Vacations Blog

Austin skyline at night

If you have ever been to Austin, Texas, then you have probably been to Zilker Park. If not, then I suggest you make this a destination spot when you come. This crown jewel of Austin is over 350 acres just south of Lady Bird Lake (formally Town Lake) right next to downtown. The park is full of activities that you and your family will enjoy!

To start the day off there is nothing better than a swim in Barton Springs Pool. The pool is a natural spring-fed pool with an average temperature of 68 degrees all year long. Even in the Winter there are people in the water so don’t be shy about bringing your swimsuits!

Barton Springs Pool

Outside of the pool there is a giant playground for the kids to burn off some energy and a snack bar for lunch when everybody gets hungry. After lunch you can jump on the Zilker Zephyr miniature train that takes you around the north and east side of the park. While on the train you will more than likely see Wood Woode playing guitar and harmonica for the passengers near Lou Neff Point.

Lou Neff Point overlooks Lady Bird Lake towards downtown Austin. Ducks, swans, turtles, squirrels, people in canoes that they rented upstream on Barton Creek, joggers, and families walking around with their kids congregate here to relax for a moment and take in the beauty of Austin. Rent a canoe while you are there and bring a loaf of bread to feed the ducks!

Canoes and ducks at Lou Neff Point

There are many things to see at Zilker Park depending on what time of year you come. If it is in the Spring then bring a kite and participate in the Zilker Park Kite Festival. The 4th of July fireworks show is also great time to be here. In September you can see three days of live music at the Austin City Limits Music Festival. During the Christmas season there is the Trail of Lights – a magical wonderland of lighting displays and a giant campfire next to the Zilker Tree.

Do you like to play disc golf? Zilker Park has a 9-hole course that is perfect for families to enjoy. This course is not the most challenging in Austin, which makes it a great place to take your kids who are just getting the hang of the game.

After a round of disc golf you can head across the street to the Austin Science and Nature Center where you will find nature trails, Texas wildlife, and activities for the kids.

Zilker Botanical Gardens

One of the most beautiful places at the park is the Zilker Botanical Gardens. The gardens and trails are open year-round and always have a plethora of flowers blooming. There is a Japanese garden with many goldfish swimming around in the ponds. The Botanical Gardens is a popular place for weddings and other events. It is also an amazing spot for family photos.

If you want to see great art at Zilker Park then head over to the Umlauf Sculpture Gardens and Museum. There are over 100 sculptures there and the Gardens can be rented out for special occasions. Charles Umlauf was a 20th century American sculptor that taught at the University of Texas. Some of the work there is from his students.

Are you coming to Austin in the Spring or Summer? Check the schedule for the Beverely S. Sheffield Zilker Hillside Theater to see if a production of Shakespeare in the Park, the Austin Symphony or Civic Orchestra, or the Summer Musicals happening during your visit. Admission is free!

No matter what time of year you come to Austin, Zilker Park has something for everyone! Bring your family, pack a lunch, and don’t forget your camera.

Photos by James Grayson

I flew back home to Austin this weekend for a friend’s wedding. Knowing that I would write this blog entry upon my return, I spent a lot of the weekend interviewing friends about their favorite things to do in Austin. Everyone had extensive and varied lists, however, I did notice several themes that repeatedly surfaced: Parks, Water, Live Music and Food.

If you weave the above experiences together, you are sure to soak in all the best that Austin has to offer. So, I have had fun putting together an ideal day in Austin, combining these four themes.

I would suggest getting a room downtown at the historic Driskill or the Hyatt, which is right on the water. This way, most places are just a short drive or a stroll away.

The food in Austin truly is exceptional, from gourmet to greasy spoon and everything in between. However, Tex-Mex is one cuisine that stands out above the rest, so, begin your morning with a great Mexican breakfast at Las Manitas. It is a small eatery started by two sisters in 1981. The service is fast and the food is excellent…walking through the busy kitchen on the way to your table, grab an Austin Chronicle or a newspaper. I usually get the migas and cinnamon coffee. Mmmm.

Once breakfast is over (and you are swearing off food until dinner) grab your swimsuit and a towel and head to Barton Springs Pool. It is located downtown in Zilker Park, a natural spring that churns out water at a consistent 68degrees, year round. It has been built up to create a very large swimming pool. The pool is long and surrounded by sloping green hillsides with large leafy pecan trees. You can laze in the sun and when you are warm and sun-baked, dive into the refreshingly cold water. Doggy paddling in the middle of the pool, you can look out at the Austin skyline.

After you have soaked up enough sun, head back downtown and spend some time browsing the South Congress Avenue shops. This strip of Congress, south of Town Lake is lined with funky shops and great eateries. Then, as dusk approaches and your tummy starts to grumble, head back up to Town Lake and get a table at Shoreline Grill, which is located right on the water, next to Congress Bridge. You can nibble on Shoreline’s inspired Southwestern cuisine, sip a cocktail, and watch from the back deck as one million Mexican free-tailed bats rouse themselves and swarm out into the night, their large procession undulating across the sky like a Chinese dragon. Viewing the Congress Bridge bats is a classic Austin experience, not to be missed. After dinner and the “show”, head downtown to Antone’s, one of Austin’s best music venues. Here you are certain to catch a great concert any night of the week. Listen to some live music and dance the night away.

This mix of Austin’s parks, water, food, and music is sure to leave you relaxed, happy, and truly enamored of Texas’s capitol city.

What are some of the best things to do in your hometown?