There’s history in them there waters.

Though other swimming holes put up a good fight for the biggest, trendiest, and perhaps weirdest pools in town, Deep Eddy certainly takes the gold for the most historic. Austinites swarm Deep Eddy’s cool, spring-fed waters when the summer sun shines relentlessly, but many are unaware of the history the space holds behind it. As the oldest swimming pool in the state, Deep Eddy embodies that quaint elegance from a simpler time and place.

1.5 million bats take flight from the heart of Austin...and it's not even creepy. 

An army of bats pouring into the sunset sky may sound like something from the latest horror flick, but each year, thousands of people flock to Austin’s Congress Avenue Bridge to see such a spectacle. Humble abode to nearly 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats, the Austin landmark stands as a popular attraction to tourists and locals alike. 

Unique day trip has a bit of everything.

DayBreak Boat Rentals may make its bread and butter renting Waverunners, pontoons, ski boats, houseboats, and more watercraft, but a relatively undiscovered gem of this spot is, well, the undiscovered gems. DayBreak’s gemstone mining facility is a favorite among kids, though most parents take their turn panning for the real, brightly colored gems that are aplenty in the sands here.

A few Austin summer favorites.

While New York City may be the city that never sleeps, Austin is the city that never gets bored. Besides, we happen to enjoy relaxing slumber ‘round these parts, thank you very much; we need our rest to get ready for the next day’s fun. Now that summer is officially here, it’s time to see how much recreation we can fit in. Thankfully, Austin’s long summers and endless opportunities don’t make that very difficult. Here’s a short list with some of our favorite summer activities, including a few staples no visitor should miss, and some gems that fly under the radar of even the most astute longtime Austinite.

Austin's famous SoCo shopping district.

If you notice thousands of people around Austin this 4th of July week sporting small stickers on their chests, don’t fret that you missed an election. Although, the “I Bought Local” stickers do indicate a vote of sorts: a vote to support your local business owners. At a deeper level, the stickers represent a conscious pride in maintaining Austin’s uniquely Austin identity.