Fun Things To Do With Kids When You Visit Austin, Texas

Summary

The article outlines a family's educational trip to Austin, Texas, highlighting kid-friendly activities and attractions.

Abstract

The author recounts a family vacation to Austin, Texas, emphasizing the city's diverse range of activities suitable for young teenagers. The trip included visits to the Austin Zoo, Austin Aquarium, Museum of the Weird, indoor go-karting at K1 Speed, and historical sites like the Susanna Dickinson Museum and O. Henry Museum. The family also enjoyed mini-golf at Peter Pan Mini Golf and mentioned the possibility of watching baseball games with the Round Rock Express or the University of Texas Austin teams. The article notes practical tips such as the necessity of bringing food on flights due to COVID-19 restrictions and the advantage of purchasing tickets online for certain attractions. The piece concludes by suggesting additional activities like kayaking, fishing, and visiting Pinballz Arcade, reinforcing Austin's reputation as a city with a wealth of entertainment options for families.

Opinions

The author believes that Austin, Texas offers a variety of educational and entertaining activities for families with young teenagers.
Purchasing tickets online for attractions like the Austin Zoo and K1 Speed is seen as advantageous, offering convenience and sometimes discounts.
The family's experience at the Embassy Suites hotel in downtown Austin is implied to be positive due to its central location to parks and restaurants.
The author suggests that the annual pass for K1 Speed is a good value for those who visit Austin frequently.
The closure of certain facilities, such as the Millenium Youth Entertainment Complex and the George Washington Carver Museum, due to temporary restrictions, is noted without explicit commentary on the impact on the family's trip.
The author finds the Museum of the Weird's one set fee for entry appealing and mentions the variety of unusual exhibits as a point of interest.
The article implies a favorable opinion of Peter Pan Mini Golf, highlighting its reasonable rates and the option to bring personal equipment.
The author recommends experiencing the natural phenomenon of bats flying under the Congress Avenue Bridge during spring and summer evenings, indicating it as a memorable activity.
The mention of Pinballz Arcade and the option to purchase game cards online suggests the author's endorsement of this family-friendly entertainment option.

There is plenty to do and see in the busy city of Austin.

Recently I took a trip to Austin, Texas with my family and visited a few kid-friendly places. My kids were young teenagers and I always like to take them on educational trips.

After flying into the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, the airplane was packed but people were wearing masks due to COVID-19. No food or drinks were served so if you are flying, it is best to carry or buy food at your departing airport after going through security. You should also buy drinks at the airport as well.

After checking into the Embassy Suites hotel which is in downtown Austin, we had several locations picked out for the trip. Several parks and restaurants are located in the city. Most of the facilities were open except for the Millenium Youth Entertainment Complex and the George Washington Carver Museum were temporarily closed.

On day one, we went to the Austin Zoo. The Austin Zoo has over 300 animals from 100 different species. Some animals include the African Lion, Bengal Tigers, black bears, cougars, porcupines, and other animals. Tickets purchased online are $1 cheaper than if you purchased them at the gate. Prices vary by age, and discounts are available for the military, seniors, children, and students.

On the second day, we visited the Austin Aquarium. The Austin Aquarium is home to thousands of different birds, marine animals, and reptiles. You can purchase annual tickets or a daily pass. There are reduced prices for children, military, and college students.

After the aquarium, we visited the Museum of the Weird. The museum has many unusual artifacts and displays ranging from real mummies, mermaids, shrunken heads, life-size wax figures of celebrities, a life-sized King Kong, and others. Ticket prices are one set fee for every visitor.

On the third day, we visited the K1 Speed — Indoor Go Kart. There is a minimum height of 48” to ride one of the go-karts. Tickets can be purchased online. Prices vary on the number of rides you want to go on. A one-year annual pass can be purchased which offers a free birthday race, free use of the helmet, a monthly newsletter, 10% off race gear, and a record of your races. If you visit Austin often this may be well worth the price.

Nearby the Susanna Dickinson Museum and the O. Henry Museum depict the history of Texas. Various photos, publications, and drawings are located in the museums. Free walking tours are available at the museums.

On the fourth day, we played at the Peter Pan Mini Golf. The course takes about 45 minutes for the 18 hole course. You can use the golf clubs they have available or bring your own club and balls. Rates are very reasonable and less than $10 per person.

Many other displays and exhibits are available in Austin. Nearby is also the Round Rock Express baseball team which is the Triple A team of the Texas Rangers. There are also the college games with the University of Texas Austin teams that play during the year.

During the spring and summer months, you can see the bats that fly across the Congress Avenue Bridge at sunset.

For some adventure, you can rent a kayak or go fishing along Lady Bird Lake. Also playing a few arcade games at Pinballz may be fun for the entire family. Game cards can be purchased online. There is a lot to do and see in this busy city in Texas.