Austin Things To Do

There are a smorgasbord of things to see and do in Austin Texas. Do you have an interest in nature and wildlife? There are state parks, springs, and botanical gardens.

Like taking tours (by boats or on foot)? Do you enjoy being scared by haunted tours. Or are landmark tours more your speed? If you’re a history buff, Austin has a rich past and you can learn all about it.

No matter what you enjoy, there’s something for you to do.

Fun for Kids in Austin

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Maybe you don’t want to take the tiny tots on the haunted tour. That could make for a sleepless night. But, there’s plenty of other things for Kids to do in Austin that don’t involve scaring the hair off their tiny heads.

For instance, Zilker Park has a cool train ride that kids love (and me). And the Austin Children’s Museum is just the right size and has plenty of activities to keep them busy and entertained.

And the little people can also enjoy museums, pools, farms, and zoos.

If you want to feed them and entertain them at the same time, there’s always the old faithful entertaining Pizza venues like Chuck E Cheese, Gatti*land, and Austin’s Park N Pizza–kids love those places. Oh and the Austin Steam Train offers a couple of hours of fun and food.

To find things to do in other cites in Texas, visit Fun Things to do in Texas All about fun things for families to do in Texas.

Austin Botanical Garden

Zilker Austin Botanical Garden features several distinct garden areas that are all just facinating. Some of the most popular gardens are the organic garden, Japanese garden, and the prehistoric dinosaur garden.

Austin Gardens (Austin Area Garden Center) are located in Zilker Park just south of Town Lake and east of MoPac (Loop 1).

There are really easy directions outlined on the website. The popular Austin Gardens have much to offer for both kids and adults. Both the beauty and educational programs make Zilker Botanical a favorite of local educators and students.

Parking during the week is normally free, however, you’ll want to check the site or call before going just so you don’t get caught off guard.

Hundreds of thousands of people visit the 30 or so acre park each year and love it. You will to.

Zilker Park Austin Texas

Zilker Parks is located on Barton Springs Road. The park is reportedly 350 or so acres and is one of the most popular family spots in Austin.

Both Lady Bird Lake and the Hike and Bike trail run along side Zilker, which only increases the parks aesthetic beauty. The park also serves as the hub for businesses offering recreational activities on the Lake.

Zilker is the home of several popular Austin events like the annual Zilker Kite Festival. And is the home to Zilker Botanical Gardens and the Nature and Science Center.

Kids will love the park. Like most parks there’s a playscape that will keep them busy for hours. But the most popular attraction has got to be the train ride that circles the park.

Also, if you enjoy outdoor concerts and productions, you’ll love the events hosted at the Zilker Hillside Theater.

As if the aforementioned events weren’t enough, you can visit Umlauf Sculpture Garden and Museum located at the south end of the park.

You can read more about Zilker Park at the City Parks and Recreation site.

Austin Tours

An easy way to enjoy Austin Texas is to site see. There are all kinds. Here is a list of the most popular ones available in Austin. Visit the pages to see if any of them peak your curiosity.

Austin Duck Adventures

Enjoy the sites and sounds of Austin. The duck tour allows you to experience Austin through the eyes of a duck. Yes, I said a duck. So like a duck, you actually go from land to water-downtown historical sites into Lake Austin. The tour is offered year round, but the times are subject to change. So check the site.

Austin Tours

See some of the most famous landmarks in Austin including the Capital, UT, the 360 bridge and the Hill Country.

Austin Segway Tours

Truly a cool concept. The segway tour is an approximately 3 hour tour on an HT Human Transporter. It’s truly an exceptional experience.

Austin Overtures Sightseeing Tours

Enjoy a 90 minute narrated site seeing tour of Austin from a comfortable air conditioned vehicle.

Austin Ghost Tours

A personal guide will lead you through spooky historical spots in Austin Texas. Register online for your space in the tour.

Austin Nightlife and Live Entertainment

Austin nightlife has plenty to offer the eager visitor. Live music venues are located throughout downtown Austin. Most of the clubs and restaurants are located on 6th street.

However, as the nightlife in Austin continues to expand, so do the locations. You’ll find great live entertainment on Congress Avenue and in the warehouse district.

Antone’s

A super popular spot in Austin offering blues and a variety of other live music. It’s been said that Stevie Ray Vaughn got his start in this very spot. (www.antones.net/)

B.D Riley’s pub

Austin’s Nightlife Irish Pub is located on East 6th st. They serve good food and offer excellent entertainment. Check the site for dates and times of live bands and to take a peak at the menu. (www.bdrileys.com))

Copa Bar & Grill

In the mood for Salsa Dancing, live music, and Tex Mex? Well this may be just the spot to try. (www.yelp.com/biz/copa-bar-and-grill-austin)

La Zona Rosa

This great live music venue is located on 4th street. Intimate performances by local and national talent take place on the two stages. (http://www.lazonarosa.com))

Light Bar

Located on Congress Avenue, the Light Bar is considered fresh, contemporary, the best bar in the Warehouse District. The Light Bar has been featured in Magazines such as Forbes and InStyle. (www.lightbaraustin.com/awards-and-accolades.html)

Momo’s

Enjoy live music and wine at Momo’s. Seven days a week you can enjoy Folk, R&B;, Rock, or Blues in a casual and intimate environment. The rooftop seating is really awsome, especially on the perfect night.(www.momosclub.com)

Alamo Drafthouse

Here you can have dinner and a movie at the same time. Alamo Drafthouse is an Austin’s original. Dinner and drinks are served to you as your watching your favorite film. (www.drafthouse.com)

Austin TX Museums

Here’s a list of the most popular Museums in Austin Texas. I’ve visited them not as a tourist, but as a parent, a student, and an inquisitive native. In Austin, museums are very popular field trip destinations for school-age children.

As a junior high student, I visited the Laguna Gloria Museum of Art and the Texas Memorial Museum and the LBJ Museum. Years later, my first trip to the Austin Children’s Museum was as a parent chaperone for my son’s elementary school class. The kids loved it. Enjoy.

  • Austin Museum of Art: (http://www.amoa.org)
  • Austin Children’s Museum: (http://www.austinkids.org)
  • Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum: (http://www.austinkids.org)
  • Mexic-Arte Museum: (http://www.mexic-artemuseum.org)
  • O Henry Home & Museum: (http://www.ci.austin.tx.us)
  • French Legation Museum: (http://www.frenchlegationmuseum.org)
  • Elisabet Ney Museum: (http://www.ci.austin.tx.us)
  • LBJ Library and Museum: (http://www.lbjlib.utexas.edu)
  • Laguna Gloria Austin Museum of Art: (http://www.amoa.org)
  • Neill-Cochran House Museum: (http://www.neill-cochranmuseum.org)
  • Texas Memorial Museum: (http://www.utexas.edu)

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