Get Out

These 5 hikes are a perfect way to enjoy the outdoors in Central Texas

Hiking the trails in and around Austin is easy — and free.

Part of the magic of living in Texas is that you're never very far from nature. With the state's abundance of wide-open spaces, trails, and swimming holes, taking a trek to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life is relatively easy.

With the arrival of spring, now is the perfect time to experience the mellowing yet inspiring effects of a day hike. These five free Central Texas hikes are just a few hours away from Dallas. They all start in or around Austin and are a great way to explore the beauty of the area.

Schedule one or two on your next weekend getaway or business trip to the Capital City, or plan a days-long adventure and give your hiking shoes — and camera — a real workout.

Georgetown Lake Good Water Trail
The best day hike on the 28-mile Good Water Trail around Lake Georgetown is an out-and-back totaling five miles to the charming waterfall and fern-covered cliff of Crockett Gardens. Take I-35 to Highway 29, then head west toward D.B. Cooper Road and then north to the trailhead at Cedar Breaks Park.
Know before you go: Pick up a trail map at the entrance. Some sections are quite rocky so wear stout shoes, and don’t get so distracted by the views from tall bluffs overlooking the lake that you fail to pay attention to where you put your feet.

McKinney Roughs Nature Park
More than 17 miles of trails crisscross this Lower Colorado River Authority park 13 miles east of the Austin airport on Highway 71. Enjoy easy strolls down well-maintained paths and benches overlooking valley vistas, and don’t miss the Riverside Trail where water burbling over rapids soothes taut nerves.
Know before you go: The maze of interconnected paths can be confusing. Pick up a trail map at the visitor center before setting out. If hiking seems too sedate, check out the zip line canopy tour at Zip Lost Pines.

Barton Creek Greenbelt — Twin Falls
One of the best Austin day hikes is also one of the easiest to get to in the city itself. The trailhead for the Barton Creek Greenbelt — Twin Falls section is just south of Barton Creek Mall on the southbound MoPac service road. Park on the shoulder and walk downhill to enter the trail. A steep descent leads to two miles of generally flat, smooth pathways with a few rocky obstacles. The finale is the famous (or infamous) Hill of Life, a relentless half-mile climb that rewards hikers with elevated pulse rates and expansive views. Out and back totals about six miles.
Know before you go: When recent rains make the creek flow, definitely consider a dip at Twin Falls or Sculpture Falls. Swimmers, hikers, mountain bikers, and trail runners may cause crowding during peak times.

Slaughter Creek Trail
Hikers can choose from easy 3- or 5-mile loops through fields and forests on this city-owned water quality management land. Go south on MoPac to Slaughter Lane. Head west to FM 1826 then south to the gate on the left just across from Slaughter Creek. The trail is rarely crowded, but be ready to share with horses and mountain bikes.
Know before you go: The main gate closes automatically at dusk, so watch the sun and don’t get trapped. Also, the entire trail may be closed after a rain, so c heck the Facebook page to see if it’s open.

Southern Walnut Creek Trail
The City of Austin paved all seven miles of the Southern Walnut Creek Trail with smooth concrete, making it ideal for wheelchairs, baby strollers, and anybody who prefers easy sauntering to clambering over rocks. Plus, it's just blocks from downtown. Take Airport Road to Bolm Road and go east a quarter-mile to Govalle Park in order to start your out-and-back hike of any length.
Know before you go: The pavement is 10 feet wide and there are hardly any road crossings, but stay alert for speedy bicyclists overtaking or coming the other direction.

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Hotel News

Grand Hyatt hotel at DFW Airport to deploy million-dollar renovation

Courtesy photo

Grand Hyatt DFW hotel at DFW Airport

DFW Airport is undergoing updates and now the remodeling bug has bitten the on-site hotel: Grand Hyatt DFW Airport, located inside Terminal D, is deploying a renovation of the property beginning in July.

It'll be a multi-phased renovation that includes updates to guestrooms and suites, improvements to event spaces, enhancements to the restaurants and bars, plus re-envisioned lobby, guest lounges, and corridors throughout — anticipated to be completed by the end of 2025.

In a statement, Grand Hyatt DFW Airport general manager Jeff Babcock notes that the hotel is celebrating a key anniversary.

“We are thrilled to announce Grand Hyatt DFW will undergo a transformation to provide international and domestic travelers and local residents with new, more refined accommodations, enhanced culinary experiences, and modernized conference and event spaces for meetings and groups,” Babcock says. “In honor of our 20th year, the renovation will reinforce the hotel’s legacy as the premier hotel and event center supporting the international airport and connecting travelers to the Dallas Fort Worth culture and community.”

The renovation at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport marks its biggest investment since it first opened in 1974. The plan, called DFW Forward, will invest $9 billion in capital improvements to transform terminals, increase the number of gates, enhance the airfield, and improve roadways. Highlights include the addition of a new Terminal F south of Terminal D, with room for up to 24 gates; rebuilding Terminal C; more gates for Terminal A and C; and a rebuilding of Terminal C's parking garage.

“The remodeled Grand Hyatt – already known as one of the premier airport hotel experiences – will complement the ongoing enhancements and expansions across the airport as we create a smooth and enjoyable experience for our guests,” says DFW CEO Sean Donohue in a statement.

Rooms
Updates include:

An increase in the number of guestrooms and suites from 298 to 315
A new aeronautical design complemented by the style of a Texas landscape featuring local woods like Red River Pecan and Yellow Pine, with by a color palette that includes subdued greens and shades of natural blues
Stitched leather headboards and integrated lighting on the beds
Large HD flat screen televisions and new charging ports
Eco-friendly occupancy thermostats, enhanced lighting controls, and automatic blackout sheers and shades
Expansive closets and modern bathrooms with enlarged vanities, showers, and tubs

Restaurants and lounges
Food: A reimagined Grand Met restaurant and lounge will showcase a new style in dining at the airport, and its refreshed seasonal menus will offer new culinary experiences celebrating artisanal traditions combined with modern upscale dining. Keeping with the elegance of a jet-set lifestyle, the updated menu will serve international and modern cuisine with fresh ingredients sourced locally.

Atmosphere: Seating capacity at the restaurant and the lounge bar will be increased with modernized tables and chair. Newly designed private and semiprivate dining rooms will be available for large and small parties. An acoustically-designed ceiling will keep conversations private.

Meetings and events
With more than 20,000 square feet of meeting and event space, including a 6,600 square foot ballroom, the final phase will unveil a new a top-floor executive boardroom, and a one-of a-kind indoor/outdoor rooftop event space overlooking the airport runways.

The renovation will include state-of-the-art technical facilities for corporate meetings and gatherings, plus in-house audiovisual support for all types of events, with a redesign that incorporates the style of Texas and the beauty of the West.

Lobby, corridors, and pool
Steps away from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA)’s checkpoint in Terminal D, the newly envisioned hotel lobby will include marble tile flooring, specially-designed ceiling finishes, enhanced accent lighting, wood paneling, and artwork created by local.

New corridors will connect the hotel to the airport. The hallways will feature a plush carpet with a pattern inspired by the airport’s design and airline flight movements, accented with blues and browns.

A newly transformed fitness center with Pelotons bicycles will be located on the first floor, while an outdoor rooftop pool will overlook the runways.

Each Grand Hyatt hotel is uniquely designed to be a captivating destination within a destination, boasting restaurants, spas, fitness centers, and business and meeting facilities.

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