"When I need a half-day escape I head to Lake Travis, a reservoir built in 1942 about 30 minutes from the city by car that spans roughly 30 square miles and offers swimming, hiking, biking, zip-lining, picnicking, boating, and rentals (canoes and kayaks are around $15 USD per hour); there are also motorboats and nearby accommodation options if I want to stay longer." - Matthew Kepnes