Outside in Austin
One of the things that makes the City of Austin so interesting is its deep connection to nature. In the middle of an urban metropolis, countless waterways and trails shape the city and influence a culture of embracing the outdoors. Here are some of the most beautiful and uniquely Austin places to visit.
A couple overlooking the City of Austin from an escarpment at the Zilker Botanical Gardens.
The first stop on our list is the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. An extension of the University of Texas at Austin, the Wildflower Center is a haven for knowledge and beauty plants that can be found Texas and all over the world.
Beds of herbs and flowers in one of the courtyards at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. Adjacent to here are greenhouses, where visitors can observe the gardeners as they maintain the grounds.
One of the Center’s water features, made to mimic the habitat of a natural Texas spring.
The gardens are scattered with native Texas plants such as this prickly pear cactus.
Right in the heart of downtown lies a hidden gem many people are not aware of. Often overshadowed by the larger and more popular Zilker Park, Vic Mathias Shores at Lady Bird Lake Metropolitan Park is truly one of the best places in Austin. A park unlike any other, Vic Mathias sits directly across from downtown on the shores of Lady Bird Lake. In its expanse of grass, you can play with friends, go for a run, or just relax in the shade and enjoy the view.
Many people choose to kayak or paddleboard at Vic Mathias Shores due to its accessibility to the water.
There are various vendors through which visitors can rent equipment for some fun on the lake or to take a tour down the river. Walking west down the trail leads to a great view to watch thousands of bats emerge from under the First Street bridge.
Austin is filled with trails for hiking and camping, including the Shoal Creek Trail, a five-minute drive from the University of Texas at Austin.
Trails such as this one are a great way to exercise or spend time outside with friends. Pack a picnic, and you’re guaranteed to have a good time.
Austin is also home to the Zilker Botanical Gardens. A landscape of carefully tended and well-planted gardens have earned this place to be a favorite among locals.
Some of the most beautiful blooms can be seen year round in this living attraction.
If plants aren’t really your thing, spending some time with the koi can instantly improve your day.
A wide variety of plants can be found throughout the grounds.
Many different additions here help natural wildlife flourish. This butterfly feeder is one example, but other animals such as bees, bats and owls receive through the gardens.
Photos by Connor Downs