Welcome to Zilker, Bouldin, Travis Heights, and Barton Hills
Mix of suburban and urban neighborhoods near some of Austin’s best shopping and dining.
Across the Colorado River from Downtown Austin, you’ll find the Zilker, Bouldin, Travis Heights, and Barton Hills neighborhoods. These communities offer an eclectic blend of home styles, residential areas, schools, entertainment, and much more. While each neighborhood is close in proximity, they each offer up their own unique personalities, conveniences, and amenities.
These communities are best known for their exceptional dining, attractions, and shopping. One of the area’s most beloved destinations is Zilker Park, which has been referred to by some as the Central Park of Austin. At this park, you can explore the Zilker Botanical Gardens, rent a boat, or take in views of the beautiful Zilker Holiday Tree (open seasonally). Wherever you find yourself in this region of Austin, you are sure to locate exactly what you need and desire.
Homes in these areas range significantly in size, style, and price. Homebuyers have a wide selection of luxury condominiums to quaint ranch-style homes and everything in between. However, residential properties in this area are a bit higher than Austin’s average. Many of the single-family homes located in each of these neighborhoods start near $800,000 and go up to $4+ Million for more spacious residences.
Spanning the South Austin corridor just across the Colorado River, the iconic 78704 zip code comprises a collection of vibrant communities—Zilker, Bouldin Creek, Travis Heights, and Barton Hills—that define the creative identity of the city. This eclectic residential region provides a walkable, outdoor-centric daily routine where independent local dining spots, live music venues, and vintage retail options are woven into tree-lined neighborhoods. Daily routines center around outdoor wellness, with residents stepping out to jog the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail or picnic across the multi-acre lawns managed at Zilker Metropolitan Park. Homeowners also benefit from close proximity to the historic, spring-fed waters of Barton Springs Pool, which maintains a refreshing temperature year-round.
The local housing stock across the 78704 sector presents an exciting mixture of architectural choices, matching historic mid-century bungalows and classic cottages with newly constructed contemporary smart homes. Properties emphasize an active lifestyle, showcasing clean modern geometric lines, expansive floor-to-ceiling glass paneling, xeriscaped front yards, and rooftop decks configured to capture skyline panoramas. In mid-2026, real estate indicators track strong demand and excellent equity performance across these central corridors, heavily supported by a steady wave of relocations prioritizing proximity to downtown tech employment hubs and inclusion within top-rated public school tracks.
78704 Neighborhood Profile Matrix
Zilker: Highly walkable urban hub, closely tied to major public festivals, park access, and South Lamar dining.
Bouldin Creek: Artist-forward historic grid featuring eclectic architectural styles and highly rated coffee houses.
Travis Heights: Leafy, rolling terrain showcasing early 20th-century historic homes with direct access to South Congress retail.
Barton Hills: Quiet, trail-oriented residential enclave offering direct access to Barton Creek Greenbelt trailheads.
Live Market Tracking: To monitor active single-family properties, townhomes, or luxury condominiums across South Austin, access our comprehensive regional property search database.
Submarket Cross-Linking: Strategic home buyers routinely benchmark 78704's outdoor culture against the quiet residential blocks featured inside our Tarrytown neighborhood guide or review the hillside estates highlighted in our Westlake property profile.
Calculate Local Home Values: If you currently own a residence in the South Lamar or Zilker corridor and want to check how custom staging or recent structural upgrades affect your equity, access our data-driven market valuation portal.
What to Love
- Great schools
- Exceptional dining, shopping, and attractions
- Desirable neighborhoods with a diverse selection of home styles
People & Lifestyle
These neighborhoods share common elements while maintaining their own unique vibe. For example, Barton Hills is easily the most suburban area and features some of the area’s most luxurious properties. In Bouldin and Travis Heights, you’ll encounter a much more urban vibe.
Whichever Austin enclave you choose to relocate to, you’ll be met with a welcoming community, top conveniences, and beautiful homes that have character and charm. Life is genuinely a delight as a resident of any of these locales.
Dining, Shopping & Entertainment
Residents in these neighborhoods have quick and easy access to some of Austin’s most sought-after stores and restaurants.
Whether you’re planning a day of errands or leisurely shopping, there are numerous places to check out. Along South Lamar Boulevard, you’ll find a large selection of trendy stores, including Moss Designer Consignment. Closer to Travis Heights and on South Congress, you can browse the selection at By George, and Allens Boots.
Things to Do
Seasonally and year-round, there are countless ways to spend your free time. Residents love taking part in the many fun neighborhood events and festivals held here throughout the year. Top highlights include ACL (Austin City Limits Music Festival), the Zilker Holiday Tree, and ABC Kite Fest.
Aside from the many events hosted in each of these neighborhoods, there are so many other things to do, see, and experience. Favorites include Barton Springs Pool, Zilker Park,
Zilker Botanical Garden, Violet Crown Trail, Zilker Park Disc Golf Course, Little Zilker Park, Butler Metro Park, ZACH Theatre, and
Umlauf Sculpture Garden & Museum.
Schools
Zilker, Bouldin, Travis Heights, and Barton Hills are home to several excellent schools. Top educational opportunities include:
Learn about other neighborhoods: