Since 1969, Zilker Park Boat Rentals has provided Austin residents with a way to explore the scenic Lady Bird Lake in a truly first-hand manner. This family-owned and -operated business offers more than 100 canoes and kayaks that are available for rent by families, friends, and even group organizations.

The prices are very affordable, and Zilker Park’s main objective is to protect and preserve the area’s natural environment. Visitors can rent canoes by the hour or for the entire day, and each canoe can accommodate up to three adults or two adults and two small children. Regulars love renting boats from Zilker Park Boat rentals because of its scenic launch area, and the business is especially popular among dog owners because the canoes are dog friendly.

Regulars of this spot insist that Zilker Park Boat Rentals is one of the best ways to get outdoors in Austin.

Zilker Park Boat Rentals
2101 Andrew Zilker Road
Austin, TX 78746
(512) 478-3852
www.zilkerboats.com
www.yelp.com/biz/zilker-park-boat-rentals-austin

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/L'eau Bleue

Few things taste better on a chilly fall day than a warm bowl of hearty chili, but your staple recipe may start to get a bit tired after a few seasons. Here are three tasty new chili recipes that are equally as comforting but a bit more creative.

All-American Chili [myrecipes.com]
Whether you use it to top grilled hot dogs or to eat right from the bowl on a cold afternoon, it doesn’t get more all-American than this chili recipe. Ground sirloin and hot Italian turkey sausage give this a flavorful, meaty taste, while a hefty splash of merlot makes a delicious secret ingredient that your guests are sure to ask about.

Slow Cooker Chicken Taco Soup [allrecipes.com]
Add a Mexican flair to your usual chili with this hearty chicken taco soup made entirely in the slow cooker. Serve it topped with sour cream, green chilies, tortilla strips, or healthy avocado for even more flavor.

Turkey and White Bean Chili [marthastewart.com]
If you prefer a chili that’s a bit lighter than most, this recipe is the perfect choice. Lean turkey and mild white beans are the base ingredients, but jalapenos and ground cumin give it that slight kick that you love about spicy chili.

CC-BY-SA-2.0/Flickr/David Boyle

Take a bite out of the Big Apple with a hefty slice of crispy New York-style thin crust pizza at Home Slice Pizza. This Austin pizzeria offers a retro, diner-esque ambiance with tables and a counter, while Italian-American cuisine comprises large plates of Italian comfort food.

Plenty of salads and antipastos head up the menu, with hot and cold sandwiches, calzones, and design-your-own pizza options following suit. In the traditional style, pizza slices are served on white paper plates. (The menu even tells you the "proper" New York way to eat a slice if you haven't gotten the method down!) If you have room, treat yourself to a cannoli or a slice of cheesecake or tiramisu for dessert. Beer, wine, and soda are available by the glass, carafe, or bottle.

Home Slice Pizza is open 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, 11 a.m. to midnight Fridays and Saturdays, and noon to 11 p.m. Sundays. Take-out is offered.

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

CC-BY-SA-2.0/Flickr/cyclonebill