1. Krause Springs
Bring a picnic and swim for the day or campout at this outdoor natural spring. There are covered pavilions, primitive campsites and RV sites with water and electricity hookups. Walk through the butterfly garden or go looking for secret waterfalls created by one of the 32 springs on site. Pets are not allowed. Day-visits cost $5 for children and $8 for adults and overnight camping is $10 for children and $15 for adults. Cash only. Sun.-Sat. 9 a.m.-8 p.m. 404 Krause Spring Road, Spicewood. 830-693-4181. krausesprings.net
2. Zipline over Lake Travis
Boasting the longest zipline in Texas, Lake Travis Zipline Adventures has five ziplines and offers three-hour-long tours. Participants must be 10 years or older and anyone under 18 must have a waiver signed by a parent or guardian. Reservations are required and it costs $118 per person, which includes access to a private beach with swimming, picnic areas and hammocking. Sun.-Sat. 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. 14529 Pocohontas Trail, Leander. 512-614-1996. www.ziplaketravis.com
3. Emma Long Metropolitan Park
Camp out or spend the day on the beachfront at Emma Long park. Picnic tables and day campsites are available all up and down the Colorado River, as well as primitive sites and RV sites with water and electricity hookups. There are hiking and biking trails throughout the park and charcoal grills available for use. Fees are $5 per car Monday through Thursday and $10 per car Friday through Sunday and holidays. Campsite costs range from $10-$25 per day and are in addition to entrance fees. Sun.-Sat. 7 a.m.-10 p.m. 1600 City Park Road, Austin. 512-974-1831. austintexas.gov
4. Tube the San Marcos River
There’s no need to drive all the way to Comal or the Guadalupe for a nice day on the river. Bring your own tube or rent from one of the nearby stores to drift down the crystal clear, 72-degree San Marcos River starting in Sewell Park and ending at the rapids in Rio Vista Park. Lions Club Tube Rental offers shuttle services and has its own river access point. Shuttle tickets are $6 and tube rentals are $12 per tube. Sun.-Sat. 10 a.m.-7 p.m. 601 University Drive, San Marcos
5. Innerspace Caverns
Explore the hidden depths of the earth at Innerspace Caverns in Georgetown. There are tours, gift shops and children’s activities, including mining for gems. They offer hree different tour options ranging in price from $12.95-$100 per person. Mon.-Fri. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. 4200 S. I-35, Georgetown. 512-931-2283. innerspacecavern.com
6. Violet Crown Trail
The Violet Crown Trail is designed to be 30 miles long and constitute the first regional trail system. Currently, two sections have been completed, the first starting in Zilker park and running through the Barton Creek greenbelt to end at the 360 trailhead-about 4 miles total. The second runs from the 360 trailhead underneath Capital of Texas Highway and through Gaines Creek Greenbelt ending on the north side of highway 290. With climbing walls and swimming holes along its length, it is a great way to explore on a summer day. 1336 William Barton Drive, Austin. 512-328-2481. www.violetcrowntrail.com
7. Blue Cat Cafe
Filled with felines and vegan food, the Blue Cat Cafe is the only place in Austin offering the unique experience of dining with cats. Doubling as an adoption agency, the cafe charges an admittance fee for all customers with proceeds funding the shelter. Adoption papers are available on site. Mon.-Thur. 10 a.m.-9 p.m., Fri.-Sat. 10 a.m.-10 p.m, Sun. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. 95 Navasota St., Austin. 512-766-5003. Bluecatcafe.com
8. The Elephant Room
Spend the evening rediscovering why Austin is the music capital of the world at this classic venue. Featuring live jazz music every night of the week, The Elephant Room is a 21+ full bar and jazz lounge in downtown Austin. There’s free admittance during the week but a small cover on the weekends. Mon.-Fri. 4 p.m.-2 a.m., Sat.-Sun. 8 p.m.-2 a.m. 315 Congress Ave., Austin. 512-473-2279. www.elephantroom.com
9. Zilker Botanical Garden
With 30 acres of flowers, ponds and pathways, Zilker Botanical Garden is a natural gem. Escape the heat in the wooded avenues and be sure to bring a camera, the sights are beautiful. Entrance fees are $1 for children and seniors, $2 for adult Austin residents and $3 for adult non-residents. Fri.-Wed. 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Thu. 9 a.m.-8 p.m. 2220 Barton Springs Road, Austin. 512-477-8672. www.zilkergarden.org
10. Austin Ice Cream Festival
Fight the heat with a sweet treat at the 11th Austin Ice Cream Festival, coming August 12 at Fiesta Gardens. The annual event offers samplings of local and national ice creams as well as contests and games. Tickets go on sale June 29. Sun.-Sat. 11 a.m.-10 p.m. 2101 Jesse E. Segovia St., Austin. 512-974-6797. austinicecreamfestival.com
