Zilker Botanical Garden — Attraction in Austin

My photography sister got chased around on a golf cart by the lady because she needed to purchase a photography pass. TONS of people were taking photos but she didn’t hassle them AT ALL. Want to know the kick? My sister is dark skinned and the people she was taking photos for were African American. She made it a full effort to follow them the entire time, paying no attention to any of the other visitors (the garden was full that day). Then, when the couple left, my sister went to buy her pass and the lady in the golf cart made her get into the golf cart despite her refusing multipl times. She followed her to her car and evenetuqlly threatened her to get into the cart.

After arriving at the ticket office, my sister was informed she had to pay for the pass AND the other couple’s ticket because the golf cart lady “didn’t see their ticket” despite them telling her they had it on their phone and could prove it. She said “no no I believe you, no need to show me” yet bugs my sister to buy their ticket? 🤣 make that make sense.

Jason, the guy at the register, tried to make her spend $60 despite the pass being $40. My sister refused and he “graciously” said “okay I’ll do you a favor and just remove the fee for the couple’s entry.” A favor?? It shouldn’t have even been done in the first place!!

Racially profiled, discriminatory behaviors, forceful behavior… never going again.

• the lady upon entry told my sister she can buy her photography pass after since she was already in the garden. that was the only nice lady, but too bad she didn’t communicate with the other staff. My sister would’ve bought her ticket at the beginning if she knew she had to. She was there for her first time and had no clue. ALSO, apparently everyone needs to buy a photography pass if they are taking selfies or pictures of any human, including themselves. Has anyone else been told this? Because that’s...

For being tucked into the center of Austin, this is not a bad little garden--especially given the low entry fee, which includes parking. The space is divided into sub-gardens, some of which were a little hard to distinguish. The kids' favorite spaces were the Japanese Garden (which featured koi ponds with stepping stones and several little waterfalls) and the Prehistoric Garden (which housed a dinosaur statue, dinosaur footprints, and a large waterfall). I'm guessing that there will be more to admire as the season progresses (particularly in the Rose Garden and Butterfly Garden), but we spent a lovely hour-and-a-half wandering.

Parking is limited. We arrived around 9:30 and got one of the last few spots on site, though there is a much larger lot not far away. The visitor center has public restrooms, and there are pit toilets by the parking lot and porta potties between the Rose Garden and the Prehistoric Garden. The only drinking fountains I noticed were in the visitor center (which is crowded and mostly just a gift shop). We visited on a cloudy day, but most of the garden areas (except the Rose Garden) have lots of shade.

A ramp near the Visitor Center allows wheelchairs and strollers access to the areas with broad, crushed gravel paths (like the Rose Garden and Prehistoric Garden). Not all of the gardens are mobility-friendly, however. Areas like the Japanese Garden, which has lots of narrow steps and uneven paths, would not be accessible to wheels or those with mobility issues.

Be aware that pleasant weather is likely to bring field trips. When we went, there were two large groups of kindergarteners and a slew of teens wandering around, but we were mostly able to dodge the large groups and...

I visited the “garden” on Saturday, May 2, 2025. I was shocked at its condition. It looked abandoned which was sad and puzzling, really. I was with someone who n had been to the garden many times over the years and was equally disappointed. She told me of the vibrant flowers that had been all around as well as once manicured areas where one would be awed by its beauty. What is worse, is that there are few Japanese elegant fish that have been left to languish in unkempt, sediment filled pools, or ponds, if you must call them ponds. These beautiful fish were one of the few things that people stopped to look at and admire. The waterfalls and the fake dinosaur were the other attractions. Minor compared to what it could be. Walking on the broken slate trails was hazardous and anyone could trip if you were not watching your foot placement. There is a lovely view of the city but would be more visible if the overgrowth was cut back.

I am a new resident to Austin and am bewildered as Austin seems to be proud of its outdoor spaces yet allows this area to be so neglected. I recommend Austin take a look at the way the Dallas Arboretum structures its care and funding of their gardens as it is also a non profit. Perhaps this garden could be turned into the beauty that it once was. Something is definitely wrong here. I also recommend anyone wanting to see a true treasure of a Botanical Garden, that you make a day trip to Dallas (3 hours) to visit the The Dallas Arboretum, it is a work of art all year round. Sorry, Austin, you...