Liz Carpenter Splash Pad

If you’ve survived an Austin summer, you already know how crucial a good splash pad is — and this one at Barton Springs Road delivers. The water features keep kids busy while parents actually get to sit down, thanks to the benches and picnic tables spread around the area. Shade trees help take the edge off (a little), and the nearby pond gives the whole spot a nicer vibe than your average concrete splash zone. Restrooms are on-site, parking exists, and the walking path and open grass mean older kids or restless adults have somewhere to stretch out. Honestly, it’s one of the more thought-out free options in the city.