Lavaca, LLC

Explore the "jewel in the heart of Austin," also known as the Zilker Botanical Garden. The garden was established in 1995 and sprawls through 31 acres of downtown Austin, offering a sweet escape from city streets and greeting more than 400,000 visitors annually. Themes among the gardens are as varied as nature itself. There's a Japanese garden and koi pond, a rose garden, an herb garden, a butterfly trail and garden, and a cactus garden among the selections to tour. Another unique feature is the Hartman Prehistoric Garden, which recreates the habitat of local dinosaurs. Visitors can tour the gardens for free and take home a Texas succulent or majestic orchid among the many offerings.

Take a step back in time and walk the grounds of the oldest modern-day urban farm, Boggy Creek Farm, where you can purchase fresh produce, attend a chef's dinner or enjoy any special events for foodies who dig the back-to-the-farm movement. The Market offers a variety of vegetables, meats, dairy, and bread, all year-round, grown in fields that are steps away for the freshest farm-to-table experience.

Experience thousands of species and interactive exhibits at the Austin Aquarium, where they provide children and families access to the excitement and learning opportunities of the ocean without the long trip to the coast. Each of the animal encounters is unique and rewarding. So, whether you are meeting the Ring-tailed or Red Ruffed lemurs for the first time, or feeding the Stingrays, Sharks, Iguanas, Tortoises, Lorikeets, and more, you will find an experience worth your while and make memories that will last a lifetime.