Lake Travis Summer: 5 Ways to Beat the Heat and Stay Cool This Summer

Are you ready for a Texas heat wave?

It won’t be long before school is out in the Lake Travis area and summer (along with the heat) will be upon us.

When you can’t quite put your finger on some good ideas for cooling off because a triple-digit heat wave has melted your brain — we’re here to help.

Here are a few suggestions to help get you on your way to chill.

Cool Treats

It’s not hard to find frozen or cool refreshment in these parts. Get ready for a brain freeze!

Frozy’s Shaved Ice trailer located on Ranch Road 620 across from Target in Bee Cave offers snowy treats in more than 40 flavors.

The Steiner Ranch community is the place to get chilled with ice cream at Cups and Cones or frozen yogurt at Menchie’s at Quinlan Crossing. Grab a cup, choose your favorite flavor, and add all the toppings you like.

Austin original Amy’s Ice Creams has a location in the Hill Country Galleria — home of the world famous Mexican vanilla ice cream. Added bonus if the water feature located in the outdoor amphitheater is on for some splash time.

And don’t forget a stop at the place some folks refer to as the best shaved-ice in town, Hawaiian Shave Ice. (map)

Bowling, Skating, Laser Tag

The idea of exerting energy that doesn’t involve water might not sound like a good idea but bowling, skating and laser tag offer cool indoor fun. These will require you to venture out a little beyond the Lake Travis area.

Head north to Burnet Rd. for bowling at Highland Lanes or south to Westgate Lanes on West William Cannon.

You can also try your legs roller skating at Playland Skate Center or ice skating at Chaparral Ice on Anderson Lane in the Northcross Mall.

Visit the largest laser tag arena in Texas at the Blazer Tag Adventure Center or make it an all day indoor adventure by combining bowling, laser tag, miniature golf and rock climbing at Main Event Entertainment.

Summertime Movie Specials

Turn off the sun and turn on the fun with a movie in the middle of a hot day. Enjoy summer special events and pricing at nearby theaters.

The Moviehouse & Eatery located at the Trails at 620 offers free kids movies every Tuesday at 10am. Tickets are available at the box office only and given on a first come, first serve basis. Showings occur in the “Big House” theater, so there are plenty of seats.

At Cinemark Hill Country Galleria, your family can enjoy the summer specials and watch kids movies for $1 a person on Wednesdays at 10am.

Indoor Jumping

Sometimes your kids just need to get the energy out!

In Lakeway, children ages 11 and younger can spend the day at Hoppin’ House located behind Chicken Express near Randall’s.

Venture up north for a few more options.

For those ages 10 and younger, Extreme Fun on Anderson Mill Rd. offers bouncy surfaces and a foam pit, while a trip to Inflatable Wonderland (located inside Lakeline Mall) affords you the chance to combine jumping with shopping.

Regardless of age, Jumpstreet (located across from Lakeline Mall) offers a twist on jump houses with various trampoline courses, including a dodge ball court. Children 7 and younger have a designated area and older guests can purchase a Fun Pass to play in the maze or take a spin on the mechanical bull.

There’s Always Swimming!

Of course, you can never go wrong seeking out water for a chance to cool off.

Besides a backyard swimming pool or your neighborhood pool, you can easily spend a day swimming in Lake Travis. But at the end of a string of triple-digit temps, some of these swimming locations might not provide a very cool experience.

One place that you can count on the water being cool is the Low Water Crossing just below Mansfield Dam at Lake Austin.

Hamilton Pool Preserve is a favorite place for many — sometimes too many. If the crowds are too much, sneak over to Reimers Ranch for a dip in the Perdenales River.

And be sure to check out one of the best swimming holes in Texas, Krause Springs in Spicewood.

Lakeway City Park has Lake Travis access — though this is a tougher one in drought conditions. Until the water levels in Lake Travis come back up , you’ll have to hang out at the water slides and lily pads at the Lakeway Swim Center.

Drive further into downtown Austin for other popular swimming sites like Deep Eddy Pool and Barton Springs Pool, where the water is always a chill 68 degrees.

What about you?

Where are your favorite places to go or things to do when you’re trying to keep cool in the summer? Join the conversation in the comments on Facebook.