Wake up early and begin your day with an energetic walk along the Lady Bird Lake Hike and Bike Trail, a rambling route through Austin's leafy, much loved park. I suggest you reward yourself with a tasty brunch at the South Congress Cafe, then spend the rest of the morning shopping in South Austin. If you need a late morning pick-me-up, stop by Jo's Coffee House for an Iced Turbo or indulge in your favorite flavor icecream at the famous Amy's Ice Creams across the street. Austin has some of the best and original Food Truck's in the nation. You'll find them parked all throughout downtown and on South Congress Ave.

Why not go and play in Zilker Park, 358 glorious acres in the city center. Take a ride round the park on the Zilker Zephyr miniature train, row a canoe out onto the lake or be like a local and take a dip in Barton Springs Pool. This amazing, natural spring-fed pond is three acres wide and maintains a temperature of 68 degrees F all year round, so you can swim whatever the weather. While you're here, pack in a culture fix: head to the Sculpture Garden at the south end to see works by sculptor Charles Umlauf.

To finish a day in the great outdoors of Austin, enjoy a delicious dinner of melt-in-the-mouth crab cakes or try the prime rib beef at the Shoreline Grill. Then, at sundown, watch Austin's resident bats venture out from under Congress Avenue Bridge. After dinner, I recommend you stroll over to the Warehouse District to catch some live music at Antone's or enjoy a drink or two at Betsy's Bar.