Visiting Austin with youngsters? To begin with, you deserve a trophy. Touring with teenagers can really feel like operating a marathon—besides with extra eye-rolls and sudden, intense starvation pangs. But when there’s one metropolis that rises to the problem of protecting teenagers entertained and well-fed, it’s Austin, Texas.
We just lately spent a number of days exploring the Stay Music Capital of the World with a crew of youngsters in tow, and it ended up being certainly one of our favourite journeys but. Austin is funky, fast-paced, and full of issues to do this someway enchantment to each teenagers and fogeys. From immersive museums and bat-watching cruises to outrageous donuts, kayaking on Girl Chicken 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—the right way to preserve everybody blissful.
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), nevertheless it’s linked to Joann’s Effective Meals, which implies dad and mom can take pleasure in a margarita whereas the kids scroll by their photographs from the day.
The motel’s central location made it straightforward to stroll to close by retailers, espresso spots, and eating places—no have to continuously hop out and in of the automobile, which let’s be trustworthy, makes everybody’s day higher. Examine 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 below 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 long-lasting “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 someway 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 scale 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, identified for its outrageous toppings and deep-fried-to-order creations. The teenagers had been thrilled, and we briefly forgot we had been adults liable for their well-being. Value it. I didn’t understand 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 quantity 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 a number of swing seats—sure, swings—the place teenagers can eat, scroll, and chill unexpectedly. It’s the sort 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 very large and option to messy for youths to eat.
Guero’s Taco Bar: Late lunch in the future changed into the perfect Mexican meals we had in Austin. Their tacos had been daring and flavorful, the salsa bar was well-stocked, and the chips had been crunchy perfection. Bonus: stay music in case you hit it on the proper time.
Actions That Saved the Teenagers Off Their Telephones (Principally)
Protecting teenagers entertained and not using a display is a feat, however Austin makes it surprisingly doable. Right here’s what saved 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. Additionally 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 convey it in.
Rowing Dock on Girl Chicken Lake
Nothing beats seeing Austin from the water. We rented kayaks at Rowing Dock and paddled alongside Girl Chicken Lake, which is flanked by the town skyline on one aspect and luxurious 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 completely completely different perspective. One of the best half? You possibly can go at your individual tempo, which implies teenagers can chill whereas dad and mom fake they’re in a exercise montage.
Museum of Illusions
Arms down, one of the vital partaking museums we visited. The Museum of Illusions affords interactive reveals, optical methods, and gravity-defying rooms which might be tailored for selfies and laughter. Even the kids 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 fashionable 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 Girl Chicken Lake
One of the vital 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 evening 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 experience alone was peaceable and scenic, and the bats gave us a style of Austin’s well-known weirdness in one of the best ways.
Cathedral of Junk
One other favourite? The Cathedral of Junk. It’s actually a tower fabricated from, properly, junk—however teenagers will discover it fascinating and oddly Instagrammable. It’s bizarre in the very best approach, and a really Austin factor to do.
Texas State Capitol
For a unique sort 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 individual. 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 may restore everybody’s will to stay: Barton Springs Pool.
This pure spring-fed pool stays a brisk 68–70 levels year-round, which implies it’s chilly—and due to this fact important on scorching 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 saved 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 lovely Asian-American treats like ube gentle 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 Strains
You haven’t completed Austin proper till you’ve eaten Texas BBQ—however we didn’t need 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 among the best selections of the journey.
This insider expertise took us to hidden gems the place the meals is top-tier and the strains are nonexistent for these on the tour. We met passionate pitmasters, realized the historical past of Austin barbecue, and tried the whole lot from brisket to ribs to jalapeño sausage. Even the kids admitted it was wonderful—they usually had 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 might be ingenious with out being intimidating. The smoked brisket with chili gastrique? Chef’s kiss. The teenagers devoured the whole lot 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 sort of place the place dad and mom and youths can chill out collectively with out anybody feeling awkward or misplaced. Simply be ready—in case you problem your teen to a recreation, convey your A-game or put together for days of gloating. For these touring with children, there’s a playground on-site as properly.
One evening we opted for dinner and blissful hour at Joann’s Effective Meals, conveniently situated 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 quantity of buzz to really feel energetic with out being chaotic. For blissful 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 certainly one 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 retailers 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 the whole lot. Teenagers will both be fascinated or mildly horrified—both approach, 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 world treasures that may truly curiosity your teen who claims to hate procuring.
Ultimate Ideas: How one can 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. When you’re continuously 5 minutes out of your subsequent chunk, you’re golden.
- Allow them to assist plan: Giving teenagers possession over one exercise a day provides them a cause to be invested (and barely much less whiny).
- Steadiness construction with spontaneity: Construct in a number of anchor experiences, however go away loads of room to wander, uncover, and be shocked. Besides that they might additionally want an hour or two downtown within the lodge in the course of the day.
- Keep centrally situated: So you may stroll, cool off, and crash with no need 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, someway, had enjoyable. The town’s playful spirit, phenomenal meals scene, and shocking attraction make it the right vacation spot for touring with youngsters who might not at all times need to hang around with you—however will completely thanks later. In all probability. Possibly. Finally.