When it comes to underrated cities in the United States, Austin, Texas has to be near the top of the list. While the city is gorgeous and has a lot to offer, the Texan state capital is often overshadowed by bigger cities like Dallas and Houston. That being said, that doesn’t mean that you should ignore Austin or cross it off of your shortlist of destinations to visit. So what makes Austin so great, and what are the pieces of Austin real estate that you absolutely have to visit while you’re in town? Here are four fun things to do in Austin, Texas.

Mount Bonnel

An extremely popular and fun destination within Austin is Mount Bonnel. Mount Bonnel is one of the best outdoor areas in the entire city, and the area can provide a much-needed escape from the busyness of city life. Here people can do all sorts of outside activities such as hiking, picnicking, running, or even simply taking a nature walk. When the world is bustling around you, sometimes the best thing to do is to just go to a nice calm place. Mount Bonnel can provide exactly that, as it is one of the most tranquil places in the entire city.

Try Local Cuisine

One of the best things about the city of Austin is the local cuisine and all of the restaurants that have popped up around the city. The city has a blend of different cuisines, meaning that you’ll have all different sorts of food available to you. At the forefront is of course the classic deep south diet of barbeque and heavily fried foods. The city is also close to Mexico and other Hispanic population centers, meaning that there are plenty of places to get authentic Mexican food. Finally, Austin isn’t that far from the shore, meaning that you’ll still find some relatively fresh seafood options within the city. If you’re looking for something fun to do in Austin, try some of the amazing restaurants in the city.

Lady Bird Lake

Another great outdoor area in Austin is Lady Bird Lake. The area is a large portion of water, primarily used for recreation. Lady Bird Lake is the perfect place for all of your water activities, including kayaking, paddle boarding, and canoeing. You could also unwind with something like a river cruise or a visit to the boardwalk. The Texas heat can be brutal at times, and the water activities at Lady Bird Lake can be a fun way to cool down while in Austin.

Texas Capitol

Much like how the nation’s capital Washington D.C. houses the federal capitol building, Austin is home to the Texas capitol building. The building is actually beautifully designed, making it quite the sight to behold. However, the real value of visiting the capitol building comes from the tours you can take. It’s fascinating to take a tour through the building, as you can learn a lot about the history and politics of the state. The tour is not only extremely interesting, but it also has a lot of educational value held within. Although maybe not the traditional definition of fun, visiting the Texas capitol building is still a great way to spend a day in Austin.