In this article, we’ll look at things you can do as a family in Austin, Texas.
In fact, Austin is a great city to explore with kids. Its temperate climate and diverse entertainment offerings make it a great family destination.
Here are the things you can do.
Visiting the IMAX theater is a great family activity in Austin. It seats 400 people and uses cutting-edge IMAX technology. It is also one of the few theaters in Austin with both 3-D and 2-D capabilities.
Families can enjoy a movie or a show after touring the city. You can even bring the whole family for an extra-special night out.
For younger kids, a trip to the IMAX theater may be all they need to get in the mood for a Texas vacation.
The capital of Texas is a great place for a family vacation, and there are many different ways to spend it. From the storied buildings to the great green spaces to the epic concert venues, Austin has something for everyone.
The Austin Photo Scavenger Hunt consists of a number of different photo scavenger tasks that require the participants to capture different objects.
The objects can be simple or challenging, and the list of locations includes several stops along the way. The photo scavenger hunt ends at 1:00 PM, and if you’re running out of time, you can just stop at other locations along the way.
It is hosted by a commercial photographer, Kleine Leonard. Leonard’s passion for art and education combine to create a successful and artistic experience for his clients.
The 3-hour event involves teamwork, using smartphones as a guide. It takes place along the scenic riverfront. During the race, teams solve clues to gain insight into the history of Austin.
Afterward, the teams take hilarious pictures of each other along the way! And for the ultimate adrenaline rush, join the Austin Scavenger Hunt Murder Mystery Edition!
If you want to see some truly majestic creatures, you and your family should visit the world’s largest urban bat colony in Austin, Texas.
The Congress Avenue Bridge has been home to a colony of 1.5 million bats since it was built in the 1980s. The bridge has numerous crevices that bats love, so they began flocking to the bridge in droves.
While locals were initially skeptical of the bats, the population has been growing steadily, and today, they provide Austin with free pest control. The 1.5 million bats in Austin consume between ten thousand and twenty pounds of insects each night.
When the bats migrate in the fall, they will number 750'000. Many of these bats are pregnant females. The bat population in Austin is increasing rapidly!
During the spring and summer months, many people visit the bat colony and watch the amazing creatures in action.
Visiting the world’s largest urban bat population with your family in Austin is an experience you won’t soon forget. There are several free shows at the colony that are open to the public from March through September.
And, the best part is that you can take your family there without paying a dime! You’ll enjoy the bats’ show and will learn a lot about them.
If you want to spend some quality time with your family in Austin, you can visit the Thinkery. This museum is a great place to bring kids to play, learn and create.
Your kids will enjoy their time here, and you’ll love seeing their imaginations run wild. If you’re looking for a fun way to spend an afternoon with your family in Austin, the Thinkery would be a good choice.
The museum is family-friendly, and the 30,000+ art objects on display are sure to delight children. There are interactive games, giant inflatables, and a three-level Funstruction Zone where kids can build and launch parachutes.
There’s even a scavenger hunt to get the kids interested in the sculptures. For even more fun, there’s also a play area with a giant tomato and oversized soft food sculptures.
The Thinkery is one of Austin’s many museums for families. The museum is free, but you’ll need to reserve a parking spot. The museum is located in Mueller, just a short walk from Mueller Lake Park.
For an exciting, flexible, and informative way to see Austin with the whole family, take the Double Decker Sightseeing Tour.
This hop-on/hop-off bus tour covers more downtown attractions than any other tour in the city. Your guide will focus on your needs, so you can enjoy the scenery and take photos without worrying about a thing.
The bus tour passes by some of the city’s most prominent landmarks and features commentary and photos from both the top and lower decks.
Highlights include the Museum of the Weird, 6th Street, the Texas State Capitol, and the Texas Governor’s Mansion. You can also enjoy the city’s music scene and shop on the lower level, where you can sit in peace.
If you are planning a vacation to Austin, Texas, you’ll want to include a trip to Zilker Park on your itinerary. This recreational area is located on 350 acres of publicly-owned land in south Austin.
The park was named after Andrew Jackson Zilker, who donated the land to the city in 1917. Visitors can enjoy a day spent hiking, boating, or playing in the park’s playground.
In fact, when visiting Austin with children, a trip to Zilker Park is a must. This park features several playgrounds, sports courts, and organized hikes. Kids will also enjoy Barton Springs, a waterpark, and Ladybird Lake, a lake with fishing, boating, and swimming. There is something for everyone at Zilker Park, so make sure to plan some time to explore this great park.
The park is also home to the Umlauf Sculpture Garden, which features more than 50 sculptures by 20th-century American sculptor Charles Umlauf. Visitors can enjoy winding paths through the park, which are lined with flower beds. Kids can even enjoy a small scream that was created by Umlauf himself.
The park has several other activities for kids, such as a laminated photo scavenger hunt. You can even purchase a sticker souvenir to take home with you.
Besides the gardens, Zilker Park also contains an extensive botanical garden. The 25-acre park contains many different garden sections, including a Japanese garden.
Although located in the city’s downtown area, the garden feels like a zen oasis. There are many events going on throughout the year, including butterfly and plant-themed walks. You can even watch butterflies on the butterfly trail or take a stroll through the Butler Window.
Take a day trip to Austin Nature and Science Center and enjoy educational exhibits. Replicas of fossils, dinosaur tracks, and even tracks made by the mighty elephant are all on display here.
Kids will love exploring the 80-acre nature center. If you have a discerning eye, you’ll even spot a crocodile! This Austin attraction has something for every member of the family!
The Austin Nature and Science Center started in a garage in the 1960s. Community groups came together to create a place where families and visitors can learn about the local ecosystem.
In 1987, the center moved into its current location. The center now offers an extensive range of exhibits, programs, and educational materials for children and adults. Families without tour groups are welcome to explore the center without the help of a guide.
While the Austin Nature and Science Center is not a zoo, the center also hosts several seasonal events and festivals for families. Fall Festival is a great way to celebrate the season, and the museum hosts numerous events to entertain the family.
There are also special events throughout the year, including an outdoor concert in the summer. And if you’re feeling particularly adventurous, you can spend a day hiking in the surrounding area, trying out different sports, and playing games.
The center is free to visit and is located in Zilker Metropolitan Park. There is public transportation to the museum, as well as the No. 30 bus.
While visiting Austin Nature and Science Center, make sure to plan enough time to explore everything it has to offer. You’ll be happy you did! You and your family will have a great time.
If you are planning a family vacation to Austin, Texas, you may want to consider a trip to McKinney Falls State Park. This state park is located near the confluence of Williamson Creek and Onion Creek.
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department administers this state park. You and your family will have a great time visiting this park, which offers plenty to do and see for all ages.
The park is conveniently located just a few miles from downtown Austin, and it has more than seventy acres of hiking trails. Families will find it easy to explore, as there are several playgrounds, picnic areas, and a campground.
There are several falls to explore, and a free Junior Explorer Pack is available to help kids get to know them better. The park has one of the largest waterfalls in the Austin area, and there are many spots to explore the creek.
It is an oasis of green loveliness located just a few miles from downtown Austin. The park offers trickling waterfalls, mossy grottos, and a refreshing pool. Although it is taxing to get to, it is well worth the effort.
You can walk or bike the trails at McKinney Falls State Park. The park is also stroller-friendly and features a limestone “rock shelter” where you can rest and enjoy cooler temperatures.
Once you have finished the trail, you can enjoy a picnic or take a break from the heat by sitting on the picnic tables.
If you are looking for a large city park in Austin, Texas, you should check out the Emma Long Metropolitan Park. Located on Lake Austin, this large park has everything you need for a day at the beach.
The park features a designated swimming area and boat ramps. Families can picnic and swim or simply watch the sun go down. You can even rent a paddle boat and enjoy the beautiful water.
It also has a sandy beach, which is perfect for little ones. For families traveling with children, the park has free admission and a swimming beach.
Austin is a fantastic city to visit with kids. There are so many great things you can do as a Family. You can visit the world’s largest urban bat colony or one of the many parks. Just give it a try!