Crisp air, golden light, and colorful backdrops make fall the perfect time to gather the family for photos. After a long Texas summer, it finally feels good to pull on a cozy sweater (or at least pretend it’s cool enough) and capture those sweet, silly moments together. Here are our favorite spots around Austin to snap picture-perfect memories this season.
Please note: *Professional photographers will need to get permission and pay fees before using venues with locations marked with an asterisk.
Park Settings
- Brushy Creek Park | This 90-acre park in Cedar Park offers plenty of trails and a lake for a natural setting.
- Mayfield Park* | You’ll find peacocks, small ponds full of lily pads, and flowering gardens at this popular Austin park.
- Laguna Gloria* | Part of the Contemporary Austin art museum, this location includes the Driscoll Villa, beautiful grounds, sculptures, and views of Lake Austin.
- Commons Ford Ranch | This city park on Lake Austin offers plenty of scenic waterside views for a pretty photo.
- Texas State Capitol | The grassy, shaded grounds of the Capitol are great for kids to run and play.
- 360 Bridge | The Pennybacker Bridge is a classic Austin landmark that can also serve as a beautiful backdrop to your family photo.
- Old Settlers Park | This Round Rock park offers lots of space to run and play for great action shots.
- Mueller Lake Park | Located next to the Thinkery, the pond full of ducks offers a nice waterside view.
- Zilker Park | Austin’s beloved park offers many various settings, including Barton Springs, the Zilker Botanical Gardens, and the Austin Nature & Science Center.
- Bull Creek District Park | You can’t go wrong with the beautiful trails and water views at Bull Creek.
- Walnut Creek Metro Park | This North Austin park offers many meandering trails.
- Onion Creek Park | Located in Southeast Austin, this park has a small playscape and many shady hiking trails.
- McKinney Falls State Park | This State Park offers many trails for hiking & biking and beautiful landscapes for picnics and family photos.
- Lake Pflugerville | Northeast of Austin, the area around this 180-acre reservoir includes a 3-mile trail, playground, boat launch, and beach area.
- Mills Pond | Within the Wells Branch subdivision, you’ll find trails, a fishing pier, and a floating boat dock.
- Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center* | With gardens and sweeping meadows, this is a beautiful landscape for fall photos.
Urban Settings
- South Congress Ave. | You can’t go wrong with the I Love You So Much sign at 1300 S. Congress.
- Long Center & Butler Park | You can’t beat the city skyline view from the terrace of the Long Center.
- Downtown Georgetown & Downtown San Marcos | Both quaint towns offer historic downtown squares featuring locally-owned shops and restaurants in a small-town setting.
- Boardwalk Trail on Lady Bird Lake | Here you’ll find gorgeous lakeside views of downtown.
More to explore:
