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Ion Art's Surreal Garden

4.9 (14 reviews)

Ion Art's Surreal Garden Photos

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Walk through
Courtney B.

What a great and interesting experience! Let me first compliment the staff or volunteers of the event who helped take photos of people, assisted w how to get to bathrooms or overall knowledge of the event and how to navigate it, they were all so friendly and helpful! This was my first time going to something like this and it was a lot of fun! Loved the food trucks and the different stations for refreshments. It had so many great photo ops and I loved the way they used some of the displays for lighting effects such as the fireflies that did a circular motion and lit up intermittently like they do in nature. Overall a great experience and even the patrons were understanding of photos to be taken and it was really a nice experience out! Next year I'll be better prepared with a more fun outfit, light up accessories, and glow sticks!

AJ B.

Oh man I had an amazing incredible time! It was a beautiful display at every corner! I honestly was not expecting for a festival type of vibe but the costumes, music and moving exhibits really made the mood exceptional! I was given a free merch bag with a surreal ion tote, glass, and a free 10$ voucher for Garbos food truck. I had some interesting drinks including a ranch water and a brothers something or other they were all tequila and 2/3 were tasty! I liked the music the dj played a lot of good club music and definitely set the tone for the event! I had a hard time getting others to take a picture of me but I did get a great photo on the octopus! I got two Al pastor tacos from taco man 512, they were really good but didn't have pineapple in them... I still had an excellent time and definitely loved this experience. I hope to attend again!

Waiting line Saturday 4/30/2022 @8:00 pm
Phuong C.

This is by far the most fun experience I had in a while! The vibe was on point! Love the lights! the iron light up arts! the strolls thru the park! Zilker is perfect for this occasion! the dj played and provided the needed vibe! People danced! I danced! Oh, and the entire experience of others dressing up. It was so fun people watching! Many have gone above and beyond to dress up 'surreal or floral' and I'm just impressed how creative people are, to keep Austin weird. And yet it all fits in this entire concept and made the experience complete. So many great iron art works! I wish I had space. Definitely worth the $50, for the experience. And even though there were food trucks, we didn't bother to beat those lines. But we can tell Sugar Mama's sold out! Great line up of concessions. Parking across the park was not a problem, crossing the road safely was a challenge. Oh and print your tickets! My internet connection failed, and couldn't pull up the barcode with the tickets to scan. Luckily I forwarded it to my friend and he pulled it up.

Tim D.

This was by far one of the most fun date nights we have had in a long while! The entire experience was pretty great from start to finish. I found out about this event from an ad on Instagram (which I usually just scroll by, but I am glad I didn't this time!) So the event ran from 6-10, but being in the south in late spring/early summer, we all know it doesn't start getting dark until closer to 8. We ended up arriving right about 7:45, which was perfect. Zilker Botanical Garden is a beautiful place on its own (I'll review it later,) but has very limited parking available. Even more so for this event as they needed to close off part of it for the food trucks and whatnot. But they make that clear on the website and give several suggestions for alternatives. We ended up taking an Uber and was very impressed with how streamlined they had drop-off and pickup. They had several food trucks offering a variety of food as well as several bars and dessert stands set up throughout the gardens. There was a live DJ (I think this night it was DJ Byrne Rock?) and they were amazing! Literally every single song had, not only us, but most people we passed singing along and dancing. The art exhibits were spread through a large portion of the gardens. There were several interactive ones as well as many stationary. The pics attached are literally a fraction of what was there. All-in-all, an extremely fun and memorable night was had by all! If this event comes anywhere close to you, just get the tickets and go without hesitation. It will leave you with awesome memories for a long time to come!

Neon art surreal art ion art zilker garden austin botanical garden flowers
Angie A.

This was such a cool experience. The botanical gardens are already such a lovely time but seeing it outfitted with all the art was extra special. If there's an opportunity to check this out it would make for a great date night. The weather is great this time of year so it's definitely cool to see all the neon works at night.

Alysha M.

We had such a great time here! Super glad we went early- it wasn't too crowded and the lights still looked awesome before dark! Had some yummy Garbos and Sugar Mamas, took some amazing pics, and enjoyed the PERFECT weather :)

Sunny P.

Neon art installations, entertainment, a DJ, small bites, and drinks? Yes please! Zilker Botanical Garden was completely transformed tonight for a captivating VIP experience. I'll only share a few pics so that you can get an idea of some of the installations.

Butterfly People
K J.

What a great event at Zilker Botanical Gardens. We absolutely loved it! It was vibrant and great for all ages.

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Review Highlights - Ion Art's Surreal Garden

Zilker Botanical Garden is a beautiful place on its own (I'll review it later,) but has very limited parking available.

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Rainey Street

Rainey Street

4.3(132 reviews)
2.1 mi

April 11, 2026 The universe granted us a really nice night. It's been raining, and gloomy during…read morethe day, but the nightlife came alive and we truly were blessed with GNO. It was warm, a little breezy, but the vibes were there and everyone was happy mingling, drinking, just a typical ATX night out on Rainy. Now yes, some of the charm has left. Little by little every few years something disappears, and something new comes in. The people make up for the "charm" feel. We remember what once was. Little houses that once held family dinners and birthday backyard parties are now bars. Gutted out of the family photos hanging on the walls, to neon signs barring a beer logo. Rainy Street is still charm for those that once knew it and hold it in our hearts. We make the charm because we knew, and we pass that vibe to the college kids (sorry, but you are still kids) that spend their whole weekend night letting lose and being just that, fun kids experiencing life, not corporate life, but life life. It's up to us mature Rainy Street goers to show these kids how it's done. IMO Rainy Street. Bar hoping at its bests. Charming street. Decorated for the season. Come at Christmas, it's a ball! Everything is walkable. Some really nice higher end restaurants have moved in. It's a nice place to start out your night. You will find college kids here. But you'll also see birthday party groups, bachelorette parties, bachelor parties just people having fun, enjoying life. You'll see mature, older men and women with their, "I'm still 28" in my mind. (Me, I'm that woman) They do have a small food truck area too. So when you're looking for something quick, give these food trucks a go. They are pretty good. And they have seating so you can chill, and get back at it. I only saw 1 parking lot. It was $50. For 3 hours. And $55 for 6 hours. Uber in, car pool, or find parking a block or 2 away. Come to Rainy Street. Spend the night here. Grab some dinner, a few cocktails, bar hop up and down the street. Be young, be a kid, life's short.

Remember how cute Rainey Street was? I loved the Container Bar. It was one of my favorites. I wish…read moreit were still there. Don't get me wrong, there are still a couple of places on Rainey I like to go to now and then but it's just not the same. It's so bizarre to me to see big buildings going up. All of the charm is gone. Not to mention it's a very touristy area. And honestly, if I were a tourist, I would want to see it as well. But again, more like it was back in the day.

Photos
Rainey Street - Clive bar

Clive bar

Rainey Street - Spring decorations on the trees

Spring decorations on the trees

Rainey Street

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Sunken Gardens Springs - Salamander playground. No humans allowed!

Sunken Gardens Springs

4.7(3 reviews)
0.4 miBarton Hills, 78704 (South Austin)

I never realized there was a listing on Yelp for Sunken Garden Springs!…read moreIt's one of my favorite areas to visit when spending days over at Zilker &/or Barton Springs. It's man-made and has been around since the late 1930s. This water feature is a sanctuary to the endangered Barton Springs salamander among others. It runs along Barton Creek from Barton Springs Pool. The walls are concrete and limestone. It's a peaceful area and it is protected with fencing for the safety of the endangered species. If you want to check it out, it's best viewed when hiking the trails that lead up to and around it. Absolutely worth a visit.

Running or cycling on the Butler Hike & Bike Trail (aka Town Lake Trail), you're often moving too…read morefast to take in all the little scenic joys to be had along the 10+ miles of pathway. When I had a couple of hours to spare this morning, with a nagging injury keeping me from my typical Saturday AM long run, I took it as an opportunity take a leisurely stroll with a few turns off my regular loop, which led me to discover the hidden jewel of Sunken Gardens Springs. This home to a couple of endangered local salamander species has a long and interesting history as a public venue in Austin. The short version: it was developed in 1937 as one of FDR's public infrastructure initiatives, and generations of Austinites recall swimming, sunbathing, and even attending performing arts performances here. Like so many things in our ever growing city, the structures were not well maintained and began to crumble, creating a safety hazard. As with Eliza Springs on the other side of the creek, it was also found to contain some precious creatures with federal Endangered Species Act protections. For these reasons, public access would no longer be allowed until remediations could be completed. For the long version, see the City's master plan for restoring the spot https://www.austintexas.gov/sites/default/files/files/Parks/Barton_Springs_Master_Plan/BSPMP-08of16.pdf and the most recent report on efforts through 2013 https://www.austintexas.gov/sites/default/files/files/Prelim_Engineering_Report_Sunken_Garden_Improvements_Phase_1_2013-10-29.pdf. These days, you can stop on the bridge over the rushing springs to listen to the water flow or turn north to watch dogs play in creek. If you're curious like me, you can walk up the overgrown path behind the fenced enclosure to take a peek at the clear pool down below and imagine what it must have been like to take a dip in the olden days. To access, just come down the part of the trail on the south side of Barton Springs Blvd towards Barton Springs Pool, staying to the south of the creek. As you approach the dam (aka the free swimming/dog play area), the Sunken Gardens will be on your left. Alternatively, park behind the softball field off Robert E. Lee Road and drop into the trail there. GPS 30°15'48.8"N 97°46'05.1"W

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Sunken Gardens Springs - Go to the red pin. GPS 30°15'48.8"N 97°46'05.1"W

Go to the red pin. GPS 30°15'48.8"N 97°46'05.1"W

Sunken Gardens Springs - Take care of the salamanders - don't trespass or litter. It'll cost ya!

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Take care of the salamanders - don't trespass or litter. It'll cost ya!

South Congress "SoCo" - View all the way to the capitol

South Congress "SoCo"

4.4(66 reviews)
1.9 miSoCo (S. Congress Ave.), 78704 (South Austin)

South Congress is one of the iconic streets of Austin, TX. It stretches just south of downtown…read moreAustin past Lady Bird Lake. This strip satisfies of everyone's wants...cool boutiques, inviting eateries, captivating street art, and plenty of live music. In addition, vintage clothing shoppers can be easily immersed at a number of vintage shops. There is nothing like the epicenter of the South Congress, The Continental Club. You can purchase from high end stores like Hermes and Chanel to athletic stores like Lululemon and Toms. From elevated restaurants like Aba and Vespio to a variety of food trucks that will satisfy almost any food itch. And if you are in need of some retail therapy, South Congress can satisfy a plethora of shopping tastes. In full transparency, parking can be challenging sometimes, especially during the weekends. For all the benefits that South Congress has to offer, parking is a minor challenge. What makes South Congress memorable, the random jewelry vendors, spray can artists completing paintings live as you look on, street musicians playing their favorite tunes, the random conversation you strike up with another South Congress visitor. South Congress...such a great place to frequent. You literally could spend hours jetting in and out stores, eating ice cream or another treat or listening to live music. It's a fun place to hang out.

The epitome of "what once was"...has now become a haven for tourists…read more And that's ok. However, there are a few places that I like to go to on South Congress that can be difficult because of all the people and cars. It's ok, Austinites know how to deal with it. That said, I will venture over when I wanna go to JoAnn's, the Austin Motel, and of course, I go to The Continental for shows whenever I can. The street is very eye-catching and has a lot to offer.

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South Congress "SoCo" - Candy hearts :) Christmas & Valentine's?

Candy hearts :) Christmas & Valentine's?

South Congress "SoCo" - Hermes coffee shop area

Hermes coffee shop area

South Congress "SoCo"

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The Color Inside: A Skyspace by James Turrell - Exterior view of "The Color Inside" Skyspace, located on the rooftop of the SAC on UT campus. Photo by Florian Holzherr

The Color Inside: A Skyspace by James Turrell

5.0(4 reviews)
2.4 miUniversity of Texas

Looks like the sky space has two yelp pages, so I'm posting my thoughts here as well…read more A 5 star review of James Turrell's Skyspace by Courtney T.: https://www.yelp.com/biz/james-turrells-skyspace-austin?hrid=fY2tFreMSX8ZNqVBFwBVaw&utm_source=ashare&ref=yelp-android

I kinda had no idea what to expect. I intentionally didn't read much about The Color Inside. I knew…read moretwo things: Turrell and UT. Oh, and free. FREE. We made a reservation because we wanted to go at sunset. Without a reservation, you might get in but it's first come first served. We arrived extra early because if you're not familiar with UT and all of its ongoing construction, it can be challenging to find the Art Center. We asked some friendly students to point us in the right direction and got to the exhibit right on time. We checked in with the student on duty. There's a circular waiting room to the right of the check in desk where I saw people waiting. Some were sitting on the benches, others were actually lying on the floor. Geez how long had they been waiting? I sheepishly whispered to the student receptionist that I wasn't quite sure what the deal was. She advised that we could go right in. Right in to that circular waiting room? uh, yeah. that IS the exhibit. it fits maybe 20 people comfortably. and suddenly lying on the floor seemed perfectly reasonable. So we laid out our jackets and lied on the floor (there are blankets available at the exhibit in case you are a floor-lier without a jacket). we looked up. the roof is sort of canopy-like, and white, with a big blue oval dot in the middle. there are led lights in the base of the canopy that shine upwards casting a glow on the canopy. so we're lying there. and...we're lying there. and like i said we had no idea what to expect. after a while we saw a red plane fly by and we realized that the blue oval dot was actually a hole to the sky. ok, cool. and we're lying there just looking up. and then, things started to happen. i'm not going to tell you the details of the exhibit. you have to go experience it for yourself and be wowed. i will tell you that the key to the exhibit is patience (and the ability to lie on the floor). if you are patient, you will be vastly rewarded. 5-stars vast.

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The Color Inside: A Skyspace by James Turrell - "The Color Inside" Skyspace during the day. Photo by Florian Holzherr

"The Color Inside" Skyspace during the day. Photo by Florian Holzherr

The Color Inside: A Skyspace by James Turrell - "The Color Inside" Skyspace during the sunset light sequence. Photo by Florian Holzherr

"The Color Inside" Skyspace during the sunset light sequence. Photo by Florian Holzherr

The Color Inside: A Skyspace by James Turrell

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Sixth Street

Sixth Street

3.6(34 reviews)
1.9 miDowntown

She's the iconic stretch of road in Austin where it all goes down!…read more It's where in 2005, the Real World Austin cast spent most of their time out at the bars at. And the iconic Danny fight that led him to surgery, Wes to defend him & Melinda to nurse him into love with her all happened right at Sixth St & Trinity. 10 years later, Shia LaBeouf was arrested here for public drunkeness & Johnny Manziel got in a big fight here, too. This may shock you based on what you've just learned but Sixth Street is full of bars. It's known for it's nightlife, specifically the Dirty Sixth between Congress & I-35. It's pedestrians only on the weekends and I was surprised how the bars try to get people in. It was fascinating witnessing them begging women with promises of shots & drinks to try to get them in the door. I personally do notttttt vibe with that kind of atmosphere, my anxiety hates people pressuring me so I just tried to say no to everyone and walk as fast as I could through at night! lol Aside from the bars, Joe Rogan stand up spot Comedy Mothership is in the middle of all the action. You'll find peticabs if your feet are hurting to bike you to where you need to go. Good people watching at night. That being said, before all that madness starts I enjoyed the more lowkey scene on the street. I went to the Museum of Weird and a coffee shop during the day, but most of the shops were closed. Chaotic at night, chill during the day, if you're in Austin, you'll surely see all sides of iconic 6th St.

Sixth Street is love/hate isn't it? There are many places on either side of the street (crossing…read more35) that I absolutely love. An absolute tourist haven and that can mean super packed sidewalks and tons of traffic on any given summer evening. I bet it's safe to say this street is the party capitol of the country. Ok, maybe not but darn close. Tons of restaurants with great food, bars that are great and some not so great. Life in Austin.

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Sixth Street
Sixth Street
Sixth Street

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Bats Under the Congress Avenue Bridge - Waiting for the bats

Bats Under the Congress Avenue Bridge

4.1(531 reviews)
1.6 miWarehouse District, Downtown

Austin has a slogan Keeping Austin Weird. It means Austin is unique and wonderful. Watching the…read more1.bats emerge from under the Congress Avenue Bridge is one of Austin's most iconic experiences. Just before sunset, millions of Mexican free‑tailed bats stream into the sky in a mesmerizing spiral that lasts 20-40 minutes. It's completely free, family‑friendly, and uniquely Austin. The best views are from the bridge itself, the Statesman Bat Observation Area below, or the riverwalk. Summer months (March through October) are peak season, with the largest numbers typically in August. Arrive early for parking and a good spot. A few recommendations... bring bug spray (not for the bats but for mosquitos), check the sunset time, and be patient...the bats come out when they come out. Smile. When they do fly out...wow,wow, WOW!!! It's like nothing you've seen before.

Watching the bats under Congress Avenue Bridge is one of the signature Austin experiences that…read morelives up to the hype. I happened to be downtown around sunset during SXSW, and as the sun started to set. you could see the crowds forming along the bridge in anticipation. Then thousands of bats poured out in a steady stream, flying out over Lady Bird Lake. The many bats with the beautiful sunset backdrop is definitely something to remember. There is a bit of stinky "bat smell," so be prepared for that. Totally free, and a unique experience definitely worth doing at least once if you're in Austin.

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Bats Under the Congress Avenue Bridge
Bats Under the Congress Avenue Bridge - The bat colony emerging at dusk! (Mid-April 2021)

The bat colony emerging at dusk! (Mid-April 2021)

Bats Under the Congress Avenue Bridge

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Ion Art's Surreal Garden - localflavor - Updated May 2026

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