Dick Nichols District Park
Area of Austin: Southwest, Price for a family of four: FreeFeatures: Dick Nichols is a large (152-acre) city park which features a playground, picnic tables, a picnic pavilion, barbecues, a lighted basketball court, two lighted tennis courts, three sand volleyball courts, one softball field, one multi-purpose field, a large swimming pool, and a one-mile paved hike and bike trail....
The Lowdown: More choices than the average park; a very attractive and nice park in a nice neighborhood.
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Enchanted Rock State Natural Area
Area of Austin: DaytripPrice for a family of four: $12Features: Enchanted Rock is a large state park featuring a huge pink granite exfoliation dome, hiking trails, picnic tables, and tent camping....
The Lowdown: A very unique place that everyone should see (and climb) at least once in his or her life.
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Austin Nature and Science Center
Area of Austin: Central, Price for a family of four: FreeFeatures: The Austin Nature and Science Center provides education and recreation with exhibits featuring rescued animals, a dino pit, a nature trail, and an indoor lab and educational exhibit....
The Lowdown: A fun, educational, and free way to spend time with your family.
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Battlebend Park
Area of Austin: South, Price for a family of four: FreeFeatures: Battlebend Park is a small (4.9 acre) park in south Austin, named after the neighborhood it is located in, Battlebend Springs, a pleasant working-class neighborhood established in the 1970's. It has a few picnic tables and benches in the shade, one covered picnic table, two basketball courts, and three playscapes, one for young children, as well as swings....
The Lowdown: A pleasant park with nice landscaping to enjoy if you're in the neighborhood.
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Brushy Creek Lake Park
Area of Austin: Northwest, Price for a family of four: FreeFeatures: Brushy Creek Lake Park is a newly improved 90-acre park featuring a water playscape and a small man-made lake. Other features of the park are a playground, a hike and bike trail, an exercise station, picnic tables and BBQ grills, 3 covered picnic pavilions, a sand volleyball court, a wildlife observation area, a labyrinth, and restrooms....
The Lowdown: A very entertaining and cool way to spend a summer afternoon.
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Cherry Creek Park
Area of Austin: South, Price for a family of four: FreeFeatures: Cherry Creek Park is a tiny (0.9 acre) neighborhood park in south Austin near the Brodie/Slaughter intersection. It has four picnic tables (two in the shade), three benches (one in the shade), and one playscape with four slides....
The Lowdown: A nice little park to visit if you live in the neighborhood or are passing by; not worth a long drive.
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Deep Eddy Pool
Area of Austin: Central, Price for a family of four: $8Features: Deep Eddy is the oldest public swimming pool in Texas, built in 1916. It is a huge pool with cold water, featuring a large wading area, recreational swimming area, swimming lanes, and a surrounding grassy area....
The Lowdown: Our favorite pool in Austin; a relaxing way to spend a fun afternoon with your family.
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The Dinosaur Park
Area of Austin: DaytripPrice for a family of four: $20Features: The Dinosaur Park is a newcomer to the local entertainment scene located within a short drive from Austin. It features a nature trail with life-sized dinosaur statues to view, a dinosaur digging area, playground, activities such as a scavenger hunt, and a gift shop....
The Lowdown: A fun and unique way to entertain your dinosaur-crazed children (they may even learn something).
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Eastwoods Park
Area of Austin: Central, Price for a family of four: FreeFeatures: Eastwoods Park is a medium-sized (9.9 acres) park located right by the University of Texas, featuring playscapes, tennis courts, a softball field, a basketball court, picnic tables, short hiking trails, and a wading pool....
The Lowdown: An attractive and underutilized natural setting in the middle of an urban locale.
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Eilers Park
Area of Austin: Central, Price for a family of four: FreeFeatures: Eilers Park is a small (8.96-acre) park that includes Deep Eddy Pool (reviewed separately). The actual area of the park that is located outside the pool grounds is tiny. It includes several picnic tables, a small playscape, and two swings. The park is also one of the beginning points for the Town Lake Hike and Bike Trail....
The Lowdown: A small park for a nice picnic before or after a swim in Deep Eddy Pool.
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Garrison District Park
Area of Austin: South, Price for a family of four: FreeFeatures: Garrison District Park is a large (40-acre) city park which features a municipal swimming pool, a softball field/sports complex, a basketball court, a playground, picnic tables, barbecue grills, and a trail through the park....
The Lowdown: An unexpected and peaceful escape to a woodland in the middle of Austin.
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Longview Park
Area of Austin: South, Price for a family of four: FreeFeatures: Longview Park is a medium-sized (20-acre) city park which features a playground, picnic tables, basketball court, softball field, and a trail....
The Lowdown: A quiet park with a fun playscape to enjoy during the day.
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Mabel Davis District Park
Area of Austin: Southeast, Price for a family of four: FreeFeatures: Mabel Davis District Park is a large (50-acre) park featuring a skate park, municipal swimming pool, playground, basketball court, and picnic tables....
The Lowdown: A great place to skate, watch skaters, or play for a while.
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Mayfield Park and Preserve
Area of Austin: West, Price for a family of four: FreeFeatures: Mayfield Park is a 22-acre park in the Tarrytown are that includes an 1870's cottage, ponds, and gardens in a tranquil setting with strolling peacocks....
The Lowdown: A beautiful and serene enchanted garden to share with your loved ones.
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Round Rock Memorial Park
Area of Austin: North, Price for a family of four: FreeFeatures: Round Rock Memorial Park is a very nice 7-acre family park featuring a beautiful creek, picnic tables, barbecues, a playground, a trail, and a softball field....
The Lowdown: A lovely way to spend an afternoon, with a perfect walk for young children.
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Mary Moore Searight Metropolitan Park
Area of Austin: South, Price for a family of four: FreeFeatures: Mary Moore Searight is a large (344-acre) park off of Slaughter Lane. It features a popular 18-hole disc golf course, a playground, picnic tables and a large picnic pavilion, barbecue grills, hike and bike trails, equestrian trails, a soccer and softball field, a basketball court, two tennis courts, two volleyball courts, and a fishing pier....
The Lowdown: A former ranch turned park, where you can experience nature encounters and recreation.
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Circle C Ranch Metropolitan Park on Slaughter Creek
Area of Austin: Southwest, Price for a family of four: FreeFeatures: Circle C Metropolitan Park on Slaughter Creek is a large (545-acre) park located in the Circle C neighborhood but open to the public. The park features a playground with 2 playscapes with slides, swings, and a jungle gym. There are also picnic tables, two sand volleyball courts, a basketball court, three soccer fields, an 18-hole disc golf course, and a greenbelt that originates in the park....
The Lowdown: A park with shaded a shaded playscape and a jungle gym in a nice neighborhood.
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South Austin Park
Area of Austin: South, Price for a family of four: FreeFeatures: South Austin Park is a small (11-acre) neighborhood park featuring a playground, picnic tables, barbecue grills, a softball field, and a recreation center....
The Lowdown: A nice little park for playing with the kids.
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St. Elmo Playground
Area of Austin: South, Price for a family of four: FreeFeatures: Features: St. Elmo playground is an elementary school playground that has joint ownership with Austin Parks and Recreation, so is also listed as a park. It has two playscapes, swings, a softball field, and several benches. ...
The Lowdown: A nice shady playground to stop and play for a while.
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The Treaty Oak
Area of Austin: Central, Price for a family of four: FreeFeatures: The Treaty Oak is a 500 year old Live Oak tree that plays an important part in Texas history....
The Lowdown: Teach your kids a history lesson while visiting this amazing tree.
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Windmill Run Park
Area of Austin: Southwest, Price for a family of four: FreeFeatures: Windmill Run is a small (16 acres) county park with two playscapes, one for younger kids and one for older kids, a hiking trail, a ballfield, and a few picnic tables....
The Lowdown: A small intimate park for a nice family picnic.
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Zilker Park
Area of Austin: Central, Price for a family of four: FreeFeatures: Zilker Park is a huge (351 acres) and very popular park. It contains Barton Springs Pool, a large playground, a train that runs through the park regularly, numerous picnic tables, sports fields, sand volleyball courts, a disc golf course, a snack bar, access to Town Lake, canoe rentals, areas to fly kites, hike and bike trails, and an educational exhibit. ...
The Lowdown: Zilker Park is a very popular, beautiful, and entertaining park that is used for a wide variety of purposes.
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West Enfield/Westenfield Park
Area of Austin: West, Price for a family of four: FreeFeatures: West Enfield Park is a small (11-acre) neighborhood park featuring a swimming pool, playground, picnic tables, basketball court, tennis courts, softball field, and small pavilion....
The Lowdown: A popular little neighborhood park in a pleasant neighborhood.
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Roy G. Guerrero Colorado River Park
Area of Austin: East, Price for a family of four: FreeFeatures: Roy G. Guerrero Colorado River Park, the newest park in Austin, is a large (362-acre) park along the banks of the river, featuring primarily softball fields at this time....
The Lowdown: A large, quiet, park with lots of potential.
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Ramsey Park
Area of Austin: West, Price for a family of four: FreeFeatures: Ramsey Park is a 5-acre park featuring a pool, playground, basketball court, tennis court, s softball field, and picnic tables....
The Lowdown: Ramsey Park is a wonderful place to relax while your kids have a ball.
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Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
Area of Austin: Southwest, Price for a family of four: $20Features: The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center is a botanical garden featuring native plants with an emphasis on protection, conservation, and restoration....
The Lowdown: Go now for the Big Bugs exhibit, but prepare your kids for a few hours of thinking, learning, and enjoying natural beauty (no mindless entertainment).
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Beverly S. Sheffield Northwest District Park
Area of Austin: Northwest, Price for a family of four: FreeFeatures: This large park features a swimming pool, pond, picnic areas, baseball fields, tennis courts, and playscapes....
The Lowdown: A large, shady, and entertaining park for families.
