Reimers Ranch Park

May 10, 2013 by greystar

Looking for a place to chill out in under the big Texas sky? Head to Reimers Ranch Park, a huge, pristine swath of parkland that’s the largest in Travis Country at 2,427 acres. Three miles of continuous beach frontage on the Pedernales River makes it a great spot for fishing and swimming on hot summer days. There’s no shade, so bring an umbrella and sunscreen. It’s also a premier destination for world-class rock climbing. More than 18 miles of trails in varying lengths and levels of strenuousness make for excellent hiking and biking opportunities. Port-a-potties are the only amenities. Leashed dogs are allowed.

Open sunrise to sunset. Car admission is $10.

Reimers Ranch Park
24100 Hamilton Pool Rd
Austin, TX 78798
(512) 854-7275
http://www.yelp.com/biz/milton-reimers-ranch-park-austin

Public Domain. (from http://www.public-domain-image.com/nature-landscapes-public-domain-images-pictures/autumn-public-domain-images-pictures/old-trees-with-leaves-on-ground-in-autumn.jpg.html) Fall Trees, Fall Leaves, Fall, Autumn, Trees, Woods, Forest, Walking Trail, Trail, Forest Landscape, Woods Landscape, Nature.

Filed Under: Things To Do Tagged With: Austin Attractions, Parks, Reimers Ranch Park, Things to Do in Austin

Zilker Botanical Garden: A Jewel In The Heart Of Austin

November 6, 2012 by greystar

Austin, Texas, has a very different environment than much of the rest of the state—it’s moist and verdant, with heavy forests covering much of the city. For a wonderful immersion in the botanical glory of the area, head into the Zilker Botanical Gardens. Located in the center of Zilker Park, which was deeded to the city of Austin in 1917, the Botanical Garden is a spectacular collection of themed gardens. One of the most notable is the Hartman Prehistoric Garden—in 1992, a group of paleontologists discovered more than 100 dinosaur tracks in Zilker Park, and the area was then transformed into a garden populated with plants that would have grown there during the Cretaceous era. If you’re looking for some peace and serenity, head over to the Isamu Taniguchi Oriental Garden, a wonderful location to sit and commune with nature in front of a burbling koi pond. It’s a fantastic oasis in the middle of the city.

Zilker Botanical Garden
2220 Barton Springs Road
Austin, TX 78746
(512) 477-8672

By Park Seed Company staff photographer[see page for license], via Wikimedia Commons

Filed Under: Things To Do Tagged With: Austin Attractions, Parks, Things to Do in Austin, Zilker Botanical Garden

Umlauf Sculpture Garden & Museum: Serene Space

May 2, 2012 by greystar

There’s nothing exciting that goes on at Austin's Umlauf Sculpture Garden & Museum. But that’s precisely the point! Fifty sculptures created by 20th Century sculptor Charles Umlauf pepper the serene outdoor grove, giving visitors the opportunity to pause and appreciate them. Allow the sculptures to provide ambiance while you sit on a bench and read a book and let the kids roam around. Think of Umlauf as an artistically curated park, situated in the hustle of Austin but somehow shielded from it in a calm oasis. Umlauf offers summer camps for children and offers yoga sessions (the sessions are called “The Body as Sculpture”) throughout the season. And, okay, there’s one exciting happening: the yearly Garden Party, which was listed by the Austin Chronicle in its 2005 “Best of Austin” issue as, well, one of the best things to do in Austin.

Umlauf Sculpture Garden & Museum
605 Robert E. Lee Road
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 445-5582

Nv8200p [GFDL or CC-BY-SA-3.0], via Wikimedia Commons