Camp Gladiator

At 351 acres, Zilker Metropolitan Park is the crown jewel of Austin's park system. Zilker, as it is more often called, offers plenty of room for hiking, biking, picnicking, and swimming and art appreciation just nearby -- in addition to being the epicenter for many staples of Austin culture. From the Austin City Limits Music Festival and Zilker Hillside Theater to the Zilker Holiday Tree and Zilker Park Kite Festival, the park provides a home to touchstone celebrations and events in the Austin community year-round.How to Get to Zilker Metropolitan ParkHemmed in between Lady Bird Lake, the Mopac Expressway, and Barton Springs Drive, Zilker Park resides at the northwestern-most corner of classic South Austin, just off Lamar Boulevard or Mopac on Barton Springs Drive. The park charges a small fee for parking during special events and on weekends in the summer months, between the hours of eight a.m. and four p.m.Best and Worst Times to Go to Zilker Metropolitan ParkAs is often the case in Austin, the best times to be at Zilker Park are always the worst times to try and find a place to park. An early afternoon visit during a regular work day should ensure the park is free of much traffic, but keep in mind that summers in Austin can be quite brutal -- a hat and sunscreen are a must.Admission to Zilker Metropolitan ParkExcept during certain special events, such as music festivals, entrance to the park is free. As mentioned above, parking may cost a small fee during certain visits, but is easily avoided with a little advance planning.Must See/Do at Zilker Metropolitan ParkNo time of year goes without a special event at Zilker Park: during winter, the Zilker Holiday Tree provides a beautiful, 150-foot tall tree of lights with plenty of vendors providing food to keep you warm; during spring, the Zilker Park Kite Festival brightens up the sky the first sunday of every March; during summer, the Zilker Hillside Theater holds their annual outdoor Zilker Summer Musical; and during fall, the Austin City Limits Music Festival brings world-renowned musicians together for two weekends of genre-spanning music and fun. But year-round, the park offers a nearby respite from the hustle and bustle of the city on its large green expanses under the shade of the live oak trees.Other Places to Visit near Zilker Metropolitan ParkJust next to the Zilker Hillside Theater, and across Barton Springs Drive from the park proper, Barton Springs Pool is Austin's most popular swimming hole: a spring-fed pool three acres long and up to 18 feet deep. For those looking for a little more color than the lush green of the park itself, the Zilker Botanical Garden offer a variety of gardens and trails just to the west of the park.Insider Tips for Visitors to Zilker Metropolitan ParkThe Zilker Summer Musical makes for a fun and cheap date during the summer-however, the hillside fills up with picnic blankets fast. Make it a group date, bring plenty of food and drinks, and stake out some picnic space early in the afternoon for the evening show while your group takes turns manning the blanket and going for a swim in Barton Springs Pool just behind the outdoor theater.Author's bio: Rob C. is a freelance writer, filmmaker, and breakfast taco enthusiast in Austin, Texas.