The people have spoken! The votes have been tallied! Thank you to everyone who took the time to share a few of their favorite free spots around Austin. There are some new-to-me places on this list of winning locales that I can’t wait to check out. Hopefully you will find some inspiration here as well. We certainly aren’t hurting for free fun in our city!
Splash Pad
- #1 in Austin: Ricky Guerrero Park
- #1 beyond ACL: Brushy Creek Water Playscape (Cedar Park)
- #1 cheap favorite: The Quarry ($1; Leander)
Free Pool
- #1 in Austin: A tie between Dick Nichols and Little Stacy
- #1 beyond ACL: Scott Mentzer Pool (Pflugerville)
- #1 cheap favorite: Deep Eddy ($1-$3)
Swimming Hole
- #1 in Austin: Barton Springs Pool ($1-$3)
- #1 beyond ACL: A tie between Krause Springs ($0-$6; Spicewood) and Hamilton Pool ($10 per car; Dripping Springs)
Park
- #1 in Austin: Zilker Park
- #1 beyond ACL: Play for All Abilities Park (Round Rock)
Playground
- #1 in Austin: Zilker Park
- A close 2nd: Mueller Lake Park
- #1 beyond ACL: Play for All Abilities Park (Round Rock)
Summer Event
- #1 in Austin: Children’s Day Art Park (50¢ per child)
Picnic Spot
- #1 in Austin: Zilker Park
- A close 2nd: Mt. Bonnell
Free Place to Visit Animals
- #1 in Austin: Austin Nature & Science Center
Duck-Feeding Location
- 3-way tie for 1st: Lou Neff Point, Mueller Lake Park, and Zilker Park
Hike
- #1 in Austin: Mayfield Park
- A close 2nd: Mt. Bonnell
- Cheap favorites: McKinney Falls State Park ($6 per person age 13 and up) and Wild Basin Preserve (donations accepted)
Place to Ride a Bike
- #1 in Austin: Veloway
Skate Park
- #1 in Austin: Mabel Davis
- #1 beyond ACL: Brushy Creek (Cedar Park)
Free Yoga/Workout
- #1 in Austin: HOPE Farmers Market
Farmer’s Market
- #1 in Austin: SFC Downtown
- A close 2nd: A tie between HOPE and Mueller
- #1 beyond ACL: SFC Sunset Valley
Food Trailer
- #1 in Austin: Hey Cupcake!
- A close 2nd: Torchy’s Tacos
Restaurant Where Kids Eat Free
- #1 in Austin: Kerbey Lane (Tuesdays)
Restaurant With a Playground
- #1 in Austin: Phil’s Ice House
- A close 2nd: Waterloo Ice House
Place to Take a Family Photo
- #1 in Austin: Mayfield Park
- A close 2nd: Butler Park
Mural
- #1 in Austin: Jo’s Coffee “i love you so much”
Spot to Host a Free Birthday Party
- #1 in Austin: Northwest Park
- #1 beyond ACL: Champion Park (Cedar Park)
Free Festival
- A tie for 1st: Zilker Kite Festival and Pecan Street Festival
Free Tour/Family Field Trip
- #1 in Austin: State Capitol
Volunteer as a Family
Spot to Take Out-of-Town Guests
- #1 in Austin: Mt. Bonnell
- A close 2nd: South Congress
Dog Park
- #1 in Austin: Red Bud Isle
- #1 beyond ACL: Veterans Memorial Park (Cedar Park)
Free Stargazing
- #1 in Austin: UT Star Parties
Free Theatre
- #1 in Austin: Zilker Summer Musical
Free Live Music Venue
- #1 in Austin: Central Market
- A close 2nd: Shady Grove
Story Time
- #1 in Austin: BookPeople
- A close 2nd: Wells Branch Community Library
Free Craft/Workshop
- #1 in Austin: The Home Depot
- A close 2nd: Lowe’s
Library
- #1 in Austin: Twin Oaks
- A close 2nd: Yarborough
- #1 beyond ACL: Cedar Park Public Library
Free/Cheap Movie Venue
- #1 in Austin: Alamo Drafthouse
- #1 beyond ACL: Cinemark Movies 8 (Round Rock)
Free Museum
- #1 in Austin: Texas Memorial Museum (update: no longer free; admission is $3 – $4 for visitors age 2 and up)
- A close 2nd: Bullock Texas State History Museum (free on the 1st Sunday of the month, from 12 – 5 p.m.)
Free Demo Class
- Tie for 1st: Tot-Smarts and Semillitas de Espanol
That’s a total of 69 local hot spots. What would you recommend as a “must visit” destination, to make it an even 70?
