Austin is known as the live music capital of the world. But it also has great activities for families, most of which are low cost or free! Here’s a list of some of our favorite activities in case your looking to visit. (Or if you live here and are looking for some new ideas!)
- Cost: $12 for adults, $6 for kids. (Kids under 5 are free.) If you live in Austin, I’d suggest getting a membership! It pays for itself in under 5 visits.
- Best Time to Visit: Spring! The flowers are beautiful, with lots of bluebonnets for great photo opportunities and the weather is usually the best.
- Reason to Visit: There’s a beautiful waterfall with a “hidden” cave underneath for little ones to explore, giant bird’s nests and tree stumps for kids to play on, a campsite, picnic areas and more.
- Drawbacks: Just be careful of snakes.
- Cost: About $8 per child. Adults and babies under 1 are free. Membership options are available.
- Best Time to Visit: During the week. Friday-Sunday are usually packed with birthday parties.
- Reason to Visit: Perfect place for little ones to run off energy! It has spaces for crawlers to play, seating areas to have lunch, and couches for moms to sit and watch.
- Drawbacks: Germs.
- Cost: Free! (Unless you want to take a tip in Barton Springs, which is $9 for adults, $4 for kids and free for babies under 1.)
- Best Time to Visit: Fall-Spring. Summertime is great if you plan to get in Barton Springs to cool off, otherwise it’s usually over 100 degrees each day.
- Reason to Visit: The beautiful landscape, fun trails, places to feed the ducks and turtles, and a huge playground nearby at Zilker Park. Zilker Park also has great activities all year long. The Kite Festival is coming soon in March which is so much fun for families and it’s free! During the summer months, they have Blues on the Green which is also free.
- Drawbacks: The heat. There’s no where to go to get away from it.
- Cost: $14 (Kids under 2 are free)
- Best Time to Visit: During the week. Weekends get busy.
- Reason to Visit: A great indoor space for kids to play and learn. Lots to keep them engaged and their minds and bodies busy.
- Drawbacks: The price.
- Cost: $12 per adult, $9 per child (Kids under 2 are free) Membership options are available.
- Best Time to Visit: Fall to Spring. Summertime is super hot, and there is no indoor area to cool off at.
- Reason to Visit: The train. It’s an extra $3 per person to ride, but it’s so fun. Also, they have fun events for different holiday’s. (For example, Boo at the Zoo and Easter Egg Hunting.)
- Drawbacks: It’s a small zoo with not as many animals.
- Cost: $16 per adult, $11 per child. (Kids under 2 are free)
- Membership options are available.
- Best Time to Visit: Anytime during the week. Since it’s indoors, the weather doesn’t effect visiting.
- Reason to Visit: An indoor play area, feeding the fish, and seeing all the animals.
- Drawbacks: Some controversy to how the animals are treated. Plus the price.
Have fun exploring Austin! Coming up next will be a post about family friendly restaurants in Austin, including ones with playgrounds so stay tuned!
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