"Exploring The Hill Country"
NEARBY:
~Over 30 excellent Gourmet family friendly restaurants, shopping, groceries, parks within 2-3 miles of The Guesthouse
~7 mi to Downtown, Zilker, UT campus, 6th Street, Rainey, Congress Ave!
~20 minutes to first stop-Day trip Hill Country Wineries w/ over 60 Vineyards and tasting rooms!
~THE AREA is rated in the TOP TEN WINE DESTINATIONS IN THE COUNTRY!
~"Salt Lick" famous BBQ in Drippin’ Springs- on way to/from Wineries
~Parks for Hiking, Cycling, Running, &Nature Trails
-NEARBY: SEVERAL EXCELLENT Neighborhood PARKS with access to River, Hiking, Commons Ford Park in the neighborhood allows dogs w/ leashes on 215 acres
~EXCELLENT ENTERTAINMENT VENUES just a short drive
Hiking
Explore miles of sculpted paths through woods and hill country with Austin's Green Belts, scores of nearby area parks with hundreds of acres, miles of hiking trails with creeks, boulders, waterfalls, grottos, rivers with swimming holes and picnic spots! There's lots of info in "The Concierge Book" in your Suite, or ask your host for more info to fit your group's preferences. You could spend years without stepping foot on the same path. Beautiful roads for cycling at all levels also.
Cycling
Austin is known for its love of cycling! Explore miles of sculpted paths through our forests as well as beautiful roads for cycling at all levels. The road that the property is located on is known to many college cyclists teams as well and was chosen by Lance Armstrong as a training spot before his seven wins! Back in the day he was spotted regularly as the owner was building this unique property. Check-in with our team to arrange 2 touring bike rentals, or get info on easy rentals around town.
Swimming
Life revolves around bodies of water in the Hill Country! Hundreds of swimming holes w/ beautiful creeks, rivers, and grottos! Check out Hamilton's Pool or Pedernales Falls, McKinney State Park, Bear Creek, to name just a few. There's historic Barton Springs Cold Springs in Zilker Park just 7 miles from the property for hot summer days.
The Colorado River is great for boating and fishing! Also known as "Lake Austin" in many parts of the city, the few miles up and down the river adjacent to our property are known for being in the TOP TEN BEST BASS FISHING RIVERS IN THE COUNTRY! We have poles for rent (deposit) and fresh worms can be obtained just around the corner at a local convenience store. Teach the kids to fish! Or work for your dinner! ;)
Fishing
Dining
The usually temperate climate year round and overall casual vibe of the area gives rise to hundreds of excellent gourmet restaurants with outdoor, patio seating that allows for space and privacy, with shade trees and ambience. The diversity of the area yields all types of excellent cuisine. BBQ is king, but great steak, Thai, Italian, Sushi, Chinese, Southwest, Tex-Mex, Spanish, French, Southern Soul, Seafood and so much more are not neglected! Curbside pick and carry out are now usual, and as Westlake is very family oriented, the range for budget is also. Details, menus, more info available in "The Concierge Book" in your Suite!
Picnic
Choose one of our "Specialty Picnic Baskets" and head down to the river w/ the owners basket, zip up blanket, chairs, and sundries for a romantic or family picnic! We use only the freshest items with many homemade, and do our shopping discerningly to bring you a product that you'll appreciate and remember! Be sure and order "The Deluxe Picnic Basket" a few days ahead for preparation and delivery to your Suite ahead of your arrival!
Day Trips
So many wonderful Day Trips around Austin and Hill Country it takes a book to describe! From the wineries, distilleries, breweries, to Salt Lick BBQ, LBJ Park, Laguna Gloria, great museums such as the Harry Ransom Center, or Bullock, the Capitol, UT campus, or the shops in Johnson City or Fredericksburg!
Wineries
Did you know that the Hill Country surrounding Austin, TX is now in the TOP 10 WINE DESTINATIONS IN THE WORLD? Too many to count! We have a whole pamphlet on Hill Country Wineries with our 8-10 top favorites for product and quality of scenery outlined in our Concierge Book. Maps are provided and wine glasses in your Suite for purchases that you might bring back to enjoy!
Shopping
There's incredible shopping of all sorts to be had in the area. Everything from local Farmer's Markets and excellent groceries, to upscale department stores. And then of course there's the intriguing Congress Avenue shops, the Hill Country Galleria with its outdoor mall connecting the stores, and the Domain or Arboretum. Several Day trips to surrounding Hill Country locations for flea markets and local genre.
Boating
Bring your boat and trailer to our parking spot on the property or rent your own in the area. We can recommend several places for kayaks, canoes, waterboards, pontoons, racers, party boats, and even swans! There are also several areas along various rivers for tubing in the hotter months!
Painting
Guests are invited to bring their art supplies and sketch around the property or areas of hiking and nature nearby! The Studio of Nina Beall, a professional artist who has shown her work internationally and in many galleries and museums, is located on the property, just a short work from your accommodation! Ask for more info or sign up for a studio visit! It's great for couples or groups; not just fun, but you'll go home with a souvenir or present for a loved one. A small canvas and supplies are available for last minute scheduling. Create something unique!
Yoga
Explore our property and find a spot to practice yoga at your own pace or meditate. Enjoy the Hill Country mountain Canyon views, fresh air and connect with nature. Lots of small groups practicing outdoors in the area w/ distancing and instruction if you'd like.
Outdoor Theaters
While live performances are suspended with the pandemic, there are several drive in theaters for social distancing and fun! Soon there will be many outdoor festivals again! Or if you're booking ahead for the summer, you might be able to enjoy a good performance live at The Long Center, Bass Hall, or One World Theatre. Not to mention all the great venues otherwise around town.
Live Music
Just as soon as possible, Austin will be opening back up for its many live music festivals, ACL, hundreds of great places around town for the famous to the soon to be and talented musicians. Austin is known for its music and entertainment.
Golf & Tenns
There's great golf to be had all over Austin! Only 3 miles from the property is the Barton Creek Resort and Golf Club, and they also have tennis. Book ahead for T times! Lots of great terrain with the course. Additionally there are several other excellent Country Clubs (many do not require membership) to enjoy the sport! Tournaments occur year round, and the weather is great for the sport most months of the year!
Running
Running is a favorite past time in Austin and there's even a F1 in October, and several other marathons year round. But for those that just enjoy the sport in great surroundings, there are hundreds of great tracks and areas, including but not limited to: the Green Belt, Zilker Park with paths all along and around the river, and nearby Hill Country Galleria paths as well as Lakeway park and many others.
Festivals
Austin and the Hill Country are home to some of the worlds'' best and most known Music Festivals! SXSW (South by Southwest) and ACL (Austin City Limits) are both world reknown festivals and folks come from all over the world to particpate, perform, and enjoy all the famous and soon to be famous musicians and artists! It's truly a city of music. And music of all sorts and genres. If you aren't familiar with these festivals, just Google! Music Festivals have been a "thing" in the area for many decades. Going back to the 50's and 60's and beyond when the Kerrville Folk Festival and various clubs such as Armadillo Headquarters were some of the very first stages for such artists as Peter, Paul, & Mary, Janis Joplin, Bob Dylan, Asleep at the Wheel, the Grateful Dead, Bob Seeger, Willie Nelson, and so many more to get their start! Now, the city's festivals are a prestigious gig for up and coming artists as well as those that are world re-known and established!
As soon as we are out of the pandemic, these festivals will thrive again along with the usual great music to be found on a daily basis! Book ahead!
Nightlife
Nightlife and streetlife with food trailers, street fairs, clubs, bars, bands, and wagons, are "Austin central!" It's a thriving whirling array of a variety of all foods, types of music, and people! Most known historically is Austin's 6th street- however it can be a bit rowdy, and many guests prefer Rainney Street with its jazz bars and other open door music scenes where one can enjoy walking from one to the next with ease and great food along the way! Yes, alcohol may be involved, but there are plenty of taxis, Ubers, and Lyft's, along with independent drivers readily available to get you to and from the property safely! There's also the well known comedy club downtown: "Esther's Follies" which is enjoyed by thousands of guests per year for up to date comedy! Did you know that many comedians got their start in Austin as well? Then don't forget to check out what's going on with the University of Texas' "Cactus Cafe" where many greats have risen and returned to delight their fans! 'Just on the UT campus. Any questions? Just ask your host for more info. We can recommend to suit your tastes as well as put you in touch with drivers from the neighborhood that will cater to your needs!
