Cool Houses Austin » Fun Places to Hike

Dick Nichols Park Austin, Tx.

admin — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 15:06:42 +0000

If you are thinking of living in Southwest Austin, do yourself a favor and check out this beautiful park where you can hike and bike on a well-kept 2 mile trail, play tennis, basketball, volleyball with a sand-pit, take the kids to the elaborate playground, and even swim in an outdoor heated pool year-round! The pool is free in the summer and has a $1 entry fee for children and seniors in the fall, winter, and spring. Regular winter adult admission to the pool is a nominal $2.00. What a bargain! There are also large reservable areas for large groups and parties. Dogs on leash are welcome in the park as well, so bring your furry companions for a run!

Hike and Bike Trail Dick Nichols Park winds through delightful oaks and cedars. A truly delightful park for southwest Austin residents to enjoy! Come out and play!

The photos below show the incredible size of the pool with its many lap lanes and for those who prefer a more leisurely pace, there is a huge open swim area that is reserved for those who prefer to do water aerobics or perhaps swim with their children. Both sides of the pool are heated in the winter swim season (October through May).

Dick Nichols Park is located at 8011 Beckett between Convict Hill and Davis Lane. From Mopac, take William Cannon West to Beckett and go (left) South on Beckett.

Dick Nichols Pool

A gorgeous fall day at Dick Nichols Pool

Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center

admin — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 19:09:12 +0000

Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center is a native plant botanical garden located in Southwest Austin just off Loop 1. With its incredible array of native plants, water features including an aquaduct and viewing tower, it truly is a delightful treasure for Austin! And don’t forget to check out its art gallery to see what is currently on display. Until October 4 you will find the wonderful, magical origami of Joan Son. Some of her images are below. What a joy to behold an 8 ft. kimono made out of 900 pieces of paper!

And for you gardening buffs, be sure and mark your calendars for October 9-11. It is the center’s Fall Plant Sale & Gardening Festival! Sure to be a hit!

Earth Robe by Joan Son

Austin Museum Day

admin — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 21:07:52 +0000

Every year the city of Austin hosts a free day to attend any and all 28 of its wonderful museums. Sunday, September 20, 2009, is the day this year! So, if you are visiting our lovely city or a local, get on out and enjoy some of these great museums. Our favorites this year to visit: The Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center at 4801 LaCrosse Ave. (just off South Loop 1 past Davis Ln.), The Texas Music Museum at 1009 E. 11 Street, and the Austin Museum of Art at 823 Congress. Both are having special events all day for this free event. For a complete list, click on the following link: Austin Museums. Have a wonderful time, take the kids, take yourself! It is a treasure that the city of Austin wants to share with you and your family!

Arbor Trails

admin — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 19:35:28 +0000

Arbor Trails Austin, Tx.

Locatd southwest of the William Cannon exit off Mopac is a delightful hidden jewel for runners, walkers, and bike riders, the Arbor Trails Hike and Bike Trail. With its crushed granite (gentle on our joints), beautiful landscaping, and canopy of oaks and cedars, you forget that you are just a few hundred yards off Mopac and William Cannon. It is also a pet-friendly trail where most owners do clean up after their pets, so that is wonderful as well! There is even a delightful water feature on the backside of the trail (yes, it still has water!) and the sunsets are just gorgeous from this spot. Rest benches are located in several spots along the trail and the loop goes around the Arbor Trails Shops, so you can grab a bite to eat at one of the local restaurants like Chuy’s, Cheddar’s, Dimassi’s Mediterranean Grill, Firehouse Subs, Panda Express, Red Brick Pizza, Smoothie King, etc. which are located inside the hiking trail. You can also shop at Costco and Steinmart or Wine Styles while you are there! So much to offer and right here in our very own Southwest Austin neighborhood. Local subdivisions to check out if you want to be able to just walk to the trail, Western Oaks and Westcreek.

Call us for more info as we walk this trail almost daily!

How to Walk Your Way Into Wellness–Austin Style!

admin — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 22:18:07 +0000

[[Show as slideshow]]Happy New Year to all from Cool Houses Austin! If you are like most of us, you are making those New Year’s resolutions to get your metabolism up and burning off those Christmas calories! Did you know that one hour of walking briskly burns 170 calories which is the same as low impact aerobics? Now I don’t have anything against aerobics but what could be more fun than exploring some of our incredible trails in and around Austin for a great nature walk? Austin boasts over 50 miles of trails! Yes, and there are maps available online that you can download if you are unfamiliar. (For all the maps, visit Runtex.com) Want to bike or rollerblade in the city and almost double the amount of calories burned, then head on over to the Veloway located in the Slaughter Creek Metropolitan Park where there is a 3.17 mile trail dedicated to bicycles and in-line skating! No walking or jogging allowed here, but hey, you have 47 miles of other trails to walk and run to your heart’s content! How about going over to Town Lake and walking along the gorgeous Colorado River for the afternoon? That trail is 10.1 miles and loops from Mopac to the Longhorn Dam and it is where the statue of Stevie Ray Vaughan is also located. We just spent the day along the river to celebrate this wonderful New Year and it was a beautiful sunny 65 degrees out on the trail! What could be more perfect than that? See you around our trails!