Are you in search of things to do in Lake Travis? If yes, then you have come to the right place! In this article, we will be sharing some amazing things to do near Lake Travis to enjoy your time here.
One of the most popular day trips from Austin, Lake Travis is located in the Texas Hill Country. With an area of over 30 square miles, it is one of the biggest lakes in the region and offers many amazing activities for visitors.
The lake stretches for around 60 miles and is deep enough to indulge in many water activities. From scuba diving to jet skiing, there are lots of water sports to enjoy on this lake. That’s not all, there are many other things to do near Lake Travis as well such as hiking in the mountains, boating, fishing, zip-lining, and more.
So, if you are looking for the best things to do in Lake Travis, look no more. We have listed down the top attractions and activities in Lake Travis that you can enjoy!
Charter or Rent aBoat
Renting a boat for a day is undoubtedly one of the best things to do in Lake Travis near Austin. There are rental shops available all around the lake where you can different kinds of boats.
From houseboats to pontoon boats, to party barges, you will get it all here. This is one of the most popular activities in Lake Travis so, there are a plethora of options to choose from.
Moreover, you can choose to hire a captain for your boat or can be your captain, it is completely up to you. Spend a day on the boat sailing around with your family and friends and make the most of your trip here.
Since it is quite easy to rent a boat, it is one of the most popular things to do at Lake Travis.
Lake Travis Waterloo Adventures
One of the top Lake Travis attractions to explore is the famous Waterloo Adventures. This waterpark and challenge course is ideal for adventure seekers and a great place for families and friends.
There are playgrounds and water slides spread over 600 feet and over 20 obstacle courses for you to develop your skill. This includes balance beams, climbing walls, and so on.
Begin your adventure by reaching Adventure Island on a boat. Apart from that, you also enjoy a floating obstacle course followed by unlimited access to the rides and obstacle courses here. There are many foods and beverages options available here too.
So, if you are planning a day trip, then one of the top things to do in Lake Travis is enjoy rides at Waterloo Adventures.
Go Ziplining
Are you searching for fun activities to enjoy with your kids? Well, then one of the most fun things to do in Lake Travis for kids is ziplining.
Zipline through the lake and enjoy stunning views around you with Lake Travis Zipline Adventure. This park features five ziplines, out of which one is the longest zipline in Texas while three are the fastest in the state.
Enjoy the view of Texas Hill Country as you zoom past over the lake. This adventure can take a couple of hours after which you can enjoy the water activities and picnic around the lake.
Enjoy Jet Skiing and Wakesurfing
If you love water adventures, then jet skiing or wakesurfing is one of the top things to do in Lake Travis for adults.
Spend time speeding through the water under the sun and breaking through the waves. You can choose to drive the jet ski on your own or with a partner and make the most of your time on the lake.
Since this activity can be a little daunting, there are strict rules that drivers can be 18 above only. This is why it is not a recommended activity for kids. But imagine renting out a jet ski or a wakeboard for a couple of hours and cruising smoothly through the waves of the lake.
For water lovers, jet skiing and wakesurfing are the top things to do on Lake Travis near Austin.
Try Paddleboarding
Do you love paddleboard? If the answer is yes, then you would be glad to know that one of the top things to do at Lake Travis is paddleboarding.
There are many shops where you can rent paddleboards or even bring your own to the lake. Spend hours exploring the lake’s shoreline on your boards and practicing your skill.
Apart from that, you can rent out a kayak here too to explore the lake’s coves and inlets.
Honestly, kayaking and paddleboarding are the most fun things to do in Lake Travis near Austin that you must try.
Experience Scuba Diving
One of the most exciting activities in Lake Travis is scuba diving in the fresh lake waters. This is your best chance to admire the freshwater life and spend some time exploring the depths of this lake.
Scuba diving with your friends is one of the top fun things to do in Lake Travis near Austin. The charter boats here are slightly smaller and can only hold eight stations, allowing you to enjoy with experience with a small group of family or friends.
For an exciting scuba diving session, head to Windy Point Park. Here, you will not only be able to witness the freshwater life but many boat wrecks and sculptures too.
Explore the Hiking Trails
Another great thing about planning a vacation at Lake Travis in Texas is that there are many hiking trails to explore around here.
Many of these hiking trails take you around the lake, through lush greenery, and give you time to enjoy nature. This is why it is one of the top things to do in Lake Travis for kids as well.
There are several 3-4 hour hikes where you can enjoy a picnic. A few hiking trails to look out for are the Fern trail, Panther Hollow Trail, Canyons Trail, and more. Apart from the lake views, you will also be able to enjoy waterfalls, water pools, or even elevation gain in these different trails.
So, if you are looking for things to do around Lake Travis near Austin, then hiking is a great option.
Try Some Amazing Restaurants
Well, when you are on a vacation in Texas, you cannot miss out on the amazing food here, right?
Guess what, Lake Travis features a variety of restaurants where you can find delicious food to eat. There are both outdoor and indoor seating restaurants available so, you can eat outside and enjoy the lake views.
From Mexican to Tex-Mex, to barbecue, you will find all types of dishes here. One of the most famous restaurants to try here is The Oasis. Apart from serving delicious food, this restaurant also offers amazing views of the lake and the sunset.
Honestly, you cannot go wrong with trying out the amazing restaurants here.
Explore the Parks Around The Lake
One of the best things to do near Lake Travis is visit the many lakeside parks that can be found here. These parks are great for a day trip from Austin and allow you to enjoy the lake view on your picnic.
Moreover, you can indulge in many activities at these parks such as hiking, swimming, grilling, and so on. It is the perfect way to spend a day with your family or friends.
There are a few parks that offer camping opportunities as well. So, if you are visiting Lake Travis on a weekend trip, then you can camp beside the lake too.
Overall, visiting these parks is one of the top things to do in Lake Travis.
Go on a Pub Crawl
Do you love going to pubs? If yes, then joining a pub crawl is one of the best things to do in Lake Travis for adults.
There are numerous pubs around the lake where you can drink and hang out with your friends. This is why pub crawl is one of the best activities to do around Lake Travis with your family and friends.
You can take a boat service to explore the many pubs scattered all around the lake. Go from one pub or restaurant to another and drink, eat, dance, and soak in the views around you.
Watch a Sunset from The Oasis
The Oasis is one of the top Lake Travis attractions and is more than a place to eat. This is the largest outdoor restaurant in Texas that is located on a cliff and offers stunning views of the lake.
It is a multi-use venue with eight large event rooms and has been attracting visitors since its construction in 1982. One of the most popular things to do near the Oasis on Lake Travis is enjoying a sunset.
Once the Sunset Bell is rung, you will find here hundreds of tourists clicking photos of the most amazing sunset view. This restaurant has even been called the Sunset Capital of Texas due to this reason.
If you are also a sunset lover or enjoy music events, then visiting The Oasis is one of the top things to do in Lake Travis.
Enjoy Camping
Of course, when you are looking for amazing things to do in Lake Travis, you simply cannot miss out on camping.
Camping is one of the best things to do around Lake Travis near Austin to enjoy the beautiful views around you. Thankfully, there are many campgrounds and campsites available around Lake Travis that you can check out.
Windy Point Park is ideal for traditional campers while Planet Rock is a great choice for glamping around the lake. You will also find camping areas at Pace Bend Park and Camp Creek Recreation to choose from.
Trust me, there is no better way to experience this place than camping for a night near it.
Go Golfing
Looking for fun activities in Lake Travis to try? Well, then you should check out golfing here.
Golfing is one of the best things to do in Lake Travis as there is a variety of golf courses to choose from. Here, you will find championship courses, golfing tournaments, and exciting courses with beautiful views of the lake.
For those traveling with family or friends, there are many easy and fun golfing courses available too. That’s not all, there are also 36-hole golf courses which can be a fun day activity.
Regardless of which golf course you select, it is going to be fun. You enjoy the game while admiring the gorgeous views of Lake Travis, one of the prettiest lakes in Texas.
Try Fishing
Duh! This seems pretty obvious but one of the top things to do on Lake Travis is fishing.
There are many coves and inlets present here that will offer you ample opportunity to try fishing here. If you are confused about the perfect spot for fishing, then you can also take guide services to show you the best fishing spots here.
Furthermore, you will find many fishing tours to explore the places where the local fishermen go. This is one of the best things to do in Lake Travis near Austin.
Catch the Famous Texas Bluebonnets
Do you love Texas Bluebonnets? Well, who doesn’t! This is why one of the best things to do near Lake Travis is to go chasing after them.
You can find the bluebonnets in several Texas locations, including around Lake Travis. There are many parks and short hikes where you can find these state flowers and click photos with them or simply admire them.
All you have to do is plan your visit around the time these wildflowers bloom. Make sure you visit before May because these wildflowers bloom only for a few weeks.
Honestly, this is one of the most fun things to do in Lake Travis during spring season.
