Our wonderful Rhodesian Ridgeback passed on to the rainbow bridge three months ago at the age of 14…read moreand we were lucky enough to have the opportunity to rehome a five-year-old Ridgeback -- see photos. Her name is Tails, previously Wrigley. Have been to Zilker with her five times in the three weeks that we have had her, most recently this morning. This continues to be a great place to take a friendly animal and allow them to run wild off leash. She loves mixing it up with the other dogs and, being a Ridgeback, she is the fastest dog out there other than some of the Vizslas. Loves the sand where volleyball is played! Lots of parking! Easy access!

Zilker Park is Austin's giant front lawn -- sprawling, busy, and full of every outdoor activity…read moreimaginable happening at once. On any given day you'll see dogs chasing frisbees, people picnicking like it's a competitive sport, and someone doing yoga in a spot that makes you wonder if they're performing for the whole park. The lawn stretches out forever, and on a sunny day it feels like half the city is out there claiming a patch of grass. Yes, the Zilker Zephyr (the little train) still exists in spirit, though it's been through closures and rebuilds. The current version -- the Zilker Eagle -- runs a short loop that's basically nostalgia on wheels. Kids love it, adults tolerate it, and everyone agrees it's one of those Austin things that doesn't need to make sense to be charming. Down by Barton Springs Pool, the real show is the area where the pool overflows into Barton Creek. It's almost always packed with families, college kids, and anyone who didn't feel like paying admission or dealing with lifeguards. It's a lively, slightly chaotic stretch of water -- people wading, floating, splashing, and generally having a great time in a spot that feels like Barton Springs' unofficial side‑door entrance. Parking is its own adventure, especially on weekends, and you'll see people trekking across the park like they're on a pilgrimage from wherever they finally found a spot. But once you're in, it's easy to settle into the mix of sunshine, crowds, and classic Austin energy.

Multiple intricacies within the parks known as Town Lake Metropolitan. Waller Beach, the various…read moretrails and paths, the boardwalk, Ladybird Lake, etc. Such a peaceful and beautiful area to get in exercise (walking/running/leisurely strolling), enjoying the outdoors, year-round. Great to explore alone or with friends and family, or your furry friend. Different spots to sit and relax. Simply a beautiful piece of Austin for locals abs tourists alike.

You haven't explored Austin until you take a stroll through the series of parks through the Town…read moreLake areas. Covering multiple miles, you'll see parts of downtown alongside the colorado river. Along this pathway, you'll be lead to the Barton Springs municipal pool and the Zilker Park & Garden as you go west. Going east, you'll eventually find your way along the Boardwalk near the Town Lake apartments and then at some point, the peace point at lady bird lake, one of the chillest spots in Austin to zone out. Obviously you bike, jog, run, walk, dogwalk, skip, however you prefer to galivant along the way of this beautiful section of the capital of Texas. It's one of many reasons people love living here!

Fantastic park. Perhaps the most scenic large park in Austin. Good size lake with lots if green…read morespace surrounding it. Dogs, strollers, kids playing, ducks and geese, and interesting scenery. A truly wonderful walking with our dog experience. We probably walked a little over a mile, but there are more trails to explore.

Mueller Lake Park is such a pleasant park to walk around. It is away from the hustle and bustle of…read morethe Mueller district. You take in the beautiful lake as you meander around the lake. The hubs and I walked around the lake after our brunch. Such a pleasant walk...

I discovered the Alliance Children's Garden while attending a conference at the Palmer Events…read moreCenter as they are situated right next to each other on Barton Springs Road in Austin. We visited the Garden and had lunch there while taking in all the unique and beautiful installations. The Alliance Children's Garden is pristine and appealing to all age ranges. We saw from small children to senior citizens in the garden. You can find a range of areas to interact in from swings to wooden structures to cave tunnel installations. Covered overhangs provide shade and welcomed seating. A blue honey comb looking structure is the focal point for the garden. This garden is super convenient to downtown Austin. Importantly, one downside of the garden was parking. With very limited parking, it made the garden less accessible.

TLDR: Great park for all ages, with unique playscapes, climbing structures, and a splash pad…read more Limited parking in paid lot. Awesome park with a variety of playscapes. Large space -- spread out. You've got climbing structures, slides, tunnels, swings. What I really loved was how they incorporated the playscapes into the terrain (e.g. slides and tunnels were built into hills). I also appreciated that they had activities for various ages -- my 3.5-year-old daughter enjoyed the complex climbing structure while my 1.5-year-old son liked the simple tree stump climbing structure. Splash pad nearby and ample green space to run around. Downtown is nearby so you've got a beautiful view of the skyscrapers. You've also got some less pleasant aspects. When we were parking, there was a disheveled looking man being arrested. No idea how much of a disturbance he created but the cops were taking care of it. There's a paid parking lot that fills up quickly. Terry Black's BBQ is right across the street if you got a good parking spot and want to snag some meat as well (their line moves fast).

The Boardwalk Trail at Lady Bird Lake is a place of meditation and total peace. In the mornings it…read morefeel like its only you in Austin and the lake, that is until a walker or runner whisks by you. It overlooks Lady Bird Lake and at this end of the lake, it is massive, incredibly serene and extremely peaceful. The way the light reflects on Lady Bird Lake makes you think you are in a picture postcard. When I want a quiet place to steal away to, this is where I go. I also have fond memories of running the perimeter of Lady Bird Lake when training for my two marathons...from MOPAC down to S. Lakeshores. Running on a trail is far more appealing than your feet hitting hard concrete on the streets of Austin. There is plenty of free parking along Lady Bird Lake and many access points.

Sunset is the best time to stroll along the boardwalk by the river. The city skyline views are…read morestunning, and the breeze makes the walk even more enjoyable. The boardwalk is clean, great for walking, running, and biking. I started my walk at sunset and stayed until nightfall. Watching the skyline light up was beautiful and so relaxing. I didn't see any turtles this time, but I really enjoyed the peaceful walk along the river. A lovely place to unwind, enjoy the views, and get some fresh air. Parking is limited, so plan accordingly.

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.

WARNING: They break into cars here! They shattered our car window and stole my backpack. We called…read morea local car repair shop to fix the window and they said they receive constant business because of this! The hike was great with lots of shade. But I would seriously discourage you from coming here because of the vandalism and theft.

There are definitely reasons why this park is so popular and why the website recommends purchasing…read moreday passes in advance. McKinney Falls is gorgeous! We went for a hike there right after a big storm and the grounds were so green and vibrant. We mostly stuck to the Onion Creek Trail as it is paved; however, the storm brought in mud to a few places on the trail, so be prepared to maneuver or wear proper footwear if you go during rainy season. Many families line up to take pictures in front of the upper falls (outside the Smith visitor center), so go early if you'd like a picture free of other guests. We then went to the lower falls area where there is an expanse of limestone (I believe) to get to the falls. There's a very small beach and swimming hole area that many families were enjoying. It's important to note that dogs can't enter any of the water at this park. The park also had multiple designated fishing areas as well. We drove around the campgrounds and they have well-maintained water + electric sites at every site. We would highly recommend a visit if you're in the Austin area.

Make sure you time your visit and check the weather…read more We decided to come here and have a picnic lunch and it was hot, hot, hot at 110 degrees mid-August. The falls were not falling - no water at all - people were still swimming in the swimming hole and trying to have a good time but it was miserably hot. Not the park's fault but - probably not the best in the middle of summer.

Mayfield Park is such a hidden treasure in Austin! The…read morepeacocks are the real celebrities here. They are EVERYWHERE, casually strolling around like they own the place--and honestly, they kind of do! lol We saw peacocks walking along the paths, on the roof of cottage, just casually showing off their beautiful feathers. And when one decides to open that HUGE, colorful tail, everyone suddenly stops to take pictures/videos. It's basically a free peacock fashion show! Such a fun and beautiful place to visit. If you are in Austin, don't skip this hidden gem, and be prepare to make friends with Austin's fanciest residents!

When my boyfriend said "let's go meet our friends at the peacock reserve", I didn't think twice…read moreabout saying yes and I also didn't think twice about it being a ACTUAL place with peacocks. This place was honestly so cool. The peacocks free roam so it's important to be mindful where walking, and especially important to watch in their small parking lot as the birds wander into there as well. With that being said, there are no dogs allowed. We walked around the grounds a bit trying to find more birds. There's benches to sit, nice little water ponds to see, and a little trail as well. Would definitely advise going with closed toed shoes if you're planning to walk the trail. It's not really stroller friendly as there are branches and rocks scattered all along the path. I would definitely come back here, should I find myself back down in Austin. Such a wholesome and peaceful place!

Mount Bonnell is the quintessential Austin spot for breathtaking panoramic views of Lake Austin,…read morethe surrounding hills, and some of the most impressive homes in the city. I usually visit here as a part of run club destination run as the sounding area is very hilly and a challenging running route. The best time to visit is around sunrise or sunset as the overlook provides plenty of opportunities for photos, whether you're capturing the water, the skyline in the distance, or simply enjoying the natural beauty of the Texas Hill Country. The trail itself is relatively short and manageable, though there are a few stairs to navigate. Parking can be limited during peak times, so arriving early is a good idea. Despite its popularity, the atmosphere remains peaceful and makes for a great spot to relax, reflect, or bring out-of-town guests for a memorable Austin experience. Whether you're a local or just visiting Austin, Mount Bonnell is a must-see destination that showcases some of the best views the city has to offer.

Mount Bonnell was a place that we were told we really needed to go when we were visiting Austin…read more You get on top of the ridge (at least this is a ridge to me as I was born and raised and lived in mountain states where the mountains are quite large) and you can get a great view of downtown Austin with it's cityscape and then you can also get a good view of the Colorado River and the neighborhoods across the river which are quite nice. The terrain is rocky on top so watch your step and there are a fair amount of people up here enjoying the view as well. I am sure sunrises and sunsets are beautiful and very impressive. We walked for a ways and got a few different vantage points of the views so if you are able to do that I definitely recommend doing so. It's a great place and indeed a place to go when visiting. The locals enjoy it too!

Now that the construction is over and the pool is open, it's time to update the review. You'll…read moredefinitely notice some changes such as all the new picnic tables that popped up on the property along with a new sculpture. The pool shows many new changes such as the entry kiosk resembling your average downtown parking kiosk which is where you pay to enter. The price to get in ranges from free to $5. Anyone over 80, infants and veterans get in free. There is no concessions sold here, but you are allowed to bring in your own picnic items and drinks, but no glass or alcohol. Outside the pool, you'll find two public bathrooms with showers. They do close the pool at certain times such as Thursdays so it might be best to call to see if they're open. On my visit, the largest part of the pool was closed, but the wading part was open. Call 512-453-0194 for details. Definitely a great public pool for both the local and Austin community.

Northwest Park near Burnet Road is nicely placed into a residential area. The park covers a very…read morelarge green space. While a great deal of the park is open to the public, some parts of the parks grounds are under construction specifically the pool area (according to a construction worker on site, construction has been ongoing for a 1.5 years). The grounds appear to be well manicured. Large, shaded oak trees are the focal point of the park. The park's amenities are a standout. Northwest park features playgrounds, pickle ball, tennis courts, picnic tables, and a scenic pond. The park appears children friendly except for the portion under construction. There's also a walking path around the park and Shoal Creek running along the edge. Overall, Northwest Park is a versatile, green space where recreation, nature, and community converge.