A long bicycle ride with your family can be exhausting. That is why we have gathered the best places you can drop by to relax and hang out a bit.
The Best Austin Hangouts After a Bicycle Ride
Where to Hang Out in Austin after your exhausting Bicycle Trip
After a long bike ride, the best part for many is a nice cooldown in an even cooler venue.
Austin is full of awesome spots, including Mellow Johnny’s Bike Shop’s coffee shop Juan Pelota Cafe. Located directly inside of Mellow Johnny’s downtown location, Juan Pelota Cafe offers a gathering place for the entire biking community and beyond.
Serving a variety of coffee drinks, smoothies, cold drinks, wine, and local craft beers, as well as pastries, sandwiches, and other snacks, our cafe has been a warehouse district staple since its doors opened in 2008.
Whether you stop in for an early morning pre-ride coffee, or just need an afternoon pick me up and some good conversation, Juan Pelota is where you want to be.
Barton Springs to cool off
Start your day with a long ride around the trails of Zilker Park, afterwards take some time, slow things down a bit and enjoy the scenery around you.
Stop into Barton Springs pool for a more literal interpretation of the cooldown period. Located within Zilker Park’s 358 acres, Barton Springs is one of the crown jewels of Austin.
The three acre natural springs pool offers grassy and tree covered areas for relaxing, a diving board for the more adrenaline pressed, and the perfect setting for a lazy afternoon.
Hamilton Pool Preserve
For a further ride, there is no better place to take a break than the Hamilton Pool Preserve.
Found in Dripping Springs, finish the trek out there and spend the rest of the day taking in the sights at one of Travis County’s most beautiful parks. Not only can you relax water side at the cave-like natural reserve, there are guided hikes, open trails, and plenty of picnic tables to enjoy.
Bicycle groups up to eight people are allowed and encouraged to come together with a reservation.
Barton Creek Greenbelt
In an effort to multitask your relaxation time and your workout - check out Twin Falls at Barton Creek Greenbelt while the water levels are still there.
Finish the moderate mountain bike trail, but stay and explore a little longer for a cooldown. Right in the middle of the 3.7 mile trail is a seemingly secret hangout spot featuring plenty of waterfalls, rope swings, and places to sit down near the water.
Weekdays are less crowded than weekends if you prefer a more relaxing atmosphere - coming weekends for a more party-scene like vibe.
A local brewery …. Hi Sign Brew
Located just off of Highway 71 and 183, Hi Sign Brew offers a sweet oasis to the outside construction.
Their woodsy beer garden is the perfect place to set down the bike and enjoy a glass.
While their brews can be found in stores all over Austin (including Juan Pelota) their unique set up and busy event schedule warrant a trip out.
Hi Sign created a special beer for us - the ‘Mellow Johnny’s American Lager’ - exclusively available at Mellow Johnny’s Juan Pelota Cafe!
We even have a T-Shirt to commemorate the launch. Find it here: https://shop.mellowjohnnys.com/products/mellow-johnnys-beer-tee
The Thinkery When riding with Kids - Think The Thinkery
Sometimes, the whole family wants to enjoy a bike ride together and the choices for post-workout fun is not limited!
Located on Simond Avenue, right behind Airport Boulevard, the Thinkery is a great family-friendly way to kill an afternoon.
An inclusive, interactive museum and place for play, the Thinkery offers dozens of “exhibits” and galleries centered around the art of learning through having fun.
Juice Land - Have your juice and enjoy it too
Another Austin favorite for a post-workout stop is Juice Land. Offering a wide range of smoothies, fresh pressed juices, and healthy snacks Juice Land is the perfect place to wind down and enjoy spending time with friends.
With 24 locations in city limits alone, there’s one easily accessible by bike from almost anywhere in Austin.
Flowerchild
Looking for something more substantial? Quench the post-workout hunger with a meal from Flowerchild, a health food restaurant located on second street in Downtown Austin and in North Austin in the Domain.
Flowerchild has an extensive menu of salads, wraps, bowls, and fresh juices packed with what you need to recover from a long workout.
All created from scratch and using fresh ingredients from close to home and serving healthy food that takes you to a happy place.
Mozart’s Coffee
If you’re near Lady Bird Lake and the Butler Hike and Bike Trail, head to Mozart's Coffee for a quick cup and a great view.
Located on a dock on Lake Austin Boulevard, Mozart’s is home to a full menu of great coffee and even better pastries. Bonus points if you stop by during Christmas time to check out their famous lightshow!
Bat Bridge
With summer in Texas, the only way to beat the heat is to avoid it, but taking an evening ride around Congress and downtown has even more advantages than that. Peel off of the trail and pull under the Ann W. Richard’s Congress Bridge to experience part of what makes Austin, Austin.
From March to November, watch in awe as nearly 1.5 million bats take flight from under their home in the bridge.
Settle in the banks, or rent a kayak for a water view and enjoy cooling down with a show.
Mellow Johnny’s Bike Shop
Naturally, rider’s are always welcome back at Mellow Johnny’s. Located near the epicenter of the emerging downtown bike paths and within the historic warehouse district, we offer a home and a place of gathering for like minded individuals. Stop in for a quick bite and refreshment at our in-house cafe,
Juan Pelota, or for a simple bike tune up and some great conversation.
We love bike riders, because we are bike riders - so for even more ideas on where to head for your post-workout relaxation time, or to learn more about getting the most from your bike rental, call or visit our bike shop in Austin today.