Things to Do in Zilker

68-70 degree spring-fed pool year-round — three acres, where Austin goes to cool off

Three-acre spring-fed pool, 68-70 degrees year-round. Closed Thursdays 9am-7pm for cleaning. Early morning swim (5-8am) has no lifeguards. Veterans get in free. This is where Austin goes to cool off.

2201 William Barton Dr, Austin, TX 78746 · Daily 5am-10pm (closed Thu 9am-7pm for cleaning) · outdoor

Free Broadway-style musical under the stars — Austin tradition since 1959

Free outdoor musical at the Zilker Hillside Theater every summer since 1959. Bring a blanket, sit on the grass. Full Broadway-style production, no charge. Thu-Sun, mid-July through mid-August at 8:15pm.

2206 William Barton Dr, Austin, TX 78746 · Thu-Sun 8:15pm, mid-Jul through mid-Aug · outdoor · Mid-July through mid-August

Real dinosaur trackway fossils and koi-filled Japanese garden — $3-8

Japanese garden with koi ponds, real fossilized dinosaur footprints, children's garden with scavenger hunt. Streams, waterfalls, stone pathways. Cheap for Austin residents.

2220 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78746 · Daily 9am-5pm (last entry 4:30pm) · outdoor

Locals say best beef ribs in Austin — skip the brisket line and go straight for the ribs.

Terry Black's on Barton Springs Road is one of Austin's top BBQ spots. The beef ribs are the move — massive, tender, and consistently good. Long lines on weekends but they move fast. Counter service, outdoor picnic tables. Cash and card accepted.

1003 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78704 · Sun-Thu 11am-9pm, Fri-Sat 11am-9:30pm

Shallow wading end for toddlers, diving board for big kids — 68-70 degrees year-round

Three-acre spring-fed pool, 68-70 degrees year-round. Shallow wading end for little kids, diving board for bigger ones. Closed Thursdays 9am-7pm for cleaning. Lifeguards on duty 8am-10pm; before 8am is swim-at-your-own-risk.

2201 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78746 · Daily 5am-10pm (closed Thu 9am-7pm for cleaning) · outdoor

Always free — hawks, owls, and a fossil dig pit in Zilker Park

Free nature center in Zilker Park. Rescued hawks, owls, reptiles, and small mammals up close. Fossil dig pit and nature trails. Camps cost extra but the exhibits are always free.

2389 Stratford Dr, Austin, TX 78746 · Mon-Sat 9am-5pm, Sun noon-5pm

$6 train ride through Zilker Park — under 2 rides free on your lap

15-minute miniature train loop through Zilker Park near Barton Springs. Buy tickets at the depot, first-come first-served. Cash and credit. Under 2 rides free on your lap.

2100 Andrew Zilker Rd, Austin, TX 78746 · Fri-Tue 10am-6pm (closed 1:30-2:30pm daily), closed Wed-Thu · outdoor

Real dinosaur footprints and koi ponds — $3-8

Japanese garden with koi ponds, real fossilized dinosaur footprints, and a children's garden with scavenger hunt from the gift shop. Streams, waterfalls, stone pathways to explore. Under 2 free. Cheap for Austin residents.

2220 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78746 · Daily 9am-5pm (last entry 4:30pm) · outdoor

$5 to swim in a 68-degree spring-fed pool. Go early on weekends or don't go at all.

Three-acre spring-fed pool in Zilker Park, 68 degrees year-round. Lap swimming plus open swim. Closed Thursdays 9am-7pm for cleaning. Free November through mid-March. Paid season: adults $5 resident / $9 non-resident, kids $2/$4. Gets packed on summer weekends by 11am.

2201 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78746 · Daily 5am-10pm, closed Thu 9am-7pm for cleaning · 512-974-6300 · outdoor

Walk up, grab a kayak, paddle Lady Bird Lake. $20/hr, no reservation. Time it for sunset and the Congress Ave bats.

Walk-up kayak and SUP rentals on the west end of Lady Bird Lake, right near Zilker Park. Single kayak $20/hr, SUP $25/hr, double kayak $25/hr. No reservation needed. Last boat goes out at 6pm. Paddle toward the Congress Ave bridge at sunset and you'll see the bats fly out.

2418 Stratford Dr, Austin, TX 78746 · Daily 9am-7pm, last rental at 6pm · 512-459-0999 · outdoor

Austin's backyard. 351 acres, free to enter, connects to basically every trail in central Austin. Bring a frisbee.

351 acres of open fields, trails, disc golf, sand volleyball, a botanical garden, and Barton Springs Pool. Great Lawn is big enough for 50 frisbee games at once. Free entry, $7 parking on weekends. Connects to Lady Bird Lake trail, Barton Creek Greenbelt, and multiple kayak launches. ACL Fest takes over in October.

2100 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78704 · Daily 5am-10pm · outdoor

Off-leash on the Great Lawn and Barton Creek access. Leash required everywhere else in Zilker — including near Barton Springs Pool. Weekend mornings get 50+ dogs.

350-acre park with a designated off-leash area on the Great Lawn. Dogs can play along Barton Creek in the off-leash zone. Outside the Great Lawn — the paths, picnic areas, and Barton Springs Pool grounds — dogs must be leashed. Weekends are crowded with dozens of dogs.

2100 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78746 · 5am-10pm daily · outdoor