Family Friendly Activities

Museums

Bullock Texas State History Museum
The Bullock Museum offers a year-round calendar of programs and events. Large-scale community events include H-E-B Free First Sunday, Austin's celebration of World Refugee Day, American Indian Heritage Day, and Spooktacular.[7] The museum also hosts shows and social gatherings, lectures and discussions, drop-in preschool programs, film screenings, and seasonal family activities each spring break and summer.
Address: 1800 Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78701

Bullock Texas State History Museum

The Bullock Museum offers a year-round calendar of programs and events. Large-scale community events include H-E-B Free First Sunday, Austin's celebration of World Refugee Day, American Indian Heritage Day, and Spooktacular.[7] The museum also hosts shows and social gatherings, lectures and discussions, drop-in preschool programs, film screenings, and seasonal family activities each spring break and summer.

Address: 1800 Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78701

Austin Nature & Science Center
Since 1960, the Austin Nature & Science Center has provided hands-on nature exhibits, education programs and recreation activities for countless visitors, teachers and children of all ages that increase awareness and appreciation of the natural environment. The museum offers many programs for preschoolers, kids, families and adults with topics ranging from butterflies to caving and much more.
Address: 2389 Stratford Dr, Austin, TX 78746

Harry Ransom Center at UT Austin
The Harry Ransom Center is an archive, library and museum at the University of Texas at Austin, specializing in the collection of literary and cultural artifacts from the United States, Latin America and Europe for the purpose of advancing the study of the arts and humanities
Address: 300 W 21st St, Austin, TX 78712

Texas Memorial Museum at UT Austin
The museum's focus is on natural history, including paleontology, geology, biology, herpetology, ichthyology and entomology.
Address: 2400 Trinity St, Austin, TX 78705

Thinkery (Austin Children's Museum)
Thinkery offers a variety of exhibits and programs that focus on science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM). Museum activities revolve around educational experiences led by staff, so each visit is different from the last!
Address: 1830 Simond Ave, Austin, TX 78723

THE CITIZENS FOUNDATION - AUSTIN
The Citizens Foundation, USA (TCF-USA) is a U.S. based 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, nonprofit organization (Federal Tax ID #41-2046295) that supports the education of underprivileged children in Pakistan. It has an active network of over 42 chapters in states across the United States.
E-mail: Austin@tcfusa.org

Austin Nature & Science Center
Since 1960, the Austin Nature & Science Center has provided hands-on nature exhibits, education programs and recreation activities for countless visitors, teachers and children of all ages that increase awareness and appreciation of the natural environment. The museum offers many programs for preschoolers, kids, families and adults with topics ranging from butterflies to caving and much more.
Address: 2389 Stratford Dr, Austin, TX 78746

Nature

Pennybacker Bridge Overlook Trail
A short trail that climbs to an amazing overlook of Lake Austin/Colorado River and the Austin 360 Bridge.
Address: N Capital of Texas Hwy, Austin, TX 78730

Mount Bonnell
While this view is pretty high up in the sky, don't be intimidated! The overlook of downtown and the 360 Bridge is actually more of a tourist destination than a workout, and is a great hot-spot for picture-taking and those looking for an quick adventure. When you reach the top of the 102-stair climb, you can rest at the view deck and pavilion before making your way back down.
Address: 3800 Mount Bonnell Rd; Austin, Texas 78731

Lady Bird Lake
Lady Bird Lake is a major recreation area for the City of Austin. The lake's banks are bounded by the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail, and businesses offer recreational watercraft services along the lakefront portion of the trail. Austin's largest downtown park, Zilker Park, is adjacent to the lake, and Barton Springs, a major attraction for swimmers, flows into the lake. A variety of boat rentals are available around Lady Bird Lake.
Address: Central Austin

Lady Bird Lake

Lady Bird Lake is a major recreation area for the City of Austin. The lake's banks are bounded by the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail, and businesses offer recreational watercraft services along the lakefront portion of the trail. Austin's largest downtown park, Zilker Park, is adjacent to the lake, and Barton Springs, a major attraction for swimmers, flows into the lake. A variety of boat rentals are available around Lady Bird Lake.

Address: Central Austin

Lake Travis
Lake Travis is well known for its outdoor recreation opportunities, including fishing, boating, swimming, scuba diving, picnicking, camping, and zip lining. There are also dining and entertainment venues around the lake.
Address: Northwest Austin

Mayfield Park and Nature Preserve
Towering palm trees, lush gardens and brilliant peacocks surround lily and koi fish filled ponds. The 23 acre park also boasts a historic, picturesque cottage available for wedding and event rentals. In addition to the home and impeccable gardens, there are 21 acres of scenic hiking trails teeming with wildlife that surround the estate.
Address: 3505 W. 35th St., Austin, TX 78703

Barton Springs Pool
Within Zilker Park's 358 acres lies one of the crown jewels of Austin - Barton Springs Pool. The pool itself measures three acres in size, and is fed from underground springs with an average temperature of 68-70 degrees, ideal for year-round swimming.
Address: 2131 William Barton Dr, Austin, TX 78746

Brushy Creek Regional Trail
Along this approximate 7.75 mile mostly concrete trail you will find extensive natural scenic and peaceful views. The parks that lie along the trail provide many different amenities accessible to walkers, joggers and bikers. Together, the parks offer splash pads, swimming areas, climbing rocks, fishing docks, canoeing and kayaking, restrooms and multiple picnic and pavilion areas.
Address: 3400 Brushy Creek Rd Cedar Park, TX

Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve
227-acre habitat for native flora and fauna on the Balcones Fault Line divides Texas' prairies and the Hill Country. Trails open daily, sunrise to sunset; Creative Research Center open weekdays, 9am-4pm.
Address: 805 N. Capital of Texas Hwy., Austin, TX 78746

Other Activities

Austin Duck Adventures
The original Austin tour, Austin Duck Adventures offers an amphibious tour that includes tours of downtown Austin and beautiful Lady Bird Lake in an UNSINKABLE, US coast guard inspected, Hydra Terra vehicles.
Address: 602 E 4th St, Austin, TX 78701

Austin Steam Train
The mission of the Austin Steam Train Association is to preserve, interpret and re-create the first-hand experience of historic steam-era railroading for the enjoyment and edification of today’s families and the generations to come
Address: 401 E Whitestone Blvd C-100, Cedar Park, TX 78613

Texas Governor's Mansion
Free guided tours of the Texas Governor’s Mansion are available Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 2:00pm to 4:00pm.
Address: 1010 Colorado St, Austin, TX 78701

Austin Zoo
Austin Zoo currently has over 300 animals, representing more than 100 different species. Our animal collection includes animals from other facilities that are being retired due to age, health or other issues; animals that were seized in animal cruelty cases; retired laboratory research animals; and individuals’ exotic pets they needed to rehome due to changes in the owner’s lifestyle or the inability to provide appropriate care for these pets.
Address: 10808 Rawhide Trail, Austin, TX 78736

Austin Zoo

Austin Zoo currently has over 300 animals, representing more than 100 different species. Our animal collection includes animals from other facilities that are being retired due to age, health or other issues; animals that were seized in animal cruelty cases; retired laboratory research animals; and individuals’ exotic pets they needed to rehome due to changes in the owner’s lifestyle or the inability to provide appropriate care for these pets.

Address: 10808 Rawhide Trail, Austin, TX 78736

Texas State Capitol
The Texas State Capitol building is available for all to visit, including free tours.
Address: 1100 Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78701