Discovering The Beauty of Zilker Botanical Garden

In the heart of Austin, you find a magnificent jewel known as the Zilker Botanical Garden. You find this natural space within the Zilker Metropolitanark in downtown Austin. The themed gardens are all interconnected with pathways for all to enjoy.

About Zilker Botanical Garden

The Zilker Botanical Garden offers young and old a world-class garden filled with a beautiful view and diversity to inspire and educate all entering through the gates while walking the verdant paths.

The Zilker Botanical Garden spreads over 28 acres featuring heritage live oaks on hillsides with lush shady spots to get away from the busy city. In addition, there are a few themed gardens for you to explore. It is managed as a public-to-private venture between the Zilker Botanical Garden Conservancy and the City of Austin Parks & Recreation Department.

Then there is also the Austin Area Garden Council, with 30 garden clubs added to this partnership, and it is open to Austin residents and visitors most days of the year. Some of the highlighted theme gardens are the following:

• Japanese gardens,

• Herb garden,

• Butterfly garden with butterfly-attracting plants as you walk along the butterfly trail

• The barton springs pool,

• Succulent garden,

• Koi ponds,

• Pioneer village with a blacksmith shop and schoolhouse

Things To Know Before Going To Zilker Botanical Garden

Before you head out to Zilker Park in South Austin, it helps to plan your visit to this massive conservatory area filled with gorgeous land, flowers, and butterflies. You can also take virtual tours to see what treats lie ahead when you visit.

Garden Hours

The garden opens at 9 am and closes at 5 pm in the fall; in summer, the closing time is 6 pm daily. During summer, the gardens close at 8 pm every Thursday and are open to visitors seven days a week. Still, the garden is closed on major holidays like:

• New Year’s Day,

• ABC Kite Fest,

• On the Fourth of July,

• ACL,

• Thanksgiving Day,

• Christmas Eve, and

• Christmas Day.

Admission Prices

• Members – Free

• Kids (ages 2 & Under) – Free

• Youth – (Ages 3 & 17) Austin Resident $3, Non-Austin Resident $4

• Adults – (Ages 18 & 61) Austin Resident $6, Non-Austin Resident $8

• Seniors – (Ages 62 & Over) Austin Resident $5, Non-Austin Resident $7

Garden Tours

Another great way to explore the botanical gardens for an easy walk is through the available garden tours. You will venture from the Taniguchi Japanese Garden to the Hartman prehistoric garden and in between.

The tour starts daily at 11 am and takes about an hour on the following dates: November 12th and December 10th. Free with admission.

Photography Policy

Photos for memory capture are welcome, but a $50 per session fee is payable for other photo sessions. The price includes the photographer’s admission plus one extra person. The price is for mostly but not limited to bridal, posed, formal, family groups, and more. Nature to snapshot shoots is not included.

Parking

You can find the parking area at the main entrance on 2220 Barton Springs Rd, and only for garden patrons during normal business hours. There is an overflow parking area on Stratford Drive, and directions will be given to the lot when needed. The gates are situated over the Rose Garden entrance to Hartman Prehistoric Garden.

Rentals and Events

Year-round you find many special events in this beautiful place in Austin, TX. There are also rentals available on the grounds for weddings, meetings, and other special occasions in the park. You can rent a spot at:

• The Mabel Davis Rose Garden

• Tea House

• Oak Grove

• The Greene Room

• The Auditorium

• South Lawn

Relax at The Pretty Cute Coffee Truck

The coffee truck is unique and serves nine specialty hot or iced lattes, different coffee brews, teas, super bloom lemonades, classic coffee, and more. The cute coffee truck you cannot miss standing among the greenery.

Theme Gardens

Throughout the ZilkerGardens’al Garden, you get some amazing themed gardens to explore:

Isamu Taniguchi Japanese Garden

The Zilker Botanical Gardens’ main attraction is the Isamu Taniguchi Japanese Garden, built in 1969. Isamu transformed the Japanese garden over three acres and was 70 years old. The ponds are designed in the shape of a word.

The fiIsamu’st of the pond spells Austin, and the Mother Tree overlooks the pond. A short video, The Spirit of the Garden, details Isamu’s journey and how he created this Japanese garden. Another stand-out feature is the koi-filled ponds

The Mabel Davis Rose Garden

One of the most spectacular sites in the Zilker Botanical Garden is The Archway at the Mabel Davis Rose Garden. It is popular for weddings, and the intimate archways with large space are spectacular with the two rose bed borders.

The Hartman Prehistoric Garden

The Hartman Prehistoric Garden is a must-see when you visit family in Austin, Texas. The Dutchman’s garden is the only place you find ancient plants indoors spreading over 1.5 acres. Here you find pine, orchid trees, the Dutchman’s pipe, and more. Along your way, in this peaceful respite, you find the local dinosaur habitat with tracks.

So explore this cretaceous habitat to see what the cretaceous period was all about.

The Riparian Streambed

The Mahler’s is a five-level stream bed with hidden pipes under bridges and the native riparian to shade plants with stunning limestone displays. You see typical waterfalls found only in central Texas. There are more than 100 native plants to heritage oak trees with shelters.