Comprising trails, playing fields, and numerous open, grassy spaces, Mueller Lake Park is a respite from the hustle and bustle of Austin city life. This spacious park is well-planned and well-maintained, and it spans over 30 acres of lush, green grounds.

A five-mile hiking and biking trail is available for those who want to get in a bit of outdoor exercise, while a nearly seven-acre lake is situated near the center of the park. Visitors to the park also enjoy the stretching and exercise station near the trail, which includes pull-up bars and benches for sit-ups, and you’ll often find pick-up games of basketball or soccer on one of the outdoor courts. One of the most interesting features of the park is the open-air amphitheater and stage, which hosts many outdoor events on weekends.

Whether you have a picnic at one of the food trucks in the area or bring the kids for an afternoon outdoors, Mueller Lake Park is ideal for any recreational activity.

Mueller Lake Park
4550 Mueller Boulevard
Austin, TX 78723
www.muelleraustin.com
www.yelp.com/biz/mueller-lake-park-austin

CC-BY-SA-2.0/Flickr/T.Kiya

Pizza is one of the foods that New York City is best known for, and Home Slice Pizza brings that authentic, New York-style pizza experience to the Austin area. The shop has an eclectic, stylish interior furnished with exposed brick, funky wall art, and mouthwatering pizzas sitting atop metal tiers on every table. There’s also a spacious outdoor patio for those customers brave enough to face the Texas heat.

This independent pizzeria makes all of its pies by hand, tossing the dough high into the air, just like you see in the movies. For guests who are over 21, the restaurant serves a basic selection of beer and wine to accompany your meal. Home Slice Pizza is available either by the pie or by the slice for smaller appetites, but no matter how you slice it, this is one Austin’s most beloved pizzerias.

Home Slice Pizza is open 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and 11 a.m. to midnight Fridays and Saturdays. The shop is closed on Tuesdays.

Home Slice Pizza
1415 S. Congress Street
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 444-7437
www.homeslicepizza.com
www.yelp.com/biz/home-slice-pizza-austin

CC-BY-SA-2.0/Flickr/stu_spivack

Does walking count as an aerobic exercise? Is playing golf an aerobic workout? These are common questions, and many people don’t understand what qualifies an activity as an aerobic exercise. If you want to learn more about aerobics, these informative facts from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention can help:

• Aerobic activity, or “cardio”, is any activity that increases your heart rate and makes you breathe faster. Aerobic activity isn’t just reserved for working out – biking, dancing and even walking up the stairs are all aerobic activities.
• The intensity is how hard your aerobic activity is. Aerobic activity is grouped into light, moderate or vigorous intensities, and light intensity activities usually don’t count toward fitness guidelines.
• Moderate-intensity activities include things like walking quickly or playing tennis..
• Vigorous-intensity activities include running, swimming laps or playing basketball.
• If you haven’t worked out regularly or have taken time off from working out, don’t start out with vigorous-intensity activity. Begin with moderate-intensity activities and work your way up to avoid injury and build stamina.

Visit the CDC's website to learn more about aerobic exercises.

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/tabor-roeder