8 Free (Or Nearly Free) Things To Do In Austin, Texas

Cathedral of Junk

See recycling at its best in Vincent Hannemann’s backyard. For over 20 years the Austin artist has turned other people’s trash into treasure, with the Cathedral of Junk, a two-story sculpture made of old bicycles, hubcaps, tires, shopping carts and a variety of other odds and ends that have been carefully fit together. About 99 percent of the items in the piece were donated and Hannemann, who has a 20-year expansion project in mind, is always on the lookout for more stuff – specifically bicycles, skis, aluminum crutches, license plates, “anything that’s heavy metal” and anything that says ‘Made in the U.S.A.’

A native of Santa Fe, N.M., Hannemann has been making art since he was a little kid. This is his eleventh “yard space.” His mom, he said, came up with the name “Cathedral of Junk” and after it had a name, it had a life of its own. What was supposed to be his “little secret hideout,” now welcomes over 10,000 visitors a year from around the world. And it’s all by word of mouth. “The public aspect of it is kind of an unanticipated part of it,” he said, “but it’s better to go with the flow.” The Cathedral of Junk is open daily from dawn until dusk and is free to visitors. Donations are accepted. 4422 Lareina Dr.

UPDATE – It has been brought to our attention that, since writing the above article, Vincent Hanneman has been forced to close the Cathedral of Junk, due to pressure from the City of Austin code enforcement. It will remain closed until further notice. (We hope the city will recognize the Cathedral of Junk for the unique work of art it is and allow Hanneman to reopen.)

First Thursdays on SoCo

On the first Thursday of each month, locals and visitors flock to South Congress Avenue, a hip section of town known for its eclectic mix of shops, galleries, restaurants and bars. Business owners stay open late (until 10 p.m. or later) during the monthly social event, sometimes handing out free drinks and/or offering sales on merchandise. There are also a variety of arts and crafts vendors set up in parking lots along the way, and a number of street performers to entertain you while you poke around. When you are ready to take a break, pop into one of the restaurants or bars and refuel with food and drink, or treat yourself to dessert at Amy’s Ice Creams.

Bat show

Head to the Congress Avenue Bridge in downtown Austin for one of the most popular shows in town – the nightly forage of its resident bats. The bridge is home to the largest urban bat colony in North America, with between 750,000 and 1.5 million Mexican free-tail bats roosting there from mid-March to early November. Each night, around dusk, they pour out of the bridge in search of their dinner, streaming across the sky like smoke from a chimney. The bats have been utilizing the bridge since it was remodeled in 1980, making it an ideal place to “hang out.” It has been a popular attraction for visitors and residents alike, who crowd the sidewalks of the bridge and the banks of Lady Bird River. The best time to view the bats en masse is in August after the babies learn to fly. For more information, including their expected flight time, call the Bat Hotline, 416-5700 ext. 3636.

Zilker Metropolitan Park

The 351-acre Zilker Park, located on Lady Bird Lake in Austin is a sprawling, green, urban oasis, with hiking, biking, picnicking and more. The park was named for Andrew Jackson Zilker, who donated the land to the Public Free Schools of Austin between 1919 and 1934 on the condition that the city buy the land from the schools at an inflated price. The city has done a good job maintaining the park, which has several sand volleyball courts, a nine-hole Disc Golf Course, two multi-use fields, hiking and biking trails and the popular spring-fed swimming pool – Barton Springs ($3 for adults). The park is also home to Zilker Botanical Gardens and the Austin Nature and Science Center, both of which are free. Or for a small fee ($2.75 for adults), you can take a ride on the Zilker Zephyr Miniature Train, which travels along Barton Creek and Town Lake. Zilker Park is open daily from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. There is a $3 parking fee from mid-March to Labor Day weekend. 2100 Barton Springs Rd.

Coffee with a view at Mozart’s

Enjoy freshly-roasted coffees and decadent desserts while overlooking Lake Austin at one of the area’s most popular cafes. Mozart’s Coffee Roasters is perched right on the water, and it’s large wooden deck offers some fantastic views of the lake and the surrounding hills. Founded in 1993, Mozart’s features gourmet coffees from around the world, which are roasted on-site every few days. Pick up a cup of their Bottomless Daily Selection for $2.75 or choose from a number of other coffee drinks. To go with it, check out Mozart’s large selection of freshly-baked goodies, including an array of cheesecakes. Try the Strawberry Chocolate Cheesecake or the Blackberry Swiss ($5.75 a slice). Mozart’s also has free Wi-Fi and live music Thursday-Sunday. 3825 Lake Austin Boulevard

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Farmers/Artists Markets

Austin is home to several weekly and monthly outdoor markets, where you can pick up a variety of things for yourself or those back home, like fresh fruits and veggies and locally-made arts and crafts. Check out the Austin Farmers’ Market, held Saturdays from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at the corner of Fourth and Guadalupe. Here you will find a large selection of produce, meats, cheeses, herbs and eggs, and a variety of handmade arts and crafts. In addition to the many vendors, the market features live music, chef demos, gardening workshops and children’s activities. If you find it hard to be up and out of the house by 1 p.m. on a Saturday, check out the Market at The Triangle, held from 4-8 p.m. on Wednesdays at Fifth and Main Street. And for local art, head to the 78704 Artisan Market, held Saturdays from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. at the intersection of South Congress and Gibson.

Barton Creek Greenbelt

Hiking along the Barton Creek Greenbelt beneath a canopy of trees, it’s easy to forget you’re in one of North America’s biggest cities. This lush 800-plus acres of public land is convenient to downtown but wonderfully isolated. A multi-use trail – open to hikers and bikers – meanders over seven miles along Barton Creek through dense woods and over rugged terrain. Popular swimming holes along the route include Sculpture Falls and Twin Falls and rock climbers enjoy tackling New Wall and Great Wall, which are located about a half-mile from the Spyglass Drive entrance. There are several other access points to the Greenbelt including one at Zilker Park and on Loop 360. Dogs are allowed but must be kept on a leash. The greenbelt is closed from 10 p.m.-5 a.m.

Au Natural at Hippie Hollow

Sun your buns at Hippie Hollow, the only clothing-optional public park in all of Texas. Of course, you have to pay for your freedom – there is a $12 entry fee per vehicle ($10, plus a $2 “surcharge”). If you walk or bike in, however, it’s only $5. Operated by the Travis County Parks Department, the 109-acre park is situated on the shores of Lake Travis in northwest Austin (about 30 minutes from downtown). Enjoy sunbathing and nice views (of the lake, I mean) from the rocky shoreline, and swimming in the crystal clear waters. Wear shoes – if nothing else – to negotiate the rocks, or for a hike along one of the paved nature trails. Pets and children under 18 are not allowed. The park is open from 9 a.m. until dark. If you are looking for something to read while you sunbathe, pick up a copy of “Hippie Hollow – Murder on a Nude Beach,” a fictitious murder-mystery by Denniger Bolton. 7000 Comanche Trail