bike (from $22 for a half-day). A free PDF map brochure of all bicycle routes in Austin is available online at www.cityofaustin.org/bicycle.
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Ultimate San Antonio Segway Tour
2.5 hours (Departs San Antonio, Texas)
by Viator
This ultimate Segway tour of San Antonio is the best way to see all the city’s highlights and learn some interesting history. Follow your knowledgeable guide to…Not LP reviewed
from USD$63.79 -
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Rowing Dock
- Austin, USA
- Activities › Other
Named after former first lady Lady Bird Johnson, Lady Bird lake kind of looks like a river. And no wonder: it’s actually a damned-off section of the Colorado River that divides Austin into north and south. Get out on the water at the Rowing Dock, which rents kayaks for $10 to $20 per hour and water cycles for slightly more.
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Grapevine Vintage Railroad
FromGrapevine Vintage Railroad you can catch an hour-long 'Trinity River' tourist train ride, but the scenery's dismal. It's more fun - and free - to gather with the others by the roundhouse a few minutes before scheduled departure, put your penny on the track and pick it up after you watch the steam locomotive smash it.
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Mellow Johnny’s Bike Shop
- Austin, USA
- Activities › Other
You know you’re in good hands when you rent a bike from Lance Armstrong. Located right downtown, Mellow Johnny’s Bike Shop is co-owned by the seven-time Tour de France winner. It rents high-performance bikes as well as commuter bikes, and offers free guided bike rides (check the website for a schedule).
reviewed
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Texas Motor Speedway
Have yourself a NASCAR experience at Texas Motor Speedway. The annual stock-car race is in November, but year-round you can ride along at more than 150mph (four laps $125) or go to driving school (10 laps $345) with Team Texas. The speedway is 20 miles north of downtown, on I-35 W.
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Lajitas
- Texas, USA
- Activities › Other
Lajitas looks like a town but is actually all one resort. On-site outfitters arrange adventures - overnight horse riding/posh camping trips, Colt 45 target shooting, etc. Afterwards you can rejuvenate at the spa, dine on upscale Tex-Mex and listen to live music on weekends at the Thirsty Goat.
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Crazy Cat Cyclery
Crazy Cat Cyclery is the best source of local cycling information and equipment. Some of the city’s best mountain biking is five minutes away, and they’ll point you in the right direction and sell you a map if you’d like one. They also offer scheduled group rides led by enthusiastic cyclists.
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Rio Bosque Wetlands Park
Rio Bosque Wetlands Park offers walking tours several times a month. A network of natural surface trails weaves through the wetlands and a fully paved loop trail is in the works. It is really hard to find, so call to get directions, but it’s worth the adventure because of the birds to see.
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Austin Ghost Tours
- Austin, USA
- Activities › Tour
Austin Ghost Tours take visitors on tours of haunted buildings and streets in areas including the Old Pecan St District or Warehouse District. Downtown ghost tours last 90 minutes, usually departing around 8:30pm from the Moonshine Patio Bar & Grill, on Red River St.
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