Best Nature and Parks (RV, National, Dog, etc) 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."

"Next, check out Zilker Park, a 360-acre oasis in the heart of downtown that’s the site of festivals and free music at Zilker Hillside Theater, plus it’s home to Zilker Botanical Garden, Umlauf Sculpture Garden & Museum and Barton Springs Pool, a spring-fed swimming spot with grassy hills for sunbathing. Make it a boozy afternoon and pull up a chair in the taproom of urban winery Infinite Monkey Theorem for a flight of Texas-made wine. Or head to Duchman Family Winery in Driftwood (just a half-hour drive out of Austin), where you can take a tour and sample wines in a lovely Italianate villa, including Duchman’s award-winning Vermentino. Stop in the North Austin warehouse and taproom of Austin Beerworks, where weekend tastings feel more like a backyard barbecue, with live music and bites from local food trucks."

"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."

"Picnics and barbecues are a common sight (and smell!) at Commons Ford Ranch Metropolitan park, which borders Lake Austin and the Colorado River. It’s home to a beautiful trail—the Waterfall Trail—which is short and easy but leads along a lovely stream with several featured waterfalls. The waterfront is a good launch point for boating and kayaking, and also provides a nice place to go fishing."

"With its peaceful lakefront views, the Commons Ford Ranch Metropolitan Park is a great place to escape the urban frenzy of Austin. You’ll be able to “get away from it all” without actually venturing too far from the fun stuff of the city. You can just take a break from it for a while."

"The Common Ford Ranch is a lakefront park on Lake Austin with a trail length of 0.8 miles. A great place to take your family and pet for a picnic after a hike. There are also amenities such as a volleyball court, picnic tables, and barbecue pits."

"The Drag location of the coffee shop features coffee, espresso, and house cold-brew, alongside a daytime menu. Head to the original location out in the far west Austin to catch a glimpse of mascot goat Butters. There’s takeout services, along with indoor and outdoor seating areas."

"Civil Goat Coffee roast and brew superb specialty coffee just outside of Austin, with beans sourced from sustainable farms all over the world. Keep an eye out for Butters, the friendly goat who roams the shop grounds daily from 1pm – 3pm."

"It’s a good thing that Valentine‘s Day falls on a Saturday because you can stay in bed with the Nate’s Baked Goods & Coffee “Breakfast in Bed” meal that features items like handmade quiche, heart-shaped biscuits with cinnamon butter, and chocolate-dipped local strawberries!. They even have a gluten-free menu. If you prefer a candlelight dinner, Nate’s will be offering three meal options: filet mignon, Hill Country quail, or prawn and scallop skewers – served with the tastiest of side dishes and of course mind-blowing sweets and desserts."

"I’ve had cakes, scones, tea cookies and cookies from Nate’s and have never been disappointed. When the owner (she knows I love cookies) told me about her new creation, The Lil Daddy, I had to try it to see what the hype was all about."

"We bet you didn’t think you could get a French and New Orleans-style breakfast in Austin and yet you can, and a darn good one at that, at Epicerie. From Wednesday to Saturday, Epicerie dishes up all of the best that French or New Orleans-style breakfasts have to offer. The mouthwatering options range from something as small as a breakfast muffin to plated meals as hearty as pulled pork and brown rice or dishes like croquet monsieur."

"Épicerie’s breakfast menu includes both savory and sweet items, along with a strong focus on the new coffee program — perfect for those who need that extra push to wake up in the morning. This is one of my favorite breakfast spots in Austin. Try the poached eggs to buttermilk pancakes or the shrimp and grits."

"utvac.orgThis 10,000-square-foot space in the University of Texas' Art Building features five galleries devoted to work by undergraduate and graduate students of UT, as well as department faculty and emerging artists from around the country and world. The multiple exhibition areas allow visitors to experience a variety of art in a concentrated space, showcasing the individual and collaborative experimentation taking place within the UT art community and beyond. It is an impressive display of the vast resources and sophistication of the UT art program, tucked into the belly of the UT campus."

"Situated in the Department of Art and Art History, the Visual Arts Center (VAC) provides pivotal exhibition and research space, and serves as a creative hub in the university’s active arts community. Within its five gallery spaces, the VAC exhibits new work commissioned from established national and international artists, as well as the work of talented students just entering into their professional artistic careers."

"Visual Arts Center is a local gallery found inside the University of Texas at Austin campus. Established in 2010, this exhibition place aims to empower artists with the various programs that they have. Visual Arts Center houses five different gallery places meant for artists in residence and for other solo and group art display."

"This East Austin original is a modern, beautiful Italian spot focusing on contemporary fare inspired by the culinary effortlessness of Northern Italy’s cuisine and the rich flavors of Texas. Juniper’s interior design is enough to warrant a visit, but you’ll love the food and drinks that match the decor’s level of class and confidence!. The menu features traditional pastas as well as small plates and lots of vegetables, with dishes like yellowfin crudo, an herloom tomato panzanella salad with peaches, tortellini, and many more!"

"With its luxe and moody interior, thoughtful gin-focused cocktail program and artful small plates, Italian eatery Juniper is sure to earn serious brownie points with your crush. Get the full Juniper experience via the tasting menu, a 12-course introduction to the restaurant’s unique brand of Northern Italian with Texas flair.Available for dine-in, reservations and curbside pickup: toasttab.com/juniper. Justine's Brasserie."

"If the outdoor fairy garden isn’t your idea of romantic, then head to Juniper. It’s one of Austin’s most romantic and elegant restaurants. From the swanky interior to the inspired cocktails, every detail here works to set the stage for a passionate evening of romance and intrigue."