Skip to main content

7 Austin Parks to See on Vacation — Locals’ Picks

By U.S. News & World Report

Austin may be the bustling and always eventful capital of Texas, but in a city with more than 30,000 acres of parks, travelers have plenty of space to indulge in classic Austin activities like picnics, disc golf, volleyball, free concerts, hiking and biking.

U.S. News spoke with local experts to identify a few of the top parks in Austin to take in the scenery without stepping too far away from the city center.

Zilker Metropolitan Park

Known as the crown jewel of the Austin parks system, Zilker Metropolitan Park offers everything from quiet spaces for picnics to lively concerts and festivals, like the Austin City Limits Music Festival. It’s even home to popular spots like Barton Springs Pool, Umlauf Sculpture Garden & Museum and Zilker Botanical Garden. Additionally, the Zilker Zephyr train offers a 20- to 25-minute tour of the park ($3 for adults and $2 for children).

[Read: The Best Hotels in Austin.]

“There’s the hike-and-bike trail, you can rent canoes, kayaks and stand-up paddleboards, play disc golf, there’s a leash-free dog zone, and they have sculpture gardens,” says Steven Leigh, chief concierge at the Archer Hotel Austin. Because it’s right in the heart of downtown, the park also has exceptional city views. It’s open from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Mount Bonnell

For picturesque sights of the city, head to the scenic overlook at Mount Bonnell, Austin’s highest point at nearly 800 feet. “It’s up stone steps, and looks down over sleepy Lake Austin and the downtown skyline,” says Tony Ingargiola, concierge at the Four Seasons Hotel Austin. From there, you can also catch a glimpse of the 360 Bridge.

[See: A photo tour of Austin.]

Chris Johnson, concierge and greeter at The Driskill, says, “It’s the only place you can get a panoramic view of the entire city. You see the ever-changing downtown landscape, and it’s lovely for sunsets.”

Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail and Boardwalk at Lady Bird Lake

This crushed granite trail and boardwalk is one of Austin’s most popular recreational areas. A 10-mile loop around Lady Bird Lake, this trail tours several of the city’s best parks, including Zilker Metropolitan Park, Lamar Beach at Town Lake Metropolitan Park and Eilers Park. The boardwalk, which includes seven viewing areas over 7,250 feet of walking area, is open from 5 a.m. to midnight daily.

“I joke with guests that when they finish the trail, I’ll have a Realtor ready because they’ll fall in love with Austin,” Ingargiola says. “The trail has beautiful views and the boardwalk.” Runners, bikers, dog walkers and nature enthusiasts can cut up the trail in a number of ways to make it shorter or longer while immersing themselves in Austin’s natural scenery.

Mayfield Park and Preserve

“Mayfield Park is beautiful,” says David Scheffke, front office manager at the Hotel Ella. “It has great walking trails and it’s by Laguna Gloria,” a site of The Contemporary Austin art museum. “The cool thing about this park is they have wild peacocks. You can take pictures from afar and walk around while they roam.”

[Read: The Best Things to Do in Austin.]

A historic cottage, 2 acres of gardens and lily ponds adorn this park just north of Tarrytown, and the 21-acre nature preserve that surrounds it is filled with wildlife. It’s on the National Register of Historic Places and is open daily from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Walnut Creek Metropolitan Park

Nestled in the middle of North Austin is Walnut Creek Metropolitan Park, which is open from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. Its 290 acres include Walnut Creek Pool and miles of trails, plus sports courts, barbecue spots, off-leash dog areas and 26 playgrounds. It’s a favorite of dog walkers, hikers and bikers due to the hilly landscape that’s filled with stunning cliffs and creeks.

Town Lake Metropolitan Park

Town Lake Metropolitan Park resides on Lady Bird Lake in South Austin, and within it are Butler Park, Auditorium Shores at Town Lake Metropolitan Park and Vic Mathias Shores at Town Lake Metropolitan Park. This lakeside area showcases the Palmer Events Center, The Long Center for the Performing Arts and the Dougherty Arts Center, plus a 35-foot hill with breathtaking views.

Famed South by Southwest music events and the Stevie Ray Vaughan statue can also be found there, along with water features such as the Liz Carpenter Fountain. The Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail passes through as well. The park is open from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.

McKinney Falls State Park

“I recommend McKinney Falls; I had no idea there were so many waterfalls in Texas,” says Kimi Nakato, director of front office at the Hotel Granduca Austin.

The 745 acres of Southeast Austin’s McKinney Falls State Park draws locals and tourists because of the waterfalls on Onion Creek, in addition to trails, wildlife and classic Texas bluebonnet wildflowers. Smith Rock Shelter and the McKinney Homestead, both on the National Register of Historic Places, are ideal for escaping from the Texas heat and grabbing Instagram-worthy photos. The park is open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Adult entry costs $6, while children 12 and younger are free.

To experience more of what Austin has to offer, check out the U.S. News Travel guide.

More from U.S. News

The Best Places to Hike in North America

The Best Places to Visit in the USA

Why You Should Get Outdoors on Your Next Vacation

7 Austin Parks to See on Vacation — Locals’ Picks originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
Read Next Story

Related News

Frustration grows in Venezuela as earthquake death toll reaches 1,430

Israel and Lebanon sign framework agreement with US in ‘first step’ toward peace, Rubio says

Trump-endorsed populist poised to become Colombia’s next president as rival challenges vote