When the rain finally lets up in Austin, heading out for a picnic before the heat sets in sounds like a great way to spend some family time together. Here’s our roundup of the best picnic spots in the Austin area.
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center has 284 acres of scenic gardens and trails for you to explore. There are designated picnic areas, or you can dine inside or al fresco at the Wildflower Cafe. Admission is free for members, $15 for adult non-members, and $8 for children ages 5-17. Grab your tickets and more info here.
Laguna Gloria
The lush grounds of Laguna Gloria will make you feel like you’ve been whisked away to Tuscany. Here you’ll enjoy the views of Lake Austin, the Italian-style Driscoll Villa, and beautiful sculptures and gardens at this home to the Contemporary Austin Museum and Art School. Laguna Gloria is also home to Spread & Co where you can get salads, sandwiches, wine, and more. Tip: they also have a kid’s menu!
— McKinney Falls State Park
If you want to head just outside the outskirts of town, you can head over to McKinney Falls State Park. It’s a great place for hiking, camping and simply catching a break from the city. McKinney State Falls recommends making reservations and you can do that here. There is an entrance fee of $6 for ages 13 and up, and visitors ages 12 and under are free.
Mueller Lake Park
This East Austin neighborhood park across from the Thinkery includes unique play structures with modern design. Kids love to climb and slide in this fenced-in park. It’s also adjacent to a little lake where you can feed the ducks, take a stroll, and spread out a picnic blanket. There are also tons of nearby restaurants in Mueller where you can grab food to go.
Pease Park
Pease Park is home to 84 acres of green space, so there isn’t a shortage of places to sprawl out a blanket or sit down at a table with your best snacks. The area is covered with tall oak trees that provide wonderful shade and gorgeous views of Shoal Creek. Kingsbury Commons has plenty of picnic tables for your use as well as exciting play structures.
— The Texas State Capitol
The grounds of the Texas State Capitol provide a gorgeous spot for a picnic. The pretty, green, manicured lawn with lots of shady trees provides a great spot to relax and enjoy time outdoors. Kids love running up and down the hills there, too. And as a bonus, you could make a little lesson out of your visit to the Capitol to chat about Texas history and government with the kids.
Waterloo Park
Located downtown between 12th & 15th Streets along Red River, this park provides 11 acres of greenspace perfect for spreading out a picnic blanket. There is an expansive lawn for gathering and running around, a playground for the kids to climb around on, and food trucks on site. After you eat, you can stroll along the mile and a half of trails within the park.
Zilker Park
Austinites adore Zilker Metropolitan Park! Whether you’re out climbing on the rocks or throwing a Frisbee out in the open grass, Zilker has plenty of great spots to choose from. Sit down and spread out your picnic with sweeping city views in the background. We’re especially fond of hanging out by the Rock Island or the Zilker Botanical Garden. Zilker is a classic choice for a great day out with the kids.
Skyline Park
This brand-new playground and splash pad at Skyline Park in Easton Park will keep kids of any age busy for hours. They have very nice restroom facilities and there are plenty of shaded picnic tables to sit and have a snack or lunch. Get more info here.
