A resident population of university students and multicultural communities enliven this southern Austin neighborhood, which borders the city’s green parkland.

Check out the neighborhood of Franklin Park to enjoy its convenient south-central Austin location and experience everyday life in the city. The neighborhood’s proximity to downtown Austin and the University of Austin make it a popular choice for students and city workers. Take a seat in a Franklin Park café and chat with locals. Visit the adjacent state park to explore nature trails and the meandering Williamson Creek.

Stroll down the sprawling residential streets and learn about local life in south-central Austin. Have coffee or a meal in one of the neighborhood cafés and spend some time people-watching or getting to know local residents. The neighborhood is bordered on the southwest by the Williamson Creek Greenbelt. Explore the pretty creek line and go walking, jogging or cycling along the waterside streets.

Visit Franklin Neighborhood Park, after which the area was named, to see what’s happening at the local sports courts. You’ll find basketball and volleyball courts, a softball field, a playground, barbecue facilities and a collection of pretty areas to have a picnic.

Franklin Park’s eastern border is marked by the 640-acre (260-hectare) state park that brings a breath of fresh air to the city. McKinney Falls State Park has a wonderful collection of hiking and biking trails, as well as interpretive nature trails that you can enjoy with the kids. Go fishing in Onion Creek.

Find accommodations in this popular area to have easy access to downtown Austin and the heritage buildings around St. Edwards.

The neighborhood is a 15-minute drive south from downtown Austin. Reach Franklin Park by bus from Austin Station within an hour. It is less than a 20-minute drive from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. Franklin Park is free to visit at any time and a great spot to base your trip in the city.