Austin with Kids

[Anonymous]

We are heading to Austin next month for a week with our 2 and 3 year olds. We will be visiting my in-laws and despite the fact that I've been there several times now we never seem to actually DO anything. I hear it is a great city. What are some good activities to do there that will be kid friendly. Any adult date night suggestions if we manage to get away one night?

thanks!

[Anonymous]

Zilker Park
Austin Children's Museum
Austin Zoo
RockNRiver Family Aquatic Center
Breakfast at Kerbey or Magnolia Cafe.
Toy Joy or Terra Toys
Phil's Icehouse followed by Amy's Ice Cream

Wink or Mirabelle for dinner and Alamo Drafthouse for a movie

Have fun

[Anonymous]

There's a train that rides around Zilker Park -- my kids loved that at same age. Childrens' Museum downtown also great. If you have boys into big cannons and such the Capitol Grounds can be fun (and shaded and grassy).

Date night suggestions: Austin has so many fun areas where you can get a great meal and hear live music -- SoCo (south Congress) or go to Guerro's (sp?) mexican or a bunch of other restaurants over there.

I like Z Tejas which is on I think W. 6th street. Can eat outside on big decks under the live oaks. Just great.

[Anonymous]

On the date front, Austin is so full of restaurants it's hard to go wrong. We were fans of Castle Hill (moderate), and Jeffrey's (pricey). Hudson's on the Bend is also supposed to be phenomenal, but it's a bit out of town. For other meals there are so many good suggestions it's hard to list them! But if you wind up at Trudy's, definitely order a Mexican Martini. Yum.

For kids - we lived there pre-kids and have only been back with our DD when she was 1. But Zilker Park is great, and there are lots of swimming holes you could go to (Barton Springs in Zilker, Deep Eddy, etc.) Depending on the weather and your comfort level, you could rent canoes and paddle around Town Lake. If it's a weekend and you want cheap kid fun, check out the Central Market grocery just north of campus for dinner - they have a Cafe with good food and live music, and the cafe area is right next to a playground. (Might have something similar at other places too.)

You could also walk around the capitol and the campus with the kids, and just check stuff out, like the statues, or the old oil rig at MLK and San Jacinto. The Bob Bullock museum may have some kid-centric activities too, and they have an IMAX.

And depending on when you go, there may be a festival or something going on - when they're happening they're lots of fun.

Have fun. Have to say I really miss Austin!

[Anonymous]

You have to take them to watch the bats one night!! I love Central Market as well.

Bess's Bistro(owned by Sandra Bullock) is yummy! I love the atmosphere there. Hudson's is great as well!

If you can make it to Taylor, TX -Louie Mueller's has the BEST brisket!!

God, it is so time to go back!!Miss it dearly!