The Ultimate Guide to Visiting Austin With Kids

If you’re visiting Austin with kids, here is everything you’ll want to know. This is the ultimate guide to visiting Austin with kids!

The Ultimate Guide to Visiting Austin With Kids

Where You Must Eat

Austin is known for 2 main food groups: tacos and BBQ. You could throw queso at Torchy’s or Chuy’s in there for good measure if you want to really round it out. We recommend breakfast tacos at Veracruz at Littlefield’s (there’s a playground for the kids and coffee at Medici!) and BBQ at Franklin, La Barbeque, Valentina’s or Metcalf BBQ (8600 290 West, Austin) if you’re looking for a playground.

One of our favorite places to take out of towners for breakfast is the 1886 Cafe at the Driskill Hotel. They have delicious Texas-shaped waffles and their whole menu is top-notch. 

Magnolia Cafe and Kerbey Lane Cafe are fun diners that will please the whole family, from kids to adults. 

Eat or drink at a kid-friendly restaurant or brewery with a playground.

The Ultimate Guide to Visiting Austin With Kids

What You Must Do

Bats by Boat or by Bridge.

You can choose to stand along the South Congress Bridge to see the bats emerge for free, or pay to have a boat take you right underneath the bridge. The latter is our personal favorite, since you get a bonus tour of Austin from a knowledgeable tour guide/boat captain, a good sunset photo-op, and the best seat in the house for seeing the bats (just don’t open your mouth!).

Selfie, Shop, and Snack on SOCO

There are so many great murals and photo-ops along South Congress, the most famous one being the “I Love You So Much” mural. Grab some food along the way (Home Slice will give the kids some dough to play with while you wait for pizza, but everything is excellent to eat at on SOCO). Finish off the day with something sweet either from Big Top Candy Shop, Amy’s Ice Creams, or Jeni’s. Here’s our entire write up on how to spend a day on South Congress with kids.

Zilker/Barton Springs/Lady Bird Lake

Picnic at Zilker, take a dip at Barton Springs, head out on the water at Lady Bird Lake. You could also take in the Zilker Botanical Garden, the Austin Nature and Science Center, and the Ann & Roy Butler Hike & Bike Trail. If you’re here during the summer, check out the Zilker Summer Musical (it’s also impressive and it’s FREE!). If you’re here over the first two weekends in October, take the kids to ACL! They get in free with an adult wristband and there’s a whole section for kids (Austin Kiddie Limits).

Take a hike!

We have beautiful trails, right here in the city! You don’t have to go far to feel like you’re in a different place completely. And here’s a list of the most kid-friendly trails here in Austin.

Check out some live music.

You can’t come to the live musical capital of the world and not hear some live music! Central Market is our first choice for this as they have live music, food, and a patio with a playground. 

Rope Swings/Swimming Holes

If you’re here during one of the hotter months, you’re going to want to find a good swimming hole to keep cool. You can swing from a rope swing at one of these swimming holes.

Do something weird.

Austin’s motto is “Keep Austin Weird”. You’ll find out why if you visit Peter Pan Mini Golf, the Cathedral of Junk, or Chicken Sh*t Bingo at the Little Longhorn Saloon (better for older kids).

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

You can’t go wrong with spending a day strolling around the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. The children’s garden is worth the price of admission alone, but definitely check it out if you happen to be there during the months of Fortlandia!

Lake Austin

Spend the day at the “beach” at Emma Long Metropolitan Park, or take a boat ride on Lake Austin. Try Ski Shores Café for a meal on the water with a play area for kids. You can drive over by car or by boat and park your boat right at their boat docks. The food is so-so, but the whole experience is great, especially on good weather days! Lake Austin is a good bet for a Matthew McConaughey sighting as well. 😉

Unique Playgrounds

You’ll definitely want to check out a few of our favorite parks. Alliance Children’s Garden, Kingsbury Commons at Pease Park, and Waterloo Park are a great place to start. Here’s a list of some more unique playground in Austin.

Indoor Fun

If the weather doesn’t cooperate while you’re here, have no fear! Here’s a great list of fun places to play indoors.

Mueller

Austin has one children’s museum which happens to be in a perfect location to spend a whole day. Excellent restaurants are nearby, there’s a fun playground right across the street, and if you go on a Sunday, you can also hit up the Mueller Farmers Market that morning!

Museums

If you’re in the mood to add a bit of education to your trip, check out the Bullock Texas State History Museum, Texas Memorial Museum, or tour the State Capitol.

If you want a tastier museum, try the Museum of Ice Cream!

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