• Advertise
  • Donate
  • Write
  • Intern
  • Events
  • About
  • Contact

The Austinot

Discover Austin Texas! An Austin blog with hundreds of unique articles.

  • Things To Do
    • Things To Do This Weekend
    • Things To Do This Week
    • Things To Do This Weekend With Kids
  • Discoveries
    • Austinot Loves
    • Activities
    • Day Trips
    • Local Business
  • Food & Drink
    • Food
    • Drink
  • Entertainment
    • Events
    • Film
    • Music
    • Nightlife
    • Theatre
  • Culture
    • Arts
    • History
    • Museums
  • Et Cetera
    • Non-Profits
    • Podcast
    • Archives

How to Keep Active While Staying Cool in Austin This Summer

August 10, 2016 by Kristin Leigh Leave a Comment

Staying Cool in Austin at Deep Eddy Pool

Austin’s Deep Eddy Pool (Credit: City of Austin PARD, Aquatics Office)

The month of survival is upon us in Austin and its name around these parts is uttered like a four-letter word: August. Our survival gear to get through the worst days of summer heat (19 days over 100 degrees and counting) includes water-wicking tank tops, Chacos, shades, copious amounts of sunscreen and ice cold AC. This is not the time to save the planet. It’s every man for himself when temperatures rise into the triple digits. Many of us have flocked to this Central Texas city because we love how active we’re encouraged to be here, but how do we keep active while staying cool in Austin through these scorching days?

As far as I’m concerned, there are three paths to coping: stay near water, hide in the shade or hunker down inside. The key is to avoid the latter and not give up. You can save your Netflix queue for the post-holiday sprawl and keep active while the sun still shines with these sanity-saving tips and ideas.

Flock to the Water

Staying Cool in Austin While Paddle boarding on Lady Bird Lake

Paddle boarding on Lady Bird Lake

If you’ve ever cocked your head in confusion, eyeing the line of cars stretching out into the street waiting for a coveted parking spot at Barton Springs, it’s because that water is dang cold. No matter how sweaty and miserable you feel, when you wade into the icy cold chill of the spring water, something inside of you relaxes and life feels much more bearable. Check out our guide to Barton Springs before you head out.

If you’re inclined to hit up Lady Bird Lake, my favorite bet is to rent a canoe or stand up paddle board and spend a day on the water. You can jump in every hour or so to cool off while relaxing in the middle of the city, flanked by the incredible Austin skyline. Zilker Boat Rentals are a cash-only Austin staple situated near Barton Springs. They rent out canoes, one- and two-person kayaks, and paddle boards by the hour and day. On the east side of Congress Avenue at Waller Creek Boathouse, Congress Avenue Kayaks does the same.

Stand up paddle boards look intimidating but, even as non-athletic as I am, I promise they aren’t as bad as they look. Crawl onto your board, get your bearings and then slowly rise to your feet in the middle of your board. You’ll find your sea legs quickly, and nothing beats staring at the tree-lined beauty of Lady Bird Lake from the middle of the water.

Don’t think for a moment, however, that your water options are limited to the city center. Whether it’s South Austin’s Stacey Pool or a tucked-away Greenbelt oasis, check out a huge list of our favorite swimming spots in Austin and the surrounding area.

Blastenhoff section of Schlitterbahn New Braunfels

Blastenhoff section of Schlitterbahn in New Braunfels (Credit: schlitterbahn.com)

Lastly, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that right now is the perfect time to make a pilgrimage to the mother of all waterparks: Schlitterbahn. It has a tenacious following for a reason. Less than an hour south of downtown, you have a full day of watery fun ahead of you. For adults, there are thrilling rides and swim-up bars. The younger set will revel in more pools, misters, rides and watery playscapes than you can imagine.

My favorite part? Skip the festival food and pack your own picnic! Relaxing under the sprawling foliage of Schlitterbahn’s ample picnic areas snacking on watermelon and picnic treats. Texas summer won’t feel quite so brutal.

Hide Out in the Shade

A photo posted by Zilker Theatre Productions (@zilkertheatreproductions) on Jul 27, 2016 at 8:36am PDT


Take advantage of the shady times and areas this time of year. Not only do most restaurants and bars with patios provide shade coverage and misters, but planning your days with sunrise and sunset in mind means your outdoor fun will take place during relatively cooler times of the day.

Catch Shrek The Musical at Zilker Hillside Theater through August 13– the show is at dusk–or watch a movie while the sun sets with the Movies in The Park series that begins on September 1. And bats; don’t forget the bats!

Get Active Inside

Crux Climbing Center Austin

Crux Climbing Center (Credit: Merrick Ales)

Hey, we’ve all been there: some days you just can’t bear to leave your air conditioned cocoon. Outside feels like the center of the sun. Now is the perfect time to embrace Austin’s vibrant climbing scene at Austin Rock Gym or the new Crux Climbing Center.

For those with little ones, you can max out on all of the fun to be had building, creating and experimenting inside at The Thinkery at Mueller. Also worth checking out is the newly expanded Little Yoga House, a kids-only yoga studio with locations in Clarksville and Anderson Lane.

My favorite tip for surviving these untenable days? Treat August like an offbeat winter. Plan that amazing fall garden, book your October trip to Marfa and imagine all the fun things you’re going to do in the ensuing months. Because, hey, the fun is just getting started and it will only get cooler from here!

 

@kristinmleigh wants to know:

How do you keep active while staying cool in Austin through the dog days of summer?

Filed Under: Activities, Discoveries

Best of The Austinot

We always have unique content on The Austinot and we love to give things away. You know, like concert tickets, gift cards, and other cool stuff. We only send out our “Best of the Austinot” newsletter twice a month. It’s where we give you a recap of our best articles and give stuff away. Interested? Subscribe to Best of The Austinot here!

Subscribe
Login
Notify of
guest
guest
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Connect with Us

    Hyperlocal Blog About the City of A...

    Please enable JavaScript

    Hyperlocal Blog About the City of Austin
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Things to do

Things to do in Austin with kids this weekend | Austin Birthday Bash

Top 10 things to do in Austin with kids this weekend of August 19, 2022 include Austin’s Birthday Bash, Cedar Park Market Days, and more!

If there’s one thing about this city, it’s that there is always something going on. So, if you’re looking for fun things to do in Austin with kids this weekend of August 19, 2022, there’s plenty of fun to be had, including Austin’s Birthday Bash, AIA Sandcastle Contest and Viewing, Oita Japan Festival, and more! Deal Alert […]

things to do in Austin this weekend - Beyond the Rainbow celebration

10 Fun Things to Do in Austin This Weekend of August 19, 2022 Include 2022 Austin Pride Parade, The 2nd Annual Shuckfest, The Lumineers Concert, and More!

Stay up to date on the events, activities and entertainment in the Austin area through our weekly updates to Things to do in Austin this Week, Things to do in Austin this Weekend and Things to do in Austin with Kids this Weekend! And to get these updates delivered directly to your feed, give us […]

Things to do in Austin this week | Escape the Box

10 Fun Things to do in Austin this week of August 15, 2022 include Outdoor Austin Escape experience, Pupsquad dog party and more!

Austin is now among the fastest-growing metroplexes in the US! Keeping up with the growth, luckily, there’s plenty going on in Austin all days of the week. There are things to do on Monday in Austin, of course, things to do in Austin on Saturday night, and everything in between! Some of you may be […]

Horse Riding Lessons in Austin - Texas Trail Rides

Horseback Riding in Austin: Horse Riding Lessons For Adults and Kids Near You

If you’ve always been captivated by cowboy movies about the Wild West and are looking for adult horse riding lessons near me, Austin is the place to be! There are a ton of places that offer horseback riding in Austin with a range of adult horseback riding lessons, including picking your own horse, learning different […]

Classic Game Fest 2022 in Austin

Classic Game Fest 2022 in Austin: A Can’t Miss Celebration of Retro Videogames

  Remember the good old days of videogames? You and your friends huddled around a tiny CRT TV kicking each other in Street Fighter, battling Bowser in Super Mario Bros, or blasting demons in Doom. Modern videogames offer best in class visuals and expansive experiences. But there’s nothing quite like blowing into a cartridge, slamming it […]

Recent Posts

  • Top 10 things to do in Austin with kids this weekend of August 19, 2022 include Austin’s Birthday Bash, Cedar Park Market Days, and more!
  • 10 Fun Things to Do in Austin This Weekend of August 19, 2022 Include 2022 Austin Pride Parade, The 2nd Annual Shuckfest, The Lumineers Concert, and More!
  • 10 Fun Things to do in Austin this week of August 15, 2022 include Outdoor Austin Escape experience, Pupsquad dog party and more!
  • Horseback Riding in Austin: Horse Riding Lessons For Adults and Kids Near You
  • Classic Game Fest 2022 in Austin: A Can’t Miss Celebration of Retro Videogames

Welcome to The Austinot

We are all about Austin: the vibe, the people and the uniqueness of the city. We love to explore. Get to know us! We’ll respond if you comment. Heck, we’ll probably invite you to come and hang out with us!

Follow along to help support and learn more about local businesses, artists, and events.

-The Austinot Team

Privacy Policy

Trending Posts

  • 10 Fun Things to Do in Austin This Weekend of August 19, 2022 Include 2022 Austin Pride Parade, The 2nd Annual Shuckfest, The Lumineers Concert, and More!
  • Guide to Austin’s Dirty Sixth Street
  • 10 Best Lakes in and around Austin
  • Day Trip in Austin: 10 Places To Visit Like a Tourist
  • Top 10 things to do in Austin with kids this weekend of August 19, 2022 include Austin’s Birthday Bash, Cedar Park Market Days, and more!

Copyright © 2022 · Log in

wpDiscuz