More Austin Texas (#44)

While I agree with all the recommendations given on Fine Living TV's recent Austin airing, there is more to this city than downtown. Guests of this great city should make sure to have enough time here to explore both the downtown area and then head west to explore the Lake Travis area. Having moved here almost two years ago from Ann Arbor, Michigan, I was pleasantly surprised to find that not only was Austin the "Live Music Capital of the World," but that this area also offers some incredible outdoor living!

If you love to picnic start your adventure by finding Central Market or Whole Foods before leaving downtown and bring lunch. Warning: Both "grocery stores" are adventures in and of themselves so watch your time or you may still be long after lunchtime. (My favorite: Central Market-South Lamar)

From the downtown area head north on MO-Pac Expy (#1). Exit on 35th and head west for a visit to Laguna Gloria located on Lake Austin. Laguna Gloria is a beautiful 1917 Italianate Villa that served as the first home of the Austin Museum of Art. Still owned by AMoA, artistically minded folks (3 yrs old and up) might consider checking out their website to sign up for a class offering held on the grounds at "The Art School." Admission to the grounds/trails is free, tours of the villa require a small fee ($2 last time we visited).

Leave Laguna Gloria, heading back east the same way you came. Make the first left (north) onto Mt. Bonnell Rd. You're now heading to Mt. Bonnell Park which offers a birds-eye view of the Austin city skyline, Lake Austin and the the beautiful Pennybacker Bridge. I recommend driving to the northernmost end of the park and walking uphill and downhill instead of taking the stairs; this way you can take in the view each and every minute. Picnic here or at Laguna Gloria. Mayfield Park, next to Laguna gloria, might also be a nice choice if you have the time.

Next is a close up visit with the Pennybacker Bridge, aka the 360 Bridge, which you saw looking upriver from Mt. Bonnell. Continue north on Mt. Bonnell Rd. to where it ends at 2222. Turn left (W) onto 2222 and drive a few miles to Capital of Texas Highway (360). Turn left (SW) staying in the right hand lane. Just before crossing the bridge turn into the small pullover parking area on the right. You will need to be a little creative scrammbling up the white cliffs for a spectacular view looking down on the bridge. CAUTION: There are no guard rails or fencing and I do not recommend that small children, pets, or those with a fear of heights attempt. Regardless, I am not in the best shape and have a slight (but healthy) fear of heights and found the effort to be worth it.

Head back to 2222 and head west-northwest again to 620. Turn left for approximately a mile or two to Comanche Trail and turn right. Finish your day off watching the sunset from The Oasis Restaurant located at 6550 Comanche Trail. Watching the sunset here, perched 450 ft above Lake Travis, is a tourist staple. Food here can often be mediocre, but you are paying for the awesome view where patrons rate that evenings sunset by applause as the sun sinks below the horizon.

Other lakeview recommendations include the Iguana Grill and Lakeway Inn which offers free concerts around their three-tiered pool overlooking Lake Travis on summer Sunday evenings.