Best of Austin®

Best Austin Slacker Pastime

Outdoor Public Naps

We Austinites are a laid-back bunch. We like beer, spicy food, exercise, open-toed shoes, and, most of all, sleep. Luckily our city has a plethora of secret napping nooks, and these winners are our favorite three. They're generally quiet (though sometimes you do encounter rogue ducks, drunk ruffians, or screaming children), and they provide both shade and sun, depending on your personal log-sawing preference. Beginning with the hill (you know which one) at Barton Springs: Snoozing under those incredible oak trees is only one of the zillions of reasons to love that pool, but it's definitely among the top five. Moving on to the Greenbelt: It's free, quieter than the Springs, and the trickling water noises work better than counting sheep. Finally, sometimes during a run, a person gets weary, and Stevie Ray offers a fantastic destination to stop and rest after frolicking around the hike and bike trail. Before you know it, after taking advantage of all these covert napping opportunities, you'll find yourself getting the recommended eight hours and loving life a little more for it.