We’ve looked at our site analytics and put together the Top 5 things to do on Lake Travis ranked by pageviews. We’ve said it before, Lake Travis is a BIG lake. It’s 63.75 miles long, has over 271 miles of shoreline. It’s also the the most commercially active reservoir in the state. It’s crystal clear blue waters, it’s proximity to Austin proper and it’s status as a non Corps of Engineers lake (allowing private lakeside property), have it number one, by a long shot, in available recreation activities and lake related businesses. While Austin locals eventually find and bookmark the “go to” spots and activities on the lake, we find may prospective visitors are almost overwhelmed by the options (and the options within options) available for fun on Lake Travis.
Here is a somewhat scientific list (based on our site’s pageview numbers) of the Top 10 Things To Do On Lake Travis.
1. Catch The Sunset At The Oasis on Lake Travis
Okay, this restaurant 450 feet above the lake has it’s own Wikipedia page and a 4 story parking garage. It’s hard to argue Beau Theriot’s “Sunset Capital of Texas” with its terraced views looking west over Lake Travis isn’t the lake’s most famous venue. The 30,000 square foot restaurant sits on a bluff 450 feet above the lake and is the largest outdoor restaurant in Texas. Built in 1982 by Houston entrepreneur Beau Theriot, who purchased a 500-acre ranch overlooking the lake and converted it into the current multi-use venue, The Oasis has been thrilling visitors near and far with amazing sunset’s over the lake for over 25 years.
Video produced by Tommy Huynh
The Oasis is also one of the most prolific Live Music venues on the lake with two stages of music – the massive indoor Starlight Terrace and the more intimate outdoor Beau’s Backyard both hosting shows on weekend summer nights.
At dusk listen for the Sunset Bell and join in the hundreds of mobile phone selfies along with Texas’ most fantastic sunset view. The Oasis Restaurant is now flanked by a bustling community of additional restaurants and retail businesses making it even more of a must-see destination on the lake.
Related links:
Lake Travis Hotels
Lake Travis Vacation Rentals
Lake Travis Marinas
2. Spoil Yourself at The Lakeway Resort and Spa
The city of Lakeway on the south shore of Lake Travis really began in 1962 with the construction of the Lakeway Inn, which would later grow and become the Lakeway Resort and Spa. Lakeway’s location, a one-of-a-kind setting perched on the banks of Lake Travis, is one of the reasons Austin is known for being such a livable city. Lake Travis is a veritable oasis located just a few miles west of town.
The beautiful and intimate Lakeway Resort and Spa features 168 rooms, including a section of multi-bedroom townhome units overlooking the lake.
Perched on a peninsula with 270 degree views of the lake, the resort hosts a spa, fine and casual dining, four large pools, a marina and is a visitor’s home base for some of Austin’s best golf.
Related links:
Lake Travis Sailing
Lake Travis Boat Rentals
Lake Travis Restaurants
Lake Travis Golf
Lake Travis Wineries
Lake Travis Craft Breweries
Lake Travis Distilleries
Lake Travis Marinas
Diving on Lake Travis
3. Go Flying at Lake Travis Zipline Adventures
Located on the north shore of Cypress Creek Arm of Lake Travis, Lake Travis Zipline Adventures has 5 zip lines ranging from 250 feet to the longest zipline in Texas – over 2800 feet. It is the longest and fastest zipline in Texas. While waiting between each zip, you will enjoy amazing views of Lake Travis and the Texas Hill Country. Your professionally trained tour guides offer education and fun throughout your challenging hikes and nature walks. For the grand finale, imagine launching off a cliff 20 stories high and zipping over 2800 feet across beautiful Lake Travis.
Lake Travis Zipline Adventures opened for business July 2011. Developers John Shipley and Brian George are business partners and co-owners of the park, which sits on land that has been part of George’s family since the 1930s. The zipline park has quickly become one of the destination fun spots on the lake. Your Adventure includes all necessary equipment, boat transportation, water and a light trail snack. You also are entitled to access the Private Beach where you can picnic, swim, play games or simply relax in a waterside hammock.
Video produced by Brad Smith
Related links:
Lake Travis Hotels
Lake Travis Vacation Rentals
4. Play Hard or Just Relax at Volente Beach Resort
Volente Beach Resort on the shores of Lake Travis is the perfect getaway for children and adults alike. The resort includes Beachside Billy’s lakeside restaurant, a waterpark and lodging. There are pools for kids and an adult only pool with a swim up tiki bar. The resort also boasts it’s own sandy beachfront and 3 volleyball courts.
The restaurant host’s live music on weekends, and also hosts Alamo Drafthouse’s Jaw’s in The Water and Lake Travis’ biggest and best Independence Day fireworks show.
Husband and wife team Adam and Kara Weedman have truly built a destination fun factory on the shores of Lake Travis at Volente Beach.
5. Rent A Boat and Hit the Water
Lake Travis has over 25 boat rental venues operating on the lake. From stand-up paddleboards, kayaks & jet skis, to run-abouts, wakeboard boats, pontoons, sail boats, party barges, luxury yachts & houseboats, this Lake has it all. Certainly one of the most popular activities on the lake is taking to the water. The boat rental businesses typically offer their rentals two ways – bareboat rentals – meaning you rent the boat un-captained and are responsible driving the boat and navigating around the lake, and captained or chartered rentals – meaning a captain/driver is supplied and your job is relegated to just enjoying the day. Most of the rental companies provide an array of water toys with your rental.
Devil’s Cove is the go-to party spot on the lake where boats anchor and tie together in huge partying floating condo complexes. If solitude is more your thing the lake offers countless lesser traveled coves and anchor spots.
Video produced by Hunter Pontious
Wakeboarding and wakesurfing are great mornings and evenings (low traffic times) in some of the lesser trafficked coves, and upriver west of Lago Vista and Pace Bend Park where Lake Travis begins to look like Lake Austin (without the traffic).
Video produced by JB O’Neill
Video produced by Grace Dauzat
Related links:
Lake Travis Boat Rentals
Lake Travis Sailing
Lake Travis Yacht Charters
Lake Travis Houseboat Rentals
Lake Travis Party Barges
Lake Travis Marinas
Diving on Lake Travis
6. Take an On The Water Pub Crawl
Several of the boat rental operators and yacht charter companies on the lake offer sunset cruises and restaurant / pub crawls on the lake. Lake Travis has TEN waterview & EIGHT water access restaurant & bars. Spend a day meandering from one fun spot to another for great food, drinks and live music on the water. We’ve put together the ultimate on-the-water pub crawl with maps and distances between venues.
Related links:
Lake Travis Boat Rentals
Lake Travis Sailing
Lake Travis Yacht Charters
Lake Travis Houseboat Rentals
Lake Travis Party Barges
Lake Travis On The Water Pub Crawl
Lake Travis Lakeview Restaurants
Enjoy your time on Lake Travis. There is so much more to do and see. Visit LakeTravis.com or give us a call at (512) 261-5121 for more ideas for fun on the lake.