Austin’s Lady Bird Lake – The City’s Gem

Austin, TX is filled with many great attractions to satisfy a variety of interests. For people who enjoy the adventure of the outdoors combined with big city sights, Lady Bird Lake and Ann W. Richards Congress Avenue Bridge are two must-visit attractions

With so many exciting things to do and see, its no wonder more people decide to move to Austin each year. With its vibrant music and art scene, steady economy, and diverse population, it is an ideal place to live. Austin is filled with many great attractions to satisfy a variety of interests. For people who enjoy the adventure of the outdoors combined with big city sights, Lady Bird Lake and Ann W. Richards Congress Avenue Bridge are two must-visit attractions.

Lady Bird Lake, named in honor of the former First Lady, is located just south of Downtown Austin. It is one of Austin's oldest and most beloved attractions. Austin's fair climate makes Lady Bird Lake the perfect spot to enjoy recreational water activities year-round. Businesses near the lake rent kayaks, canoes, and rowing boards for low hourly rates. The Lady Bird Hike and Bike Trail, a 10-mile circuit encircling the lake is a popular place to enjoy outdoor fitness.

The lake is spanned by the Ann Richards Congress Avenue Bridge which connects downtown Austin to the famous South Congress shopping district. Plus, the bridge is home to the world’s largest urban bat colony. 1.5 million Mexican free-tail bats reside between concrete beams underneath the bridge from March to September. Crowds gather at the bridge nightly to watch the bats emerge for their nightly hunt. Many tour companies offer nightly viewings by boat, giving spectators the opportunity to get a close look at the bats from underneath the bridge.

Music aficionados come to Zilker Park, which is connected to Lady Bird Lake, to enjoy their favorite bands and entertainers during popular Austin outdoor music festivals. Thousands of out-of-towners and locals gather at the park for Austin City Limits, Austin Reggae Festival, and South by Southwest (SXSW). There’s nothing like enjoying your favorite band outdoors with the Austin’s lit-up downtown skyline in the background.

Lady Bird Lake and The Ann Richards Congress Avenue Bridge are just a stone’s throw away from some of South Austin’s most interesting neighborhoods. If you’d like to explore these neighborhoods, consider a home in central or downtown Austin.