Top 15 Photo Sessions Spots Inside Zilker Botanical Gardens in Austin, Texas
The Bickler Cupola is a beautiful photo spot.
Tucked away in Austin you'll find the most calming and tranquil escape. The Zilker Botanical Garden is a hidden gem next to Barton Springs Park. The gardens span 28 acres and they welcomes over 300,000 annual visitors through its gorgeous gardens.
As you adventure through the trails you'll come across a variety of different habitats and scenery. As you look up, blue jays jump around between tree branches and below butterflies flutter about amidst the flowers. You really couldn’t pick a more serene and nature inspired place to have professional photos taken.
In this blog post I’ll break down the best photo spots to plan your photo shoot with a photographer inside Zilker Botanical Garden. Each one has its own vibe and provide different types of natural backdrops. At the bottom of the blog post there’s also answers to frequently asked questions about visiting and taking professional photos inside the gardens.
The fairytale perfect Wishing Well.
Giant disco ball hanging from the trees inside the Oak Grove Picnic Area.
About Zilker Park & the Zilker Botanical Garden
The Zilker Botanical Garden is a greenery sanctuary in the heart of downtown Austin's Zilker Metropolitan Park. Known as the "jewel in the center of Austin," it’s situated on a hillside covered with old live oaks and offers panoramic views of downtown and beyond.
With the help of a public-private partnership, the Zilker Botanical Garden is maintained by the City of Austin Parks & Recreation Department and the Zilker Botanical Garden Conservancy.
Hundreds of thousands of people visit the park each year, including residents, tourists and school children from Austin. The Botanical Garden is available to the public and is open to visitors year-round.
Picture perfect floral arches inside the botanical gardens.
Picture perfect floral arches inside the botanical gardens.
What Kind of Photoshoots Can You Do Inside the Zilker Botanical Garden?
The Zilker Botanical Garden is a very large and versatile space and serves as an excellent backdrop for all kinds of photo sessions.
Zilker Botanical Garden is ideal for the following photo shoots:
Maternity Photos
Family Portrait Photos
Graduation Photos
Senior Photos
Wedding Photos
Engagement Photos
Proposal Photos
Pregnancy Announcement Photos
Baby Announcement Photos
Baby Gender Reveal Photos
Instagram Photos
The Butler Window brick keyhole historic artifact inside the gardens.
What is the Best Time of Year to Take Photos Inside the Zilker Botanical Garden?
All of the photos you see in this blog post were taken in late March and you can see the lush green foliage and colorful flowers blooming. Spring is probably the most preferable time of year to visit and then secondly would be the autumn season for some sprinkles of fall foliage.
I have seen photos of the gardens covered in snow during the winter frost and freeze. I guess every season has its possible photo opportunities. It really just depends on what you’re going for.
Giant disco ball hanging from the trees inside the Oak Grove Picnic Area.
The Best Places to Take Photos Inside Zilker Botanical Garden
The Butler Window
The single most popular and “Insta-worthy” spot inside the Zilker Botanical Gardens is The Butler Window. This extra large brick keyhole shaped art installment was made by the famous Butler Brick Company and had actually originally been apart of a historical building in Austin.
The Zilker Botanical Gardens is currently renovating The Butler Window to re-enforce the surrounding grounds and to add more colorful flowers for a grand photo-worthy presentation. I would check with the office to make sure it’s available for photos when you visit.
See examples of proposal photos, engagement photos and wedding photos taken at The Butler Window.
Lush green botanicals around the walking trails inside the gardens.
Mabel Davis Rose Garden
The Mabel Davis Rose Garden is most beautiful in the spring when the roses are in full bloom. It’s very important to get the seasonal timing right for the rose garden because in the late fall and winter it’s just a bunch of stems without any flower blooms. If you get the right angles you can photograph both the roses and The Butler Window all in one shot.
Also inside the Mabel Davis Rose Garden is the flower adorned Memorial Arch which makes for beautiful photos.
For those just looking to enjoy the rose garden scenery, Zilker offers yoga classes on Sundays and Wednesday at 10am. The price for non-members is $15, while the price for members is $10.
White gazebo next to the Butterfly Trail.
Wooden footbridge inside the Japanese Garden.
The Isamu Taniguchi Japanese Garden
The Isamu Taniguchi Japanese Garden was formed by Isamu Taniguchi in 1969 when he was seventy years old and opened to the public for the first time. He spent 18 months transforming three acres of rough caliches hillside.
As is customary in Japanese architecture, the ponds were shaped like words or ideograms. The ponds in the first section of the gardens were arranged to spell out "AUSTIN". Taniguchi was motivated to continue working on the park by the stubs of the Mother Tree which tower over the pond.
"The Spirit of the Garden" is a short documentary film about the life and work of Austin-born architect Isamu Taniguchi. It showcases the beauty the of the Isamu Taniguchi Japanese Garden inside the Zilker Botanical Garden and will give you a good idea of what photos inside this garden would look like.
White gazebo next to the Butterfly Trail.
Wooden Footbridge Inside Japanese Garden
Located inside the Japanese Garden is a whimsical little wooden log footbridge that crosses over a koi pond. It has a very fairytale quality to it and makes for very sweet photos.
See examples of professional proposal photos and wedding photos taken at the wooden footbridge inside Zilker Botanical Garden.
Lush green botanicals around the walking trails inside the gardens.
The Bickler Cupola is a beautiful photo spot.
Hartman Prehistoric Garden
Step into Jurassic Park as you explore the tropical prehistoric garden. This garden was inspired by the fact that authentic dinosaur footprints were found in nearby areas. The two most notable features inside this garden are the large scale dinosaur statues and the cascading waterfalls.
The waterfalls are a popular backdrop for professional photos. See examples of engagement photos, proposal photos and wedding photos.
Koi fish in the pond inside the Japanese Garden.
Doug Blachly Butterfly Trail and Garden
Take a leisurely stroll along the lush green trails that meander and wind through the botanical garden grounds. Above you the canopy of trees provide shade and scenery. Along the trail you’ll fine the famous butterfly bench and fluttering butterflies among the flowers. During the spring season there’s colorful blossoms blooming on the ground and even on the trees (scroll to see my pictures of pink and purple flowers).
Lush green botanicals around the walking trails inside the gardens.
Woodland Faerie Trail
The Woodland Faerie Trail provides children a look into a beautiful and mythical world. Visitors will marvel at a small town adorned with the houses and gardens of mythological fairies and gnomes.
These woodland faerie dwellings aren't simply amateur dioramas; they're the work of local Austin gardeners, architects, and craftspeople. With their tiny homes and gardens, the miniature residences will inspire and astound children, who will be impressed and awed by their attention to detail.
Docents lead children on informative tours of the Zilker Botanical Garden and the folktale cottages as they dress as fairies to make their guests comfortable.
The Woodland Faerie Trail is a great place to take themed children’s portraits. Perfect for birthdays and just for fun!
The Butler Window brick keyhole historic artifact inside the gardens.
The Wishing Well
Another perfect fairytale spot inside Zilker Botanical Garden is the historical wishing well. The Wishing Well was donated by Mr. And Mrs. J. E. Hill in 1965. I rarely see the Wishing Well in photos but it’s super cute and a great opportunity for unique or whimsical cosplay pics. Scroll up to see my own photos of the Wishing Well.
Picture perfect floral arches inside the botanical gardens.
Bamboo teepee Trellis
For those who gravitate towards bohemian styled photography, the Bamboo Teepee Trellis is an extra special feature inside the Zilker Botanical Garden. I don’t have any of my own photos of the Bamboo Teepee Trellis but photographer Mylah Renae uses this spot frequently in her engagement sessions. See examples here, here and here.
Waterfall inside the Hartman Prehistoric Garden.
Dinosaur sculpture inside the Hartman Prehistoric Garden.
Bickler Cupola Red and White Gazebo
Another very popular photo spot inside the Zilker Botanical Garden is the Bickler Cupola. This gazebo-ish white structure has a cute red roof and sit adjacent to a pond.
Lush green botanicals around the walking trails inside the gardens.
Colorful pink and purple flowers blooming inside the gardens.
Oak Grove Picnic Tables
The Oak Grove Picnic Tables is where you can sit back and relax with a picnic lunch. During my visit to the Zilker Botanical Gardens there was a giant disco ball hanging from the trees inside the Oak Grove. Maybe it was leftover from a wedding? Who knows. It was super cool and fun!
Fairy houses along the Woodland Faerie Trail.
THE SURREAL GARDEN
If you’re less interested in bridal style photos and more inclined towards to cool Instagrammable pics, The Surreal Garden may be right up your alley. This garden rave and light show happens inside the Zilker Botanical Garden and it is truly a spectacle.
The Surreal Garden will display neon surrealism, interactive art sculptures, local-favorite food trucks and cash bars for two consecutive weekends. There will be a DJ, costumed performers and limitless picture opportunities. Dance the night away in your finest Austin-approved weird clothing!
Fairy houses along the Woodland Faerie Trail.
Cactus and Succulent Garden in Zilker Botanical
Of course in Austin you need to have a garden that resembles the Texas landscape. Although this cactus and succulent garden is small, they still have some very tall and large plants that can make for a fun Texas style photoshoot.
The Butler Window brick keyhole historic artifact inside the gardens.
The Butler Window brick keyhole historic artifact inside the gardens.
Planning Your Wedding Inside the Zilker Botanical Garden
Can You Get Married at the Zilker Botanical Garden?
Yes, you can get married inside Zilker Botanical Gardens! The locations available to rent are The Mabel Davis Rose Garden, The Japanese Tea House, The Oak Grove, The Greene Room, The Auditorium and The South Lawn.
How Much Does it cost to Get Married at Zilker Botanical Gardens?
To find the complete list of prices for all the garden locations you can reference the Rental Guidebook here. This 12 page document also goes into details about the number of guests you can have per venue space, available dates, staffing, food and drink catering, etc.
Pink blooming flowers growing on the trees.
Pink blooming flowers growing on the trees.
More Information About the Zilker Botanical Garden
What is the Admission Ticket Cost to Enter the Zilker Botanical Garden?
As of Spring 2022, the admission price breakdown of the Zilker Botanical Garden goes as such:
Members are always free
Children 2 and under are free
Kids between the ages of 3 - 17:
Austin residents - $3
Non-Austin residents - $4
Adults between the ages 18 - 61:
Austin residents - $6
Non-Austin residents - $8
Seniors 62 and over:
Austin residents - $5
Non-Austin residents - $7
Are there any specific days of the week when the Garden will be closed?
On July 4th, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year's Day, the Garden will be closed to the public. The Zilker Kite Festival and the weekends of Austin City Limits will also require closures. Unless otherwise noted, regular business hours will apply on all other days of the year.
Cactus plants from inside the Cactus and Succulents garden.
Does it get crowded inside Zilker Botanical Garden?
The weekends can get fairly busy inside Zilker Botanical Gardens. If you’re planning a big photoshoot I would highly recommend booking a weekday to avoid having people standing the background of your photos.
Is There an Extra Charge for Professional Photographers?
Yes, if you are having a photo sessions with a professional photographer then you need to book a time slot on their website and pay the $50 fee. Included in the photography session fee is admission for the photographer and one additional person.
If you’re taking amateur photos with friends and family there’s no extra cost beyond your ticket for admission.
Can you Have a Picnic Inside the Zilker Botanical Garden?
Yes, you can bring in your own food and drinks to have a picnic inside the gardens. No glass bottles or alcohol allowed inside. Picnic tables are offered on a first-come, first-served basis in the Oak Grove.
Can You Dogs Inside the Zilker Botanical Garden?
Yes, dogs are allowed on leashes. You must always pick up after your dogs with your own supplies. Bring your pup to be included into your photoshoot!
Bird nest I found inside the garden.
Is Parking an Issue?
There’s one parking lot at the main entrance and an additional overflow parking lot located at 2300 Stratford Drive. In the overflow lot you can enter into the garden via the Hartman Gate.
Is there Colorful Fall Foliage Inside Zilker Botanical Garden?
If you want to capture fall-themed photos inside Zilker Botanical Garden with colorful red and orange leaves, the Japanese Garden is your best bet with the Japanese Maple Trees.
Lush green botanicals around the walking trails inside the gardens.
Cactus plants from inside the Cactus and Succulents garden.
More Fun Things To Do in Austin:
If you’re visiting the Austin area, the below activities and excursions are more great opportunities to take memorable photos:
Giant disco ball hanging from the trees inside the Oak Grove Picnic Area.
Book Your Hotel Stay in Austin:
Guests love both the trendy modern styled decor and convenient location of The Otis. There’s plenty of noteworthy places walking distance from the hotel.
Another trendy hotel with an excellent location. The LINE is conveniently situated next to Congress Ave which has plenty of restaurants and shopping.
Instagrammers love the modern bohemian vibe of the East Austin Hotel. The location is also excellent with many popular attractions near by.
Shop Favorite Plants and Botanicals:
Browse my Etsy collection of terrariums and maybe pick up supplies to DIY your own terrarium.
Add some disco sparkle to your plant collection with a mirrored disco ball planter. They come in both hanging and flat based for table top display.
The latest trend in botanicals is a merge between plants and art. Living wall art uses specialized plants that can grow and thrive while on display in a vertical frame.
