Just south of downtown, Town Lake is actually a dammed off section of the Colorado River, lined with hiking and biking trails. Northwest of the city on a bluff over the river, the Mayfield Estate and Nature Preserve is the former home of Texas Secretary of State and railroad commissioner Allison Mayfield. Mayfield settled this idyllic spot at the turn of the century, and for over 50 years he and his wife built up the estate's grounds with lily ponds, a gazebo overlooking the Colorado and a flower garden. The estate is very peaceful and far less crowded than the overlook at Mt Bonnell , the much-heralded highest point in the city. Founded in 1982 with the assistance of Lady Bird Johnson, the center has a display garden featuring every type of wildflower and plant that grows in Texas, separated by geographical region.
Excellent signage provides details such as the plants' range, bloom season and family.
Note the aqueducts and cistern system, which are part of the largest rainwater harvesting network in North America. The best time to drop in is between April and August, but there's something in bloom all year. There's a short nature trail and rock gardens as well as a playhouse for the kids and frequent programs to keep them busy. The center is about half a mile south of Austin and is easily reached by car, taxi or bus. The area around the Balcones Escarpment of the Edwards Plateau, west of Austin and north of San Antonio, is known as Texas Hill Country.