Five Best Parks in Austin

As Harper and I continue to explore the Austin parks and all they have to offer, we’re constantly amazed at how much the city has to offer in terms of outdoor play, even with a toddler! We hope the list below helps provide you and little one with the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors while also being prepared and having fun.

Our top 5 Austin Parks categorized by regions in Austin

Central Austin Parks

1. Alliance Children’s Garden
   It offers views of the city, the lake, and also grounds for kids all ages. It also has a summer time splash pad and plenty of shade and picnic tables. The major issue is finding parking, however I suggest driving down Riverside towards Lamar to find parking there. I usually park at El Alma and pick up an order to go. We walk across the street, have lunch, and play! I’ve asked every time I’ve parked just to be safe.
2. Ramsey Park
   I stumbled across this park while picking up food from Burnet one day. We needed a park for a picnic and it did not disappoint. Tucked away in this quaint neighborhood, it has the perfect balance of a modern park but also not overwhelmingly busy. It offers climbing, tennis and basketball courts, and a nature inspired playground as well with tree trunks. Check out Piknik or Honest Mary’s off burnet if you need a to go meal for a picnic.
3. Pease Park
   If you want to pretend you’re in CO or not in Texas this is the place to go. The landscape and the trees provide ample shade. There’s plenty of space to have a picnic on the ground or on a picnic table. There’s a nature inspired splash pad, rope climbing playgrounds, and a giant jumping net shaped like a sphere! Issue is once again parking, but I suggest coming early or on weekdays if your schedule allows it. After 10am on a weekend is usually a no go if you’re parking. There’s not a food spot nearby we explore often but it’s right off Lamar so there’s plenty there! 

North Austin Parks

4. Walnut Creek Metro Park
   This park is tucked away five minutes away from the Domain and Whole Foods. It’s a great place to go before or after errands and has plenty of parking. I always found it easier to run errands with a toddler if there was outdoor time first! The space also has a swimming pool and trails! There’s a forest school campground hidden in the trails and there’s bike trails too! I suggest grabbing lunch at the domain and bringing it over for a picnic. We like Flower Child.

East Austin Parks

5. Mueller Lake Park
   If you’re looking for a park, a children’s museum, a lake, and restaurants all within walking distance then this is your best bet. There is street and garage parking. We love Mueller for their many options and closeness to the highway. On weekends there is also a farmer’s market. We aren’t huge fans of the Thinkery but mostly due to our love for outdoors.

Looking for more?

Those are our favorite parks currently with the weather. As we start to get warmer, I will share an updated listing with more cooler options!

If you’re curious on what we carry for outdoors, you can find all our favorites in our Outdoor Gear Amazon Storefront. The list includes hats, shoes, our carriers and much more!

Time spent outdoors always encourages maximum effort for all ages! If you’re curious on the topic or how to foster it, check out our Maximum Effort post.

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