Zilker Botanical Garden
Across from Zilker Park, this botanical garden has more than 28 acres of horticultural delights, including butterfly trails, bonsai and Japanese gardens, koi-filled ponds, riparian stream beds, and cultivated rose gardens. The enchanting gardens are open year-round (attracting 150,000 annual visitors), but it's best enjoyed outside of the peak Texas summer months. There are also various family-friendly programs and hands-on learning opportunities here, as well as a lively seasonal calendar of special events and festivals.