fortlandia (1)

An Epic Fort Adventure Awaits at Fortlandia in Austin

Addie Gross Fall

Check out the enchanting world of Fortlandia, nestled within the lush surroundings of the Wildflower Center. Get ready for a journey of history, nature, and perhaps, a sprinkle of magic!

Fortlandia

Location

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Fortlandia

Hours & Admission

Fortlandia is open when the Wildflower Center is open and will run during the following dates: Oct. 4, 20234 – Feb. 2, 2025.

The Wildflower Center is open daily from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. *Closed Dec. 24, 25, 31 and Jan. 1*

Admission:

FREE for Members
$15 Adults
$10 Seniors (65+)
$13 Military (with ID)
$8 Youth (Ages 5 – 17)
FREE Children 4 years and under
FREE UT Austin faculty, staff and students (with ID)

Fortlandia

Forts Like You’ve Never Seen Before!

Each year, Fortlandia comes back with new, creative forts that get more & more creative. We love coming back year after year to see what fun forts they have. There’s a cool backstory to each one, and we love exploring these creations.

Fortlandia

Why Should You Visit?

Fortlandia is a kid-paradise. Here are a few reasons why we love it:

Art Meets Play: These aren’t just forts; they’re pieces of art. Talk about inspiring our little future Picassos and architects!
Nature Galore: Set within the Wildflower Center, expect to see the Texan flora at its finest.
Hands-on Fun: Kids can explore, play, and let their imaginations run wild. Fortlandia is all about tactile experiences!
Learning Moment: Not just fun, but also a lesson in appreciating local art and nature’s beauty.

Fortlandia

Tips For Visiting Fortlandia

Make sure you wear comfy shoes (that might get dirty). Also bring snacks, sunblock, hats, water bottles, a picnic blanket, strollers or wagons.

Fortlandia

The Family Garden

family garden maze at lady bird johnson wildflower center

We always make sure to save plenty of time for a visit to the Family Garden. My boys love to run around and play at the waterfall caves and all the exhibits over in this area.

fortlandia at the wildflower center austin

the tunnel at the wildflower center in austin

wildflower center in austin tunnel in the family garden

the waterfall at the wildflower center in austin

giant egg nests at the wildflower center in austin

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Fortlandia at the wildflower center in austin

You should check this out:

Austin Fun For Kids

austinfunforkids

1,040 59,175

🙋🏼‍♀️ A guide for exploring Austin with kids 🛝 parks, hikes, restaurants, day trips, etc!

🧗‍♀️ @cruxccpflugerville @cruxcc CHECK OUT THE NEW PFLUGERVILLE LOCATION! 🤩

📍 18817 N Heatherwilde Blvd Bldg 3, Pflugerville, TX

🎟️ Kids 5 & under are $5

There’s so much for kids to do here! An entire kids section that has bouldering, a slide, a warped wall, ropes climbing/belay, and more!

I also love how welcoming they are towards kids in the adult section. My kids wanted to try some more challenging stuff out in the big area and they were encouraged to try it! There’s a helpful code system that has cute little animal faces to show the difficulty level. For example, my kids mostly stuck to the “Sloth” belays (the easiest ones).

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🧗‍♀️ @cruxccpflugerville @cruxcc CHECK OUT THE NEW PFLUGERVILLE LOCATION! 🤩 📍 18817 N Heatherwilde Blvd Bldg 3, Pflugerville, TX 🎟️ Kids 5 & under are $5 There’s so much for kids to do here! An entire kids section that has bouldering, a slide, a warped wall, ropes climbing/belay, and more! I also love how welcoming they are towards kids in the adult section. My kids wanted to try some more challenging stuff out in the big area and they were encouraged to try it! There’s a helpful code system that has cute little animal faces to show the difficulty level. For example, my kids mostly stuck to the “Sloth” belays (the easiest ones).

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🐠 Simar Seafood & Steak 🥩

📍 9503 Research Blvd Unit 400, Austin

@simar_atx is such an ideal place to eat out for families in Austin! Here’s why we love it:

🧸 Indoor/outdoor play area. Is it indoors? Is it outdoors? It’s both! 👏 Such a genius concept and I’ve never seen anything else like it. Perfect for patio season (right now!!!) but also hot weather or cold weather. It’s covered and indoors but also right off the patio so it’s sort of outside too? Whatever you call it, I think it’s perfect!! There’s so much to play with and it’s a large play area so even if it’s crowded there’s still plenty of room and lots to do!
🌮 Everything was delicious but my favorite hands down was the mini starter tacos 🤤
🪑 They have a gorgeous patio that’s covered so you can enjoy it almost year round.
🤩It’s a big place and would be a great spot for a large group/family gathering!
🎹 They even have a piano in the front!
🍔 Kids eat free on Sundays with the purchase of an adult meal!
🙌 Use code: TIDE10 for 10% off your total bill!!

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🐠 Simar Seafood & Steak 🥩 📍 9503 Research Blvd Unit 400, Austin @simar_atx is such an ideal place to eat out for families in Austin! Here’s why we love it: 🧸 Indoor/outdoor play area. Is it indoors? Is it outdoors? It’s both! 👏 Such a genius concept and I’ve never seen anything else like it. Perfect for patio season (right now!!!) but also hot weather or cold weather. It’s covered and indoors but also right off the patio so it’s sort of outside too? Whatever you call it, I think it’s perfect!! There’s so much to play with and it’s a large play area so even if it’s crowded there’s still plenty of room and lots to do! 🌮 Everything was delicious but my favorite hands down was the mini starter tacos 🤤 🪑 They have a gorgeous patio that’s covered so you can enjoy it almost year round. 🤩It’s a big place and would be a great spot for a large group/family gathering! 🎹 They even have a piano in the front! 🍔 Kids eat free on Sundays with the purchase of an adult meal! 🙌 Use code: TIDE10 for 10% off your total bill!!

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🩰 Opening weekend for @balletaustin The Nutcracker at @longcenter is Dec 6-8!

For one weekend only, guests will a free magical experience before the show! Professional holiday photos, Clara’s Dreamland and photos with Clara, a coloring station, magician, character parade, and more!

👀 Purchase tickets to see @balletaustin at the link in my bio!

These special events take place before the show on opening weekend only!

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🩰 Opening weekend for @balletaustin The Nutcracker at @longcenter is Dec 6-8! For one weekend only, guests will a free magical experience before the show! Professional holiday photos, Clara’s Dreamland and photos with Clara, a coloring station, magician, character parade, and more! 👀 Purchase tickets to see @balletaustin at the link in my bio! These special events take place before the show on opening weekend only!

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🚀 @stargazerbar has landed in East Austin! 🙌

📍 979 Springdale, Suite 130 Austin, TX 78702 (formerly Austin Eastciders)

☕️ Coffee, cocktails, mocktails, lite bites, kolaches from @batchatx , gluten free treats from @maaribuatx , @lickicecreams and 2 food trucks: @dippingspringstenderco and Santo Patio

🍕 You can even order and pick up pizza from @bambinoatx (with a discount!)

🚀They have a gorgeous tree covered patio with a space ship playground for kids! Such a fun spot to meet for a playdate! 🤗

⏰ Open daily from 7am-late

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🚀 @stargazerbar has landed in East Austin! 🙌 📍 979 Springdale, Suite 130 Austin, TX 78702 (formerly Austin Eastciders) ☕️ Coffee, cocktails, mocktails, lite bites, kolaches from @batchatx , gluten free treats from @maaribuatx , @lickicecreams and 2 food trucks: @dippingspringstenderco and Santo Patio 🍕 You can even order and pick up pizza from @bambinoatx (with a discount!) 🚀They have a gorgeous tree covered patio with a space ship playground for kids! Such a fun spot to meet for a playdate! 🤗 ⏰ Open daily from 7am-late

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🍣 ALL YOU CAN EAT SUSHI 🍣

@machisushiatx has all you can eat sushi! This is the perfect spot for a special dinner for your teens who never seem to get full (spoiler alert: they will finally be full lol!)

📍 2200 S I-35 Frontage Rd, Austin

🧋 My kids all like boba tea so we got that too (it’s not all you can drink fyi!) They also love Ramune Japanese soda where you pop the little ball inside and watch it fizz so we got those too!

🍣The sushi was delicious! The Shaggy Dog was our favorite roll.

🍣My youngest isn’t a big eater, so we were able to order a single roll for him a la carte and not pay the All You Can Eat price!

🍦The fried ice cream at the end was a fun experience too.

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🍣 ALL YOU CAN EAT SUSHI 🍣 @machisushiatx has all you can eat sushi! This is the perfect spot for a special dinner for your teens who never seem to get full (spoiler alert: they will finally be full lol!) 📍 2200 S I-35 Frontage Rd, Austin 🧋 My kids all like boba tea so we got that too (it’s not all you can drink fyi!) They also love Ramune Japanese soda where you pop the little ball inside and watch it fizz so we got those too! 🍣The sushi was delicious! The Shaggy Dog was our favorite roll. 🍣My youngest isn’t a big eater, so we were able to order a single roll for him a la carte and not pay the All You Can Eat price! 🍦The fried ice cream at the end was a fun experience too.

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🎅🏻 Santa on the Terrace 📸

📍 @longcenter
701 W Riverside Dr, Austin

📅 Nov 30 from 11am-2:30pm

📸 Free photos with Santa! No tickets required.

🐶 Pets are welcome too!

🍦 Last year there was an ice cream truck and yard games to play!

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🎅🏻 Santa on the Terrace 📸 📍 @longcenter 701 W Riverside Dr, Austin 📅 Nov 30 from 11am-2:30pm 📸 Free photos with Santa! No tickets required. 🐶 Pets are welcome too! 🍦 Last year there was an ice cream truck and yard games to play!

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🍺 HOPS FOR HOUSES BEER PASSPORT 🍺

Right now the beer passport is only $20 (lowest price ever!) and you get a beer at 16 places! That’s practically a dollar per beer!

👀 The link to purchase is in my bio! All proceeds will benefit @habitatwilcotx

How it works:
1️⃣ Buy a beer passport at the link in my bio. You will get one beer at 16 local businesses. Right now it’s only $20 (but will eventually go up to $25).
2️⃣ Bring your passport with you once it arrives in the mail. I recommend keeping it in your purse or your car so you don’t forget it. There is no way to use the passport electronically. If you forget to bring it with you, you are out of luck!
3️⃣ The brewery will stamp your passport and you will select one free beer. Some spots let you choose whatever you want and others have a limited passport menu.
4️⃣ Use your passport as early as Dec 1 and all the way through April 30, 2025!

Several of the spots on this passport are kid friendly! Here’s the list of participating businesses:

🍺 @austinbeerworks (turfed play area)
🍺 @sprinklevalley_abw (playground)
🍺 @stwbrewing (playground)
🍺 @barkingarmadillo (turfed area and indoor arcade)
🍺 @theloosescrewtaylor (brewery inside @oldtaylorhigh with a huge outdoor space plus a candy/ice cream shop and arcade inside)
🍺 @3rdlevelbrew (board games available)
🍺 @redhornbrew (board games available, 2 locations)
🍺 @infamousbrewing (they used to have a playground, not sure if it’s back!)
🍺 @tejasmeatsupplygtx (one stop on the Georgetown Square)
🍺 @mesquitecreekoutfitters another spot on the Georgetown Square)
🍺 @goldenrulegtx (3rd spot on the Georgetown Square)
🍺 @powerbrewingproject (Hutto)
🍺 @phantomwarriorbrewingco (Killeen)
🍺 @nolancreekbrewery (Belton)
🍺 @sangabrivbrew (Liberty Hill)

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🍺 HOPS FOR HOUSES BEER PASSPORT 🍺 Right now the beer passport is only $20 (lowest price ever!) and you get a beer at 16 places! That’s practically a dollar per beer! 👀 The link to purchase is in my bio! All proceeds will benefit @habitatwilcotx How it works: 1️⃣ Buy a beer passport at the link in my bio. You will get one beer at 16 local businesses. Right now it’s only $20 (but will eventually go up to $25). 2️⃣ Bring your passport with you once it arrives in the mail. I recommend keeping it in your purse or your car so you don’t forget it. There is no way to use the passport electronically. If you forget to bring it with you, you are out of luck! 3️⃣ The brewery will stamp your passport and you will select one free beer. Some spots let you choose whatever you want and others have a limited passport menu. 4️⃣ Use your passport as early as Dec 1 and all the way through April 30, 2025! Several of the spots on this passport are kid friendly! Here’s the list of participating businesses: 🍺 @austinbeerworks (turfed play area) 🍺 @sprinklevalley_abw (playground) 🍺 @stwbrewing (playground) 🍺 @barkingarmadillo (turfed area and indoor arcade) 🍺 @theloosescrewtaylor (brewery inside @oldtaylorhigh with a huge outdoor space plus a candy/ice cream shop and arcade inside) 🍺 @3rdlevelbrew (board games available) 🍺 @redhornbrew (board games available, 2 locations) 🍺 @infamousbrewing (they used to have a playground, not sure if it’s back!) 🍺 @tejasmeatsupplygtx (one stop on the Georgetown Square) 🍺 @mesquitecreekoutfitters another spot on the Georgetown Square) 🍺 @goldenrulegtx (3rd spot on the Georgetown Square) 🍺 @powerbrewingproject (Hutto) 🍺 @phantomwarriorbrewingco (Killeen) 🍺 @nolancreekbrewery (Belton) 🍺 @sangabrivbrew (Liberty Hill)

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11/15
🎅🏻Santa’s Wonderland at Bass Pro Shops & Cabela’s
🦖 Jurassic Jamboree Dino Fest at @sweeteatsfruitfarm 9am-6pm
🧙 @hpforbiddenforestexperience
🎶 Free live music on the patio at @central_market North Lamar 6-8:30pm
⛺️ Fortlandia at @wildflowercenter 9am-4pm
🎥 Fall Family Movie Nights at @waterloo_austin 360/2222 at dusk: Frozen 2
🎥 Shrek at @skishores 7pm
🎡Carnival at @pinballz_lakecreek and @pinballzbuda
🌟Creek Show @waterloogreenway at Waterloo Park from 6-10pm
🎅🏻 @santasranch 6-11pm
‌
11/16
🔨 Free Kids DIY Workshop at Lowes from 10am-1pm: Holiday Countdown
🎨 Art in the Park at Wooten Park 10-11am @austinparksfdn
🧙@hpforbiddenforestexperience
🎅🏻Santa’s Wonderland at Bass Pro Shops & Cabela’s
🚲 Kids on Bikes in Parks @thetrailconservancy at Chicano Park 9am-noon
🍗Home For The Holidays Showcase at @heb 🏊 Family Fun Day at @BigBlueSwimSchool 10am-1pm free & open to the public
🦖Jurassic Jamboree Dino Fest at @sweeteatsfruitfarm 9am-6pm
⛺️Fortlandia at @wildflowercenter 9am-4pm
📖 Free Story Time at @paperbarkbirchbooks at 11am
😂 @excusedabsencecomedy kid-friendly improv 11am $5 at @coldtownetheater
📚 @texasbookfest Free! Downtown Austin
🌟Creek Show @waterloogreenway at Waterloo Park from 6-10pm
🎶Free live music on the patio at @central_market North Lamar 6-8:30pm
🎅🏻 @santasranch 6-11pm
🎥Fall Family Movie Nights at @waterloo_austin 360/2222 at dusk: The Descendants
🎡Carnival at @pinballz_lakecreek and @pinballzbuda
😂 @csz_austin Comedy Sportz at @pinballz_lakecreek at 7:30pm
‌
11/17
🎶Brunch Bunch at @joscoffee Red River with @strawbittyyops 10am-noon
🐐Baby Goats With Santa @goatshenanigans at @vistabrewing 11am-12:30pm
🎅🏻Santa’s Wonderland at Bass Pro Shops & Cabela’s
🦖Jurassic Jamboree Dino Fest at @sweeteatsfruitfarm 9am-6pm
⛺️Fortlandia at @wildflowercenter 9am-4pm
🧙 @hpforbiddenforestexperience
🎶Free live kids music at @cherrywood_coffeehouse 10am
🎶Free live music on the patio at @central_market North Lamar 1-4pm
😂Family-friendly improv at @hideouttheatre 4pm $5
📚 @texasbookfest Free! Downtown Austin
🎡Carnival at @pinballz_lakecreek and @pinballzbuda
🎅🏻 @santasranch 6-10pm

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11/15 🎅🏻Santa’s Wonderland at Bass Pro Shops & Cabela’s 🦖 Jurassic Jamboree Dino Fest at @sweeteatsfruitfarm 9am-6pm 🧙 @hpforbiddenforestexperience 🎶 Free live music on the patio at @central_market North Lamar 6-8:30pm ⛺️ Fortlandia at @wildflowercenter 9am-4pm 🎥 Fall Family Movie Nights at @waterloo_austin 360/2222 at dusk: Frozen 2 🎥 Shrek at @skishores 7pm 🎡Carnival at @pinballz_lakecreek and @pinballzbuda 🌟Creek Show @waterloogreenway at Waterloo Park from 6-10pm 🎅🏻 @santasranch 6-11pm ‌ 11/16 🔨 Free Kids DIY Workshop at Lowes from 10am-1pm: Holiday Countdown 🎨 Art in the Park at Wooten Park 10-11am @austinparksfdn 🧙@hpforbiddenforestexperience 🎅🏻Santa’s Wonderland at Bass Pro Shops & Cabela’s 🚲 Kids on Bikes in Parks @thetrailconservancy at Chicano Park 9am-noon 🍗Home For The Holidays Showcase at @heb 🏊 Family Fun Day at @BigBlueSwimSchool 10am-1pm free & open to the public 🦖Jurassic Jamboree Dino Fest at @sweeteatsfruitfarm 9am-6pm ⛺️Fortlandia at @wildflowercenter 9am-4pm 📖 Free Story Time at @paperbarkbirchbooks at 11am 😂 @excusedabsencecomedy kid-friendly improv 11am $5 at @coldtownetheater 📚 @texasbookfest Free! Downtown Austin 🌟Creek Show @waterloogreenway at Waterloo Park from 6-10pm 🎶Free live music on the patio at @central_market North Lamar 6-8:30pm 🎅🏻 @santasranch 6-11pm 🎥Fall Family Movie Nights at @waterloo_austin 360/2222 at dusk: The Descendants 🎡Carnival at @pinballz_lakecreek and @pinballzbuda 😂 @csz_austin Comedy Sportz at @pinballz_lakecreek at 7:30pm ‌ 11/17 🎶Brunch Bunch at @joscoffee Red River with @strawbittyyops 10am-noon 🐐Baby Goats With Santa @goatshenanigans at @vistabrewing 11am-12:30pm 🎅🏻Santa’s Wonderland at Bass Pro Shops & Cabela’s 🦖Jurassic Jamboree Dino Fest at @sweeteatsfruitfarm 9am-6pm ⛺️Fortlandia at @wildflowercenter 9am-4pm 🧙 @hpforbiddenforestexperience 🎶Free live kids music at @cherrywood_coffeehouse 10am 🎶Free live music on the patio at @central_market North Lamar 1-4pm 😂Family-friendly improv at @hideouttheatre 4pm $5 📚 @texasbookfest Free! Downtown Austin 🎡Carnival at @pinballz_lakecreek and @pinballzbuda 🎅🏻 @santasranch 6-10pm

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