There’s a reason the Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail is Austin's busiest trail. The 10-mile loop sweeps along the edges of Lady Bird Lake, with convenient access from downtown hotels, restaurants and shops. Additional miles can also easily be added with the trail's numerous spurs.
From Congress Avenue, about mid-way along the north shore of the lake, walk down the steps behind the Radisson Hotel. Head west a few blocks to the Pfluger Pedestrian Bridge, which is more of a community gathering place than a bridge and offers some of the best views of downtown. Exit the bridge on the south side and head west toward Zilker Park and the glittering, spring-fed Barton Springs Pool, home to the endangered Barton Springs salamander and swarms of cold water-loving swimmers. If you’re hungry, swing by Sandy’s on Barton Springs Road for soft-serve frozen custard, or Chuy’s for a plate of Tex-Mex and a margarita.
Back on the trail, head east again. Just before you get back to Congress Avenue (this time on the south side of the lake, behind the Hyatt Regency Austin), you can take a break from walking and rent a swan-shaped paddle boat or a water bike. Finished with that, keep walking east. When you get to Congress Avenue, look up. At dusk on summer evenings, streams of bats unfurl from the beneath the bridge on their nightly mission to eat mosquitoes and other insects.
Feel like shopping? Detour off the trail and walk south a mile on Congress Avenue to a strip of shops that includes Allen’s Boots, where you can buy authentic Western wear.
Back on the Butler Trail, keep going east to the boardwalk, where you can get another perspective on downtown. Some folks bring along fishing rods and cast their lines from bulb-shaped pullouts on the trail.
You’ll pass an exercise station as you follow the trail toward Pleasant Valley Road, where the trail crosses the lake and swings around toward Festival Beach. The lagoon here is popular with paddlers. When you cross beneath Interstate 35, look right for the Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center at 600 River Street. The center (admission is free) offers arts classes and hosts special events that promote the Latino culture.
A few more blocks and you’re back to Congress Avenue. Peel off the trail here and head north to see the historic Driskill Hotel (stop by the bar on the second floor) or continue on to the Texas State Capitol, 1100 Congress Avenue, built of pink granite quarried from a site north of Austin. The capitol, modeled after the United States Capitol in Washington D.C., is open to the public and offers free tours.
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Historic downtown full-service hotel with bars and restaurant, located on Sixth Street, a popular entertainment district.
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Interior Mexican food and margaritas located on bustling shopping strip.
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Hometown southern food served up with a helping of Austin¿s vibrant music scene.
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Traditional Tex-Mex restaurant located near Zilker Park and Barton Springs Pool downtown.
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Museum on the University of Texas campus that includes exhibits on dinosaurs, fossils, gems and natural science.
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Features collections related to 36th president of the United States.
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The seat of government for the state of Texas; free tours.
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Museum that honors city¿s African-American history; theater, dance studio and library.
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Offers classes, arts and education related to preservation of Mexican-American culture.
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Oldest building in Austin; collections include objects belonging to Alphonse Dubois and Robertson families.
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The museum¿s collection spans 4,000 years of Texas history, including the French shipwreck LaBelle, the Mexican Revolution, the Civil War and more.
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Library of information about history of Austin and Travis County.
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Spring-fed swimming pool at Zilker Park, in the center of Austin.
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