13 Best Sights in West Austin and Zilker Park, Austin

This 12-mile series of hike-and-bike trails follows the contour of Barton Creek and the canyon it created west along an 8-mile-long area from Zilker Park to west of Loop 360. The popular Greenbelt features even more sought-after swimming holes when the creek is full (very rain-dependent, it's usually in spring and fall). Several access points will get you on the riverside trails, including at Zilker Park, Loop 360, Twin Falls, Scottish Woods Trail Falls (near the intersection of MoPac and Loop 360), and Scottish Woods Trail (at the trail's northern border, off Loop 360).

No visit to Austin is complete without a ceremonial dip in the sacred waters of Barton Springs. The hallowed crown jewel of the Zilker Park area, this historic spring-fed pool maintains a constant 68° temperature year-round, and the chilly waters attract hordes of people from all walks of life. It's an idyllic paradise for free-spirited people-watching and unique experiences, like the nightly and full-moon (when revelers howl at the moon in unison) free swims and the annual Polar Bear Plunge held on New Year's Day. Weather can affect operating hours throughout the season, so be sure to check their website in advance.

Rising to a height of 785 feet, Mount Bonnell offers the best views of Austin from its location several miles northwest of the Barton Creek Greenbelt. Stop by during the day for a glimpse of the sweeping panorama of rolling hills, the Colorado River and the 360 Bridge, and the downtown skyline in the distance. It's a short but steep climb up from a parking area near the road (more of a diversion than a serious hike); at the top, you'll find first dates, nature photographers, families, picnickers, and just plain old tourists here.

Set on a lush Lake Austin peninsula, this 1915 Mediterranean-style villa was once home to Clara Driscoll, who led the fight to save the Alamo from demolition in the early 20th century. In this lovely environment, the villa is surrounded by impressively kept grounds (which include lakeside walking trails) and a stunning collection of outdoor sculptures and rotating exhibits of world-renowned artists. An art school shares the idyllic setting of this building, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and there's now a gift shop and on-site café, Spread & Co., that help elongate an afternoon visit to this scenic spot. Advance ticket reservations are currently required in advance.

Many local legends attach themselves to Austin's most famous tree. At least 500 years old, the live oak tree on Baylor Street (between 5th and 6th Streets) is the last survivor of a sacred group of trees known as the Council Oaks, used in ceremonies and meetings by Native American tribes. The tree's name derives from a legend that Stephen F. Austin negotiated the first boundary agreement between local tribes and settlers underneath its branches. In 1989, a disturbed individual attempted to poison the tree with a powerful herbicide and was later apprehended. Intensive efforts to save the tree were successful, although nearly two-thirds of the Treaty Oak died and it is now a shadow of its former self. Still, it's well worth a visit to pay your respects to this venerable survivor.

Across from Zilker Park, this botanical garden has more than 28 acres of horticultural delights, including butterfly trails, bonsai and Japanese gardens, and xeriscape gardens with native plants that thrive in an arid southwestern climate. It's a lovely urban oasis that is best enjoyed outside the peak of Texas summer heat. There are also various family-friendly programs and hands-on learning opportunities here, as well as a lively seasonal calendar of special events and festivals.

The former site of temporary Franciscan missions in the 1700s and a former Native American gathering place is now Austin's everyday backyard park. The enormous 351-acre site that sprawls along the shores of Lady Bird Lake includes Barton Springs Pool, numerous gardens, a meditation trail, and a Swedish log cabin dating from the 1840s. In the spring, the park hosts a kite festival as well as concerts in the park's Zilker Hillside Theater, a natural outdoor amphitheater beneath a grove of century-old pecan trees; in July and August, musicals and plays take over. And, of course, the annual Austin City Limits Music Festival rules here every year in October. 

Adjacent to Zilker Botanical Garden on the western edge of Zilker Park, this complex has an 80-acre preserve trail, interactive exhibits in the Discovery Lab that teach about the ecology of the Austin area, and animal exhibits focusing on subjects such as bees, birds of prey, and native wildlife. Parking is available under the Mopac Bridge.

The oldest swimming pool in Texas (1915), this man-made, spring-fed swimming hole just off Lake Austin Boulevard was the centerpiece of an early-20th-century resort and was purchased and restored by the Works Progress Administration in the mid-1930s. In recent years, Friends of Deep Eddy, a volunteer community group, led a successful effort to fully restore the long-closed 1936 bathhouse. Today it remains a beloved local institution for all ages and walks of life.

Here you’ll find exhibits dedicated to preserving the history of the military in Texas, from the inception of the Texas Militia to the modern war on terror. Artillery, a half-track, and tanks are on permanent display in the 45,000-square-foot museum. They also host living history events, including World War II reenactments, on certain weekends throughout the year.

Remember to bring your valid photo ID—you'll need it to get on the Camp Mabry grounds.

This pleasant space at the south end of Zilker Park houses 53 of Charles Umlauf's sculptures in the house where he lived and worked. Umlauf, who taught at the University of Texas Art Department from 1941 to 1981, created an incredibly diverse body of work that ranged in style from realistic to abstract, using such materials as granite, marble, bronze, wood, and terra-cotta. His subjects were equally wide-ranging, from religious figures and nudes to whimsical animals and family groupings. Visitors can admire the works in the verdant beauty of the surrounding gardens, which also hosts special events and community happenings, like food festivals, live music, outdoor yoga classes, and free family days, in addition to a coveted register of weddings. 

With a collection more akin to a first-class art museum than a commercial gallery, Lisa Russell's showcase, recently rebranded as West Chelsea Contemporary, has a long-standing reputation for being the go-to place in Austin for serious art collectors. The permanent collection has more than 100 original works, some dating back to the 1600s, including pieces by Rembrandt, Renoir, Picasso, Toulouse-Lautrec, Matisse, and more displayed year-round. Contemporary artists are also a main attraction, with work from the likes of Cody Hooper, Michael Kessler, and Daniel Maltzman. Check the website for special exhibits and events hosted throughout the year.

Stunning contrasting views of the Hill Country and the Austin skyline make it worth the trip to this area near the 360 Bridge. You can wander among the 227 acres on walking trails or take one of the guided tours offered on weekends (by reservation only). The cool folks at the on-site research center (partnered with local St. Edward's University) offer numerous outdoor-oriented classes, nighttime stargazing sessions, and even concerts by well-known touring musicians. Reservations to hike the basin trails are not required on weekdays but highly recommended on weekends. Staff closes the gates whenever the parking area is full.