Best Swimming Hole
Barton Springs
It's cold, clear and quite possibly the Fountain of Youth. The regulars swear by a daily swim, but go during any heatwave and all layers of Austin strata come for a dip. Don't forget your goggles though, the best view is below the surface. Among the limestone shelves and underwater arrowhead grass are pockets of fish, crayfish, and turtles. The highlight is finding one of the beautiful underwater flowers in bloom. With the Save Our Springs Alliance watching over it, the pool is protected, and so are the endangered Barton Springs salamanders. If the water feels too cold, lay out on the lawn and soak up some rays – after all, this could easily be named "Best Place To Play Hooky." Next season will see some cosmetic and structural changes to the pool; can they do all this and still keep Barton Springs eternal?
Barton Springs Pool
2131 William Barton Dr., 512/974-6300
www.austintexas.gov/department/barton-springs-pool
