Austin with Kids
A swimming hole that stays cool no matter the season, a museum built entirely for touching things, and a million and a half bats at dusk, the version of Austin built for families.
Austin works well with kids in tow, several of its best sights are outdoor and hands-on by design, and the whole city runs at a properly relaxed pace. Here’s how I’d spend a family day here.
Barton Springs Pool
A properly refreshing spring-fed pool that stays a constant 68-70 degrees year-round, Barton Springs is widely one of the best free-spirited swimming spots in the country. Set within Zilker Park, with plenty of grass for a picnic before or after.
Thinkery
A properly interactive children’s museum, hands-on STEAM exhibits across science, technology, engineering, art and maths, plus an outdoor playscape for burning off extra energy. Genuinely built for touching everything, worth a full morning or afternoon.
The Congress Avenue Bridge bats
A properly thrilling evening for kids old enough to appreciate it, roughly 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats emerging at dusk over Lady Bird Lake between March and November. Free, and genuinely one of the most distinctive things the city has to offer.
Zilker Park
Beyond Barton Springs, Zilker Park holds a miniature train, a botanical garden and plenty of open space for running around. A properly easy way to fill an entire day without needing to move far.
The Bullock Texas State History Museum
A properly engaging museum for older kids, interactive exhibits and an IMAX theatre cover Texas history in a way that holds attention considerably better than a standard museum. Free entry to some exhibits, a good indoor option when the weather turns.
Where to eat with kids
Food trucks are genuinely the easiest, most reliable win with kids, casual outdoor seating and a huge range of options across East Austin and South Congress. Breakfast tacos work well too, cheap, quick and available at nearly every neighbourhood spot.
A note on the heat
Austin summers run properly hot, regularly over 100 degrees, worth planning outdoor time for morning or evening with kids in tow. Barton Springs Pool stays a genuine relief regardless of the season, one of the better reasons to build a summer day around it.
That’s everything I’ve got.
A note before you plan around this: prices, opening hours, booking requirements and admission details in this guide were correct at the time of writing, but venues change these often and sometimes without notice. Always check directly with the attraction or its official website before you travel or build a schedule around a specific time or price.
Before travelling to any destination featured on this site, please also check your government’s latest travel advice, as safety situations, entry requirements and travel warnings can change.
