City Description
As a culturally rich urban community with a small town neighborhood feel, Austin frequently appears on "best cities to live" lists. Natives who hunger for the outdoors are satiated by "Texas' Playground's," 14,000 acres of parks and 150 miles of lakes. Early morning runs around Town Lake, midday trail rides in the Barton Creek greenbelt, and a late afternoon dip in one of the City's natural spring swimming holes are all possibilities. However, Austin thrives on much more than a recreational diet. Art gallery perusing along Sixth Street, retail therapy on Congress Ave., and live singing performances in the Warehouse District spice up this city's mix.
The latest ingredient added to Austin's melting pot came courtesy of the technology boom. High heels and wingtips substitute for Birkenstocks in the burgeoning "Silicon Hills." Anchored by corporate heavyweights such as Dell, Cirrus Logic, and Inquisite, a parade of high-tech companies continues marching into town. In true Austin style, business deals and negotiations are as likely to occur on tennis courts and running trails as in boardrooms.
Cycling shoes are another fashionable slip-on, thanks to Austin's most esteemed athlete, Lance Armstrong. Bicycle routes, lanes, and trails abound throughout the Lone Star State's capital making it one of America's most alluring cycling cities. On the off chance you see Lance training one morning, holding his wheel (for those non-cycling geeks, this means riding behind) for a few seconds will impart water cooler bragging rights about "working out" with the "Big Texan."
Finding athletic endeavors while in this fitness friendly town is an easy "feet," just don't forget your shoes.