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Barton Springs Pool is a man-made swimming pool located on the grounds of Zilker Park in Austin, Texas. The pool exists in the channel of Barton Creek and is filled by water from Main Barton Spring, the fourth largest spring in Texas. The pool is a popular venue for year-round swimming, since it maintains a temperature of approximately 68°F (20°C). During the warmer parts of the year, a small fee ($1 to $3) is charged for access to the pool. Swimming is free in the winter months and year-round before 9 AM and after 9 PM. Lifeguards are usually present excepting the wee hours, when swimmers are cautioned to "swim at your own risk". The pool is surrounded by grassy slopes which are ideal for sunbathing. Topless sunbathing is permitted.
Long before Barton Spring Pool was built, the springs were considered sacred by the Tonkawa Native American tribe who inhabited the area, and were used for purification rituals. Spanish explorers first discovered the springs in the 17th century, and around 1730 erected temporary missions at the site (later moving to San Antonio).
In 1837, soon after incorporation of the city of Austin, William ("Uncle Billy") Barton, the springs' namesake, settled the area. Barton named the three separate springs after his three daughters: Parthenia, Eliza, and Zenobia. He, and subsequent owners of the property, recognized its value as a tourist attraction, and promoted it vigorously, thus leading to the swimming hole's lasting popularity.
The last private owner of the property, Andrew Jackson Zilker, deeded it to Austin in 1918. During the 1920s, the city undertook a construction project to create a larger swimming area by damming the springs and building sidewalks. The bathhouse was constructed in the 1940s and modeled after the design of the bathhouse at Deep Eddy Pool, which is currently undergoing historic renovation. Leave a Comment Theme: OtherAddress: 2101 Barton Springs Road
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 Austin Ice Bats Hockey by ATXtraveler
The Austin Ice Bats are a team that plays in the CHL (Central Hockey League) and we have won back to back Governor's Cup Trophies.
Alot of fun to watch, great checking, a few fights, and lots of fun for the family.
Your Hockey Sweater! Leave a Comment Theme: Sports WatchingAddress: 7311 Decker LanePhone: 512-927-PUCKDirections: Exit IH-35 at MLK Blvd. Take MLK East. After you pass Hwy. 183, turn left on Route 3177 (Decker Lane). The arena will be about a mile up the road on your right.Website: http://www.icebats.com
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 Austin Wranglers by ATXtraveler
Tickets start at 8 dollars a game, and that makes for some inexpensive family fun!
Just a smile! Leave a Comment
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Austinites are very much outdoorsmen & it’s not hard to figure out why. Austin is a city surrounded by Mother Nature, offering the city’s citizens a plethora of activities to get involved in.
One of the more popular activities for Austinites is kayaking, which is a small human-powered boat that is propelled by a double-bladed paddle. Interestingly enough, the kayak was used by native Eskimo hunters in sub-Artic regions of northeastern Asia, North America, & Greenland.
Most of the Eskimo peoples from the Aleutian Island eastward to Greenland relied on the kayak for hunting a variety of prey — primarily seals, though whales & caribou were important in some areas. Skin on frame kayaks are still being used for hunting by Inuit people in Greenland. In other parts of the world homebuilders are continuing the tradition of skin on frame kayaks albeit with modern skins of canvas or synthetic fabric.
When my family & I travel to places like Austin, we always search out the nearest Kayak rental facility. By no means do we profess to be expert kayakers, but we are people who love the great outdoors. Austin is a city full of facilities where one can rent a canoe, kayak or peddle boat, on an hourly basis, for rather a cheap price. When in Austin we always rent from the Zilker Park rental facility (zilkerboats.com), as we usually score a good deal.
When renting through the Zilker Park facility, you don't have to worry about acquiring the right &/or appropriate pieces of equipment. They will furnish you with everything. Plus, if you are not an experienced kayaker, they offer lessons for beginners. Leave a Comment Theme: Kayaking/CanoeingDirections: Zilker Park.
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 Austin Rugby Club by ATXtraveler
As a fan, I would recommend that you check the schedule on the website and come out to join the boys anytime you are in town!
Bring your boots... we have everything else! Leave a Comment
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 UT Longhorn Basketball by ATXtraveler
Both Baylor and UT play in the Big XII, one of the best conferences in the country. At the time of this matchup, Baylor was rated #4 in the nation, and UT was ranked #15.
On to the next match! Leave a Comment
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 Darrell K Royal Stadium by ATXtraveler
I joke about the plague because I went to Baylor, one of UT's rivals... and there is no love lost here.
Having said that, UT always has a very respectable team every year, and one day they might actually win an important game!
Bring your burnt orange! Leave a Comment
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 by Jmill42
The springs have a long history. The Native Americans believed it held healing properties and dubbed them the "Sacred Springs." A guy named Barton claimed the area in the 1800's, and the springs are named after him. This place became part of the city's Zilker park in 1917.
Swim wear
Entrance costs $2.75 for adults and $0.50 for kids. Leave a Comment Theme: Beach ActivitiesAddress: 2101 Barton Springs RoadPhone: 512-476-9044
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 by Jmill42
Bike, helmet, and PLENTY of water! It is REALLY hot out here, and no water faucets around. Leave a Comment Theme: BikingAddress: 2101 Barton Springs Road
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 by ATXtraveler
This was much more physically demanding of an activity than I imagined, but it was also really fun! We were able to get these go-karts running in the 40 mph range, and the track that was set up was really condusive to speed!
Iron Rock Raceway is a fairly new addition to the Austin landscape, although go-karting has been around along time in Austin. The facility is actually located on the Austin airport land, so it makes for a unique racing experience when passengers on the flights are staring at you while you zoom around.
The cost is about 20 dollars per race, but for $50, you get a couple races in a championship type format. I ended up coming in 3rd out of 8, but we had a couple pros in our group!
Hours of Operation
Tues-Sat: 10am to 10pm
Sunday: 10am to 6pm
Monday: By appointment
All safety equipment is provided, however it is recommended to wear jeans and tennis shoes/driving shoes. Also, a word to the wise, do not go in the middle of the day in the summer. This made for a most unpleasurable experience, as you really have to get suited up to drive, and 100 degree heat baked me like a clam! Leave a Comment Theme: OtherPhone: 512/530-RACE (7223)Directions: Located in Austin Bergstrom International Airport, southeast of the passenger terminal.Website: http://www.ironrockraceway.com/
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