Wellness Getaway: Austin Texas Lets You Recharge From The Outside In

As the self proclaimed “Live Music Capital of the World“, Austin, Texas combines a relaxed feel with a wide array of activities that delivers an easy and approachable getaway. This city’s easy feel let’s you recharge yourself – and very much on your own terms. And when it comes to health and wellness, this city delivers. Not content with simply providing world class live music, great food and exceptional culture, Austin has a notably healthy view of itself from the rest of its Texas peers. Add to this that the city is temperate a good part of the year–notably spring and fall–making it a perfect wellness destination for enjoying many of its outdoor interests.

Get To Know Austin by Getting Outdoors

Austin is a great walking city and offers several options worth exploring. For starters, check out Ladybird Lake Hike and Bike Trail, a relaxed 10-mile loop that runs through downtown. This mostly shaded and compacted trail is an excellent option for walkers, joggers, or runners, as well as recreational cyclists.  Locals will tell you that the famous Barton Creek Greenbelt cannot be missed.  With miles of continuous trails perfect for hiking, mountain biking, and trail running, when the spring feed water is flowing through it, you will also find swimmers and some canoes and kayaks as well. You can also rent paddle boards or boats on LadyBird Lake. Barton Creek’s “Hill of Life” includes a pretty steep and continuous climb which mountain bikers and those breaking in new hiking boots tackle with fervor. You may also want to make time to visit Mount Bonnell, a very short, but steep hike up to what is arguably the highest point in Austin. And from there you can even catch a yoga class after sunset.

Biker’s Paradise

Not of the Hell’s Angels variety mind you, however, Austin is home to a very large cycling community (7-timeTour De France winner Lance Armstrong is a local).  You will find several excellent bicycle clubs and bike shops that will provide everything from bike rentals and purchases to helping organize local rides. For pure cycling pleasure, check out the Austin Veloway, a paved 3.1 mile path mainly for bike riders, although it also allows for roller bladders and skaters. Some excellent shops include:

• Bicycle Sport Shop
• Mellow Johnny’s
• University Cyclery

For information on cycling options in the city contact the Austin Cycling Association.

Holy Bat Cave Austin!

Watch out for bats.  Seriously! Austin is home to the largest urban bat colony (over a million of them) all of which live under the Congress Avenue Bridge.  The colony migrates out to fields at dusk each night and draws a very large crowd.  This is definitely a must see for any Austin visitor and makes for a great early evening walk before heading out for an evening of live music, dining, and dancing.

Personal Peace and Harmony

Austin’s relaxed vibe offers plenty of excellent spa options to help you relax and unwind. The Barton Creek Resort and Spa rests in the famous Texas Hill Country, providing spa services as well as golf and recreational activities for a true family-oriented getaway. For a more modern and urban experience, Milk +Honey delivers full day spa relaxation in downtown (as well as the Hill Country Galleria). And for the totally pampered “budget is not on your mind” experience, a visit to the Lake Austin Spa Resort is a must. Rated the Number 1 Spa Destination in the United States by Conde Naste, this destination takes a holistic view of relaxation from individualized programs designed to take into account your treatment, activity, cuisine, and accommodation preferences. A few days at one of these spas screams (or softly speaks) to us as a girlfriends getaway.

Barton Creek Resort and Spa
8212 Barton Club Drive
Austin, Texas 78735(512) 329-4550 (direct spa number)
www.bartoncreek.com

Milk + Honey
2nd Street District, downtown Austin, TX
(512) 236-1115
www.milkandhoneyspa.com

Lake Austin Spa Resort
1705 South Quinlan Park Road, Austin, Texas 78732
(512) 372-7300
www.lakeaustin.com

Active Relaxation Works Up An Appetite

All this activity (or relaxing) can certainly work up an appetite. Fortunately, Austin doesn’t rest on its music or its outdoor activity laurels. And the food scene here does not disappoint. 25 years ago a small food revolution–started around a nascent concept known as “organic”–was launched at a small market known as Whole Foods. Today, Whole Foods Headquarters and flagship store, sized at over 80K square feet, provides ample opportunities to taste organic and sustainably produced foods. You can also pop in, grab something healthy and delicious, and then head out on a walk, ride or climb. An early believer in sourcing from local food suppliers, long time favorite Wink Restaurant delivers delicious and healthy foods with some of the best wine pairing in Austin. A newcomer to the food scene Olivia Restaurant, quickly rose to be one of Austin’s top 10 restaurants due to its reliance on local food suppliers and the use of their own herb garden. Local celebrity chef Tyson Cole, has received national acclaim and attention for his contemporary Japanese dining and sushi at Uchi/Uchiko. And if you want to get really local and sustainable, East Side Cafe runs their own farm and organic garden that supplies several of the restaurants dishes. And for those on vegan and macrobiotic diets, you can get thoughtfully prepared meals at the Casa de Luz restaurant which is part of a local community center.

Whole Foods HQ
525 N Lamar Blvd., Austin, TX 78703
(512) 476-1206
www.Whole FoodsHQ.com

Wink Restaurant
1014 North Lamar, Ste. E Austin, TX 78703
(512) 482-8868
www.winkrestaurant.com

Olivia Restaurant 
2043 S. Lamar, Austin, TX 78704
(512) 804-2700
www.olivia-restaurant.com

Uchi/Uchiko Restaurants

Uchi
801 South Lamar, Austin, Texas 78704
(512) 916-4808

Uchiko
4200 North Lamar Austin, Texas 78756
(512) 916-4808
www.uchiaustin.com

East Side Café 
2113 Manor Road,Austin, TX 78722
(512) 476-5858
www.eastsidecafeaustin.com

Casa de Luz
1701 Toomey Road, Austin, Texas 78704
www.casadeluz.org

Time for a Tune (and Maybe a Two Step)

After all that eating, it’s time to take part in what Austin is truly known for – live music! Listen or dance at over 200 venues blanket the city featuring Texas R&B,Alternative, Funk, Retro, Country and virtually every other major (or minor) music genre. Catch some fantastic Indie and Alternative Rock (and awesome BBQ) at Stubbs Bar-B-Q, which is known to pull in some major acts. The always hip Parish Room draws all types of Rock (both classic and Indie) and has a noteworthy bar. La Zona Rosa is a major venue attracting major superstars, such as the Black Eyed Peas, among others. They also allow all ages; one of the few venues in town to do so. And for an eclectic mix of acts and venue, check out The Beauty Bar.