Popular Gardens in Lake Austin

"Probably Austin’s most beloved park, Zilker Park is famous for the huge "Rock Island" and “Great Lawn” that hosts everything from the Kite Festival to ACL Music Festival. With room for literally hundreds of pick-up soccer games, off-leash dogs and people lounging on blankets, Zilker is the heart of Austin. This park is great for: Straight-up relaxing or participating in outdoor activities."

"The gem of Austin’s parks system, Zilker Park is 350 acres of forested areas, open spaces and trails. If you’re bringing a dog with you, head to the 46-acre Great Lawn near the western edge of the park along the MoPac highway. You and your dog may have to share the space with soccer players, picnickers and Frisbee hurlers."

": How about exploring the sights of Austin, just the two of you?. This informative and fun private open pedicab tour of Austin is romantic to boot. It’ll take you around Austin’s best sights and that too at the pace you like."

"Mayfield Park started life as the Mayfield Gutsch Estate, a lovely historic cottage that was built in the 19th century on 21 acres of natural land, including a beautiful 2 acre garden. Mayfield Park is quiet, peaceful, and beautiful, with walking trails and community garden space often filled with flowers and veggies, depending on the deason. The trails are short, perfect for families or people looking for a quick stroll."

"Why You’ve Got to Go: Laguna Gloria and Mayfield Park and Nature Preserve is among the fun places for kids in Austin. This is a two-in-one destination that includes learning as well as play. What to Do: The Betty and Edward Marcus Sculpture Park is one of my favorite aspects of the Laguna Gloria museum."

"Right next door to Laguna Gloria, Mayfield Park is a small and magical park that’s ideal for picnicking. However, Mayfield’s biggest attraction is the flock of gorgeous peacocks that roam freely. Best of all, this unusual park has no admission fee."

"Cosmic Coffee is one of our favorite South Austin coffee shops to work and meet up with friends for an evening drink. Whether you’re looking for coffee, kombucha on tap, or an ice-cold beer, this is your place. They have an array of food trucks parked outside every day with more than enough picnic tables for you to spread out and keep your distance from others."

"There’s both indoor and outdoor seating, but the outdoor area is particularly magical with plants, rocks, and a chicken coop that serve as endless entertainment. There’s also food trucks parked on the property so you can make a meal of it. (photos by Chase Daniel of Greater Goods Coffee for Arch Daily)"

"The Wildflower Center is a wonderful place to visit any time of year, but the season when its namesake flowers are abloom is pretty special. Founded in 1982 by Lady Bird Johnson and Helen Hayes with the mission of conserving native plants, creating sustainable landscapes, and conserve resources, it features nine acres of gardens, a 16-acre arboretum, a large and impressive rainwater collection system, 800 species of native plants, and landscapes that, as its website notes, “support a vast web of life, and have recorded more than 143 species of birds, 15 species of mammals, and 1,800 species of insects.”. View this post on Instagram"

"The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center at the University of Texas at Austin is great for exploring the beautiful flora and fauna native to the Lone Star State. It also offers family programs that allow children to get hands-on experience with gardening. Take your toddlers to Sprouts, an ongoing preschool program that leads you through its Family Garden, with each week focusing on a specific theme, such as “insect investigation.” For older kids, it provides free magnifying glasses, books, binoculars and more to enhance the possibilities of discovery."

"Lady Bird Johnson’s Wildflower Center is the home to sustainable, native plant gardens and education, conservation, research and consulting programs. The Wildflower Center is always blooming with plants that are in season. 4801 La Crosse Ave, wildflower.org"

"The park is a long, narrow 76-acre greenbelt along both sides of Shoal Creek. The leash-free area is located in the Pease Park portion of the greenbelt, between 24th and 29th Street. Parts of the trail are made up of large, rough-hewn boulders that can be hazardous to dog paws and human ankles, but most of the trail is simply hard-packed dirt."

"This park located in the heart of Austin offers picturesque views of both the city and natural landscapes. Of course, there is also a mile of off-leash terrain between 24th and 29th streets. While this park offers only trails, it is a great alternative to the traditional fenced-in dog park."

"This hiking spot includes 81 acres filled with scenic trails and a dog park. You can’t go wrong with a stroll through Shoal Creek!. 🗓 Open 24 Hours 📍 2600 N Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78705"

"A great thing about this park is that it’s not as crowded as the others. Trails in Mary Moore Searight Park are separated from the recreational play area for kids. An exercise route is also available if you are looking into adding some workout into your hike or bike visit."

"In recent years, thanks, in large part, to the folks at Peached Tortilla, Austin has become the land of the baroque milkshake, piled high with an absurd abundance of toppings. But this summer, we’re going back to the basics, a classic chocolate malted from Nau’s Enfield Drug, where they’ve been jerkin' soda since 1951. Sit at the counter and pretend you’re an extra in Grease."

"The favorite French farmers market stand opened up its first storefront within the Springdale General complex in the East Austin area. On deck are so many pastries from croissant varieties to tarts to eclairs. To-go orders can be placed online."