The Best Places to Propose in Austin - Wedding & Family Photographer

Austin, Texas is a brash mix of the old and the new, and it seems like the city is changing on a daily basis. With such a dynamic landscape, it can be tough to pick out a place to go for dinner, much less the best place in which to ask someone to marry you. In today’s blog post, I’ll help you narrow down that search. I have put together a list of locales that cover both ends of the spectrum. From the classic locations that first come to mind, to some new niches that you may not have considered, this is the definitive list of the best places to propose in Austin.

Best Places to Propose in Austin – The Gardens

Zilker Botanical Garden

Let’s start off with what I think is one of the best locations in Austin for a photo shoot of any type, much less a proposal – the Zilker Botanical Garden. Though small in size at only 28 acres, this garden really packs a punch with a variety of different terrains. You can go for your typical rose garden, or a not so typical rocky Japanese garden. The Zilker even has a prehistoric dinosaur forest. Basically, the Zilker Botanical Garden has an environment to fit any personality.

However, the garden’s tiny space means that it can become overwhelmed with crowds quite quickly. There is no way to reserve any space in the garden for a proposal. As such, your best bet is to plan ahead and schedule your proposal on a weekday morning when crowds will be at their lowest. Sure, no one is expecting a proposal at 8 AM on a Monday, but that’s why they call it a surprise proposal, right?

If you are planning to have a photographer capture your proposal, the photo permit fee is $50. This fee includes admission for the photographer plus two other people. The permit can be purchased either online or at the gate. There are special seasonal hours for photo shoots, so make sure to check the garden’s website.

Umlauf Sculpture Garden

If you are looking to downsize your garden proposal from the larger Zilker Botanical Garden, then the Umlauf Sculpture Garden might be the ticket for you. Located right next door to the Zilker, the Umlauf Sculpture Garden has a peaceful, wooded atmosphere with winding paths that lead visitors past works created by the contemporary sculptor, Charles Umlauf. In addition, the garden often hosts exhibitions by other artists.

The photo permit fee is $50 per hour. Arrangements for all photo shoots must be made prior with the venue and events manager. I will note that the garden website says that sessions can be arranged on days when the garden is closed to visitors, so you may have the option to book a private proposal.

Laguna Gloria

If you are looking to whisk your beloved away to an Italian villa without the expense of a plane ticket, then the Laguna Gloria mansion is a good option. One of two locations for the Contemporary Austin Museum, this historic home is a welcome respite from the chaos of the city. The house looks ready for a travel magazine cover, while the surrounding forest offers a tranquil backdrop. You could propose on the steps of the mansion, inside the colonnade of the little garden beside the villa, on the steps leading down to the lake, or even on the steps of the Temple of Love gazebo deep within the forest. The choice is yours, and all of the choices are good.

Photo permits must be booked 72 hours prior to the session and the cost is $150 per hour. The permit fee includes admission for the photographer, the photographer’s assistant, and the subjects of the photography session.

Mayfield Park

Mayfield Park is the petite little park next door to the Laguna Gloria villa. The claim to fame for this park are the peacocks and the beautiful water lily gardens. This is a very popular park with parents and children, so time your proposal to a late afternoon and definitely not on the weekends.

The photo permit fee is $50 for a two-hour session, and permit can be purchased online through this link.

Best Places to Propose in Austin – Public Spaces

Lady Bird Lake Boardwalk

The Lady Bird Lake Boardwalk brings together residents for a spectacular view of the Austin skyline. However, it is one of the most heavily trafficked routes in the city, especially on the weekends. There isn’t really a downtime here, so if you’re going to propose on the boardwalk, then I recommend selecting one of the rest area structures to get out of the reach of overzealous bikers and joggers. Again, don’t expect privacy. You will, however, have a fantastic view in the background.

The boardwalk is open every day from 5 AM until midnight. Access points for the Boardwalk can be found as follows: the northeast corner of the American-Statesman parking lot, off the Riverside Drive sidewalk at Blunn Creek, from the northeast corner of the Riverside and IH-35 intersection and at International Shores Park, 1820 S. Lakeshore Blvd. Lastly, street parking is available along S. Lakeshore Blvd. between Pleasant Valley Road and Riverside (good luck with that).

Auditorium Shores/Butler Metro Park

The skyline of Austin is expansive, and taking a walk beside the Colorado River puts you in awe of how much this city is growing every day. Getting down on one knee with this view in the background seems like a logical choice. Honestly, in my view, the view from Butler Metro Park, is the best in town.

Still, this is quite the waterfront along Auditorium Shores is quite a public avenue to choose for a proposal. My recommendation is that you check out the boat landing near the dog run for a superb view of the Block 185 (the sailboat building). If you want a more epic – and, ehem, staged view – then take the steps up to the Long Center for the Performing Arts. And if there is an event going on, you always have the view from the arts center parking lot. Love will not take a raincheck.

One word of caution: events happen here on a regular basis. Check the local events for both Auditorium Shores and the Palmer Events Center to see if there are any large-scale events planned for the day of your proposal.

By the way, the Austin Parks and Recreation department states that a photo permit fee is required here. The permit is $50 for a two-hour session, and permit can be purchased online through this link. But…really?

Congress Avenue Bridge

You can’t talk about Austin and not mention our city’s, unofficial mascot – the bat. And choosing to propose below the Congress Avenue Bridge will definitely prove yourself to be a true Austinite.

Bear in mind that this is a very busy traffic spot, mainly because it is a choke point for the boardwalk. Especially on the weekends, there are people passing by here at a rapid pace as they make a loop around the lake. There is going to be no way for you to get down on one knee in the middle of the path. Instead, you’ll have to jump the fence and pray there is space available on the stone platform just to the right of the bridge.

It is a lovely view out from the bridge, and if you can time it right, there will be swan boats going past to add that perfect touch of kitsch. Even better, schedule your proposal for the summer months when the bats make their nightly flight. Oh, and prepare your beloved for the smell. That much I can’t capture on camera.

Best Places to Propose in Austin – Hotels

Suite at the Driskill Hotel

If you want to go full luxury, then proposing in a private suite at the Driskill Hotel is the way to go. The Driskill Hotel, built in 1886, is the symbol of extravagance in Austin. You won’t find a finer hotel in town, and just saying that you’re staying at the Driskill sends a message. And that message is…prepare to pay a lot for your wedding.

Prices range from $400+ a night for a king bed with balcony up to $3,500 per night for the cattle baron suite.

Suite at the Hotel Van Zandt

If, on the other hand, you want to look like a cool cat who has money and that hip factor, then perhaps a suite at the Hotel Van Zandt is more your vibe. This music-themed hotel is a fantastic venue. I can personally vouch that the staff is fantastic. I recently photographed a corporate event here, and had a great time. Note, however, there is a lot of construction surrounding the hotel, so don’t expect a great view off the pool deck. You will be in easy walking distance to the Rainey Street Historic District, though.

Best Places to Propose in Austin – On the Waterfront

Lake Travis

Lake Travis is considered the perfect staycation destination for just about everyone in Austin. And for those of you looking to take a vacation and propose at the same time, Lake Travis might be a good option. Staying in Lake Travis is mainly done through private vacation rentals. That said, the Lakeway Resort and Spa is located right on the lake so you could propose here by booking a suite.

Other nearby hotels that are nearby, but not located directly on the lake:

Of course, you could always go the fun, rowdy route and propose on the deck of the Oasis – the tex-mex bar that just about everyone seems to wind up at by the end of the night.

If you would like to stay sea-worthy with your proposal, then there is also an option for that. Float on Boat Rentals offers a proposal package complete with decorations, champagne, snacks, and signage. The captain can recommend the best (i.e., most romantic) spots for your proposal, and all you have to do is get down on one knee while not getting sea sick. Personally, this would be my pick.

A Cruise on the Colorado River

If you don’t want to go all the way to Lake Travis, then perhaps a quick trip up the Colorado River is for you. There are two major outfits for taking a cruise in Austin: Lone Star Riverboat Cruises and Capital Cruises. Both operators offer different tours both day and night.

However, only Capital Cruises offers a private chartered cruise for just two people which would be perfect for a proposal. The Capital Cruises website allows you to instantly get a quote for whatever day and time you would like to book. Dining options can be included, as well as additional hours, and the prices seem quite reasonable. To me, there is no better way ask someone to marry you than taking a leisurely trip along the Austin waterfront.

Best Places to Propose in Austin – Book Lovers Paradise

Seaholm District

Where is the mechanical engineering nerd who enjoys the cozy atmosphere of a power plant supposed to propose? If this describes you, or if you are just into industrial chic, then the Seaholm District is a great place to propose. To me, this is one of the most fantastic, and unexpected, places for a photo shoot. So why not go the extra step and propose here? It’s a virtual nerd paradise because right next door is the…

Austin Central Library Roof Deck

If you looked up from your book and saw the love of your life across a crowded library, then it would make sense for you to propose at the Austin Central Library. Lucky for you the library has a gorgeous roof deck. This is the perfect place for getting down on one knee. Note that the space is often booked with children, so plan your proposal for a weekday afternoon. But if you can manage to steal the corner with a view of the Austin skyline in the background, then there’s no way anyone could say no to your proposal.

The Austin Central Library is one my favorite photo shoot locations in all of the city. Photo permits cost $60, and must be requested at least 14 days in advance. Find out all the details (and check out photos from my last shoot here with author, Nancy Knight) in this blog post.

Best Places to Propose in Austin – Up on the Roof

Bar/Restaurant Rooftops

Your love has lifted you ten feet from the ground, so why shouldn’t your proposal be in the air? If that’s the case, then it’s time to think about a rooftop proposal. There are several restaurants in Austin that offer a great rooftop view. Some have better views than others, and of course none of these proposals would be private – unless you reserve a private space with the restaurant. Here is a list of Austin’s best rooftop bars and restaurants:

Edge Rooftop at the JW Marriott Austin
Nido, at the Loren Hotel
Zanzibar
Azul Rooftop
Otopia Rooftop Lounge
Limestone Rooftop at the Cambria Hotel Austin Downtown
77 Degree Rooftop Patio Bar
P6 at the LINE Austin
Violet Sky Rooftop Lounge
Caroline
Arriba Abajo

Best Places to Propose in Austin – Make it Official

Texas State Capitol Grounds

If you’re a true Texas patriot – or perhaps work in the government – then maybe having the state capitol the background is your jam. If that’s the case, then proposing on the steps of the capitol is in the cards for you. By the way, there are 22 acres of grounds surrounding the capitol, so don’t feel that your proposal is limited to the steps or entrance.

This is the seat of government for the great state of Texas, so as you can imagine, there are a whole host of rules – including no nudity. Do not plan on having any grand displays of love that include large signs, rose petals, or a mariachi band. And just to be on the safe side, I would run your proposal ideas by the visitor center ahead of time. You do not want the governor’s goon squad coming after you before the ring comes out of the box.

UT Tower

For all University of Texas alumni, the UT Tower holds a special place in their hearts. If you are a UT alumni and looking to share your longhorn love with your long-time love, then I have some bad news for you: the UT Tower is currently undergoing major renovations. The construction likely won’t be finished for years to come. And let me tell you, it is ugly. Furthermore, per the UT website, Tower tours are not available, so no proposing at the top. The Tower still looks decent from about half way up, and the campus is still lovely. But yeah…Austin. There is construction everywhere in this city.

Best Places to Propose in Austin – Off the Beaten Path

‘I Love You So Much’ Mural

This mural is pure cheese and totally Instagram-able, but then again, isn’t that partly what Austin has become? If you’re looking to propose and then immediately post about your love, then this might be the perfect location for you. The mural is located at the corner of S. Congress Avenue and W. James Street. When I visited on Sunday, it was hard to say if more people were in line for Jo’s Coffee – the restaurant on the corner – or for the mural. In either case, the restaurant makes for a handy place to get tacos after your proposal.

Sekrit Theater

Down at the end of a quiet, residential street lies one of the most popular photo shoot locations in the city – the Sekrit Theater. If you are looking for a completely private destination which you can transform into your own whimsical wonderland, then you might consider this venue. The Sekrit Theater is a private home that is used for a variety of photo shoots. At the back of the house is a church-like greenhouse, which is often used for wedding ceremonies. Surrounding the home are imaginative items like a swan boat, while a peaceful water lily garden takes residence at the front of the home. Basically, you can dress this place up to be whatever you would like it to be. The fee for proposals is $325, and reservations must be made by sending an email directly to info@sekrittheater.com.

Best Places to Propose in Austin – Nature Calls

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

If you want to get out of the city and away from the maddening crowds, then you might want to propose at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. This gardening oasis is a testament to Lady Bird Johnson’s efforts to keep Texas blooming. Note that the prime months for wild flowers is March through June, but honestly you can’t go wrong visiting any day of the year here.

As for a proposal, your three best locations are 1) Cecille’s Arch, located to the right just as you make your way to the patio; 2) a small private garden called the Texas mixed border located just off the formal garden area, and finally 3) the stone tower. The funky, stone tower offers a terrific view over the expansive grounds, though for my money I would propose at the mezzanine level so you have more room to get down on one knee (as well as give your photographer a bit more breathing space).

As with all very popular venues, I would plead with you to book your proposal on a weekday. I was there on a Sunday morning, and was swarmed by families with children. You have been warned. The photo permit fee is $100 for shoots Monday through Friday, and $250 for shoots Saturday and Sunday.

Red Bud Isle

If you want to be surrounded by the peace and quiet of nature but not leave the city limits, then Red Bud Isle is the perfect choice. Sure, you might be sharing the island with several dogs and their owners, but that seems a small price to pay. Red Bud Isle is, to me, the world‘s best dog run. This tiny little island is nothing but trees and beauty. If you plan your proposal on a weekday afternoon, I would head directly to the tip of the island for a fantastic view of the Colorado River.

Best Places to Propose in Austin – Trips Worth the Commute

Enchanted Rock

Ah, Enchanted Rock. This is on the hiking bucket list for everyone who moves to Austin. It is a very popular spot and as such, expect lots of crowds. The best time to visit Enchanted Rock is sunrise. So, try to get your beloved up before dawn and propose as the sun is just peeking over the horizon. Otherwise, you’re going to be surrounded by people as you get down on one knee. That rock can feel awfully small when you’re surrounded by other hikers at around 10 AM.

Also, you can feel like you’re standing on a pizza slab if it’s much above 80°. Word to the wise: plan your proposal for Spring or Fall to avoid the Texas heat. Also, definitely make a reservation ahead of time, especially if you will be visiting on a weekend. Tickets to this state park do sell out.

Krause Springs

I just visited Krause Springs, and I can’t say enough good things about this place. It truly is like walking into a lost jungle wonderland. With multiple, moss-covered waterfalls and one of the best botanical gardens I’ve ever visited, Krause Springs is what Hamilton Pool wishes it was. You could propose over and over again in numerous magnificent locations, each more magical than the last. Even if you are not going to get wet, the garden alone is worth it.

It’s a bit of a drive outside of Austin, but it is worth the commute. The price for entry is $10 per person, and photo shoots are an additional $30.

Where Not to Propose

So, you’ve heard my list of where to propose in Austin. This is the other side of the coin.

Though I know this list will ruffle some feathers, here is my list of where NOT to propose in Austin. Hear me out.

Mount Bonnell

Mount Bonnell is undoubtedly the most popular sunset viewing point in Austin. Come day or night, you will find crowds here. And that, my friends, is exactly the problem. Don’t ever expect to come here and have the place all to yourself. Moreover, I just frankly think this place has jumped the shark – much like the Pearl in San Antonio. Too many people come here for photos and it’s time to go somewhere new. So, in this photographer’s opinion, you can do much better for your proposal. Please, pick another place.

Oh, and the Austin Parks and Recreation department also states that a photo permit fee is required here. The permit is $50 for a two-hour session, and permit can be purchased online through this link.

Pennybacker Bridge Overlook

Don’t get me wrong, I love the view from the Pennybacker Bridge overlook. But the problem with proposing here is that the space is too small. Honestly, it’s quite dangerous up at the top, especially if there is a large crowd present. Also, your view from up top, while magnificent, is of horrible traffic on Loop 360. Moreover, note that this spot has been noted for muggings and parking here is a pain in the ass.

You want your proposal to be something where you can get your mind off of the ills of the city. Not, dwell on the terrible traffic down below. So, definitely check out the view, but just don’t propose here.

Lou Neff Point

Lou Neff Point is definitely a picturesque location, and would be a great place to propose. Unfortunately, it is currently in a state of disrepair. As this photo shows, you can’t get down to the waterfront level as you could before due to damage to the outside railing. Tree branches now block your view of the city skyline.

If you want to propose with a truly spectacular view of the city skyline, then you are better off walking along the shore down towards Auditorium Shores. I recommend the boat launch located close to the Auditorium Shores Dog Park on Google Maps. This spot gives you a stunning view of Block 185.

Hamilton Pool

I was scheduled to visit Hamilton Pool on the same day that I visited Krause Springs. Alas, I didn’t do my homework and did not realize that visiting Hamilton Pool requires a reservation. The security guard wouldn’t even let me in to simply check out the space for a few minutes or to wait in the parking lot. And with that, I drove back to San Antonio.

From what I have read online, the sad state of the local drought means that Hamilton Pool looks nothing like the photos on the marketing brochures. Quite often the preserve is closed due to water bacteria levels. Furthermore, the area underneath the hanging cliff is completely closed to visitors due to the danger of falling rocks. For all of this trouble, plus the cost ($10 per car, plus $8 per person), I say skip it. You are much better off simply going straight to Krause Springs, where you can get photos with glorious waterfalls plus an exquisite botanical garden. That’s twice the beauty for none of the hassle.

Chili’s at 45th and Lamar

I mean, according to Reddit this is the place to go, right??? Personally, I say get the wings and jalapeño poppers to go and then head to the Zilker Botanical Gardens. But that’s just me.

Final Thoughts

Austin is growing by leaps and bounds, and the city has all sorts of couples looking to say, ‘I do.’ Whether you want a modern vibe or a classic, more traditional approach to your proposal, Austin has a spot every couple to propose.

No matter what location you choose, however, the rules of the game are the same: try to schedule your proposal on a weekday and avoid the crowds as much as possible. Crowds are the enemy of privacy. And trust me, no one wants to get proposed to on the Jumbotron.

Enjoy the images, and let me know if I have left off any locations that you think should be included in this exhaustive list. As always, I’ll have more photo adventures for you next week!

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If you find this article on ‘Best Places to Propose in Austin’ useful, then check out these articles:

Looking to say ‘I do’ in Austin or San Antonio? Drop me a line and let’s chat about how I can help you. I have hourly rates, and all photo shoots include editing and high-resolution files.

To view more images from my wedding photography portfolio, please visit my website – KellyWilliamsPhotographer.com