Outdoors, Parks & Swimming Holes in Zilker & Barton Springs
12 places
Outdoors, Parks & Swimming Holes in Zilker & Barton Springs, checked by People of Austin. Swimming holes, trails, parks, pickleball courts, climbing gyms, golf and the Greenbelt, with the details that matter: reservations, parking and when to go.
Barton Springs Pool
Three acres of spring-fed 68-degree water in the middle of Zilker, with a grassy hillside for sunning, a diving board, and free early-morning and evening swims.
Zilker Metropolitan Park
Austin's 350-acre front yard: the Great Lawn for kite flying, Barton Springs, the mini train, a playground, and canoe rentals at the lake edge, all inside one park.
Barton Creek Greenbelt
Eight miles of creekside trail from Zilker to the Hill of Life, with swimming at Twin Falls and Sculpture Falls whenever the creek is running and limestone walls for climbers.
Rowing Dock
Paddleboard and kayak rentals under the Mopac bridge on the Zilker side of the lake, with glow-paddle nights and a quick route to the Barton Creek inlet.
Violet Crown Trail
A regional trail starting at Zilker and running through the Greenbelt toward Hays County, with the Sunset Valley and Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center segments among the quietest.
Butler Park
Rolling lawns, a splash pad and a skate park sit right next to Lady Bird Lake and the Zilker trailhead, a popular family gathering spot.
Auditorium Shores
Open lawns along Lady Bird Lake host festivals and concerts, and give dogs and picnickers a wide open downtown green space.
Live Love Paddle
This Lady Bird Lake outfitter rents paddleboards and kayaks and runs guided sunset and full moon paddle tours around the lake.
Zilker Park Boat Rentals
Canoes, kayaks and paddleboards launch right from Zilker Park onto Lady Bird Lake, a simple rental for a quick lake outing.
Butler Pitch & Putt
A short nine hole par 3 course by Lady Bird Lake makes for a quick, cheap round that's easy for kids and beginners.
Lone Star Riverboat
A narrated cruise down Lady Bird Lake aboard a paddle wheel style riverboat covers Austin history, wildlife and the bat bridge at dusk.
Zilker Zephyr Miniature Train
A scaled-down train that loops through Zilker Park, running since 1961.
Happy hours in Zilker & Barton Springs
| Venue | Days | Hours | Deals | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chuy's (Barton Springs)Zilker & Barton Springs · Chain-wide deal; site says hours vary by location | SMTWTFS Today |
3pm to 6pm | $5 chips and dips (queso, compuesto), specials on house 'ritas, Texas 'tinis, beer and wine Low-carb lane: wine by the glass |
Press-confirmed source |
| Salt Traders Coastal Cooking (Zilker)Zilker & Barton Springs · Monday runs all night 3:30pm-9pm | SMTWTFS Today |
3:30pm to 6:30pm | $1 off all oysters, $5 off 'beginnings' starters, $1 off drinks Low-carb lane: oysters |
Venue-confirmed source |
| El Alma Cafe y CantinaZilker & Barton Springs · Rooftop and ground-level patio; kids menu not confirmed | SMTWTFS Today |
3pm to 6pm | $5 beers, $5 sangria, $6 to $7 margaritas and discounted appetizers | Press-confirmed source |
| Juliet Italian Kitchen (Barton Springs)Zilker & Barton Springs · Wine and cocktail prices vary slightly between 2026 guides. | SMTWTFS Today |
3pm to 6pm | $3 off apps and pizza, $6 wine by the glass, $6 draft beer, $6-10 signature cocktails Low-carb lane: wine by the glass |
Press-confirmed source |