When you hear locals say “Springdale”, they are referring to area surrounding Springdale Road.
This part of East Austin comprises a growing series of trails along Walnut Creek, top restaurants, athletic activity, and laid-back restaurants and bars.
The Springdale area attends to an artsy crowd with several creative spaces like Springdale General and Canopy Austin. The area also acts as a hub for outdoor enthusiasts with its attention to parks and trails.
As an apartment community in Springdale, Otto on the Trail is here to provide you with the best guide to the neighborhood. Here is a list of our top things to do in Springdale!
Shop Or Attend an Event at Springdale General
Photo is not from Springdale General. Credits: Madison Inouye, Pexels
Springdale General leases out space to creators, whether that’s in baking, painting, jewelry-making, sewing, coffee roasting, or tattooing.
In efforts to showcase these creators to the broader community, at Springdale General you can attend a bake sale, crafting workshop, engaging culinary experience, a food truck pop-up, or other events listed on their calendar.
Attend the Sunday Lonestar Farmers Markets every Sunday from 10am-2pm to shop from a few of their small businesses!
Find Your Inner Athlete at Austin Bouldering Project – Springdale
Photo is not from Austin Bouldering Project. Credits: Pavel Danilyuk, Pexels
The Austin Bouldering Project has become a popular spot for a not-so-common athletic activity.
This massive rock climbing and bouldering gym has rotating color-coded routes for all levels, a how-to guide when you check in, and climbing classes.
The Springdale facility also has yoga and fitness classes, a weightlifting gym, sauna and cold plunge, and remote workspace. At this point, it’s becoming a recreational center than strictly a rock-climbing gym.
This is a great spot to go to if you’re looking for athletic activity in Springdale, especially when the weather is too hot outside.
Walk, Hike, or Bike These Trails Nearby
East Austin is full of winding and overlapping trails. If you’re looking for a connected cycling pathway throughout these trail segments, use Otto’s Greenway. Start at Govalle Neighborhood Park, cut through East Boggy Creek Greenbelt, follow Southern Walnut Creek Trail, then end at the northeast end of Walnut Creek Trail in Manor, TX.
At the northern end of Springdale Road is Little Walnut Creek Greenbelt. Little Walnut Creek is a tributary that feeds into the larger Walnut Creek. The park was recently developed with the intention of providing Walnut Creek trail access and additional green space for the city. The newly constructed park has a playground, a climbing wall, a lawn for picnicking, a dog park, and a beautiful trail surrounded by Texas Bluebonnets.
Though recently in its construction stages, Little Walnut Creek Greenbelt has been the most recent move by the city to enhance the East Austin Springdale area.
Parks For Picnics & Play
Otto’s Greenway and the Southern Walnut Creek Trail starts at Govalle Neighborhood Park, safe homebase park for hiking and biking at the intersection of Springdale Road and Airport Boulevard.
There’s a community pool, a playground, athletic fields, and paved paths which start the trail. Govalle tends to be the meeting point for walkers who wish to stick to the paved pathways.
Lastly, for a quick coffee or after-dinner walk, check out the Dimension Gallery Sculpture Park.
Play at Eastside Paddle Club
Eastside Paddle Club is right next to the Springdale Bouldering Project. This is a top spot in Austin to organize pickleball with friends. If you’re more competitive, register for open play to play with other pickleball enthusiasts.
Listen & Dance at Sahara Lounge
Credits: “Sahara Lounge – East Austin” by Bill Oriani
The Saraha Lounge is where to go to let out energy and dance. This is an intimate dive bar with an almost-always jovial crowd. Unpretentious and diverse, Sahara Lounge is where you will join a conga line with strangers, play pool with one hand and hold a beer in the other, or find yourself rocking to Afrojazz, Latin, hip hop, or reggae.
Grab a Bite, Brew, or Baked Good
Credits: “Micklethwait Barbecue (II)” by drew.murray
Many great restaurants, coffee shops, and bars are on or near Springdale Road.
Micklethwait Barbecue is one of the best-known barbecue spots in ATX, with large laid-back patio and live music.
Southern Heights Brewing Company is a retro-themed microbrewery with similar outdoorsy vibes. It has a wide variety of pilsners, ales, porters, IPAs, sours, and flights, as well as a food truck serving traditional Mexican food.
For a sweet treat, stop at OMG Squee on Springdale Road. This Asian American dessert shop features a rotating list of mochi donuts and soft serve flavors. Its storefront is decked out in pink, featuring a 100% gluten free menu of taiyaki, cereal soft serve, boba, matcha, and mochi donuts.
Live in Springdale East Austin at Otto on the Trail
Live near these Springdale spots at Otto on the Trail! Our luxury studio, one, and two-bedroom apartments are in Govalle Neighborhood Park with direct trail access. Explore our community and see what life is like when you live this wonderful neighborhood of East Austin.