You might also want to
check out RegularGigz --
where you can find some
great PLANNED outdoor
activities in the area.
The listings below were put together specifically to provide locations where your family can drop-in for a few hours of outdoor entertainment -- no reservations, classes, parties, etc, required. Of course, we suggest that you call ahead to verify weather appropriateness, season, times, etc. (If you find that this has changed when visiting/contacting any of these establishments, please e-mail us so that we may update our records.)
For your convenience the locations have been grouped and color-coded by area (see map at right for details). You may click the in the grey area above the map to go to each area or click on the map itself.
Questions? Comments? Contact us.
Please note: All information presented below is subject to change. Please contact the listed establishment for information or details.
Austin
Pools
Various locations.
Austin
Duck Adventures
477-5274
Activity note: This one is great for tourists or those wanting
to get reacquainted with our fair city. Tour takes place part on road
and part in water (the tour "bus" converts to a boat). An Austintatious
way to learn more about Austin. Kids 2 and under are FREE.
Bat Sightings on Congress Bridge
100 Congress Avenue, Austin, TX or Bat Observation Center. Austin American Statesman, 305 South Congress Avenue on the (SE side of bridge)
This location offers a viewing area and an educational kiosk.
Fun and educational family activity. Observe bats and wow in the spectacle as they rise from under the bridge in a black cloud of screeching and flapping wings each night. Takes place Mid-March to November. See site for emergence times.
Central Market
4001 North Lamar, Austin, TX
206-1000
Note: Restaurant with outdoor playscape in addition to walking trail nearby.
Not
Your Usual Bikes
Austin, TX, 740-7504
(location varies by tour, package, or rental- Bat Tour from Embassy Suites
and City Tour from Romeo's restaurant. For packages orrentals can bring
the bike to your location)
Family fun outdoor activity info: Ride the most unusual bike you
may see in Texas with up to 5 of your friends or family. Suggested only
for kids 6 and up (must be able to reach pedals). Various tours or rental
options available.
Town Lake Park , Austin, TX
Location: spans from Riverside Drive to Barton Springs Road, just west
of the Palmer Events Center.
Kid and family friendly outdoor activity: Park including an observation hill, a pond, a granite plaza
with LED-lighted fountain jets, a sidewalk labyrinth and a large map of
Texas
Whole Foods Market
525 N Lamar Blvd, Austin, Texas 78703, 476-1206
Kid, family friendly outdoor activity: You can do it all at this hot spot -- shop for your favorite organic groceries,
sit down for a great meal, and let the kids enjoy the playscape located
on the Plaza level.
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Tiny Tails To You!
423-5577
Petting zoo and animal craft play dates at Book People and Spider House Coffee Shop with Austin's adorable tiny traveling zoo! Some indoor, some outdoor events. Visit our site to read more about these educational and fun RSVP-only events!
Also Find this Business on our Partiez2U Page.
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Austin
Pool
Various locations.
Barton
Springs Pool
Zilker Park
Barton Springs Rd
867-3080
Family/kids' fun outdoor activity: Enjoy a cold dip in this refreshing spring-fed pool. Truly an Austin experience.
Deep
Eddy Pool (schedule)
401 Deep Eddy Ave
Austin, TX 78703
472-8546
Freddie's
Place
1703 S 1st St
Austin, TX 78704
445-9197
When: 6:30 PM
Great food and a playscape for the kids to enjoy. Also see RegularGigz on Tuesday.
The Grove at Southpark Meadows
Shopping Center
(I-35 at Slaughter
Lane)
9600 S. I-35
Austin, TX 78748
Outdoor activity info: a 5-acre common
area between several restaurants including Mama Fu's and Austin Java with concert stage, huge children's playscape, interactive water
features, outdoor fireplace, breezeway.
Peter Pan Mini Golf
1207 Barton Springs Rd
Austin, TX
472-1033
Rowing
Dock
(kayak and paddle boat rentals)
2418 Stratford Drive
Austin, TX 78746
459-0999
Rent a kayak or paddle boat for a fun time on Lady Bird Lake
Rudy's Country Store &
Bar-B-Q
2451 Capital of Tx Hwy S
Austin, TX 78746
329-5554
Note: Restaurant with backyard for kids to play.
Zilker
Park Boat Rentals (canoes)
Zilker Park
Barton Springs Rd
Austin, TX
478-3852
Rent canoes or kayaks for a great experience on Lady Bird Lake.
Zilker
Park and Zilker Zephyr
Zilker Park, Barton Springs Rd
Austin, TX, 478-8286
Family/kids' fun outdoor activity: Enjoy a ride around Zilker Park on this miniature train. Also enjoy nice
size kids playground including swings and more. Concessions are also available
during peak hours.
Capital
of Texas Zoo
376A Jenkins Road
Cedar Creek, TX 78612
303-6675
Family/kids' fun outdoor activity: What kid doesn't enjoy experiencing a zoo. View native and exotic animals and enjoy various educational exhibits. See site for schedule/times.
The
Dinosaur Park
893 Union Chapel Road
Cedar Creek, TX 78612
321-6262
Outdoor activity: guided tour of dinosaur trails, scavenger hunt, fossil
digs, playground, picnic tables, more
McKinney
Roughs Nature Park
1884 State Highway 71 West
Cedar Creek, TX 78612
303-5073
Family/kids' fun outdoor activity: Enjoy the beauty of nature at this beautiful park. No camping. See site for schedule.
Day
Break Golf Park
5971 Hi-line Rd
Austin, TX (Lake Travis)
266-9603
Family/kids' fun outdoor activity: miniature golf and/or gem stone mining
Little
Buckaroo Ranch
18320 Hamilton Pool Rd
Austin, TX 78738
264-2383
Kids' fun outdoor activities: Field trips, family round ups and pony rides by appointment.
Schedule your visit today.
Rockhoppers
Family Fun Center
1501 Hwy 281 N
Marble Falls, TX 78654
693-4386
Family/kids' fun outdoor activity: Mini golf and other seasonal outdoor fun. Also includes indoor such as bowling, table games, more.
Volente
Beach Waterpark
16107 FM 2769/Wharf Cove
Leander, TX
258-5109
Family/kids' fun outdoor activity: Outdoor waterpark- slides, wading area, food, more (may pack your
own picnic)
Austin
Pools
Various locations.
Phil's
Ice House/Amy's Ice Cream
5620 Burnet Rd.
Austin, TX
524-1212
Note: Restaurant(s) with nice outdoor playground shared between them.
Kiddie
Acres
4800 W Howard Ln
Austin, TX 78728
255-4131
Note: Carnival-type rides, concessions and pony rides for smaller kids
(3-8)
Pioneer
Farms
11418 Sprinkle Cut-off Rd
Austin, TX 78754
837-1215
Note: Sunday, Wed and Fri only - call for times
Austin
Zoo
10807 Rawhide Trail
Austin, TX 78736
288-1490
Outdoor activities: In addition to zoo, includes train ride, petting corral,
picnic tables, grill. Open 10 - 6 every day of the year except Thanksgiving
and Christmas. Birthday parties are scheduled for weekends.
Austin
Pools
Various locations.
Austin's Veloway
4801 La Crosse Avenue
Austin, TX, 974-6700
Family fun outdoor activity: inline skating. See site for details.
Brushy
Creek Lake Park
3300 Brushy Creek Road
Cedar Park, TX
401-5500
Family/kids' fun outdoor actvity: Playground; water playscape; hike and bike trail; nature trail;
exercise station; three pavilions; picnic tables and BBQ grills; sand
volleyball court; canoe/kayak launch; fishing pier; wildlife observation
area; labyrinth; restrooms. See site for schedule.
Cedar
Rock Railroad
Southwest Williamson County Reg. Park, 413-1705
Family friendly outdoor activity: Enjoy a ride on this family friendly train ride. See site for times/details
Cedar
Park Pools
Various locations.
Leander
Pools
Various locations.
Southwest Williamson County Regional
Park
3005 County Road 175, Leander, TX, 78641
260-4283 (# to Williamson County Park & Recreation)
Row
Paddle Brusy Creek Kayaks
3300 Brushy Creek Rd
Cedar Park, TX
Activities and info: Kayak rentals in Brushy Creek. See site for times/details.
Volente
Beach Waterpark
16107 FM 2769/Wharf Cove
Leander, TX
258-5109
Family/kids' fun outdoor activity: Outdoor waterpark- slides, wading area, food, more (may pack your
own picnic)
Austin's
Park N' Pizza
16231 North IH-35
Pflugerville, TX 78660
670-9600
Activity: Offers both indoor ( laser tag, video arcade, rock climbing
wall, pizza buffet) and outdoor activities (Go Karts, mini-golf, mini
train, bumber boats, batting cages), more
Also see listing on Dealz
Dairy Queen
1701 W Pecan St
Pflugerville, TX 78660
251-6858
Outdoor activity: outdoor playscape available at restaurant.
Gilleland
Creek Park
700 Railroad Avenue
Pflugerville, TX
251-5082
McDonalds
1700 Pecan St W
Pflugerville, TX 78660
989-0771?
Kids' fun outdoor activity: outdoor playscape available at this fast food restaurant
Outlaw
Paintball
1436 Grand Ave Parkway Pflugerville, TX 78660
252-1664
Family fun outdoor activity: Kids age 10 and
up with signed release form can enjoy some serious paintball fun. See site for times.
Pfluger
Park
515 City Park Road
Pflugerville, TX
251-5082
Pflugerville
Pool
Various locations.
Scott B. Mentzer Pool
901 Old Austin Hutto Road
Pflugerville, TX
251-5082
Closed after Sept. 5
Austin
Pools
Various locations.
East Metropolitan Park
18667 Blake Manor Rd
Manor, TX
854-7275
Kid and family friendly outdoor activity: New park with two multi-use ball fields, three youth baseball fields,
one adult baseball field, two soccer fields, one covered basketball court,
playscapes, concessions facilities, restrooms, hiking trails, and three
ponds that support catch-n-release fishing programs. The ball fields and
soccer fields will be ready for play this fall after the turf has time
to establish itself.
Austin
Nature and Science Center
301 Nature Center Drive
Austin, TX 78746
327-8181
Kid, family friendly outdoor activity: Nature exhibits -- Dino Pit and Zilker Nature Preserve, etc.
Mon-Sat: 9AM-5PM, Sun: Noon-5PM. Read article on this location.
Austin
Pools
Various locations.
Wild
Basin Wilderness
805 N Capital of TX Hwy
Austin, TX 78746
327-7622
Family fun outdoor activity: Trails are open sunrise to sunset everyday. Features 3 miles
of hiking trails through woodland, grassland, and streamside habitats.
Westlake
Beach
2509 Westlake Dr
Austin, TX 787746
327-9004
Family fun outdoor activity: swimming and various other water related activities.
Aquarena Springs Glass Bottom Boat Tours and Texas Rivers Center
Aquarena Center, 921 Aquarena Springs Dr., San Marcos, TX 78666. See blog on this activity.
Kids' fun outdoor activity: See aquatic life (includiing the rare San Marcos Salamander) through the glass bottom of the tour boat. Texas Rivers Center also offers interactive exhibits/ education about water conservation, more.
Hamilton Pool Preserve
Family fun outdoor activity: (Nature preserve offering picnicking, hiking, swimming and nature study)
FM 3238 (Hamilton Pool Rd)
Dripping Springs, TX
264-2740
Kyle
Pool
1100 W. Center St., Kyle, TX
Famly fun outdoor activity: swimming of course!
Magic Greens
235 Sports Park Rd, Dripping Springs, TX 78620
Kids or family friendly activity info: Mini-golf featuring Bocce Ball Courts (4) & Washers, 18 Challenging Golf Holes, more
Nutty Brown Café
12225 W Hwy 290, Dripping Springs, TX 78737, 301-4648
Family/kids' fun outdoor activity: Restaurant with small outdoor playscape in sanded area. Also features
live bands on occassion.
San Marcos Outlet Malls -- Tanger or Premium
San Marcos River Tubing
San Marcos Lions Club
Family/kids fun outdoor activity: Lots of fun for the whole family. Rent your tube to tube the beautiful San Marcos River and catch a river taxi back to start all over again.
Wonder World Park
100 Prospect St, San Marcos, TX
Family/kids' fun outdoor activity: Explore cave, mystery mountain and wildlife park, anti-gravity house, more.
Back To Top
Old Settlers Park
3300 E. Palm Valley Blvd.
Round Rock, TX
218-5540
Round Rock Express
Dell Diamond, Round Rock, TX, 255-2255
Kids' fun outdoors activity: Enjoy a great minor league baseball game right here in Round Rock. See site for schedule/pricing/details. Or click here for info on free ballpark tours (also available in off season)
Round
Rock Skate Park
located behind the
Clay Madsen Center
1600 Gattis School Rd
218-3220
14,000 sq. ft. skate concrete skate park. Open 6AM - 11PM daily.
The Arboretum
9607 Research Blvd
Austin, TX 78759
338-4437
Kid friendly outdoor activity: Shopping area with outdoor picnic tables, trails, and pond including
the famous Arboretum cows
Austin
Pools
Various locations.
TerraBurger #2
10611 Research Blvd,
(in front of Costco)
Austin, TX
436-8570
Kid friendly outdoor activity: Organic burgers, salads and more with playscape and splash pool outside. See our blog on this location.
Waterloo
Ice House
6203 Capital of TX Hwy
Austin, TX 78731
418-9700
Kid friendly outdoor activity: Restaurant with fenced-in outdoor playground
Waterloo
Ice House
14900 Avery Ranch Blvd
Austin, TX 78717
255-4873
Note: Restaurant with fenced-in outdoor playground
THIS PLAYGROUND IS CLOSED TEMPORARILY
Creative Playscape
1003 N. Austin Ave.
Georgetown, TX 78626
930-3596
Kid friendly outdoor activityL Kids maze and picnic areas
Georgetown
Parks and Outdoor
Lots of outdoor locations and/or activities to choose from.
Georgetown
Pools
Various locations.
InnerSpace
Caverns
IH-35, Exit 259
P.O. Box 451
Georgetown, TX 78627-0451 931-CAVE
Kid friendly outdoor activityL Enjoy a fascinating tour of the caverns or pan for gems in the mining
section. Playground and picnic tables outside.