It’s a beautiful day today in Austin, Texas. You want to get
out and take advantage of the warm weather but you’re short on cash again and
not sure what to do. Once again, I’m here to save the day.
Barton Springs Pool is
located on the grounds of Zilker
Park and is sure to save you from the scorching summer heat.
This
spring-fed pool is over 900 feet long and boy, is it gorgeous. The glistening
blue-green water is just the site you want to see when you want to dive into
some cool, crisp water.
This
man-made pool varies in depth and its
temperature averages 68 degrees Fahrenheit throughout the year, so yes it’s
pretty dang cold.
“The natural spring water is very refreshing,
said Austin, Texas resident Katherine Brander. “It’s true that at first the
natural spring water is freezing, but it’s perfect for a hot day.”
As one of
Austin’s most famous landmarks, Barton Springs Pool is definitely a summer hot
spot. Once you enter the gates of the pool area you immediately see people
lying out on the grassy slopes for a nice tan or cooling off in the water.
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You'd be surprised how many sexy people the sun brings out. (Photo: Ralph Barrera)
|
A
great thing about Barton Springs Pool is that it varies in depth so you have a variety of swimming spots to choose from.
For
swimmers that are not so advanced, there is a shallow area to relax in.
If
you feel like you’ve mastered the art of swimming then you might want to dive
into the deep end of the pool to snorkel, and maybe spot some lost treasure at the
bottom. From sunglasses to cell phones, you can find a variety of things when
snorkeling.
The
deepest areas in the pool are more than 18 feet deep and not only hold cool
things that people have lost but are home to living creatures.
“Some
times when it's not too crowded, I like snorkeling in the deep end of the
pool,” said Austin, Texas resident Madelline Gutierrez. “There are cool fish and turtles
swimming around there.”
During
the summer months the pool can get crowded but since the pool is so big it
never seems like it’s too much to handle. To me it actually seems more like a
party and an opportunity to make new friends!
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| On any given summer day you are likely to feel how diverse Austin, Texas really is. (Photo:Victor Ovalle) |
Okay,
so there’s one thing I almost forgot to mention... Sunbathing completely
topless is permitted here, as in the rest of Austin, Texas, but if you’re
anything like Austin, Texas resident Amanda Vargas you might actually take advantage of
this freedom.
“Barton
Springs is the reason I haven't bought a swim suit top in four years. The top
of the hill is usually where the topless sinners hang out, and that's usually
where you'll find me,” said Vargas.
(Craziness,
I know!)
In
addition to this unique view, Barton Springs Pool offers conveniences such as
restrooms, concession stands and a diving board that are there for your use.
The diving board is so much fun to jump off of but of course you do everything
at your own risk here so don’t go breaking your legs or anything.
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| The diving board is popular with all ages so don't be fooled by all the young kids. (Photo: Mike J Higgins) |
So
I bet by now you have a million questions about the pool and you’re just dying to test out the
waters.
Here
are some logistics you should know—The pool is open yearlong. Awesome! Great news, but wait
there’s more...
The
pool does close for cleaning and occasionally when the levels of bacteria rise to unsafe levels, so to save you a trip I
would call the Barton Springs Pool Hotline at 512-867-3080 for operating times of a particular day.
The pool can be
found at 2201 Barton Springs Road and the pricing is super affordable.
Entry Fees:
Entry Fees:
- Adults: $3
- Juniors (12-17): $2
- Children & Seniors: $1
It may also be smart
to bring an extra $3 for parking because during the weekends, holidays and
special events things can get crazy!
I hope you are pumped to check out one
of Austin’s most appealing swimming spots because it's sure to be an unforgettable experience and a cool spot to keep visiting.
