This fabulous park is one of the Austin Parks and Recreation Department's premier facilities. Whether it is a family reunion or a company picnic, this park has all the amenities for a fabulous party. The unfurnished house is about 2500 square feet; it has a kitchen and two patios, perfect for informal gatherings. Swimming pool, volleyball, horseshoes, and a croquet set are available as well. The outdoor picnic area easily fits 300 people, while the inside holds up to 150. Call for reservations.

This park offers over 1,000 acres of land with nearly a mile of lakefront. Visitors can go boating and utilize the park's two boat ramps. Skiing, fishing and relaxing on the sandy waterfront are also options. There is a swimming area that employs lifeguards on summer weekends. Be sure to notice the ash, oak and juniper trees throughout the park. Sixty-six campsites are available, some along the waterfront, and pets on a leash are welcome.

Located about half an hour's drive from the city center, Austin Ridge Bible Church is set in the middle of the woods, making it a beautiful place to go for Sunday service. The church is a very active part of the community, hosting outreach programs and special events targeted towards issues that affect the members of the congregation. In addition to all this, there is also a challenging disc golf course on the church grounds that is open for public use. The course contains picnic areas, hiking paths and bike routes as well.

This lush, green park lies at the center of the charming Clarksville neighborhood in Central Austin. You can sit in the shade under the tall, thick trees or bathe in the sun on the hill above a wide, grassy plain. This area is a popular hangout for dog owners, and also has a basketball and tennis court. On any given day, you will likely witness amateur skateboarders showing off their acrobatics while flying off the end of ramps set up along an abandoned court.

Wander through the residential neighborhood behind the busy shops and see some of Austin's most fantastic historical homes. If you are looking for an area that shows off a little bit of every part of Austin's eclectic style, this neighborhood is perfect. You will also find many restaurants to dine in when you take a break from all of the shopping. For many years, this beautiful neighborhood was considered the outskirts of the city. Now, sitting just west of downtown and centrally located, it is a bustling shopping district with fabulous boutiques and wonderful eateries.

According to legend, Stephen F. Austin and local Native Americans signed peace treaties at this site, featuring the last of the Council Oaks. In 1991, the tree was poisoned, and a large section died. Support from the community brought an outpouring of gifts and experts to help save North America's most perfect tree specimen. But even with only one-third of the massive tree surviving, it is still a fantastic living statue to Texas history.

Avenue Gallery, a gallery that will mesmerize your senses, thanks to the number of examples of pure art put on display. From colorful home furniture to artistic vases. Elegant paintings, sweet aromatic candles, realistic statues, lamp shades et al. This gallery has unquestionable works from Michele Ramshur and Kip Holm who are exquisite with their photography. To buy the above and more, you have to drop by.

Gallery Soco an all-purpose art store offers contemporary art for sale, custom framing, and corporate and residential art consulting services. Art brokering and art searches are also available. The gallery features posters and limited edition prints. The primary focus here, however, is on the original paintings, which include abstract, contemporary, impressionist and realist works, design, figurative, landscape, and still life forms, and are composed in oil, acrylic, watercolor and mixed media. One featured artist creates exquisite realist paintings, despite having lost her sight several years ago.

This unique art gallery focuses on visionary folk artists of the American South. Featured artists have included self-taught painter Purvis Young, mud painter Jimmy Lee Sudduth, New Orleans artist Suzie Millions, recycled aluminum artist Slim Sirnes and Sultan Rogers. Many of the eclectic artists shown at yard Dog tend to work in isolation, creating from a place of intense drive and passion. If you are not in the market for a large painting, a variety of handmade gifts (found-object photo frames and more) are also offered. Secure online ordering is also available.

Cross the river from downtown and enter the wonderful South Congress Avenue District. Browse through its many shops and check out eateries that tantalize the taste buds and the pocketbooks. Check out Uncommon Objects, a wonderful import and knick knack shop, or The Armadillo Market, which carries everything Texas. For the famished shopper, there are more than enough options: Tex-Mex at Guerro's or the eclectic Magnolia Café are all favorites with the locals. After a cup of coffee or lunch you should browse the retro resale shops along the avenue.