Yes, it’s good to be a Lake Travis-ite this summer. Lake Travis is open for business, which makes for exciting summer days and breezy evenings gazing at a beautiful Texas sunset.
As of May 28, 2019, LCRA reported Lake Travis and Lake Buchanan are 97% full. This time last year, we were hovering at 84% full. There’s also more rain on the way for the Texas Hill Country, so we’re going to be happy and full for a while.
Once again, we’ve got your annual Summer Fun Roundup. There’s so much to do and see right in your backyard — how many ‘Fun Things’ will you do?
Here are 30+ fun things to do this summer in Lake Travis.
#30 – Calling all turophiles! If you love artisan cheeses and life on the farm, carve out some time for Pure Luck Farm & Dairy in Dripping Springs. This family owned and operated farm is closed to the public because it’s an operational farm, but they do offer special classes that fill up quickly. Cheesemaking in one of them!
#29 – Make a splash at some of the most popular waterholes in the state of Texas, Hamilton Pool Preserve, Krause Springs, Windy Point Park, and Bob Wentz Park.
#28 – Bounce around – literally! – and test your agility while making a splash at Lake Travis Waterloo Adventures. It is so much fun! Between your time on the floating obstacle course, you can grab a beer and relax lakeside.
#27 – Pick a Sunday to visit one of our local Farmer’s Markets. Lone Star Farmers Market is open at the Shops at The Galleria every Sunday from 10am-2pm. Join TerraPurezza Regenerative Agriculture Institute and Farm at Pedernales Farmers Market every Sunday in Apis parking lot from 10am-3pm.
#26 – Get a bigger boat, ‘because Jaws on the Water is back at Volente for another terrifying summer. Don’t read about it. Just buy your tickets and go, so you don’t spoil the surprises lurking beneath the water.
#25 – Are you familiar with Route 12? If you find yourself in the Dripping Springs area, take a moment to refuel at the new hot spot for food & brew, Route 12 Filling Station. Perfect if you’re day tripping’ at nearby hill country destinations like Dripping Springs Vodka, Treaty Oaks Distilling, Swift Distillery, and Deep Eddy Vodka.
#24 – Praise those noble grapes. No need to fly to Sonoma or Napa when you live in one of America’s top wine regions. right in your backyard. This “To Do” could take the whole summer if you want to visit all of them, so we narrowed the list down to 7 Must-Visit Wineries and Vineyards from Lake Travis to Dripping Springs to Fredericksburg.
#23 – If you aren’t a boat owner, you can still enjoy Lake Travis on a private charter with sailATX. Raise the sail, steer the boat, get hands on. Or sit back with a cold beverage and relax.
#22 – Catch a movie and a swim or enjoy the park with some animated pals. It’s time for ‘Dive-In Movies’ at Lakeway Swim Center & ‘Movies at The Park’ at Lakeway City Park. Every Friday night starting at dusk. ($3 per person)
#21 – Can you name the 8 Best Patios in the Lake Travis area? We can. From sprawling views of the Texas hillside to picture-perfect sunsets on the lake, we’ve gotcha covered. And since we know these patios are swoon-worthy, tag us in your patio photos on Instagram so that we can share them too: @LakeTravisLifestyle
#20 – Escape the summer heat and enjoy a relaxing trip to Alive + Well. This awesome business is four businesses under one cool & chic roof – Elle’s Cafe & Coffee, Hill Country Apothecary, and Drip Drop IV Vitamin Bar.
#19 – Summer is the perfect time for day trippin’ through Texas, so head to Enchanted Rock for picnics and camping under the stars. If “glamping” is more your speed, check out LT’s newest glamping site, Planet Rock in Hudson Bend.
#18 – Make an impromptu playdate for your puppy by visiting one of the local dog parks in the Lake Travis area like Bark Park or Bee Cave Dog Park at Central Park. Plus, you can grab some good eats with your paw-pal at these pet-friendly dining spots.
#17 – Enjoy a sunset up, up, up above Lake Travis at The Oasis or Oasis Texas Brewing Company.
#16 – Long summer = plenty of time to try new restaurants in the Lake Travis area including Jason’s Deli, Crepeful at The Oasis, Toss Pizzeria & Pub and a few others coming soon!
#15 – It’s like running through the sprinklers, but better. Let your kiddos work off some energy at the new & improved splash pad at the Hill Country Galleria. Plus, check out HCG calendar for lots of summer events like wine walks, story times, and their big Independence Day Celebration on July 4th.
#14 – Make it a date night and rediscover the iconic Hudson’s on the Bend that is now Hudson’s Hill Country, boasting traditional fare with a modern twist.
#13 – Lake Travis is home to awesome libraries with plenty of reading groups and activities for all ages. Check out Bee Cave Public Library and Lake Travis Community Library.
#12 – If the summer heat starts getting to you, catch a movie in the A/C at Moviehouse & Eatery at Trails 620 and take advantage of their awesome Deal Days like Mommy Mondays, Well-Seasoned Wednesdays and more.
#11 – Zippity zip! Refer to ‘Fun Things’ #28. Located at the same spot as Lake Travis Waterloo Adventure is Lake Travis Zipline Adventures. You can watch the fun from the waterpark as zip-liners go whizzing by overhead. It’s a must-do duo on the shores of Lake Travis.
#10 – Beer me. Beer you. If you’d like to visit all of the local breweries serving up handcrafted beer, you’d better get started. There are so many to discover: Family Business Beer Company, Infamous Brewing Company, Solid Rock Brewing, Real Ale Brewing Company, Jester King Brewery, Twisted X Brewing Company, and the list goes on.
#9 – The sun’ll come out tomorrow. Catch Annie at TexARTS this summer, July 12 – August 4. Tickets on sale now!
#8 – Don’t forget dad. Father’s Day is Sunday, June 15, 2019.
#7 – A Texas tradition you must experience if you want to call yourself a Texan is doing the two-step in a dance hall. Luckily, we have 5 must-see dance halls nearby including the oldest one in the state, Gruene Hall in New Braunfels.
#6 – Live it up at an exclusive, exotic, hidden destination right here in your backyard. With an apiary. Miraval Austin opened on Lake Travis.
#5 – If you’ve got a hankering for live music, check out Poodies Roadhouse for live music every day of the week.
#4 – Take flight as in hydro flight. Think jetboard meets jetpack with a twist of hoses and hydraulics on Lake Travis. Yep, it’s unlike any activity you’ve done on the water. Thanks to Aquafly, you can fly too.
#3 – Looking for a picture-perfect view of your beloved Lake Travis? Check out ten spots where your camera will thank you.
#2 – Discover the most underrated hike in Austin, River Place Nature Trail. We wrote this article back in 2016, and people are still figuring it out all these years later. Hike on, friends!
#1 – Relax with your friends, family, and loved ones. And don’t forget the sunscreen.
Have you done all 30 Fun Things in Lake Travis?
Did we forget a must-do summer activity?
Let us know in the comments section on the Lake Travis Lifestyle Facebook page or tag us in a photo on Instagram: @LakeTravisLifestyle
*This article was originally published on May 2, 2018, and updated with new information for 2019.
