When getting away from the stresses of your everyday life, a city like Austin, Texas, might not be first on your mind. It should be, though. There are plenty of great places here that will help you unwind and relax.
Zilker Botanical Garden
One of the best places in Austin to relax is the Zilker Botanical Garden. Here, you’ll be able to enjoy peaceful gardens, the Green Garden (where local designers showcase plants native to the area), and the Taniguchi Oriental Garden. There are ponds covered in lily pads and the serene sounds of waterfalls. You’ll also find the Hartman Prehistoric Garden, located right where actual dinosaur tracks were found in 1992.
Zilker Park
While Zilker Park is well-known for its ACL Music Festival and its incredible light show during the holiday season, it’s also a great place to relax. If you want to lay down in the grass and read a book or set up a blanket and have a picnic lunch, this park is the best place to go. The main field in the park also offers an incredible view of the city skyline while you relax surrounded by nature.
Viva Day Spa
The Viva Day Spa was voted the “Best Spa” by Austin Monthly Magazine several years in a row. If you are looking to relax, this is the place. Their spa packages include various massages where you can melt away for a few hours. This is a very upscale day spa that offers pedicures, manicures, facials, and some med spa services.
The Greenbelt
The Greenbelt starts at Zilker Park. It offers almost 8 miles of trails on 809 acres of land. There are plenty of ways to relax here, from sitting near the water to going for a jog to climbing the cliffs. You’ll have plenty of natural beauty around you to help you unwind.
Barton Springs Pool
Barton Springs Pool boasts 68-degree water year-round. It’s refreshing and can be shocking at first, but it is often just the thing you need if you’re in Austin in the middle of summer. When you arrive here, you’ll see plenty of others with the same goal in mind, relaxation. A quick look around will show you people doing yoga, drawing, or reading. Bringing your furry friend with you? Check out Barking Springs. It’s adjacent to Barton Springs, but it’s a pooch-friendly swimming hole that allows you and your four-legged companion to relax together.
McKinney Falls
McKinney Falls is a great place to go if you need to get away from it all, and it allows you to get in a bit of a workout at the same time. Here, you’ll find hiking, biking, swimming areas, and places to go fishing. If you need more than just a few hours of getting away from the stresses of everyday life, you can even camp out here.
Mayfield Park
Mayfield Park opened up to the public in 1971, after the original owners passed away. Now, it’s a nature preserve complete with peacocks wandering around freely. In addition to these beautiful birds, you’ll also find ponds and flowers, giving you an incredible place to relax.
Mozart’s Coffee
For some, relaxing can’t be done without a good cup of coffee. If this sounds like your kind of way to relax, check out Mozart’s Coffee. The delightful coffee place is located right on a lake, giving you a great view. It’s also lit up with light streamers at night. Sure, college finals time can get a little busy, but if you hit it at just the right time, you’ll have peace, quiet, delicious coffee, and a delectable treat.
Sometimes you need to get away from it all. You work a busy schedule, essential tasks bombard you, and you don’t have any time to relax before you have to get up and do it all over again. So, Austin might not seem like it, but this city has a lot to offer in the way of relaxation. No matter if you’re looking to get away for a weekend, a week, or longer, this city has you covered. You won’t regret having traveled here.