This greenbelt winds through Central and South Austin along the picturesque Barton Creek, featuring beautiful hiking and bike trails as well as many choice swimming holes. The surroundings have been left to flourish in their natural manner, featuring great limestone cliffs, shallow lagoons, and dense forests. One of the more popular areas is at the far north end of the park, called the Scottish Woods Trails. It is a rocky path leading to a gorgeous private swimming hole at the base of a small waterfall. Barton Creek Greenbelt runs west and north from Zilker Park for nearly eight miles (12.8 kilometers).
Mayfield Park Cottage and Gardens is open to the public but is a favorite among the City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department facilities rental division. The historic 1870s cottage is perfect for a small group or families visiting the town. The cottage holds 65 people, while the grounds hold up to 200. Explore the walking trails in the park to enjoy the landscaped gardens, lily ponds, peacocks, and palms in this picturesque environment. Pack up the family or reserve it for your event and enjoy this sprawling estate in central Austin.
Patrons will enjoy a huge variety of activities at Zilker Park. You can check out the hike and bike trails, picnic facilities, Zilker Botanical Garden, canoe rentals, soccer fields, sand volleyball courts, riverboat rides on Town Lake, concerts, festivals and even a miniature train. The wide-open stretches of grass in this park are just minutes from the downtown area. There is plenty of room and various diversions for the kids, so you can get a suntan, take long walks by the river or just curl up with a book down by the river.
Set along the eastern banks of the restful Colorado River, Mount Bonnell's verdant headlands dominate Austin's western topography. Also known as Covert Park, the location is a stunning progression of luxuriant grasslands, scenic waterfronts, peaceful picnic spots and breathtaking vista points. Inducted into the National Register of Historic Places in the year 2015, the lands are home to Mount Bonnell's Indian Trail, one of the cornerstones of the American War of Independence. Legend has it that the final 99 steps to the mount's top hold enchanting qualities; if a couple climbs the mount once, they fall in love, twice, they become engaged, and three times, they are destined to be married.
Pease Park
This fantastic little park, located near the Hyde Park district, is a favorite for dog lovers. As one of the few places in Austin where dogs can run unleashed, expect to be outnumbered by man's best friend. Former Texas governor Elijah Pease owned the property that now bears his name. Pease Park also has disc golf (similar to traditional golf but played with frisbees) and hosts the annual Eeyore's Birthday Party festival.
