Whenever you plan a vacation involving the whole family, you want to make sure that there are plenty of activities to entertain the littlest in your group. Austin is full of fun activities for the whole family. Whether you're looking to beat the heat inside or enjoy the great outdoors, there's something for everyone in Austin.
The Austin Children's Museum provides hands on activities and educational programs for children ages 0 to 11. The museum has a variety of interactive exhibits for all ages. The permanent exhibits include Rising Star Ranch for children 2 and under, the Funstruction Zone, building fun for everyone and Global City. It also hosts two or three rotating exhibits each year. Its special programs include Baby Bloomers, Science Sundays and Engineering Saturdays. The museum is open daily.
Austin Children's Museum
201 Colorado Street
Austin, TX 78701
Tel: (512) 472-2499
www.austinkids.org
The Austin Zoo and Animal Sanctuary is not a typical zoo. It houses over 100 different species of rescued animals. The zoo has mammals, reptiles, birds and amphibians from around the world, as well as domestic animals such as pigs, goats and deer. The Austin Zoo is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Austin Zoo
10807 Rawhide Trail
Austin ,TX 78736
Tel: (512) 288-1490
www.austinzoo.org
Zilker Park has a variety of activities for all ages. Younger children will love playing on the large playscape or taking a train ride around the park on the Zilker Zephyr. There are also hike and bike trails, picnic areas and canoes. The park even has a natural spring-fed swimming pool, Barton Springs Pool, with a year-round temperature of 68 degrees F.
Zilker Park
2100 Barton Springs Road
Austin, TX 78767
Tel: (512) 974-2000
www.ci.austin.tx.us/zilker/
The Austin Nature and Science Center has a variety of kids activities. Over 90 animals live at the center. The animal exhibits include Birds of Prey and Small Wonders. You can also walk through the woods or around the large pond looking for wildlife. Learn about fossils and even dig up replicas of fossils in the Dino Pit exhibit. The Austin Nature and Science Center is open daily and admission is free.
The Austin Nature and Science Center
301 Nature Center Drive
Austin, TX 78746
Tel: (512) 974-2000
www.ci.austin.tx.us/ansc/
If you are in Austin between March and October, you won't want to miss the Congress Street Bridge at sunset. The bridge is home to North America's largest urban bat colony, nearly 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats. Each night at dusk they fill the sky as they emerge from under the bridge to look for food
Congress Street Bridge
Downtown
Austin, TX 78704
Tel: (512) 416-5700, ext. 3636
