Fora’s Take
Austin, Texas, is a vibrant city where the charm of Southern hospitality meets an energetic cultural scene, making it an ideal destination for families. With its many parks, kid-focused museums and Lady Bird Lake, Austin offers endless outdoor adventures and educational experiences. The city’s food choices cater to all tastes, ensuring even the pickiest eaters find something they love.
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Things to do Austin, Texas
Lady Bird Lake: Relax in the spring-fed pools that are open year-round or enjoy something more adventurous such as renting a paddleboard or kayak.
Kalahari Resorts Texas: No need to stay at the resort to take advantage of the awesome waterpark — cool off with a day pass.
Texas Science and Natural History Museum: Need an escape from the outdoors? Take a look around the museum to explore the ever-changing Texas environment, the animal life or some paleontology.
The Austin Zoo: With over 300 animals, including some animals local to Texas. Fun fact: most all the animals at the zoo are rescues.
Austin Duck Adventures: Take a 75-minute tour of downtown Austin and the gorgeous Lake Austin in an amphibious Hydra Terra vehicle.
Lake Travis Zipline Adventures: Jump on one of the longest ziplines in Texas to feed the adventurous spirit. Not to mention the views are breathtaking as well.
Thinkery: A hands-on STEM museum for kids! Ages four and up recommended here. Be sure to bring a change of clothes for the kiddos because some of the permanent exhibits include water and paint.
Day trips
Austin is an hour and a half outside of San Antonio — adding a day trip to visit would create a memorable experience for the family.
Places to eat & drink Austin, Texas
Franklin Barbecue: Worth the wait in line, the melt-in-your-mouth brisket and fall-off-the-bone ribs are bound to sell out, so be sure to get there before the "Sorry, Sold Out! Come Back Soon" sign is on the door. Don't forget the sunscreen — the line area is not shaded but the resturaunt does provide lawn chairs on a first-come, first-served basis.
Mandola's at Cedar Park: A Best of Austin winner in 2019. An Italian eatery with a playground for your littles to run off the pasta energy.
Hat Creek Burger Company: Fast-casual burger joint with family at the forefront. A Hat Creek-themed playground to boot.
Littlefield's: An outdoor venue with permanent food trucks that serve tacos and coffee. Grab a picnic table on the little turf field and let the littles be little!
Sour Duck Market: A fresh-ingredient restaurant with a great outdoor seating area complete with open trailers for kids to play in while waiting for food. They also have QR codes on each table so you can order/pay/tip, making table turnover quick for less wait time.
Meanwhile Brewing: On site is an epic playground for littles to run off some energy while parents enjoy a pint, and food trucks with kid-friendly options make this a great spot for a bright Texas evening.
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This guide is part of our ongoing series on travel to Austin. For more travel tips, check out Fora Advisor Kassandra Manalo’s guide, A Foodie's Getaway Guide to Austin.