Kids' Guide to Austin
Things to do with Kids in Austin
Austin is full of great parks and hikes, so I couldn't list everything. But these are some of my family's favorite things to do around town.
This is my son's favorite place in Austin. It's super weird, and you have to call the guy in advance to arrange to visit (although there will be lots of people there). Kids can explore the enormous sculpture made of cast-off stuff to their hearts content.
110 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Cathedral of Junk
4422 Lareina DrThis is my son's favorite place in Austin. It's super weird, and you have to call the guy in advance to arrange to visit (although there will be lots of people there). Kids can explore the enormous sculpture made of cast-off stuff to their hearts content.
I know, weird - it's a grocery store. But it's the best grocery store in Austin, often has live music, and has an extensive outdoor area where you can get a meal from the cafe or just a bottle of wine from the store and relax while your kids play. Must be comfortable with losing sight of your kids for a little while - it WILL happen.
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Central Market
4477 S Lamar BlvdI know, weird - it's a grocery store. But it's the best grocery store in Austin, often has live music, and has an extensive outdoor area where you can get a meal from the cafe or just a bottle of wine from the store and relax while your kids play. Must be comfortable with losing sight of your kids for a little while - it WILL happen.
Austin's new and fabulous children's museum. It has great exhibits and can keep kids busy for hours. Look for the enormous and awesome playscape outside.
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Thinkery
1830 Simond AveAustin's new and fabulous children's museum. It has great exhibits and can keep kids busy for hours. Look for the enormous and awesome playscape outside.
Fun place to explore and has a dinosaur dig!
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Austin Nature & Science Center
2389 Stratford DrFun place to explore and has a dinosaur dig!
Beautiful place established by First Lady Johnson to promote Texas' abundant wildflowers. Great place for kids to run around.
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I-Center ye-Wildflower ye-Lady Bird Johnson
4801 La Crosse AveBeautiful place established by First Lady Johnson to promote Texas' abundant wildflowers. Great place for kids to run around.
Cute train for the littles. But watch out - it gets hot in the sun.
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Zilker Zephyr Miniature Train (temporarily Closed For Repair)
2100 Barton Springs RdCute train for the littles. But watch out - it gets hot in the sun.
Barton Springs is fabulous, but the water tends to be too cold for kids (and adults!). Deep Eddy is more like a traditional pool, but warmer and still spring-fed.
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Deep Eddy Municipal Pool
401 Deep Eddy AveBarton Springs is fabulous, but the water tends to be too cold for kids (and adults!). Deep Eddy is more like a traditional pool, but warmer and still spring-fed.
This playground is only two blocks away from the house, so a quick and easy outing.
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Brentwood Neighborhood Park
6710 Arroyo SecoThis playground is only two blocks away from the house, so a quick and easy outing.
OK, Brentwood pool is not a great pool. It's clean and everything, but essentially just a box of water. However, it's three blocks away and free. Check http://www.austintexas.gov/department/brentwood-pool for schedule.
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Brentwood Neighborhood Park
6710 Arroyo SecoOK, Brentwood pool is not a great pool. It's clean and everything, but essentially just a box of water. However, it's three blocks away and free. Check http://www.austintexas.gov/department/brentwood-pool for schedule.
Peter Pan Mini Golf
1207 Barton Springs RdClassic Austin mini-golf
Classic and bulk candy store. Don't go in here if you're trying to limit sugar!
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Big Top Candy Shop
1706 S Congress AveClassic and bulk candy store. Don't go in here if you're trying to limit sugar!
Inner Space Cavern
4200 S I-35 Frontage RdUnderground caves. Need I say more?
This climbing gym has a really great kids section. They'll have a great time.
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Austin Bouldering Project
979 Springdale RdThis climbing gym has a really great kids section. They'll have a great time.
The most fun place to see a movie...anywhere. Get their early for the thematically related clips they show, then order a meal or snacks to eat during the movie. The Village is the Alamo Drafthouse near us, but there are others around town as well that may have more selection.
171 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Alamo Drafthouse Village
2700 W Anderson LnThe most fun place to see a movie...anywhere. Get their early for the thematically related clips they show, then order a meal or snacks to eat during the movie. The Village is the Alamo Drafthouse near us, but there are others around town as well that may have more selection.
If your kids are into arcades, Pinballz is just a couple miles away.
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Pinballz Arcade
8940 Research BlvdIf your kids are into arcades, Pinballz is just a couple miles away.
The city just built a new library, and it is really something. There's a great kids section, 3D printers...the works.
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Austin Central Library, Austin Public Library
710 W Cesar Chavez StThe city just built a new library, and it is really something. There's a great kids section, 3D printers...the works.
This art gallery has a great sculpture garden for kids to run around in. Also, peacocks!
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The Contemporary Austin - Laguna Gloria
3809 W 35th StThis art gallery has a great sculpture garden for kids to run around in. Also, peacocks!
Mayfield Park and Nature Preserve
3505 W 35th StMore peacocks!
The crown jewel of Austin. It has a playscape and train, extensive grounds, and is on the water for kayaking and canoeing.
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Zilker Metropolitan Park
2207 Barton Springs RdThe crown jewel of Austin. It has a playscape and train, extensive grounds, and is on the water for kayaking and canoeing.
Texas Toy Museum
312 Congress AveJust fun.