Town Lake
4.5
About
Visitors can rent canoes or rowboats along this part of Lake Austin that flows five miles through the heart of downtown Austin.
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Neighborhood: South Austin
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1,045 within 3 miles
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251 within 6 miles
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
481 reviews
Excellent
315
Very good
130
Average
26
Poor
7
Terrible
3
waimea2vail_12
Irvine, CA74 contributions
Dec 2019
Took an afternoon to walk the trail around the lake over the holidays. Clean and well traveled. People were in Kayaks on the lake and there was a tour boat playing music. Lots of turtles on the shore as well. The bats were not around (they leave around October-November). Had fun with the kids on the walk.
Written January 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
tamjan
Port Elizabeth, South Africa3,199 contributions
Mar 2020 • Solo
now called lady bird lake, the town lake has a beautiful nature trail about 2 miles that burns 8,000 steps . 3km. i do it for fit bit. the blue bonnets are coming out this time of year which is nice !
Written March 23, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
YouTubeCommenter
1 contribution
Aug 2020 • Solo
I go to this Lake every time I come home to visit my family. Originally named “Town Lake” because it’s in town. Hopefully some day they will change the name back. Beautiful and overall fun if you like doing things outside. I have been to Town Lake by myself and with family.
Written September 3, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
JulieAG
Houston, TX86 contributions
Sep 2020 • Couples
We were shocked to see the Tent City That has popped up along Town Lake. We were disheartened to walk the streets only to walk over sleeping or watch urinating street people. Our tourist dollars will not be spent in the city any longer unless we learn downtown has been cleaned up and the homeless have been provided suffice shelter.
Written October 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
aampere111
Austin3 contributions
Sep 2019
If you like 80 degree brown water where things touch your feet but you cant see what they are, this is the place for you. If you'd like to pay $40 per person to any of the rental places to get a canoe or paddleboard (Did they all agree on this beforehand or something) then you will like it even more. It's nice to look at, don't bother going in it. "Locals" will be like "oh there is this one spot that I go to it's nice" then take you to a bridge or something. They just havne't been to a nice river before.
Written May 20, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Pete
6 contributions
Sep 2020
Let’s cut to the chase on this quickly. There are two aspects to what is now called “Ladybird Lake”. One is the surrounding parks and trails. These are very nice unless you’re a runner. They are heavily trafficked with random walkers, drunks, and any number of obstacles to a steady safe pace. So go real early! The views are lovely. That’s s a plus. But don’t go on the water! It’s very dirty, since the storm sewers drain the city streets. It’s the color of strong coffee, fortunately it doesn’t stink, but if you fall into it, you’re going to need a shower and fresh clothes pretty soon. I don’t think the legions of paddlers and kayakers realize this. The western end is known to have a poisonous algae that has killed numerous dogs that have played in the water during the warm season. If you want to get wet, go to Lake Austin, which is to the west and much cleaner and cooler.
Written December 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
LOBOGRIS
Austin, TX76 contributions
Jun 2012 • Solo
If you have ever been to Austin, you know about the famous Barton Springs but very few of even long-time Austin residents realize that there is a secret spring that rushes into Ladybird Lake (Town Lake still to most of us who live here) and is a silent sister spring to the ones that feed Barton Springs Pool (Parthenia, Zenobia, Eliza - named after Uncle Billy Barton's daughters - and the Upper Barton Spring upstream of the pool). All come from the same Edwards Aquifer, but the Town Lake spring, through some quirk in the karst system, emerges over a mile from the pool. To find it, follow the south shoreline of Ladybird Lake a bit more than a mile upriver from the MoPac bridge, past the second pier (the one that is only sticks in the water for the last half), look for the second limestone bluff with a big tree in the middle and start searching the hidden shoreline beneath overhanging trees. You will hear it before you see it. Snake through the opening to the right and look for a rough ring of large boulders and flowing water coming from about two feet above lake level. This spring is just as cold as Barton's Pool (68F) and small, but it is a delicious and very rewarding discovery on a hot day in Austin. NOTE: Austinites love and respect this spring. Do not desecrate it by leaving trash or any evidence of your visit. See the photos attached.
Written June 3, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Gloria L
Austin, TX2,310 contributions
Jun 2019
Walking around the lake, driving over it, or getting in a kayak or other type of boat is so much fun! It is a beautiful sight!
Written June 22, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
CentralCoastWine
Central Coast299 contributions
Sep 2012 • Friends
One great thing about this part of the river, is that is is closed to motorboats. So, if you want to learn to row, canoe or paddleboard this is the place for you. There are place on the river/lake that offer rentals and classes. There is even a place that has rowing machines on a dock in order to teach people how to row. It is not as easy as it looks. I love rowing and think it is probably the best way to exercise. University of Texas trains there. They invited me to row with them and it is then you realize how much these people train. I thought I had held my own till I woke up the next day sore as all hell.
So stick to the rowers on the dock or the paddle boats.
So stick to the rowers on the dock or the paddle boats.
Written September 16, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
BBabe
Austin51 contributions
Jan 2016 • Friends
If you have 10 minutes or 2 hours, take the time to go down to the Town Lake hike & bike trail through the city. Park under the MoPac bridge near Austin High, just off Lake Austin Blvd. (That's a great spot to meet up with friends, plus there are decent public restrooms there!) Lovely trail winding along both sides of the river..be sure to walk over Town Lake at the Lamar pedestrian bridge, stopping midway to look upriver and downriver and rejoice that you're alive and in a beautiful, fascinating town!
Written January 14, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Are there any lake view nice
restaurants near this area
Piter_Londono
Bogota, Colombia69 contributions
I would recommend el Tesoro (peruvian food) and Bangkok Orchid, I tried both and had a good experience with the food. Tasty and clean environment.
krellm08
San Antonio, TX
Can you swim on here? I have been trying to research water events and beach areas?
craftingnew
Austin, TX78 contributions
No no not even dogs
Nina D
Easthampton, MA8 contributions
Where is nearest parking?
d1621
Texas1,064 contributions
Parking - Lots of it! Just depends on where you are staying or arriving along the 10 mile hike & bike trail around the lake. If east of IH-35, we suggest you Google the Austin Hostel and park near the lake on the south side along Lake Shore Blvd. A terrific coffee shop when you are done is Cenote on E. Cesar Chaves. If you are in or near downtown, you can park near The Long Center including in their parking garage or in open parking slots along Riverside there, too. Try Joe's Coffee on S. Congress afterward. If you arrive at Zilker Park, there are many parking lots in the park. Try Austin Java afterward on Barton Springs Road. If you arrive on the north side, Google Austin High School and look for parking nearby the school by the rowing dock. You can hit many places on that side for coffee back along Lamar Blvd.
Jeanne H
Houston, TX
Hi, what hotels are near there and are there fireworks on July 4th in the area?
Thank you,
Jeannne
mrsmercado2002
Austin, TX25 contributions
I recommend the Hyatt on Town Lake. It is a nice place to stay. And yes, there are great fireworks!!
Town Lake (Austin) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Town Lake
- We recommend booking Town Lake tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 7 Town Lake tours on Tripadvisor
- According to Tripadvisor travelers, these are the best ways to experience Town Lake:
- Austin in a Nutshell Bike Tour with a Local Guide (From $64.84)
- Austin and Hill Country Sightseeing Tour (From $29.84)
- Austin and Hill Country Panoramic Sightseeing Tour (From $68.00)
- Austin Sightseeing and Capitol Segway Tour (From $69.95)
- Austin Biker Gang E-Bike Adventure (From $75.00)
- Hotels near Town Lake:
- (0.11 mi) *6 BEDROOMS* Perfect for Bachelor(ette) Party & Big families! 2 homes!
- (0.14 mi) BEST LOCATION to the Best that Austin has to offer! Downtown, SoCo, Lake Austin.
- (0.20 mi) Large Condo Near Downtown, Airport and University
- (0.55 mi) Aiden By Best Western @ Austin City Hotel
- (0.92 mi) Kimber Modern Hotel
- Restaurants near Town Lake:
- (0.32 mi) Whip In
- (0.94 mi) Home Slice Pizza
- (0.44 mi) 1618 Asian Fusion
- (0.93 mi) Torchys Tacos
- (0.97 mi) Hopdoddy Burger Bar
- Attractions near Town Lake:
- (0.43 mi) Live Love Paddle
- (0.27 mi) Austin Aeronauts
- (1.35 mi) Bike and Brew ATX
- (1.59 mi) Austin Detours
- (1.40 mi) Fairmont Spa