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There's no shortage of things to do in the vicinity.
Click on the links below to explore the many available options:
Austin Attractions
Hill Country Attractions
Area Restaurants
Restaurants within 5 minutes
Lake Travis View Restaurants
Golf
Horseback Riding
Tennis
Austin Attractions
There's too much to do and list for Austin. The following links show the many entertainment,
sporting, restaurant, and recreational activities available in Austin.
Austin360.com
is perhaps the most comprehensive guide to everything happening in Austin.
AustinCitySearch.com
is another excellent link for events and restaurants in Austin.
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Hill Country Attractions
The Backyard
13101 Hwy 71 West, 263-4146. Our favorite live music venue in Texas! This cozy venue is situated on a sloping hill of huge live oak trees. Even if you don't know the performer, you'll love the experience!
Enchanted Rock State Natural Area
has "The Rock", a huge, pink granite exfoliation dome that rises 425 feet above ground, 1825 feet above sea level, and covers 640 acres. It is the 2nd largest batholith (underground rock formation uncovered by erosion) in the United States. The Park is 18 miles north of Fredericksburg and just over an hour away.
Fredericksburg
is a charming German enclave in the Hill Country that features great German restaurants and bakeries, antique stores, the Admiral Nimitz museum and more. It's really magical and unique. You'll never regret your visit! Fredericksburg is about an hour away.
Hamilton Pool Preserve
is a historic natural swimming hole with a 45-foot waterfall falling into the water filled natural grotto. This is a must for nature lovers.
Krauss Springs
has 32 natural springs and a swimming pool situated on a bluff overlooking Cypress Creek. There are natural waterfalls, caves, and a picnic area. The year round water temperature is 70 degrees. $3 per person, open 7 days a week from 9am to 8pm. It's about 10 miles away west of 71. Call 830-693-4181.
Lake Travis
has many things to do. Here you will find a web site dedicated to the area.
The Lake Travis event calendar is available here.
Lyndon B. Johnson State Park
is a 700+ acre ranch that houses memorabilia of our President and his family that grew up here. The Sauer-Beckmann Farmstead is a living history farm showing life as it was here in 1918.
Longhorn Caverns
are really cool caves under the Hill Country that wind down into aquifers. Basic and really advanced tours (with underwater swimming required to get to new areas) are available.
Marble Falls
is a city of about 10,000 roughly 30 minutes away.
Marble Falls offers an historic downtown, shopping, movie theatres and many restaurants.
Muleshoe Bend Bike Trail
The Muleshoe trail is a 7.5-mile loop trail with 95% wooded singletrack with some moderate climbs and descents, a few drop-offs, lots of twists and turns, and a couple of small creek crossings...and a nice big lake to cool off in after the ride.
Pace Bend Park
is one of the largest parks in the Highland Lakes area and offers over 9 miles of shoreline on Lake Travis. The park is just down the street from the Waterski Chalet and offers a public boat launch.
Pedernales Falls State Park
is a 5,000+ acre park running along the Pedernales River that offers noteworthy waterfalls, fauna and wildlife.
Spicewood Vineyards
offers special events and wine-tasting every weekend and is just 10 miles away. It's very interesting and the wine is quite tasty!
Vanishing Texas River Cruise
About an hour away, this Lake Buchanan cruise passes by bald eagle nests (during winter), a magnificent waterfall, wildlife (I saw fighting wild goats on my cruise), a vineyard, wildflowers and more. There are dinner sunset cruises that last 2 1/2 to 4 hours and prices range from $15-30 per person. You will feel like you're in another world. 800-474-8374
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Area Restaurants
TOP RATED RESTAURANTS
4 of the 50 top rated restaurants within the entire Austin area are within a 15 minute drive of the Waterski Chalet.
Hudson's on the Bend
3509 RM 620 N, 266-1369. Located near Mansfield Dam on Lake Travis, this restaurant is considered one of the finest, if not the best restaurant in the Austin area. World famous chef, Jeff Blank, is a master at producing unbelievably delicious meals not only out of traditional cuisine, but also out of wild game you won't find anywhere else. One reviewer writes "The luscious beef tenderloin is topped with a beautifully-seasoned, perfectly cooked jumbo shrimp that offers a seductively light counterpoint to the heavier beef. Garnished with fresh flowers, they are served with a poblano-horseradish sauce, mashed potatoes and sautéed mixed vegetables".
Alpenhof Steak Haus
16018 Hamilton Pool Road, Bee Cave, 263-9875. For over three decades the Kohler family has provided tender, highly flavorful steaks seasoned with the secret family restaurant. They also offer traditional cuisine.
Backstage Steakhouse
21814 Texas 71 West, Spicewood, 264-2223. Specialities include a smoked thick pork chop and delicious steaks. This Texas-ambience restaurant features live music too.
The Emerald Restaurant
13614 Texas 71 West, 263-2147. Located in a 1927 built house on the west side of Bee Cave, their Irish cuisine offers delicious plates including Irish versions of lobster and roast duck.
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Restaurants within 5 minutes
La Cabana (Mexican)
21103 Hwy 71 West, 264-0292, about 3.5 miles east of Pace Bend Road on the south side of the street. Wonderful Tex-Mex. Will do "to-go" orders. Outdoor eating and live music weather permitting.
Lighthouse Lakeside Restaurant
at Briarcliff Marina, 263-8888, offers a nice selection of good food.
Little Country Diner
Hwy 71 West, 264-2926, about 4 miles east on 71, next to R.O.'s Outpost on the north side of the road. Great catfish, salads, sandwiches, burgers, steaks, some Tex-Mex, chicken fried steak, and homemade desserts.
Paleface Grocery (Pizza to go)
store on the corner of Pace Bend and 71 has a café/deli in the back and makes pizza that you can order ahead and pick up by driving a 1/2 mile down the road. Their number is 264-8700.
Poodie's Hilltop Bar & Grill (Burgers)
Hwy 71 W. 264-0318. "Best Honky-Tonk in the Hill Country". Specializing in burgers and country music!
R.O.'s Outpost (BBQ)
On Hwy 71 at Hazy Hills Drive about 3 miles east of Pace Bend Road. Tasty BBQ to go or stay, and a complete menu with turkey breast, pork loin, ribs, brisket, ham, sausage, and chicken as well as chicken fried steak and pan-fried quail. The pies and cobblers are excellent.
Spicewood Grill (Variety)
Hwy 71 W at Gregg Drive. 830-693-8660 or 830-693-4563. About 3 miles west on 71. Nice selection of good food. You have to join the club to buy a drink!
Hill Country Restaurants
This link gives a comprehensive review of restaurants in the Hill Country.
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Lake Travis View Restaurants
Carlos N' Charlies
is a world famous chain in tropical settings and one of Austin's most happening Lake Travis places complete with drive-up boat docks, sand volleyball and live music. See their menu and events at this site. It's about 15-20 minutes from the Chalet.
Johnny Fins Floating Bar and Grill
is a Lake Travis floating restaurant with live music and a singles bar. Check out their calendar and menu at this site. It's about 10-15 minutes from the Chalet.
The Oasis
"The Sunset Capital of Texas" is located 450 feet above Lake Travis and offers breathtaking views of the Texas Hill Country and spectacular sunsets! Enjoy the scenery from one of the 40 plus outdoor decks, or inside from one of the enchanting dining rooms. It's about 20 minutes from the Chalet on the eastern edge of Lake Travis.
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Golf
Pedernales Golf Club "Willie Nelson's"
807 Paisley, Briarcliff (512) 264-1489
Barton Creek Lakeside
Barton Creek Lakeside (800) 693-5253
Lakecliff on Lake Travis
Paleface Ranch Rd. (830) 693-1458
Flintrock Falls
Flintrock Rd. (877) 263-3500
Live Oak Golf Course
510 Lakeway Dr. (512) 261-7173
Yaupon Golf Course
100 Club House Dr. (512) 261-7172
The Hills of Lakeway
26 Club Estates Parkway (512) 261-7272
Falconhead
15201 Falconhead Blvd. (512) 402-1558
Austin 360.com Golf Guide
Guide to public and private courses.
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Horseback Riding
Resort Ranch
3.5 miles down RM 2322 (Pace Bend Road South), 264-2533, offers western trail rides with a professional staff Wrangler who will guide you through the scenic Texas Hill Country. 1 hour tours are $30 per person and 2 hour tours are $55 per person. They offer 10 minute pony rides for the little dudes and dudettes for $15. Riding lessons are also available.
Hunters Chase Farms
about 10 miles away off Hamilton Pool road, 264-3346, offers riding lessons, boarding, leasing, pony and horse sales, and trail rides. Hunters Chase Farms is located on Sisk Ln. approximately two miles off of Hamilton Pool Road. All 45 acres are covered in lush trees and miles of trails. There are three arenas as well as an unfenced hunter ring with all natural jumps; and with over 70 horses they can accommodate any level of rider making HCF a great choice for an excellent riding experience.
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Tennis
Lakecliff Racquet Club
2819 Cliff Point Spicewood, TX 426-3160 or 633-7140 has red clay, grass, and hard courts. Private lessons available.
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