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Toured the garden on a hot and humid day, so that should provide some background. Rained prior to arrival so that helped. Admission was fair and the assorted areas were nicely maintained. Some trails looked like they added sand or soil to even out dips in the path. Signage was pretty clear on the paths and on the foliage. A few historic structures and plenty of benches. After the walk we stopped in the visitor center which was nicely air conditioned. Store had some nice souvenirs. Would visit again on a cooler day when visiting Austin.
Parking was $6, but aside from that, this place was completely free which honestly surprised me in the best way. I guess I've just gotten used to everything costing money these days, so this felt like a real treat. The gardens were beautiful even though it's basically winter. I can only imagine how much more stunning they must be in the spring when everything is in full bloom. The absolute highlight for me was the walk up to the waterfall, such a peaceful, beautiful spot. I also loved the huge wind chime. It was unique and added such a calming vibe to the experience. Overall, this is a lovely place to wander, relax, and enjoy nature. I can't wait to come back in the spring to see it at its peak.
This place is gorgeous and walking around will give you a great workout! I especially loved the history that is throughout the park and the parts of the historic buildings they have on display. The staff were more than friendly!
The Botanical Gardens is located in the popular City of Austin. It's a great place to escape from the busy pace of life, it's a gift from Mother Nature. The facility spans more than 20+ acres. I enjoyed the Japanese Garden, Koi Pond and Pergola with beautiful plants and trees. There is a small waterfall here, I did not make the hike to the larger waterfall. AMENITIES (in Alpha order): Auditorium Community Events Exercise Classes Gift Shop Hartman Prehistoric Garden Nature classes Restrooms School Tours Volunteer Opportunities Wellness Program You must add this to your list of things to do when visiting Austin. Sincerely, Rosemary (Southern California)
Free the day after Christmas! Found some free parking right by the main entrance. Dogs on leashes welcomed. What a nice treat to just be. Especially when today 12/26 is 84degrees! Quiet, appreciative of Mother Nature, kids running around NOT on devices. People talking, smiling, interacting. There's something for everyone and all ages here. Bring some comfy shoes the gardens are big, lots of places to sit and just take the beauty in. Can't wait to be back in the spring! Thank you team at the gardens! This is a gem filled with love, peace, hope and a welcomed space for ALL! I love showcasing the history of Immigrants to Texas and how they represent the true American spirit by honoring their roots and making sure to grow the community where everyone belongs for generations after them. Thats the Texas spirit I really identify with. My fav's were the prehistoric gardens, the beautiful ginkgo tree with its bright gold leaves falling in the warm breeze today, the bird dino tracks you can walk and the Japanese gardens, reminds me of my great grandma's garden she made when she immigrated from Japan to Kealakekua Hawaii. The gardens have bathrooms, a small central center with a tiny gift shop and small assortment of drinks. They have a picnic area to the side if you want to make a day about it while you stare into the heart of downtown ATX. Come visit for solo quiet time, family time, a date, a friendly walk with your bestie or your furry fur baby.
This was truly a magical place. My mom and I went here today and I really enjoyed the beautiful landscape and plants and flowers. The rose garden was starting to bloom and there were some impressive yellow roses. I enjoyed the bonsai garden, it was peaceful and calming. Definitely worth stopping by when you're visiting Austin. Admission is very reasonable for $8 (adults).
Zilker would probably be a lot more vibrant in the summer and spring seasons compared to the fall, but either way we had a good time. We showed up during a shift change so it took a while to purchase our admission tickets, however once we did it was smooth sailing. We were able to walk the entire gardens in less than an hour but ended up sitting and chatting for another hour or so. My favorite area was the Japanese tea house section, and I liked the little bridge / ponds. Most other patrons were older folks, parents with their children, or other out of town visitors. It was fairly quiet throughout the gardens - with many people snapping pictures of the wildlife and greenery.
Watch out for coral snakes! That said, it's a really beautiful garden. I really appreciate how shaded it is as a break from the hot Texas weather. Many beautiful blooming flowers even on the tail end of summer. Butterflies, koi, lizards, and unfortunately, we did run into a snake. The visitor center has guides for adults and pamphlets to encourage kids to explore the garden looking for hidden details.
Absolutely beautiful place to walk around and enjoy nature. The Japanese garden had a quaint koi pond with a truly relaxing atmosphere. There's also a nice rose garden. Plenty of photo opportunities available. We spent about an hour and a half walking around enjoying the day.
Zilker Botanical Garden is within Zilker Metropolitan Park in the heart of downtown Austin. They have several themed gardens including Taniguchi Japanese Garden, Hartman Prehistoric Garden, and Rose Garden. The garden is an Austin icon with several memorable landmarks that I recall visiting as a child. These include the historical pioneer village with a blacksmith shop, school house, log cabin and well. The iconic Butler Window aka brick keyhole in the rose garden that is the perfect photo op. I was visiting for the Bands in Bloom summer music concert series in the rose garden. This was the perfect backdrop for the concert in the garden with all the blooming flowers. This particular evening Rob Baird was performing. Was a great evening of good music and natural beauty. They also host other paid or free events at the garden that can be viewed on their website. With the beautiful blooming flowers, walking paths, live oaks, streams, and ponds, the Garden offers a peaceful escape from daily life.
It was so beautiful to see there was so much to look at I didn't even photograph everything here 10/10 super cheap to go too
It was a lovely space. However, several sections didn't seem cared for as attentively as one would hope for a botanical garden. I favored others in the area more.
Such a cute spot. My boyfriend and I love to go on walks around the lake every weekend to de-stress and this time I wanted to mix it up a bit and walk around somewhere different, I'm originally from Austin so had been before on some field trips with school but that was years ago so I was interested to see if I remembered much. I loved walking around here. It was absolutely beautiful and we were lucky enough to go in a super nice day- not too hot not too cold. We walked around and saw a bunch of stuff such as beautiful koi ponds, bushes full of monarch butterflies, a cute dinosaur part, etc. overall, it was such a good idea to stop and walk around here for an hour instead of around the lake for a bit of a change of pace. Since we are both Austin residents it was only $12 for both of us, which seemed like a great deal for all the lovely stuff we saw in the time walking. My favorite part was definitely the butterfly bush and koi ponds.
4 months ago
"Sunny Day, sweepin' the clouds awayOn my way to where the air is sweet" Perfect way to enjoy Memorial weekend Sunday...the weather was just right and with a nice breeze to enjoy the gardens. The customer service here is always kind and laid back. Always appreciate how helpful staff is too because we turned in a lost key and they went right into action and already had been alerted. The ground are beautiful and it's really peaceful. There are chairs and benches placed throughout the grounds if you choose to take a seat and ponder this is the perfect opportunity. The flowers and many plants are just enjoyable and beautiful. It reminds you that flowers can still bloom in the scorching Texas heat. read more
6 months ago
Sometimes in life you have to be opportunistic. After boating we saw a sign that stated, "Orchid show today". Who doesn't love orchids?! So our car turned right into the Austin Botanical Garden. Cost per car was $6 ($2 discount from living in Austin...score!) The garden was peaceful and serene in the heart of downtown Austin. We spent most of our time in the Japanese gardens, one our favorites. The gardens are nicely laid out and enjoyable to navigate. The solace that pours over you makes the visit more than worth it. The tranquil Japanese garden with koi ponds and stone bridges almost puts you in a meditative state. Informational signs line the garden were clear at making it easy to learn about native Texas plants, sustainable gardening, and seasonal blooms. Now for the orchid show...we thought it was going to be a display of orchids. It was actually a competitive show. Wow...so many beautiful orchids...a fortuitous encounter. read more
Toured the garden on a hot and humid day, so that should provide some background. Rained prior to arrival so that helped. Admission was fair and the assorted areas were nicely maintained. Some trails looked like they added sand or soil to even out dips in the path. Signage was pretty clear on the paths and on the foliage. A few historic structures and plenty of benches. After the walk we stopped in the visitor center which was nicely air conditioned. Store had some nice souvenirs. Would visit again on a cooler day when visiting Austin. read more
9 months ago
Parking was $6, but aside from that, this place was completely free which honestly surprised me in the best way. I guess I've just gotten used to everything costing money these days, so this felt like a real treat. The gardens were beautiful even though it's basically winter. I can only imagine how much more stunning they must be in the spring when everything is in full bloom. The absolute highlight for me was the walk up to the waterfall, such a peaceful, beautiful spot. I also loved the huge wind chime. It was unique and added such a calming vibe to the experience. Overall, this is a lovely place to wander, relax, and enjoy nature. I can't wait to come back in the spring to see it at its peak. read more
1 month ago
This place is gorgeous and walking around will give you a great workout! I especially loved the history that is throughout the park and the parts of the historic buildings they have on display. The staff were more than friendly! read more
1 year ago
The Botanical Gardens is located in the popular City of Austin. It's a great place to escape from the busy pace of life, it's a gift from Mother Nature. The facility spans more than 20+ acres. I enjoyed the Japanese Garden, Koi Pond and Pergola with beautiful plants and trees. There is a small waterfall here, I did not make the hike to the larger waterfall. AMENITIES (in Alpha order): Auditorium Community Events Exercise Classes Gift Shop Hartman Prehistoric Garden Nature classes Restrooms School Tours Volunteer Opportunities Wellness Program You must add this to your list of things to do when visiting Austin. Sincerely, Rosemary (Southern California) read more
Free the day after Christmas! Found some free parking right by the main entrance. Dogs on leashes welcomed. What a nice treat to just be. Especially when today 12/26 is 84degrees! Quiet, appreciative of Mother Nature, kids running around NOT on devices. People talking, smiling, interacting. There's something for everyone and all ages here. Bring some comfy shoes the gardens are big, lots of places to sit and just take the beauty in. Can't wait to be back in the spring! Thank you team at the gardens! This is a gem filled with love, peace, hope and a welcomed space for ALL! I love showcasing the history of Immigrants to Texas and how they represent the true American spirit by honoring their roots and making sure to grow the community where everyone belongs for generations after them. Thats the Texas spirit I really identify with. My fav's were the prehistoric gardens, the beautiful ginkgo tree with its bright gold leaves falling in the warm breeze today, the bird dino tracks you can walk and the Japanese gardens, reminds me of my great grandma's garden she made when she immigrated from Japan to Kealakekua Hawaii. The gardens have bathrooms, a small central center with a tiny gift shop and small assortment of drinks. They have a picnic area to the side if you want to make a day about it while you stare into the heart of downtown ATX. Come visit for solo quiet time, family time, a date, a friendly walk with your bestie or your furry fur baby. read more
This was truly a magical place. My mom and I went here today and I really enjoyed the beautiful landscape and plants and flowers. The rose garden was starting to bloom and there were some impressive yellow roses. I enjoyed the bonsai garden, it was peaceful and calming. Definitely worth stopping by when you're visiting Austin. Admission is very reasonable for $8 (adults). read more
Zilker would probably be a lot more vibrant in the summer and spring seasons compared to the fall, but either way we had a good time. We showed up during a shift change so it took a while to purchase our admission tickets, however once we did it was smooth sailing. We were able to walk the entire gardens in less than an hour but ended up sitting and chatting for another hour or so. My favorite area was the Japanese tea house section, and I liked the little bridge / ponds. Most other patrons were older folks, parents with their children, or other out of town visitors. It was fairly quiet throughout the gardens - with many people snapping pictures of the wildlife and greenery. read more
8 months ago
Watch out for coral snakes! That said, it's a really beautiful garden. I really appreciate how shaded it is as a break from the hot Texas weather. Many beautiful blooming flowers even on the tail end of summer. Butterflies, koi, lizards, and unfortunately, we did run into a snake. The visitor center has guides for adults and pamphlets to encourage kids to explore the garden looking for hidden details. read more
7 months ago
Absolutely beautiful place to walk around and enjoy nature. The Japanese garden had a quaint koi pond with a truly relaxing atmosphere. There's also a nice rose garden. Plenty of photo opportunities available. We spent about an hour and a half walking around enjoying the day. read more
Zilker Botanical Garden is within Zilker Metropolitan Park in the heart of downtown Austin. They have several themed gardens including Taniguchi Japanese Garden, Hartman Prehistoric Garden, and Rose Garden. The garden is an Austin icon with several memorable landmarks that I recall visiting as a child. These include the historical pioneer village with a blacksmith shop, school house, log cabin and well. The iconic Butler Window aka brick keyhole in the rose garden that is the perfect photo op. I was visiting for the Bands in Bloom summer music concert series in the rose garden. This was the perfect backdrop for the concert in the garden with all the blooming flowers. This particular evening Rob Baird was performing. Was a great evening of good music and natural beauty. They also host other paid or free events at the garden that can be viewed on their website. With the beautiful blooming flowers, walking paths, live oaks, streams, and ponds, the Garden offers a peaceful escape from daily life. read more
4 months ago
It was so beautiful to see there was so much to look at I didn't even photograph everything here 10/10 super cheap to go too read more
7 months ago
It was a lovely space. However, several sections didn't seem cared for as attentively as one would hope for a botanical garden. I favored others in the area more. read more
Such a cute spot. My boyfriend and I love to go on walks around the lake every weekend to de-stress and this time I wanted to mix it up a bit and walk around somewhere different, I'm originally from Austin so had been before on some field trips with school but that was years ago so I was interested to see if I remembered much. I loved walking around here. It was absolutely beautiful and we were lucky enough to go in a super nice day- not too hot not too cold. We walked around and saw a bunch of stuff such as beautiful koi ponds, bushes full of monarch butterflies, a cute dinosaur part, etc. overall, it was such a good idea to stop and walk around here for an hour instead of around the lake for a bit of a change of pace. Since we are both Austin residents it was only $12 for both of us, which seemed like a great deal for all the lovely stuff we saw in the time walking. My favorite part was definitely the butterfly bush and koi ponds. read more
7 months ago
Spent a nice afternoon exploring the nature of Zilker botanical garden. Entrance fee was only $8 for non-Austin residents but there were discounts for residents and students. Each section had a theme including the Japanese gardens and succulent garden. Enjoyable place to hang out. read more
4 months ago
11 months ago
2 years ago
A beautiful garden blooming with lush green trees, herbs and exotic plants right in the heart of Austin. There's a cute Japanese garden with a soothing waterfall and walking bridge, so many great spots to take pictures. Kids are sure to enjoy the fish pond. It's a great place to be close to nature even when within the city limits. You can even see the downtown from here! The park is distributed into several different areas such as prehistoric era with dinosaur statues, butterfly garden, children's play area, blacksmith shop and more. Most of the area is stroller friendly, a plus for parents with young kids. There's parking available right next to the garden and you can usually get a lot of you wait for a few minutes. People are always coming and going here. There's additional parking across the street in the main Zilker Park area too and a short walk to the botanical garden. read more
5 months ago
5 months ago
Oh my gosh, from the time we drove into the garden... Everything is beautiful, well kept and enjoyable to every sense!! The gardens are so well kept and there was a surprise around almost every turn. Something new, something beautiful, something surprising! Absolutely wonderful! read more
Zilker is a very inexpensive garden to visit in the Austin area. I had to take a few stars because I believe the name is misleading. It's more of a nature walk with native plants along the way, not a botanical garden. In March I found most things to be green but not much has flowered yet. Parking is free which is nice but it wasn't anything spectacular. read more
The botanical garden at Zilker Park is a nice quiet getaway from the rest of the hustle and bustle of Austin. It's also very shady in a good portion of it, so it can also be a nice way to be outside, without being completely cooked by the sun/heat of Texas. The prehistoric and Asian sections are by far the best parts of the gardens. Lush and full of nice features like koi ponds and waterfalls. Absolutely worth a visit if you're in Austin. read more
2 years ago
The staff here are friendly, and I appreciate how family-friendly this park is! We visited in March, so there weren't many flowers or butterflies to see. The teahouse is still under renovation. Unfortunately, the koi fish in the murky ponds seemed hungry, and I only spotted four or five of them. It was disheartening to see, as koi thrive in clean water. If anyone working here happens to read this, please care for the pond in the Japanese Garden as well as you do the vegetable garden--I could sense the stress from the koi. read more
During our stay in Zilker we decided to visit the Botanical Gardens. We had a wonderful time strolling through the gardens. There were tons of plants, waterfalls, ponds, paths, and cute spots for a photo op. There was also a nice view of the city. My favorite was the koi pond. read more
2 years ago
We stopped by botanical garden because we had free tickets with our hotel today at JW Marriott. I'm not sure if it was because it was winter, but the grounds seemed a bit less bountiful than expected. There are several different paths so you can walk around the garden. The paths were uneven and at times steep, they were also not labeled well which caused for some confusion. When we were leaving we noticed an entire area we had missed. It was a nice day for a walk, but there are plenty of parks in Austin that were comparable if not in even better condition than the botanical gardens. read more
I took my 2 year old niece here for a visit. The grounds are somewhat stroller friendly. There are several paved paths, however there are a few that are dirt paths which make it a bit harder to maneuver. Other than that, it's a cute site, well maintained and has an area for kids too. The waterfall is a nice touch and the Koi pond is really calming. There is a gift shop at the main entrance and plenty of parking. I would visit again. read more
2 years ago
Good parking Locals get discount or if your a Veteran from out of town gets a discount. Super laid back place for a date or a quiet stroll for collecting & processing. Does not hurt to have a journal and embrace the stillness and nature. read more
2 years ago
Nice outdoor activity! Too hot weather but their small shop had a fan and was cool! Also restrooms were clean and available. Plants were well labeled and strategic layout. Will come back when it's cooler! read more
1 year ago
1 year ago
Beautiful greenscape right in the heart of Austin -- perfect for a walk, jog, or just hanging out. We visited for a few events, and the last one was AKF. The atmosphere was lively, and the setting made it even better. read more
3 years ago
I decided to visit this place on a nice January day. The weather was still chilly, but the sun was shining and it made for a lovely winter day. When you're pulling into the entry, please be cautious as there is no designated turning point if you're making a left. It's $6 per person (or maybe it's per vehicle). You're free to roam around as you get access to the whole garden; the place isn't too big, but there are plenty to see and places to stop by and just chill. My favorite points were the little area where you can see downtown, plus the koi pond! I enjoyed walking around here, and encourage anyone visiting to come visit with the family, or even spend a morning/afternoon getting lost in your favorite book somewhere in the garden. read more
2 years ago
As members of Meijer Gardens in Grand Rapids, Nate and I have reciprocal benefits that get us into botanical gardens across the country. We really enjoy using this perk when we travel, so we decided to visit the Zilker Botanical Gardens while in Austin in early March. When we arrived, we showed the employee at the ticket booth our Meijer Gardens membership card and she told us to go right in. Normally admission is only $6 for Austin residents and $8 for non-residents. We didn't have any real idea of what the gardens contained and didn't see any maps anywhere, so we just started wandering. At the beginning of March there wasn't really anything blooming, but it was peaceful to walk around and look at the koi ponds. There's a great view of the city from the gardens which was nice. I thought we would get lost as there aren't a lot of signs anywhere. At one point we saw what looked like a trail leading into a wooded area, but it also kind of didn't look like a trail. We didn't go that way since we only had about an hour or so to spare and didn't want to get lost. Some of the paths were really narrow which made it tough to navigate at times with other guests taking photos and just standing in the pathways. Also, there's a lot of uneven terrain and stone pathways, so if you have mobility issues it might not be the easiest to navigate. Overall we had an ok visit - if we weren't able to get in for free I don't think I'd go again in March. I'm sure the gardens are beautiful when things are in bloom! read more
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More info about Zilker Botanical Gardens
2220 Barton Springs Rd
Austin, TX 78746
Barton Hills, Town Lake, 78704 (South Austin)
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(512) 477-8672
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