Zilker Park
add photosZilker Park is where Austinites take their kids, and for good reason. The park has an impressive botanical garden, an outdoor theater, picnic areas, a playscape, and famous Barton Springs Pool. The Austin Nature Center in the park gives children the chance to learn with hands-on exhibits. A miniature train tours the park.
14 Reviews for Zilker Park
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'11, '120 families found this helpful
"You Could Spend A Day Here...At Least!"
We went to Austin this past week and loved Zilker Park. You can easily spend a day there walking through the botanical gardens identifying different flowers and plants, discovering fossils, bones, and other live creatures like bobcats, coyotes, and birds at the nature and science center, hike on the many trails and paths near Ladybird Lake, or have a picnic and play at the massive playground! They also have volleyball courts, frisbee golf, barton springs pool (fee), and so much more! The park is on 351 acres and hosts many different festivals and activities throughout the year. It's a must see if you're heading to Austin!
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0 families found this helpful
"Lots of activities and fun!"
We really enjoyed our time here. There are LOTS of things to do: Botanical gardens, splash environmental exhibit, the Zilker Zephyr train, natural springs pool, AWESOME playground, etc. We didn't make it to every area, but the ones we did make it to were great. The best part is that most of it is free. Keep in mind that you do have to drive so some of the different areas.
0 families found this helpful
"OVERWHELMING...but fun!"
My friend and I took our 4 kids to Zilker Park just after this past Thanksgiving. We were hoping to let the kids get some energy out on the playground while us two mom's got to visit and catch up. Well the kids definitely got to burn off some energy...but unfortunately us mom's didn't get to visit much and we burned off energy too...trying to keep an eye on them. It has a HUGE playscape with hundreds of kid playing and it was very nerve-wracking to try and keep your eye on them. It did not seem very safe AT ALL. The kids would have loved playing more, but we just couldn't keep up with them. On the bright side...they have a fantastic and fun train ride that goes throughout the park. We were able to see what else the park had to offer. And if we were to go back again I would definitely bring some balls, kites, picnic etc...and got to a more secluded part of the park where I could actually keep an eye on my kids. Don't get me wrong...this park is BEAUTIFUL (well except for the nasty bathrooms). GO...but make sure you have one adult to one child ratio.
0 families found this helpful
"Great for kids"
They have lots of activities that happen at this partk. You can go kite flying, bicycling or playing at the play ground. Walk around the lake or go swimming. Great place for family time. It is especially nice during the summer. It gets really hot and humid and jumping into a spring pool that is close by can be a real treat.
1 family found this helpful
"Adventure"
A great place to spend some time in Austin. The playground has many different activities including a real firetruck and musical area. Try not to be too tied down to strollers and things because it can be very busy with school groups and you will want to keep a close eye on your little ones. The train ride is a favorite for all ages. Plenty of open space to fly a kite or have a picnic if it isn't too hot.
1 family found this helpful
"Endless Fun!"
This park definitely deserves 5 stars! Packed with activities and an awesome playground. We love going here and spending the entire day. Some of our favorite activities are canoeing, the playground, the train ride, swimming, having a picnic in the park and the awesome plays in the summer!
There is also a dinosaur dig at the gardens next to it that we love to go to. This is a must for all families with young children. Older kids would love Barton Springs and the open park grounds.
0 families found this helpful
"Zilker Rocks!"
We have spent many, many, many days playing and relaxing here. The train, the trails, Barton Springs. It's heaven. We moved away two years ago and I still look through all my pictures and wish I could transport myself back. DON'T pack a lunch when you go. Grab a burger and ice cream there- it's a wonderful treat!
0 families found this helpful
"So much fun for families"
We took our girls to Austin for a couple days during Spring Break. I'd been to Zilker Park during Austin City Limits (with no kids) but I read on trekaroo about the little train and awesome playground. We had great weather, took the Zilker Zephyr train around the park ($3 per adult, $2 kids 11 and under, free for kids under 1). The kids played on the big playground, and they even went and stuck their feet in the freezing cold Barton Springs pool.
Would highly recommend if you want to get out and run around with the kids. I wish we would have taken a picnic and maybe a frisbee, lots of people did and it looked like fun. They do have a concession stand though and public bathrooms as well.
1 family found this helpful
"Zilker Park"
There is always so much to do at Zilker Park. There is a very big playground/playscape for the kids. It's a nice place to take a walk or go swimming in Barton Springs. You can rent out a canoe or kayak for a few hours on Barton Springs. There is a train ride there whiich is REALLY FUN for the kids. They also have seasonal events like the kite festical or the July 4th fireworks or the Trail of Lights during christmas.
1 family found this helpful
"one of the best parks around"
Besides being in Austin, a wonderful city, this is a great park. Very unique playground (old fire engine, musical instruments attached to the equipment) and the train ride doesn't get any better! It's hot and not much shade so best to go in the a.m.
1 family found this helpful
"Huge with lots to do"
We were vacationing here and heard about this park. What a fabulous spot. There's literally 351 acres of park to explore. The playground is really great with areas for multiple ages to explore. So keep an eye on the little ones to make sure they don't try any spots that are for the older kids. There's even a mini train ride available! Since the park has been around since the 1930s, there's areas that need improvement, but from what I've heard they are improving several areas over the next few years which is great!
1 family found this helpful
"live plays in the park"
There is nothing better on a hot Texas night then to get a bucket of fried chicken, a blanket, some friends and to see a play in the park! This happens on weekends at Zilker park during the summer is so much fun! Kids love it, they can run around - but most of them will be to into the play to want to! The outdoor theater has natural seating on the side of a hill, so everyone has a great seat! Warning: take sun screen and bug spray - before the sun goes down you are pretty exposed!
1 family found this helpful
"Play in the Park"
If you haven't been to the annual play in the park at Zilker park you are missing a wonderful evening and it's all free! My family loves attending the musical held in Zilker every summer. It is located near the Barton Spring Pool and set on the hillside. Bring a blanket or folding chairs and dinner or snack. Families come out and pack the hillside. It's great fun and children especially love it. It's very casual but also an opportunity to expose your child to theater in a relaxed, outdoor setting. I highly recommend families check out this event. Go early for the best spot on the hill and take bug spray just in case mosquitos are out too!
0 families found this helpful
"Zilker Park and the Zephyr"
Zilker Park is great for families. There are different events held here throughout the year that are great for kids of all ages. Regardless of what is going on the playscapes and the train are great activities for everyone. There are playscapes for little and big kids and a big fire truck for kids to play on too.
My kids' favorite activity here is riding the Zilker Park Zephyr. The Zephyr is a little train that takes you on a 20 minute ride throughout the park.
You can bring a picnic or get food at the snack bar. The snack bar also sells bird seed for feeding the pigeons.
Zilker Park is also home to Barton Springs Pool. A natural spring fed pool - a little cold for me but the kids don't seem to mind. :)
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