Austin Family Travel Guide

Austin Family Travel Guide

Planning a family trip to Austin? Read on to learn more about the city and the best things to do when you visit Austin with kids. For more ideas with less information, you can also check out my Austin Family-Friendly Bucket List!

Austin may not be the biggest city in Texas, but few will argue that this capital city is the coolest. Since its founding in 1839, Austin has attracted a stimulating combination of cowboys, lawmakers, musicians, techies, hipsters, students, and more. Today, the catchphrase “Keep Austin Weird” exemplifies local efforts to maintain Austin’s unique, laid-back culture amid booming growth.

Your family can soak up this eclectic vibe while visiting big-city attractions, feasting on delicious food, enjoying live music, and taking advantage of the many opportunities for outdoor recreation.

EXPLORE THE CITY

The Capitol Building

Situated between the city’s skyscrapers to the south and The University of Texas at Austin to the north, the Texas State Capitol stands out for both its distinctive pink color (from Texas-sourced sunset red granite) and its enormous dome (larger than the US Capitol Building, y’all). Once inside, be sure to notice the floor of the rotunda, which features the seals of the six countries that have governed Texas. You can walk through the public areas of the building on your own, but 30-minute guided tours are also available. Families will appreciate the Capitol’s spacious grounds, perfect for picnicking with wiggly kids of all ages.

City Streets

South Congress Avenue — Congress Avenue travels south from the Capitol Building and crosses Lady Bird Lake, after which it becomes “South Congress,” Austin’s quirky/cool epicenter. Pick up a slice of pizza at Home Slice or one of the many food trucks and browse through some of the locally-owned stores, from YETI’s flagship store to Allen’s Boots and the toy store Monkey See, Monkey Do! Stop by Jo’s Coffee to take a selfie at the iconic “i love you so much” mural and load up on bulky candy–by the bucket!–at Big Top Candy

Congress Avenue Bridge Bats — On summer nights just after sunset, you can watch up to 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats fly out from under the bridge–an awesome and slightly creepy sight that can last over a half hour. You can witness the spectacle by land (from the bridge or a grassy area at the southeast corner of the bridge) or by water (kayak rental or via tour boat).

6th Street — Austin’s most famous party street may not be suitable for families at night, but by day you can check out the facades of the many bars and live music venues (as well as the historic — and possibly haunted? — Driskill Hotel) before stopping in at Jim-Jim’s Water Ice for delicious ice cream and snow cones. (Pro tip: Get the “Creamsicle,” which combines the two options.) To the west, 6th Street is home to Whole Foods‘ flagship store (with rooftop playground) as well as beloved independent stores Waterloo Records and Book People.

Lady Bird Lake

Lady Bird Lake is actually a dammed portion of the Colorado River. Though it’s not as big as other dammed lakes to the west (known collectively as the “Highland Lakes”), its central location makes it a great stop for visitors. To best experience the lake, you can:

• • Walk on the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail — I never love Austin more than when I’m walking or running on this trail, which extends 10 miles to circle the lake. It offers views of the city as well as excellent people-watching. Some highlights of the trail include the Pfluger Pedestrian Bridge, the recently completed Boardwalk Trail (built over the lake), and the sections at Zilker Park and Vic Mathias Shores.

• • Go Boating — From tour boats and duck boats to kayaks, canoes, and stand-up paddleboards, there are many ways to get out on the water. For boat rentals, visit the Texas Rowing Center, Live Love Paddle, or Zilker Park Boat Rentals. For tour boats, check out Capital Cruises, Lone Star Riverboat, or Austin Duck Adventures.

Zilker Park

Zilker Park, which stretches along the southwest side of Lady Bird Lake, serves as Austin’s backyard. Besides relaxing on its grassy fields or exploring the playground, you can also visit:

• • Barton Springs Pool — Sometimes called the “soul” of Austin, the beautiful Barton Springs Pool is a 3-acre, spring-fed swimming hole that’s open all year. The shallow side of the pool, where swimmers can use flotation devices, is a great place for families to hang out (though the natural rock floor can be slippery).

• • Zilker Eagle — What big city park is complete without a train? The Zilker Eagle offers a tour of the park as well as views of Lady Bird Lake and the downtown skyline.

• • Austin Nature Center — Among the attractions at this low-key but enjoyable nature center are rescue animals (including a bobcat, a porcupine, and numerous birds of prey), hiking trails, and a Dino Pit — aka a huge sand play area with faux dinosaur bones waiting to be unearthed.

• • Zilker Botanical Garden — In good weather, the gardens offer a lovely and peaceful respite from the city. We particularly enjoy visiting the Japanese Garden (lots of rock bridges to cross) and the Rose Garden. During the summer months, the gardens host a woodland trail filled with fairy houses.

ENJOY THE OUTDOORS

Barton Creek Greenbelt

This nearly 8-mile trail and adjacent wilderness area follows Barton Creek to Zilker Park, where the creek flows into Lady Bird Lake. The rocky trail feels surprisingly remote despite being nestled in the heart the city. You can access the trail at Zilker Park or from one of a number of other trailheads (including Gaines Creek, which is close to the popular swimming holes at Twin Falls and Sculpture Falls). Our family enjoys the Spyglass entrance so we can stop for breakfast tacos at Tacodeli before we hike and play in the water. (Keep in mind — parts or even all of the creek can be dry at times.)

Mount Bonnell

OK, it’s not really a mountain, but the highest point in Austin does require climbing lots of steps (around 100), and it offers panoramic views of downtown Austin and the gorgeous Hill Country to the west. It’s a great way for newcomers to get a feel for Austin’s layout.

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Established in 1982 in southwest Austin, the Wildflower Center is a research and education center as well as a recreational destination. Families will enjoy the family garden’s nature play areas as well as hiking trails, a castle-like tower, and the large collection of rope swings under a grove of trees. The Wildflower Center also hosts Fortlandia, a yearly collection of fort installations for kids to explore, as well as other seasonal exhibits.

Deep Eddy Pool

If a swim in Barton Springs Pool isn’t enough — and if you’re traveling to Austin in the summer, it probably isn’t — consider visiting Deep Eddy, the oldest swimming pool in Texas. It’s spring-fed and has a zero-entry side that’s perfect for young children.

ENTERTAIN THE KIDS

The Thinkery

Austin’s children museum is located in the Mueller Park neighborhood northeast of downtown. Though it’s not particularly large, it makes the most of its space with largely STEAM-focused activities. My kids love the outdoor play area, the Innovator’s Workshop, and the Spark Shop (where they can launch model airplanes). There’s also a great playground and duck pond across the street from The Thinkery’s main entrance.

EAT WELL

Austin is a paradise for food-lovers of all kinds. While I can’t begin to cover all the worthy restaurants, here are some to consider!

Tex-Mex

As far as I’m concerned, the best Tex-Mex in the world can be found in Austin. You can’t go wrong at Chuy’s (my favorite salsa), Torchy’s Tacos (best queso ever), Veracruz All Natural, or Tacodeli. Be sure to pick up some of the breakfast tacos for which Austin is particularly renowned. For more Mex, less Tex, try restaurants like Matt’s El Rancho and Juan in a Million.

BBQ

Like all of Texas, Austin loves its barbecue (that might be an understatement). The most famous BBQ pit in Austin is Franklin Barbecue, but families with young children may not enjoy its long line. You can order online if you buy at least five pounds of meat, but keep in mind that a pound of brisket (for example) costs around $34 per pound. If you travel outside the city, consider visiting The Salt Lick, which has a playground and is nearly as famous as Franklin. If you want to remain in Austin, try Terry Black’s BBQ, County Line on the Lake, Rudy’s Country Store & Bar-B-Q, or La Barbecue.

Food Trucks

Food trucks are popular around the U.S., but they’ve achieved special fame in Austin. Check out the Austin Chronicles’s guide to the city’s best. Families will appreciate food truck parks, where numerous trucks gathered together offer a variety of options (especially important for picky eaters) and shaded seating. A few favorites are The Picnic near Zilker Park, Mueller Trailer Eats near The Thinkery, and 5000 Burnet, which is north of downtown but has its own playscape.

Treat Yourself/Cool Off

You can also find sweet relief at popular dessert venues such as Amy’s Ice Cream, Gordough’s Donuts, Hey Cupcake!, or one of the many shaved ice food trucks (such as Jim-Jim’s Water Ice, mentioned above).

ALSO CONSIDER

As the “Live Music Capital of the World,” Austin has an abundance of live music venues — but most aren’t suitable for younger children. Free Fun in Austin has a great guide to places where kids will be welcome. For information about all live music events, visit The Austin Chronicle.

The University of Texas at Austin’s sprawling campus offers families a number of places to explore, including the:

• • Main Mall and UT Tower

• • Lyndon Baines Johnson Museum and Library (LBJ’s presidential library)

• • Blanton Museum of Art

• • Texas Memorial Museum (a natural history museum)

• • At the Bullock Texas State History Museum across from UT’s campus, you can immerse yourself in all things Texas, from a 17th-century explorer’s ship to Stephen F. Austin’s desk.

Austin’s street art scene is a growing tourist attraction, and now even out-of-towners may recognize murals such as “Greetings from Austin” and “i love you so much.” To find the locations of these murals and more, check out Free Fun in Austin’s guide.

GET OUT OF TOWN

Hill Country

• • Hamilton Pool. Located on the western edge of Austin’s suburbs, Hamilton Pool is one of the most beautiful swimming holes in Texas. The pool lies partially underneath a collapsed grotto, and the blue-green water is open for swimming as long as bacteria counts aren’t too high. Advance reservations are required.

• • Lake Travis. The biggest of the Highland Lakes is a local hotspot for swimming and boating. The restaurant The Oasis offers views of the lake, and families with older kids may enjoy Lake Travis Zipline Adventures.

• • Fredericksburg. Rich in German heritage, Fredericksburg stands out among the many picturesque towns scattered throughout Hill Country. Visitors can enjoy shopping on Main Street, visiting the National Museum of the Pacific War, and eating at one of the many German bakeries and restaurants. Fredericksburg is also a short ride away from Enchanted Rock State Natural Area.

• • New Braunfels. Just an hour south of Austin, you can visit New Braunfels and its neighboring town of Gruene for more German culture as well as two of the most popular ways to get wet in Central Texas–tubing the Comal River and playing at Schlitterbahn Waterpark.

• • Wimberley. Wimberley is a favorite stop for families thanks to its charming shopping district and the popular Blue Hole and Jacob’s Well swimming holes (note: Jacob’s Well is regularly closed these days due to lack of water).

San Antonio

Since it’s less than two hours south of Austin, you can visit San Antonio for a long day trip or overnight trip.

KEEP IN MIND

Austin can be enjoyed year-round, but during the summer months (particularly July-September) the weather can be extremely hot. Besides water activities, it’s hard to enjoy the outdoors. Be sure to plan your trip accordingly!