Best Park

Zilker Park

It may not be hard for the readers to pick this prince of public spaces, but where to begin to sing his praises? At the acres of welcoming green expanse, under the live oaks like shadowing empresses, in the garden of flowering delights? Or maybe the fields that host everything from soccer tournaments to balloon launches, from family reunions to long, romantic walks, from holiday magic to magical music festivals. Not to forget the grand public spaces, like the Hillside Theatre that is home to Shakespeare and Runyon, or the kiddie train that winds its way through the greenscape like the remembered road to grandma's house. The park's most precious jewel, of course, is the city's beating heart – Barton Springs, the ever-renewing waters that hold our best, highest promise. As long as we can preserve these waters, the dreams of the city remain alive, unto the generations. Forever.

Zilker Park
2100 Barton Springs Rd., 512/974-6700
austintexas.gov/zilker