Looking for some family fun this summer? Look no further. From ice-cream to rock-climbing, Austin Family will help you make the most of your summer with unforgettable experiences.

Kid Fun Museums

Texas Science and Natural History Museum
(formerly Texas Memorial Museum)
UT Campus
www.sciencemuseum.utexas.edu

Ice Cream Museum
The Domain
(mention ATXFAM15 for 15% discount on your experience)
www.museumoficecream.com/austin

Thinkery
East Austin
www.thinkeryaustin.org

Bob Bullock History Museum
Downtown Austin
www.thestoryoftexas.com

Science Mill
Johnson City
www.sciencemill.org

Adventures

Inner Space Caverns
Georgetown
www.innerspacecaverns.com

Rock About Climbing
Various locations in area
www.rock-about.com

Family Road Trip

Gaylord Texan
Grapevine
www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/dalgt-gaylord-texan-resort-and-convention-center

Great Escapes Glamping
Bryan-College Station
www.greatescapesbcs.com

Jellystone Park Hill Country
Canyon Lake
www.jellystonehillcountry.com

McKinney Roughs Nature Park
Cedar Creek
www.lcra.org/parks/mckinney-roughs-nature-park

Texas Wine Country Jellystone Park
Fredericksburg
www.twcjellystone.com

Animal Adventures

 

Cameron Park Zoo

Waco

www.cameronparkzoo.com

 

Austin Aquarium

Austin

www.austinaquarium.com

 

Austin Zoo

Austin

www.austinzoo.org

 

Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch

San Antonio

www.wildliferanchtexas.com

 

Indian Springs Ranch

Manchaca

www.indianspringsranchatx.com

 

San Antonio Zoo

San Antonio

www.sazoo.org

 

San Antonio Aquarium

San Antonio

www.sanantonioaquarium.net

 

Animal World and Snake Farm

New Braunfels

www.awsfzoo.com

 

The Exotic Resort Zoo

Johnson City

www.zooexotics.com

 

The Capital of Texas Zoo

Cedar Creek

www.capitaloftexaszoo.org

Splash Pads

Georgetown

Garey Park Splash Pad

6450 RM 2243

 

Round Rock

Prete Main Street Plaza Splash Pad

221 Main St.

 

Leander

Quarry Splash Pad

3005 CO RD 175

 

Cedar Park

Splash Jam Milburn Park

1901 Sun Chase Blvd.

 

Hutto

Hutto Co-op District

210 HWY 79E

 

Pflugerville

Falcon Pointe Splash Pad

1813 Tranquility Ln.

 

South

Ricky Guerrero Splash Pad

1100 Brodie St.

 

Easton Park Splash Pad

7604 Solari Dr.

 

East (east of IH 35)

Chestnut Splash Pad

2205 E 16th St.

 

Rosewood Splash Pad

2300 Rosewood Ave.

 

Bartholomew Splash Pad

5201 Berkman Dr.

 

Lott Splash Pad

1180 Curve St.

 

Metz Splash Pad

2407 Canterbury St.

 

Central (west of IH35, north of MoPac to 51st St.)

Clarksville Splash Pad

1811 W 11th St.

 

Bailey Splash Pad

1201 W 33rd St.

 

Pease Splashpad

1100 Kingsbury St.

Eastwoods Splash Pad

3001 Harris Park Ave.

 

Liz Carpenter Splash Pad

201 Dawson Rd.

Texas State Parks Near Austin

Explore the Texas state parks near Austin for camping, fishing, hiking, geocaching, cave tours and rock climbing opportunities. Discover these nearby locations for outdoor adventures.

Bastrop State Park

Bastrop

www.tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/bastrop

Camping, Cabins, Lake, Hiking & Biking, Geocaching, Fishing

 

Blanco State Park

Blanco

www.tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/blanco

Camping, Cabins, River, Hiking & Biking, Geocaching, Fishing

 

Buescher State Park

Smithville

www.tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/buescher

Camping, Cabins, Lake, Hiking & Biking, Geocaching, Fishing

 

Colorado Bend State Park

Bend

www.tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/colorado-bend

Camping, River, Hiking & Biking, Cave Tours

 

Enchanted Rock State Natural Area

Fredericksburg

www.tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/enchanted-rock

Camping, Hiking, Geocaching, Pet restrictions,

Rock Climbing Tours

 

Government Canyon State Natural Area

San Antonio

www.tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/government-canyon

Camping, Hiking, Geocaching, Dinosaur Tracks

 

Guadalupe River State Park

Spring Branch

www.tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/guadalupe-river

Camping, River, Hiking & Biking Geocaching, Fishing

 

Honey Creek State Natural Area

Spring Branch

www.tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/honey-creek

Guided tours only at Honey Creek, No Pets

Adjacent to Guadalupe River, see listing for Guadalupe River State Park

 

Inks Lake State Park

Burnet

www.tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/inks-lake

Camping, Lake, Hiking & Biking, Geocaching, Fishing,

Boating

Lake Somerville State Park – Birch Creek

Somerville

www.tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/lake-somerville

Camping, Lake, Hiking & Biking, Geocaching, Fishing,

Boating

 

Lake Somerville State Park – Nails Creek

Ledbetter

www.tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/lake-somerville

Camping, Lake, Hiking & Biking, Geocaching, Fishing,

Boating, Canoe & Kayak Rental

 

Lockhart State Park

Lockhart

www.tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/lockhart

Camping, Creek, Hiking & Biking, Geocaching, Fishing,

Golf, Swimming Pool

 

Longhorn Cavern State Park

Burnet

www.tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/longhorn-cavern

Cave Tours

 


Lyndon B. Johnson State Park & Historic Site

Stonewall

www.tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/lyndon-b-johnson

River, Hiking, Fishing, History Farm, Swimming Pool, Tennis, Basketball

 

McKinney Falls State Park

Austin

www.tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/mckinney-falls

Camping, Cabins, Creek, Hiking & Biking, Geocaching, Fishing

 

Old Tunnel State Park

Fredericksburg

www.tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/old-tunnel

Hiking, Bat Haven

 

Palmetto State Park

Gonzales

www.tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/palmetto

Camping, Cabins, River, Hiking & Biking, Geocaching, Fishing

 

Pedernales Falls State Park

Johnson City

www.tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/pedernales-falls

Camping, River, Hiking & Biking, Tube, Canoe and Kayak Rental

Check www.tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks for fees, water conditions, and reservations.

Summer and ice-cream are a natural fit. Austin’s Museum of Ice Cream allows you to connect with your inner kid through endless play and unlimited ice cream. Ride a giant animal cookie, walk through a tunnel of a thousand bananas and jump into the Sprinkle Pool! Designed to be a space for connection with friends and family while creating memories, Museum of Ice Cream is the sweetest spot in Austin this spring. Remember to use code ATXFAM15 to enjoy a 15% discount on your experience.

For an unforgettable animal encounter, Cameron Park Zoo in Waco is your destination! Explore the many recreated natural habitats and get up close with over 1,700 animals from 300 species. Explore the Asian Forest, where endangered orangutans, Sumatran tigers, and Komodo dragons roam. And this summer, don’t miss the newest addition: Penguin Shores. Visit www.cameronparkzoo.com for more information.

 

  1. Embark on a thrilling rock-climbing experience with Rock-About Climbing Adventures! Whether you’re new to climbing or a seasoned pro, Rock-About presents a safe and exhilarating environment for your journey. Rock About offers hiking, sightseeing, camping, and, of course, climbing. Expert guides assist you in scaling heights and share insights into the physical and cultural geography of the climbing destinations. Get set for an unforgettable summer adventure with Rock About Climbing Adventures! Visit www.rock-about.com for more details.

Gaylord Texas Resort in Grapevine, home to the state’s premier water park, can be the ultimate family getaway. Explore the 4-acre indoor garden atrium filled with family activities, then dive into the excitement at Paradise Springs Water Park. Discover lively water slides, wave pools, lazy rivers, and more at this top-rated Texas waterpark. The 10-acre outdoor pool and lazy river complex adds even more fun, including a 6,000-square-foot family lagoon, a giant water playhouse, a 600-foot long lazy river and four winding waterslides. www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/dalgt-gaylord-texan-resort-and-convention-center.

 

Nearby in Canyon Lake, Jellystone Park Hill Country campground provides the perfect environment for creating memories with your loved ones. Whether you seek breath-taking adventures or peaceful moments, the Camp-Resort caters to all ages. Dive into the refreshing Water Zone, bounce on the jumping pillow or explore the nearby Guadalupe River and Canyon Lake. Immerse yourself in the rich history of Gruene or enjoy animal adventures, museums, camping, parks and more. Check out the list of activities and make the most of your summer with unforgettable experiences at www.jellystonehillcountry.com.

 

 

 

Catch the excitement of bat-watching! Witness these captivating creatures up close and marvel at their natural grace. From March until early fall, North America’s largest urban bat population calls Austin home. The bats begin to wake up and start their night flight around sunset when the first few bats begin to trickle out from under the bridge. After the sun sets, the show really begins, and thousands of bats pour out and cascade East over Lady Bird Lake. The best time to witness the bats is around sunset, but the nightly show can last as long as 45 minutes as the bats exit the bridge for the night. Plan to arrive early to find parking.

 

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