“Here comes the sun” is more than a great hit by The Beatles. It is also a mantra that all Austinites adopt when the warmer months come around. Recognized for being the ideal destination for outdoor enthusiasts, the Texas Capital is all about nature, sunshine and spending time outside. It can be difficult though to enjoy the city’s full potential when it is so hot and humid. So, we gathered 15 of our favorite ways to enjoy the sweetness of summertime in vibrant Austin without melting. Cheers to good vibes, tan lines and staying cool!
ENJOY AN ICY TREAT
Frost Gelato
For those perusing the trendy and open-air shopping center, Domain Northside, a quick stopover at Frost is just what summer ordered. Offering a refreshing and frozen treat, they serve up the finest authentic Italian gelato and sorbet. Aside from conventional flavors like chocolate, vanilla and white chocolate, customers can also enjoy a little something unique including Honey Lavender, Baileys Irish Creme, Pear Riesling and Dietetic Hazelnut. May’s Flavors of the Month include Spicy Chocolate, Margarita and White Chocolate Macadamia Nut.
p.s. They’ve even been known to offer up a gelato for man’s best friend too! #pupcup
11700 Rock Rose Ave., Ste. 176, Austin, TX 78758
Dip Dip Dip
Unlike regular ice cream, these creamy creations are Japanese-inspired desserts that can be referred to as funky and artisanal. The dipped treat is made from local milk cream and buttermilk while the hand-dipped mochiko waffle cones come from mochi flour. Live on the edge by trying the Shroom of Doom, a caramel-chocolate-shitake ice cream with sherry vinegar sauce, candied hazelnuts and fried parsnip chips, or opt for a more traditional flavor with the Matcha Cha-Cha, a matcha green tea ice cream with sweet black soybeans, red bean sauce and a matcha dipped cone.
7301 Burnet Rd., Ste. 101, Austin, TX 78757
SnoMo
After an afternoon baking in the Texas heat, a stop at SnoMo is a must. Fluffy like snow and creamy like ice cream, these treats offer the best of both worlds! Vegan-friendly options include Mango, Strawberry and Chocolate while the Milk-Based flavors cover coconut, coffee, horchata, Thai tea, taro and more! And then choose from over a dozen toppings! For those who are not fans of shaved ice, try their fusion boba drinks and Asian desserts.
11220 N. Lamar Blvd., Ste. B275, Austin, TX 78753
COOL DOWN WITH COCKTAILS
Codependent Cocktails + Coffee
Escape the rays by ducking into this design-centric cocktail and coffee bar on the ground floor of the Independent Condo Tower. Renowned for being where Austin hospitality meets Italian Luxury, Codependent was inspired by Italian luxury and aperitivo culture. For a caffeine pick-me-up that is still refreshing, we suggest The One Night Stand while the Towel Optional, which combines Vodka, Lemon, Cucumber and Mint, is a wonderful choice for quenching thirst and beating the heat.
301 West Ave, Ste. 110, Austin, TX 78701
DrinkWell Austin
Stylishly designed, this award-winning cocktail bar and neighborhood restaurant offers eclectic plates and innovative cocktails. Celebrating Austin’s North Loop district for 10 years now, a few of the drinks that caught our eye included Tendril Loving Care that offers a tangy, clean and effervescent taste, Echo Park Swizzle that can be described as beachy but brooding with dry citrus and spices, and Johnny Tsunami that tastes robust yet playful with crushed biscotti and notes of ripe stone fruit and toffee.
207 E 53rd St., Austin, TX 78751
Second Bar + Kitchen
Raising spirits and cooling patrons down since 2010, Second Bar + Kitchen is conveniently located at the Domain Northside inside the Archer Hotel Austin. Having reinvented fine casual dining, guests can lounge on comfy couches in the Texas-chic lobby or gather with friends and strangers alike at the high-top communal table. Regardless of where, there is an extensive list of chilly cocktails to help you cool down. The Hibiscus Paloma, for example, with tequila, hibiscus and white grapefruit, is perfectly refreshing for warm summer days. For a photogenic and unique experience, we suggest the Gin + Jam!
3121 Palm Way, Ste. 101, Austin, TX 78758
SWIM OFF THE HEAT
Kalahari Resorts Texas
Voted the “world’s coolest indoor waterpark,” Kalahari Resort is also America’s largest, coming in at 223,000 square foot. Perfect for couples or the whole family, guests can cool off in the Wave Pool, grab a cocktail at the Grotto Swim-Up Bar, relax in the Lazy River, test their bodyboarding and surfing skills on a 5-foot wave simulator on Flowrider, and plenty of other rides and bodyslides.
3001 Kalahari Blvd., Round Rock, TX 78665
Azul Rooftop
Located on renowned 6th Street and poised 20 floors above downtown, The Westin Austin’s Azul Rooftop features a modern-designed deck, sleek pool and chic lounge. By day, enjoy a lively scene with cabanas that showcase unbeatable views of the skyline and serve up refreshing cocktails. Fun fact: Travel Agent Central readers voted Azul the World’s Coolest Hotel Pool.
310 East 5th St., Austin, TX, 78701
Barton Springs Pool
Take the plunge in this refreshing sanctuary in the middle of the city. A convenient getaway for escaping the Texas heat, Barton Springs spans three acres and offers an average temperature between 68 and 70 degrees. The depth of the pool ranges from 0 to 18 feet with grassy areas for patrons to lounge.
2201 Barton Springs Rd., Austin, TX 78746
RELAX AND REFRESH
Lake Austin Spa Resort
Escape the heat and pressure of everyday life by retreating to the Lake Austin Spa Resort. Nestled along the Colorado River, this secluded hideaway offers half and full-day spa packages. Award-winning, the world-class spa features more than 100 treatments including facials, body treatments, massage therapy and more.
12611 Riverbend Rd., Austin, Texas, 78732
The Blanton Museum of Art
Step into cool, crisp air conditioning at this art museum located on the campus of the University of Texas. Escaping the hustle and bustle of the city, The Blaton hosts a rotating collection of artwork, allowing art lovers to discover something new periodically. Current exhibitions include Fantastically French!, which showcases design and architeture from the 16th-18th Century in print, and Oscar Muñoz: Invisibilia, which spans five decades of Muñoz’s radical career and invites audiences to experience the invisibilia behind Muñoz’s poetic and innovative practice.
200 E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Austin, TX 78712
Williams Chris Vineyards
Utilizing Old-World winemaking techniques, William Chris Vineyards focuses on 100% locally grown wine. Offering the charm of a farmhouse, it is surrounded by grapevines and a contemporary tasting room. Groves of Historic Oak presents the perfect amount of shade for a relaxing picnic at one of the tables beneath.
10352, US-290, Hye, TX 78635
SPLASH AROUND ON THE LAKE
Just for Fun
Known as the Party Barge Headquarters of Texas, Just for Fun has been serving Lake Travis for over 30 years. Located at Emerald Point Marina, they provide a variety of watercraft rentals like waverunners, pontoons and ski boats. It is even home to the Original Party Barge that can host up to 50 people!
5971 Hiline Rd., Austin, TX 78734
Live Love Paddle
Offering guided tours to lessen the stress of the adventure, Live Love Paddle offers kayak and paddle board rentals on Lady Bird Lake. Enjoy all-day trips down local rivers, overnight river trips for camping enthusiasts and a two-hour tour of downtown Austin. Their specialization though is the Congress Bridge Bat Tours that allow patrons to view the bats’ nightly departure from the beauty and vantage point of the water.
1610 E. Riverside Dr., Austin, TX 78741
Retro Boats
Straight out of the jet-age era of 1958 to 1963, this fleet of rare classic fiberglass boats are a beautiful way to enjoy the cool waters of Lady Bird Lake. Offering a range of retro colors, these vintage boats have been retro-fitted with electric motors while showcasing chrome details and fanciful fins. Quiet and environmentally-friendly, guests can enjoy fresh air, a soothing setting, the gentle spray of lake water and friendly conversation.
74 Trinity St., Austin, TX, Texas 78701
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The Avant Residential Group specializes in luxury homes in and around the greater Austin area, including off-market opportunities. They are committed to helping their clients achieve their individual real estate goals, whether seasoned sellers or buyers, savvy investors, or first-time homebuyers.