Zilker Park

Sitting across the river from Downtown Austin, this beloved 347-acre park buoys Austin's reputation as one of the most livable cities in the country. Zilker Park shelters some of the city's most popular attractions -- from art museums to swimming holes -- as well as several athletic fields and plenty of open space for strolling or games of tag. Previous visitors praise Zilker Park's numerous activities, whether they be swimming, canoeing or digging up fossils at the Austin Nature and Science Center's Dino Pit.

Give yourself a day or two to explore everything Zilker Park has to offer. Art aficionados can peruse the works housed within the Umlauf Sculpture Garden & Museum while nature enthusiasts can stroll among the brightly colored flowers in the Zilker Botanical Gardens. And after a day spent appeasing your specific interest, cool down with a dip in Barton Springs Pool, another top Austin attraction on our list.

The park is open daily from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m., and admission is free. Many recent visitors recommend stopping by during the week when there's free parking and fewer crowds. For more information, check out the Zilker Park website.