Do you love lush gardens, natural beauty, and wildlife? If so, you will enjoy exploring the massive Zilker Botanical Gardens, one of the outdoor gems of Austin, Texas.
Zilker Botanical Garden essentials:
Address: 2220 Barton Springs Rd.
Phone: 512-477-8672
Hours: Usually open every day 7 a.m.-7 p.m.
Admission: free
Phone: 512-477-8672
Hours: Usually open every day 7 a.m.-7 p.m.
Admission: free
About the gardens:
Situated on 31 acres along the south bank of the Colorado River, the Zilker Botanical Gardens are near downtown but offer a wonderful escape from the hustle and bustle. The gardens offer varied topography, so there are several different habitats within the complex. They have exotic, native, and hybrid plants. The gardens are right down the street from Barton Springs, so you can explore the gardens and then have a swim!
Themed gardens:
The Zilker Botanical Garden is divided into several themed gardens. There is a Japanese garden with a pond containing koi fish. There is a butterfly trail and garden in addition to a rose garden. There is an herb and fragrance garden and a cactus and succulent garden. Believe it or not, there are is also a prehistoric garden. Paleontologists discovered that dinosaurs once roamed these grounds, so the plants in this two-acre garden represent the type of plants from the Cretaceous period, when the dinosaurs were here. There is also a life-sized statue of the Ornithomimus, the dinosaur that left tracks here.
Visitor guidelines:
If you plan to visit the Zilker Botanical Garden, there are several rules you must adhere to. These include:
*No food can be brought in, so no picnicking is allowed in the gardens
*You cannot bring in alcoholic beverages
*You may not feed the fish or other wildlife
*You may not pick the flowers or plants
*You must stay on the pathways or grass areas to avoid the flowerbeds
*Pets must be kept on a leash (and if your pet poops, you must pick it up)
*You may not climb on the trees, rocks, or anything else
*You and your pets may not go into the waterways and ponds
*No loud music or stereos are allowed
*No food can be brought in, so no picnicking is allowed in the gardens
*You cannot bring in alcoholic beverages
*You may not feed the fish or other wildlife
*You may not pick the flowers or plants
*You must stay on the pathways or grass areas to avoid the flowerbeds
*Pets must be kept on a leash (and if your pet poops, you must pick it up)
*You may not climb on the trees, rocks, or anything else
*You and your pets may not go into the waterways and ponds
*No loud music or stereos are allowed
Zilker Garden Festival:
Each year, there is a Zilker Garden Festival (2009 marked the 52nd festival). Admission only costs a few dollars, and at this family-friendly event you can enjoy guest speakers, live music, activities for kids, and over 100 vendors who sell crafts, plants and more. You can also explore the gardens while there. Proceeds benefit the Austin Area Garden Council and Zilker Botanical Garden.
Other events at the gardens:
In addition to the annual festival, the Zilker Botanical Garden offers a variety of other events throughout the year. You can attend garden club workshops, take guided tours of the gardens, and attend plant shows and sales. The gardens can be booked for private events, such as photo shoots and even weddings.