Visiting Austin with youngsters? To begin with, you deserve a trophy. Touring with teenagers can really feel like working a marathon—besides with extra eye-rolls and sudden, intense starvation pangs. But when there’s one metropolis that rises to the problem of holding teenagers entertained and well-fed, it’s Austin, Texas.
We lately spent just a few days exploring the Reside Music Capital of the World with a crew of youngsters in tow, and it ended up being one in every of our favourite journeys but. Austin is funky, fast-paced, and full of issues to do this by some means enchantment to each teenagers and oldsters. From immersive museums and bat-watching cruises to outrageous donuts, kayaking on Woman Chook Lake, and even duckpin bowling, this metropolis delivers one memorable second after one other.
Right here’s your final information to visiting Austin with youngsters: the place to remain, what to eat, what to do, and most significantly—learn how to maintain everybody comfortable.
The place to Keep in Austin With Youngsters
Let’s begin with the fundamentals. The place you keep in Austin could make or break your journey—particularly with teenagers who appear to want snacks, A/C, and a change of garments each 45 minutes. We stayed on the Austin Motel, a retro gem within the coronary heart of South Congress (SoCo). Not solely is it full of character (and photograph ops), however it’s related to Joann’s High-quality Meals, which suggests dad and mom can take pleasure in a margarita whereas the teenagers scroll by means of their photographs from the day.
The motel’s central location made it straightforward to stroll to close by outlets, espresso spots, and eating places—no have to always hop out and in of the automotive, which let’s be sincere, makes everybody’s day higher. Test present charges on the Austin Motel.
Greatest Breakfasts and Donuts in Austin
Let’s get one factor straight—when touring with teenagers, you’re mainly on a meals tour. And that begins with breakfast.
Jo’s Espresso was a unanimous favourite. The lattes listed here are legendary, with the Pecan Pie Latte and White Sands Latte profitable prime honors. They’re candy, sturdy, and excellent for sipping whereas snapping a photograph in entrance of the enduring “I really like you a lot” mural simply outdoors. Eden had the migas breakfast sandwich and it was so good the remainder of us remorse not getting it.
On one other morning, we made a sugary pilgrimage to The Salty Donut. These aren’t any atypical donuts. Assume brown butter and sea salt, maple bacon, and tres leches-style decadence that by some means rely as breakfast. My favourite was the horchata donut, so creamy. The donuts make up for the truth that the employees is the rudest on the town! Take them to go so you may cut back interplay with them. I like to recommend Alliance Park, the views are spectacular.
And since you may by no means have too many donuts, we additionally hit up Gordough’s, recognized for its outrageous toppings and deep-fried-to-order creations. The kids have been thrilled, and we quickly forgot we have been adults liable for their well-being. Value it. I didn’t notice we might have ordered a smaller model of every, which I like to recommend as a result of these are loaded!
Snacks and Swing-Set Lunches
Mid-morning caffeine and snacks are important when exploring Austin’s walkable neighborhoods within the warmth.
We made a cease at Loudmouth Pizza, the place we found the enjoyment of their burrata—sure, burrata not the pizza. It was equal components creamy and pairs with crispy simply the correct amount of crunch, with sufficient taste to silence even the pickiest eater in our group. That’s saying one thing. The pizza was good too and the winner of greatest new pizza place in Austin by the Austin Chronicle. The cruise is fairly skinny, FYI. They’ve a children’ space outdoors that my neices thought was tremendous enjoyable and the patio is canine pleasant.
For lunch in the future, we headed to Freddo ATX, the place the meals is nice however the vibe is even higher. Their huge patio is lined picnic tables and even just a few swing seats—sure, swings—the place teenagers can eat, scroll, and chill unexpectedly. It’s the type of distinctive element that makes lunch really feel extra like an expertise than a meal. Plus, the patio is dog-friendly. Warning: the meatball sandwich is huge and technique to messy for youths to eat.
Guero’s Taco Bar: Late lunch in the future become the perfect Mexican meals we had in Austin. Their tacos have been daring and flavorful, the salsa bar was well-stocked, and the chips have been crunchy perfection. Bonus: stay music when you hit it on the proper time.
Actions That Stored the Teenagers Off Their Telephones (Largely)
Protecting teenagers entertained and not using a display is a feat, however Austin makes it surprisingly doable. Right here’s what stored ours busy:
Pins Mechanical Firm
Sure, that is bowling, however make it cool. At Pins Mechanical, we performed duckpin bowling—a enjoyable twist on the traditional with smaller pins and balls. It’s extra social, much less aggressive, and extremely entertaining. In addition they have old-school arcade video games, which meant dad and mom might showcase their Ms. Pac-Man expertise whereas teenagers challenged one another to ping-pong battles. They solely service drinks however there are two meals carts outdoors the place you may seize meals and produce it in.
Rowing Dock on Woman Chook Lake
Nothing beats seeing Austin from the water. We rented kayaks at Rowing Dock and paddled alongside Woman Chook Lake, which is flanked by the town skyline on one facet and plush greenery on the opposite. It was equal components train and rest, and gave us all an opportunity to absorb the town’s magnificence from a very completely different perspective. One of the best half? You’ll be able to go at your individual tempo, which suggests teenagers can chill whereas dad and mom faux they’re in a exercise montage.
Museum of Illusions
Arms down, one of the partaking museums we visited. The Museum of Illusions gives interactive displays, optical tips, and gravity-defying rooms which are tailored for selfies and laughter. Even the teenagers who usually scoff at museums couldn’t assist however get into the spirit right here.
Blanton Museum of Artwork
For a extra conventional however nonetheless teen-friendly artwork expertise, we visited the Blanton Museum of Artwork. With its gorgeous trendy structure, colourful installations, and huge number of modern and classical works, it sparked some actual conversations (sure, actually) and gave everybody a welcome break from the Texas warmth.
Bat-Watching Cruise on Woman Chook Lake
One of the crucial unforgettable experiences of the journey was the Capital Cruise sundown bat cruise. Every night from March to October, over 1,000,000 Mexican free-tailed bats emerge from beneath the Congress Avenue Bridge and fly off into the night time sky. We took a guided boat cruise to look at the spectacle from the water, and it was—surprisingly—one of many highlights for everybody. The boat trip alone was peaceable and scenic, and the bats gave us a style of Austin’s well-known weirdness in one of the simplest ways.
Cathedral of Junk
One other favourite? The Cathedral of Junk. It’s actually a tower made from, effectively, junk—however teenagers will discover it fascinating and oddly Instagrammable. It’s bizarre in the very best method, and a really Austin factor to do.
Texas State Capitol
For a unique type of tradition, we additionally checked out the Texas State Capitol. Whereas teenagers might not love historical past class, the grandeur and scale of the constructing are nonetheless spectacular in particular person. Plus, it’s free and offers everybody a breather within the air con.
Barton Springs Pool
In case your teenagers are melting within the Texas solar (and also you’re questioning your life selections for visiting Austin in July), there’s one magical place that can restore everybody’s will to stay: Barton Springs Pool.
This pure spring-fed pool stays a brisk 68–70 levels year-round, which suggests it’s chilly—and subsequently important on sizzling days. It’s huge, surrounded by grassy hills excellent for lounging or people-watching, and has sufficient house that even your teen can discover their very own little nook of chill.
Ice Cream
Journey tip: any time you sense your teen would possibly spiral into hanger-fueled meltdown, simply point out ice cream. We stored this trick up our sleeve and made a number of stops at three standouts:
Amy’s Ice Lotions: A longtime Austin favourite with enjoyable flavors and much more enjoyable employees who flip scoops like acrobats.
OMG Squee: A kawaii-inspired dessert store providing cute Asian-American treats like ube delicate serve and mochi waffles. It’s 100% Instagram bait.
Jeni’s Splendid Ice Lotions: A extra upscale scoop store with distinctive, creamy concoctions like Brambleberry Crisp and Gooey Butter Cake. Let’s simply say the dad and mom weren’t sharing.
BBQ With out the Vacationer Traces
You haven’t completed Austin proper till you’ve eaten Texas BBQ—however we didn’t wish to wait in line for 4 hours with hangry teenagers. So we opted for the East Austin “Locals Know” BBQ Tour, and it turned out to be probably the greatest selections of the journey.
This insider expertise took us to hidden gems the place the meals is top-tier and the traces are nonexistent for these on the tour. We met passionate pitmasters, realized the historical past of Austin barbecue, and tried all the things from brisket to ribs to jalapeño sausage. Even the teenagers admitted it was wonderful—they usually have been too busy consuming to complain.
Dinner Winners: The place to Eat With Youngsters within the Night
Austin’s meals scene is the stuff of legend, and fortunately, it doesn’t fall asleep early. We had a number of standout dinners that even the moodiest amongst us loved.
Loro was a prime decide. This Asian smokehouse fuses Texas BBQ with Southeast Asian flavors, creating dishes which are creative with out being intimidating. The smoked brisket with chili gastrique? Chef’s kiss. The kids devoured all the things from candy corn fritters to crispy potatoes.
One other dinner spotlight was Bouldin Acres, the place you may eat and play pickleball multi function spot. It’s informal, enjoyable, and the type of place the place dad and mom and youths can calm down collectively with out anybody feeling awkward or misplaced. Simply be ready—when you problem your teen to a recreation, deliver your A-game or put together for days of gloating. For these touring with children, there’s a playground on-site as effectively.
One night time we opted for dinner and comfortable hour at Joann’s High-quality Meals, conveniently positioned subsequent to our motel. The menu balances Texas consolation meals with somewhat retro aptitude—suppose enchiladas, grilled shrimp tacos, and spicy queso paired with home margaritas. There’s a terrific patio, cozy cubicles, and simply the correct amount of buzz to really feel vigorous with out being chaotic. For comfortable hour they’ve $5 margaritas and half-off appetizers just like the tremendous yummy hashbrowns nachos!
Exploring South Congress and the Should-Do Spots
South Congress (SoCo) is well one in every of Austin’s most entertaining streets for exploring with youngsters. There’s a continuing hum of stay music, people-watching galore, and extra photo-worthy murals than any of us might rely.
We browsed by means of outlets like Allen’s Boots, the place rows and rows of cowboy boots line the partitions, and Lucy in Disguise with Diamonds, an eccentric costume and classic store full of wigs, masks, and glitter all the things. Teenagers will both be fascinated or mildly horrified—both method, they’ll bear in mind it.
We additionally stopped in at Yard Canine Artwork Gallery and Tesoros Buying and selling Firm, each of which provide a mixture of funky native artwork and international treasures which may truly curiosity your teen who claims to hate procuring.
Ultimate Ideas: Tips on how to Truly Get pleasure from Austin With Youngsters
So, what’s the key to having fun with Austin with youngsters? Right here’s what we realized:
- Meals is the gateway to cooperation: Plan your day round meals and snacks. In case you’re always 5 minutes out of your subsequent chew, you’re golden.
- Allow them to assist plan: Giving teenagers possession over one exercise a day provides them a purpose to be invested (and barely much less whiny).
- Stability construction with spontaneity: Construct in just a few anchor experiences, however depart loads of room to wander, uncover, and be shocked. Besides that they could additionally want an hour or two downtown within the lodge in the course of the day.
- Keep centrally positioned: So you may stroll, cool off, and crash without having a 30-minute drive.
Austin gave us greater than only a good time—it gave us a uncommon stretch of household togetherness the place everybody, by some means, had enjoyable. The town’s playful spirit, phenomenal meals scene, and stunning attraction make it the proper vacation spot for touring with youngsters who might not at all times wish to hang around with you—however will completely thanks later. Most likely. Perhaps. Finally.
