July 2, 2020 Update: All City of Austin parks and park facilities will be closed over the July 4th weekend and remained closed until further notice. This includes facilities previously reopened such as all pools, golf courses, tennis facilities, Zilker Botanical Garden, Austin Nature & Science Center, and other amenities. For a full listing of park closures, visit austintexas.gov/parkclosures.

Who has been sprinkling pixie dust around Austin? Visitors to the Zilker Botanical Garden will notice that tiny faerie homes have popped up in the woods! The annual Woodland Faerie Trail is now open through August 16 for a magical experience to put on your summer to-do list. To limit crowds and adhere to social distancing, visitors to the Zilker Botanical Garden must pre-purchase admission tickets online.

Photo from the Zilker Botanical Garden Website; Created by the Zilker Botanical Garden Docents

This exhibit features faerie homes and gardens created by Austin area gardeners, architects, artisans, businesses, clubs, families and school groups. These intricate, whimsical little abodes are crafted with natural materials such as twigs, bark, shells, rocks, etc. They will delight your kids, especially those in the stage of belief and wonder about such mystical things. Children can peek around the grounds with curiosity, hoping to spy some faeries and gnomes along the escarpment pathway.

Walking along the Woodland Faerie Trail is is included with your General Admission, which ranges in price for Austin residents vs. non-residents. Click here for the full overview of pricing and to reserve your tickets before you go.

The garden is open to the public 7 days a week (closed for major holidays) from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. with extended Summer Thursday hours until 8 p.m.

For more information about the Woodland Faerie Trail, you can visit the Zilker Botanical Garden website. We hope you have a magical time!

Photo from the Zilker Botanical Garden Website; Created by Girl Scout Troop 46161

Looking for More Magical Tiny Abodes in Austin?

Visit Fairy Alley: In a small alleyway situated next to the residential home at 1507 Treadwell Street, you’ll find colorful murals and an assortment of tiny fairy house and other whimsical bric-a-brac. According to the Fairy Alley Facebook page, “No one remembers exactly when the Fairies started nesting in the alley. It has been some time now. Each year their presence seems to get a little stronger.”

Fairy Alley, photo by Do512 Family staff

Fairy Alley, photo by Do512 Family staff

Even More:

  • We’re certain that many faeries and gnomes live in the nearby wooded Sherwood Forest in McDade, TX. While it is currently closed, stay tuned to www.sherwoodforestfaire.com to see when it will open in 2021.
  • For more whimsical homes in the area (for magical dwellers of human sizes), visit the Austin Weird Homes tour website to find out about some other artistic abodes such as Casa Neverlandia and Bloomhouse among many other unique houses.

Want to Make Your Own Faerie House at Home? Check out this article from Momtastic.com with inspiration and ideas to craft in your own backyard. Be sure to send us photos of your creations as part of our Summer Show & Share!