Best Nature and Parks (RV, National, Dog, etc) in Pflugerville

"In the summer, sun-drenched Austinites and visitors alike find solace in the naturally cool Barton Springs Pool, the backbone of Zilker Park. After a hike around Lady Bird Lake or a suspenseful game of Frisbee with the dog, the springs provide much-needed relief. Other attractions like the Zilker Botanical Gardens and Umlauf Sculpture Garden make the park a year-round playground."

"The gem of Austin’s parks system, Zilker Park is 350 acres of forested areas, open spaces and trails. If you’re bringing a dog with you, head to the 46-acre Great Lawn near the western edge of the park along the MoPac highway. You and your dog may have to share the space with soccer players, picnickers and Frisbee hurlers."

"Zilker Park is 358 acres of green space and home to Barton Springs (below) and Zilker Botanical Gardens. This is an all year round park!. In summer, families come to swim and in winter locals visit the annual Trail of Lights which you can read about in our festive guide to Austin."

"Next, check out Zilker Park, a 360-acre oasis in the heart of downtown that’s the site of festivals and free music at Zilker Hillside Theater, plus it’s home to Zilker Botanical Garden, Umlauf Sculpture Garden & Museum and Barton Springs Pool, a spring-fed swimming spot with grassy hills for sunbathing. Make it a boozy afternoon and pull up a chair in the taproom of urban winery Infinite Monkey Theorem for a flight of Texas-made wine. Or head to Duchman Family Winery in Driftwood (just a half-hour drive out of Austin), where you can take a tour and sample wines in a lovely Italianate villa, including Duchman’s award-winning Vermentino. Stop in the North Austin warehouse and taproom of Austin Beerworks, where weekend tastings feel more like a backyard barbecue, with live music and bites from local food trucks."

"This huge, spring-fed swimming hole is surrounded by lovely gardens and pecan trees. The pool is fed by spring waters that maintain a year-round temperature of about 68 degrees, and bubble up at the rate of 27 million gallons a day. Trivia note: Robert Redford, at the tender age of five, learned to swim at Barton Springs."

"While you can’t bring food to Barton Springs Pool, you can definitely bring non-alcoholic drinks in a twist top container. The fee for swimming there is $5 for residents and $9 for non residents. Address: 2201 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78704"

"5-10 minutes North of Downtown Austin, this sweet Austin city park has a ton of walking trails and an added bonus of roaming peacocks. This park is a registered historic landmark with 21 acres of protected wildlife."

"With a trail length of just about 0.98 miles, Mayfield Nature Preserve are located near Mount Bonnell and Westwood Country Club. The hike is beginner-friendly with beautiful surroundings, wooded trails, and gardens."

"Mayfield Park, previously known as the Mayfield–Gutsch Estate, is a gorgeous park. It features postcard-perfect gardens, a nature preserve, and a historic cottage."

"Mansfield Dam Park has some great, uninterrupted views of Lake Travis. On a beautiful, sunny day this is a great place to walk and enjoy the view. The beach in this area is very rocky so it is not the type of place to lay out a beach towel, however, the peace and serenity of the lake is a great attraction that you should not miss!"

"At Mansfield Dam Park, the views both above and below water are worth writing home about. Situated in a secluded cove, the swimming area is quiet, clean, and refreshing. Meanwhile, a recreation area slightly further inland offers picnic sites, a playground, chess tables, and panoramic views of the Lake Travis basin."

"Located 30-40 minutes from downtown, Sandy Creek Park sits on the banks of Lake Travis, in one of its quieter coves. Dense forest opens out onto a stretch of shoreline well-suited for swimming and boating, while hiking trails along the water offer lovely vistas of the lake. The park has 20 primitive camping sites operating on a first-come, first-serve basis that can be snagged for only $15 a night, in case you want to turn your Austin beach outing into a weekend getaway."

"Similar to several locations on the shores of Lake Travis, this beach is rocky but the view is so perfect that it’s nothing that a good pair of shoes can’t fix!. You can come and sit by the water and enjoy a quick lunch, or go fishing from the shallow waters. There are restrooms on-site with primitive camping sites if you wanted to turn your Austin beach outing into a weekend getaway."

"Located in the northwest region of Austin’s city limits, Emma Long Metropolitan Park was originally called City Park, and is still called that by some locals. The large park borders Lake Austin and is named for Emma Long, a woman who served in Austin’s city council during the 1940s, became the first female Mayor Pro Tem in Austin, and vehemently supported the parks system throughout her career and her life. The sunny green space, dotted by trees and picnic tables, is a fitting tribute to her legacy."

"In the heart of Hill Country, just 25 minutes from downtown Austin, Emma Long Metropolitan Park is a lovely little escape from city life. Dig your toes into the sand, build a castle, or go for a dip in the shallow waters of the roped-off swimming area. The calm waves of Lake Austin are perfect for floating by the shores or heading out further in a kayak or canoe."

"Located in West Austin, there’s a five-dollar entry fee per person to enter Emma Long Park. However, the price of admission is worth it. In addition to volleyball courts, basketball courts, and a huge array of picnic tables, Emma Long Park is unique in that it also offers primitive camping while still inside Austin city limits."

"The 2ND Street District is made up of some of the best shopping spots in Austin, along with many dining and entertainment venues. It is also home to several residential buildings and is a true mixed-use development in the heart of downtown. If you stopped someone carrying a shopping bag along the boutique-lined sidewalk and asked which store the bag came from, you're more likely to hear an unfamiliar calling card than a standard chain, along with an enthusiastic story about the cool owner of the shop from whence the tote (most likely eco-friendly) came."

"From 2000 to 2012 the City reworked six blocks on W 2nd Street, turning the strip into a dense urban district, combining shopping, dining, homes, hotels and entertainment. The sidewalks were enlarged and planted with trees to accommodate pedestrians and restaurant and cafe terraces. 2ND Street District is an upmarket alternative to Austin’s bars, and a little quieter than Congress Avenue."

"At 2nd Street District, you can peruse local retail, hear live music, eat at a variety of great restaurants, and even go to the cinema. The surrounding downtown area and the charming atmosphere of 2nd Street make it a fantastic place to spend an afternoon exploring!"

"The Arboretum at Great Hills has plenty of shopping, lots of delicious restaurants and a cute place for the kids to play, the famous cow sculpture garden and park. Restaurants and eateries in the Arboretum include Amy’s Ice Cream, Barnes & Noble Cafe, Blue Baker, Brio Tuscan Grille, Drunk Fish, Estancia Churrascaria, Five Guys Burgers and Fries, Teapioca Lounge, The Cheesecake Factory, and Zoe’s Kitchen. 10000 Research Blvd, washingtonprime.com/map/profile.dT/the-arboretum"

"A part of the growing Mueller development in northeast Austin, the shopping center includes old favorites such as Best Buy, Home Depot, Bed Bath & Beyond, Lane Bryant, Marshall’s, Old Navy and Chipotle. There are also a few specialty stores, such as The Children’s Place, rue21 (teen and young adult fashions) and Mosaic Market (gourmet groceries). On Wednesdays and Sundays, there’s also a lively farmers market at Lake Park in the center of the neighborhood."

"Retail giants, local restaurants, and chain eateries can all be found at Mueller Regional. Grab a smoothie at the Jamba Juice or a coffee at the Starbucks and shop until you drop!. Read More:What Are the Pros and Cons of Moving to Austin, TX?"

"utvac.orgThis 10,000-square-foot space in the University of Texas' Art Building features five galleries devoted to work by undergraduate and graduate students of UT, as well as department faculty and emerging artists from around the country and world. The multiple exhibition areas allow visitors to experience a variety of art in a concentrated space, showcasing the individual and collaborative experimentation taking place within the UT art community and beyond. It is an impressive display of the vast resources and sophistication of the UT art program, tucked into the belly of the UT campus."

"Situated in the Department of Art and Art History, the Visual Arts Center (VAC) provides pivotal exhibition and research space, and serves as a creative hub in the university’s active arts community. Within its five gallery spaces, the VAC exhibits new work commissioned from established national and international artists, as well as the work of talented students just entering into their professional artistic careers."

"Visual Arts Center is a local gallery found inside the University of Texas at Austin campus. Established in 2010, this exhibition place aims to empower artists with the various programs that they have. Visual Arts Center houses five different gallery places meant for artists in residence and for other solo and group art display."

"The Mexic Art Museum was founded in 1984 by several artists to share the art and culture of Mexico with Austin and beyond. Permanent and changing exhibits showcase over 1,500 Mexican, Latino, and Latin American pieces ranging from paintings and prints to sculpture and photography. The museum has a library containing books and periodicals dating back to the 19th century and holds regular events for performance art combined with transmedia elements."

"Online ordering available or pickup singles at Sa-Tenor the Texas Farmer’s Market at Lakeline and Mueller. I’ve been a fan of Teddy V. cookies since at least 2017. I remember meeting the owner, Elisia, at the Mueller Farmer’s Market one sunny Sunday and she was hosting a contest at that time – post a picture of your cookie on IG and a lucky winner could win a cookie party!"

"She sells at the Texas Farmers’ Market at Mueller every Sunday. Her cookies are also gigantic like Henbit and ThoroughBread yet she is the only one that offers a gluten-free option. I think her chocolate is different though and that is what stands out to me!"