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Kid-Friendly Austin

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From professional ice hockey to the largest bat colony in North America, Austin is full of fun, unique entertainment for all ages. Plan a carefree family vacation with the help of this all-encompassing guide pointing out some of the city's most family-oriented spots.

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Author: Tara

Day 1 - Austin

Kid-friendly activities abound in Austin. Start your family vacation with a touch of history at the Texas State Capitol before heading over to the nearby Dell-sponsored Austin Children's Museum where children learn through hands-on exhibits and interactive experiences. Enjoy a couple burgers al fresco at Sandy's before jumping in the rental car for a short drive just a few miles south of Austin to Aquarena Center in San Marcos where visitors can enjoy educational tours on a glass bottom boat. With plenty of learning opportunities squeezed in the day, let the kids loose mentally and physically at Barton Springs Pool in Zilker Park where the constantly 68F water will cool everyone off.

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Embassy Suites AustinDowntown/Town Lake

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Location:

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300 S Congress Ave
Austin, TX 78704

Phone:

+1 512 469 9000

Texas State Capitol

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Location:

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1100 Congress Ave
Austin, TX 78701

Phone:

512-463-0063

Austin Children's Museum

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Location:

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201 Colorado St
Dell Discovery Center
Austin, TX 78701

Phone:

512-472-2499

Sandy's Hamburgers

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Location:

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603 Barton Springs Road
Austin, TX 78704-1144

Phone:

+ 512 478 6322

Aquarena Center

Location:

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921 Aquarena Springs Drive
Texas State University
Austin, TX 78666

Phone:

+1 512 245 7570

Barton Springs Pool

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Location:

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2101 Barton Springs Road
Zilker Park
Austin, TX 78704

Phone:

512-867-3080

Shady Grove

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Location:

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1624 Barton Springs Road
Austin, TX 78704

Phone:

+512 474 9991

Day 2 - Austin

Begin your day with a hearty breakfast at Kerbey Lane Cafe, well known in this area for its fluffy flavored pancakes, including the popular gingerbread variety. Make a morning out of a visit to the Austin Steam Train and opt for a picturesque train ride through the beautiful Hill Country before trekking to the Austin Zoo. Unlike many other popular U.S. zoos, Austin's is actually a non-profit animal sanctuary full of rescued and abandoned animals (many from traveling circuses) including lions, monkeys, panthers, prairie dogs, and more. After all that walking, drop by Central Market Cafe for a relaxing and healthy lunch while the kids release more pent-up energy on the enormous playground under the oak trees. Once everyone is fed and relaxed, hit the road and head north to Inner Space Cavern, just a few miles north of Austin on IH-35. This amazing underground cavern system will amaze parents and children alike. Before hitting the hay, fill up on chips, salsa and all things Mexican at Chuy's, a tourist favorite and Elvis-obsessed eatery.

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Kerbey Lane Cafe

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Location:

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3704 Kerbey Lane
Austin, TX 78731

Phone:

+1 512 451 1436

Austin Steam Trains/River City Flyer

Location:

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Fifth Steet at Comal
(Plaza Saltillo)
Austin, TX 78767

Phone:

+1 512 477 8468

Austin Zoo

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Location:

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10807 Rawhide Trail
Austin, TX 78709

Phone:

+1 512 288 1490 / +1 800 291 1490

Central Market Cafe

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4001 North Lamar Blvd
Austin, TX 78756

Phone:

+1 512 206 1000

Inner Space Cavern

Location:

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4200 South I-35, exit 295
(Under I-35)
Austin, TX 78627

Phone:

+1 512 931 2283

Chuy's

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Location:

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1728 Barton Springs Road
Austin, TX 78704-1037

Phone:

512-474-4452

Day 3 - Austin

Don your swimsuit and head to Volente Beach, a small lakeside waterpark that's sure to exhaust the kids. Once you've had enough sun and fun, visit Galaxy Cafe for healthy refueling with fish tacos, lean burgers and yummy sweet potato fries. Drive over to Mount Bonnell, one of the highest points in the area, for a stunning bird's eye view of the city. Nature lovers will be enamored with the Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve where hiking, bird-watching and other nature-inspired activities abound. Fill the family up on tasty local pizza before heading to a pro-hockey game with the Austin Ice Bats. Watch out for wayward hockey pucks!

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Volente Beach

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Location:

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16107 FM 2769
F.M. 2769
Austin, TX 78641

Phone:

+1 512 258 5109

Galaxy Café

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Location:

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1000 West Lynn Street
Austin, TX 78703

Phone:

+1 512 478 3434

Mount Bonnell

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3800 Mount Bonnell Road
Austin, TX 78702

Phone:

512-974-6700

Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve

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Location:

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805 N. Capital of Texas Highway
Austin, TX 78746

Phone:

+1 512 327 7622

Pizza Nizza

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Location:

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2712 Bee Caves Rd
Suite 106
Austin, TX 78704

Phone:

+1 512 474 7070

Austin Ice Bats

Location:

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14200 N IH-35
Austin, TX 78728

Phone:

+1 512 927 7825

Day 4 - Austin

Take it easy (at least a little bit) on your final day in Austin. After a leisurely breakfast at the locally-owned Magnolia Cafe, head for the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum where the seasoned history of the state is displayed creatively. Don't miss the IMAX movie theatre in-house. Once you've developed an appetite, visit Hut's Hamburgers, an old-school burger joint just a couple blocks west of downtown, before letting the kids loose at Zilker Playground. Before dusk comes, make your way to the Ann Richards Congress Avenue Bridge for the daily flight of thousands of Mexican free-tailed bats, out for a nighttime snack of mosquitoes and other tiny bugs. Don't forget your camera - this would make a great family shot!

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