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    Butler District Park

    4.7 (53 reviews)

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    Douglas Wayne Sahm
    Victor H.

    This is an Austin staple of a park with the grassy areas for dogs and kids to run, a sprinkler/water fountain, several playgrounds, and a the Doug Sahm hill to climb to get that I'm-on-top-of-the-world view of the city. With all these combined, you can't help but feel blissful as you take you walk amongst this area. While it's a 5 star park, a few issues come with visiting here that prevent me from giving it that fifth star. First is parking, you will either need to get lucky or wait for someone to bounce before snatching up their spot to get here. Second is there can be a lot of homeless people hanging around here. I usually don't have issues with them unless they interact with me when I just want to enjoy my serenity and peace of mind within the park.

    Jasmine L.

    Open and spacious park! Visited on a weekend morning, and there were many families, groups, and pets walking and sitting! Love the view of downtown and the river. Very clean, and parking can be found at various points throughout!

    Valerie V.

    Parking is definitely difficult here but totally worth visiting. They charge for parking however after 5 its FREE. They have 3 playgrounds next to each other that are HUGE. They also have a pond, water sprinkler [comes up from floor] and a large hill worth climbing to view the city. We also got lucky at the top of the hill and saw a bat. [ Bats can be seen in the later months]

    Shradha A.

    Amongst the urban parks, this is the best one. It is well designed and also well maintained. We even saw a street light getting replaced. First, there's the small pond with lily pads (I would have wanted to be proposed to here). There's the fountain (Liz Carpenter Splash Pad) which was off when we went early AM but a couple of little kids were still enjoying the area (Auditorium Shores Playground). Next, run up the Doug Sahm Hill Summit and run down the diagonally circular Doug Sahm Hill Path (or the opposite). Two women had found the most perfect spot to do yoga on that summit. The 360 views are sure worth taking in - and most especially, the sunrise. Finally, walk the myriads of routes from the Auditorium Shores at Town Lake Metropolitan Park to the Vic Mathias Shores at Lady Bird Lake Metro Park (yeah, I thought the same thing about the number of dedications in this one area). You see creative architecture for the arts centers and theater on one side and the rapidly densifying riverside skyline on the other side. Don't miss on the route the Bicentennial Time Capsule, Fannie Davis Town Lake Gazebo and pond by the Brent Grulke Plaza, Stevie Ray Vaughn Statue, and back along the river past the Auditorium Shores Dog Park. There are restrooms here too. For a small hidden hill adventure detour - cross the bridge west over the creek and enter the Butler Park Pitch and Putt on the southern side - with some golf hills that are temporarily closed but perfect grass to enjoy from a bench with a coffee and a book. It's approximately 1.2 mi round trip depending on your chosen route. We parked in the small lot off Dawson (off Barton Springs Rd) next to the Dougherty Arts Center and saw most spots open early in the morning.

    Drew O.

    Amazing park; bring all your kids even the furry ones. Was a perfect weather day. Tons of outdoor activities and playgrounds for kids. Austin really keeps its parks clean and safe.

    Stevie Ray Vaughn memorial stature
    Frank B.

    Came to Austin on a mission to locate the Stevie Ray Vaughn statue, mission accomplished. After some research I discovered this greenbelt park next the 1st Street Bridge had the monument to the guitar god himself. Parking was available in a small lot right by the running path along the river. After walking a small distance there stood the giant bronze statue of the man himself. A larger than life bronze statue was erected for the man who played the blues his way. After paying homage I snapped some photos and off I went. As for the park it has a nice biking & running path along the river, yet it's mainly an open grass field and not much else. I recall coming here once before for an outdoor music festival. Well, I hope my info helps you find the statue.

    Park
    Amanda S.

    This is an awesome open spaced park kinda of in a perfect spot. I love the openness and the sidewalks everywhere. I also love the little hills - I am not sure why some exist, but they are fun and good exercise for a kid to run up and down. There is also a beautiful water fountain to play in when it is warm. You will catch some gorgeous views of downtown too. There is public restroom in case of emergencies. Plus parking here is always easy and free! This park is dog friendly and they have little stations to encourage dog owners to pick up the poo. Very nice if you ask me. Like I said this little park is awesome and beautiful. It is well kept and a great place to hang out for a bit. If you have a kid that needs to run off some energy it is great spot for that too.

    Jessica R.

    This is my favorite thus far of all the city parks. We stopped by today to bask in the post-inaugural glow of a glorious Austin day, and it was everything we could have hoped. Rolling hills crowned by a cloudless sky, fountains (complete with rainbows!), a crane on the shore of the pond.....we lucked out with the weather and it made for a perfect afternoon, along with providing yet more evidence for me (that I didn't even need) of how fortunate I am to call this city home. We walked up the little winding path to the crest of the "Hilltop Observation" area; there's a nice view to be had from there. It's no Mt. Bonnell, but still nice, definitely worth a look, and a good picture spot for out of town visitors. The cleanliness of the women's restroom never fails to impress me. And they always, always have soap, which is like manna from heaven in a park bathroom. Simply put, a treasure. A lovely spot to while away a Sunday afternoon or, alternatively, a good reason to play hooky from work. Can't wait to go back for a picnic.

    So fun for kids
    allison j.

    I go to parks every week with my kids and had no idea this existed. It is SO FUN! My kids played in the splash pad, ran up the hills, tried to catch fish in the pond and we had a picnic. It is even great for night time because of the lights in the fountain. It is gorgeous hills with the background of downtown Austin. You should go. Great for kids, great for adults. Bathrooms on site. Bring a swimsuit and a towel.

    Laura H.

    We came here for the Liz Carpenter Fountain, which consists of dozens of fountain heads arranged in a spiral pattern that sporadically shoot, bubble and gush sprays of water up to six feet in the air. Another great beat-the-heat activity and a good, free alternative to the pool if your kids aren't the best swimmers. My nephews and I loved running through the fountain and splashing in the shallow pools. I thought they would get bored eventually but I had to force them to leave about an hour and a half and they were asking to go back the next day. Crocs or swim shoes might be a good idea here but clothes or a swimsuit works. The water smells heavily of chlorine, but at least you know its clean.

    Tracy B.

    Have made it by here several times. Also played model for a day and shots taken of me. Several photo opportunities. Early mornings are great to watch the sun come up behind the skyline. It is a great place to sit and read and enjoy the lake and surrounding area. Relaxing, even with all the people. And the majority of them are friendly. They have water fountains up from the small lake, the kids love to run through them, but I also enjoyed it! I go back again and again....

    Léonie L.

    This a huge park! We come here to do laps around the park. There is a huge water fountain kids play in during summer time (the city made the water clean for small children). There are lots of trees but it's an overall very sunny park. This is a good place for kids to learn to ride their bikes or skateboard! The reasons I am not giving it 5 stars is because: (1) Finding parking is a real pain. You will most likely have to wait for someone to leave to park. (2) The water fountain is always "closed for maintenance". (3) There is a huge tree near the center of the park where kids lot to hang off branches. If I go during the week, there are many homeless folks that sleep under the tree.

    Beauty

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    Page 1 of 2

    Ask the Community - Butler District Park

    Review Highlights - Butler District Park

    Butler Park has been around for less than a decade, but the land it sits on has had quite a long and interesting history.

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    Pease Park - Check out this spot.

    Pease Park

    4.7(122 reviews)
    1.3 miOld Enfield, Downtown

    Pease Park is one of Austin's most beautiful parks. Full stop! It has been thoughtfully designed…read moreand enjoyable green space to frequent. Stretching along Shoal Creek, the park offers a mix of shaded walking and biking trails, open lawns, and beautifully restored natural areas. It is hard to believe when you are in the park that you are in the heart of central Austin. The park is especially family friendly, with a large playground, splash pad, treehouse style observation area, and plenty of seating. While we were at the park a school was hosting a picnic for its students. The northern portion of the park is even more quiet and scenic, with winding trails, limestone bluffs, and creek views. It's a great area for dog walks, leisurely strolls, picnics, workouts, or just relaxing under the trees. The park is well maintained and welcoming to all ages. This park is very special.

    Such a gem of a park. Big, beautiful, and genuinely fun for all ages. The giant troll made from…read morenatural and recycled materials alone is worth the visit -- it's impressive and so unique. The stream nearby adds a peaceful touch, and the overall design of the park feels really intentional and creative. Kids will go crazy for the massive playground and all the interactive installations. The hanging net sphere is a must, you can lie inside and bounce around, and honestly the adults were just as into it as the little ones. There are also food vendors including ice cream, so you can easily spend a whole afternoon here. One of the most well-done parks I've been to. Highly recommend.

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    Pease Park
    Pease Park - Treehouse view from below, the walk way to upper level is on the left side.

    Treehouse view from below, the walk way to upper level is on the left side.

    Pease Park - Observation globe top view

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    Observation globe top view

    Barton Creek Greenbelt

    Barton Creek Greenbelt

    4.7(283 reviews)
    3.6 mi

    Oh how I love walking the Greenbelt! It feels like you can go for miles and miles. Well, you can as…read moreit's for nearly 12 miles of trails. Our little furry guy loves a jaunt on the trail in his stroller, especially if that means stopping off for a swim along the way. Can't beat cooling off in natural watering holes during a hot summer in Austin. The Barton Hills entrance gets you to Campbell's Hole while 360 gets you to Sculpture Falls and Twin Falls. I say do it all. Maybe not in one day...save something for the next time. Definitely a precious piece of Austin that we're so lucky to have.

    Loved hiking here for the first time! We first parked at the 360 trailhead and were freaked out by…read moreall the broken glass and signs saying that it's a common smash and grab area. There were broken windows literally everywhere. The car was completely empty and we parked and started to enter, then decided to turn around because it just didn't feel right. We drove down to the other entrance on Spyglass near TacoDeli and felt much better. Residential area with street parking - perfect. We got on the trail and turned left which brought us to the new Violet Crown trailhead. We figured out how it connected to Barton Springs Pool. This was only 3 miles round trip. Next time we will go right past the falls. I am not sure there are even falls right now since it hasn't rained in a long time. The trail is easily marked and there were lots of people out. Can't wait to do more exploring soon!

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    Barton Creek Greenbelt
    Barton Creek Greenbelt
    Barton Creek Greenbelt

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    McKinney Falls State Park - Bluebonnets

    McKinney Falls State Park

    4.0(310 reviews)
    5.8 miSoutheast Austin

    When we first heard about McKinney Falls State Park we liked the photos and things to do there but…read morewere generally apprehensive about paying $6 just to go to a park and swim. However, after our time there we can confidently say it's one of the best ways you can spend a few bucks here in Austin. The park itself is in a bit more of a secluded area which is nice because you truly do feel away from things. As a heads up when paying at the entrance they only take card. If you're looking to use tap to pay or cash you have to go inside in order to make that payment. The visitors center is nice though with very helpful park rangers as well as merch, drinks, and maps for you to use. Once you drive to the upper falls parking it's just a short 5 minute walk over to the swimming hole. The walk is cool as you traverse over what looks and feels like moon rock. We chose the upper falls instead of the lower falls because we heard the water here is deeper and there are less kids around. It was definitely the right choice as the water was perfect for a hot day and parts of the swimming hole are definitely 10+ feet in depth. There are a lot of places around to set up blankets and there's multiple rock formations jutting out of the water in case you need a quick break once you're in the water. The coolest part of the swimming hole is the jump you can make off the rock ledge. It's about a 15-20 foot jump and people line up in order to get there. There's also some wildlife around the pool which is cool to see. As a note, they don't allow radios or drinking and everyone was pretty respectful of that. Whether you're a young group of friends looking for a nice swim getaway or a family looking for somewhere to unwind, McKinney State Falls is a great option to beat the heat. Just make sure to layer on some sunscreen.

    I've been here several times and have explored it fairly extensively. The family-friendly trails…read moreare varied enough to keep the day interesting and the time spent at McKinney Falls is never wasted. For those seeking a bit more of a challenge, crossing the river takes more thought to avoid getting your feet wet. I've usually found there are 2-3 paths at the river crossing, being careful not to slip on any rocks. The homestead beyond the crossing can be observed and appreciated, but it's off-limits to help preserve what's left. The backcountry trails total about 6 miles and it's usually just the right length for me to get a solid hike in. There is very little elevation change, though there can be a lot of mosquitos during the warmer months. I didn't find any benches to rest at and there is no water source to refill water bottles. Given that McKinney Falls is within Austin's city limits makes this state park a gem. There is also a large day-use area near the campgrounds with about 100 picnic tables and charcoal grills the last time I counted a few years ago. Parking is plenty and the rangers are friendly. Definitely either get there early or make online reservations to reserve a time slot to enter as the park can fill up fast over weekends or holidays. Their gift shop also has a variety of items for sale, and you can get a park passport stamp there too!

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    McKinney Falls State Park - Newly engaged couple portraits by the falls

    Newly engaged couple portraits by the falls

    McKinney Falls State Park - EV charging

    EV charging

    McKinney Falls State Park

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    Mount Bonnell - View at Mount Bonnell

    Mount Bonnell

    4.4(518 reviews)
    4.2 mi

    Mount Bonnell is one Austin's top tourist attractions. You climb about a hundred stone steps to…read morereach the top. You see folks coming down steps on the opposite side and your sense of what you might see at the top grows and grows. Alas, you reach the top. Was the climb worth it? Absolutely! When you reach the top, OMG the views are so spectacular! You cannot imagine how beautiful the views are until you actually see them. You see panoramic views of Lake Austin, multi-million residences on the lake and scenic view of Austin. One word...spectacular! We have been at Mt. Bonnell at sunrise and sunset and both views have something special to offer. Sunrise has peacefulness and light dances on Lake Austin. Sunset turns the overlook into connectiveness, where folks you met a few minutes ago or maybe not have met experience this quiet together as the sun retreats. While this location is quite popular, you still have vestiges of human life - graffiti on signage. Mount Bonnell has welcomed visitors since the 1800s and remains one of the city's oldest and most beloved natural landmarks. Austinites beam with pride regarding Mt. Bonnell

    Mount Bonnell is a local gem, a perfect date spot or somewhere to just enjoy the sunset. It's a…read moreshort walk up the stairs (maybe about 100 steps) from the parking to the pagoda-like terrace that overlooks some very scenic homes and has an excellent view of sunrise and sunset. I never actually did the full hike, only just went up to enjoy the scenery. It's less than 15 minutes from major Austin eateries and local spots, so it's a true gem within the city area as opposed to some hikes that are 30 minutes or an hour away. No bathrooms or garbage bins here is the one downside. Take your trash with you!

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    Mount Bonnell
    Mount Bonnell
    Mount Bonnell

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    Butler District Park - parks - Updated May 2026

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