Top 10 Kid Friendly Things To Do and Attractions in Lake Austin

"Probably Austin’s most beloved park, Zilker Park is famous for the huge "Rock Island" and “Great Lawn” that hosts everything from the Kite Festival to ACL Music Festival. With room for literally hundreds of pick-up soccer games, off-leash dogs and people lounging on blankets, Zilker is the heart of Austin. This park is great for: Straight-up relaxing or participating in outdoor activities."

"The gem of Austin’s parks system, Zilker Park is 350 acres of forested areas, open spaces and trails. If you’re bringing a dog with you, head to the 46-acre Great Lawn near the western edge of the park along the MoPac highway. You and your dog may have to share the space with soccer players, picnickers and Frisbee hurlers."

": How about exploring the sights of Austin, just the two of you?. This informative and fun private open pedicab tour of Austin is romantic to boot. It’ll take you around Austin’s best sights and that too at the pace you like."

"Completed in 1888 using sunset-red granite, Texas’ state capitol is the largest in the US, backing up the familiar claim that everything’s bigger hereabouts. Tasked with creating a bigger space for the state... Museum in UT & Central Austin"

"Capitol Building – straight Texas brownstone architecture If you’re around for a UT football game, try to go (or at least tailgate). There aren’t any pro sports in Austin, so UT is treated like a pro team."

"The Texas State Capitol, established in 1888, is the Texan seat of government. Found in downtown Austin, it is within range of many other tourist hotspots, eateries, and shopping districts."

"The park is a long, narrow 76-acre greenbelt along both sides of Shoal Creek. The leash-free area is located in the Pease Park portion of the greenbelt, between 24th and 29th Street. Parts of the trail are made up of large, rough-hewn boulders that can be hazardous to dog paws and human ankles, but most of the trail is simply hard-packed dirt."

"This park located in the heart of Austin offers picturesque views of both the city and natural landscapes. Of course, there is also a mile of off-leash terrain between 24th and 29th streets. While this park offers only trails, it is a great alternative to the traditional fenced-in dog park."

"This hiking spot includes 81 acres filled with scenic trails and a dog park. You can’t go wrong with a stroll through Shoal Creek!. 🗓 Open 24 Hours 📍 2600 N Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78705"

"Patterson Park is an outdoor oasis for kids, complete with basketball courts, a mini skate ramp, volleyball courts, picnic tables, multiple playgrounds, and top-notch trees to climb. Its Flamingo Mitote Its mosaic sculpture, created by artist Stephanie Distefano and community members and maintained by the Chula League, also makes for one gorgeous pool-equipment shed. View this post on Instagram"

"Why You’ve Got to Go: If you are traveling with toddlers, I would certainly recommend Patterson Park. This is an excellent way for the kids to let loose and have some fun in the outdoors. What to Do: Make use of the volleyball courts, the picnic tables, and the several playgrounds the park has to offer."

"The first 20 customers to celebrate #NationalIceCreamDay at Amy’s on SoCo with your donation of $5 or more to… https://t.co/t4dRQf3vPV"

"Photo by: Flickr user Robert Hensley, Creative Commons licensed. It goes without saying, but we’ll say it anyway: Stevie Ray Vaughan is a legend in the Live Music Capital of the World. The memorial statue erected of him at Auditorium Shores marks a great place to view the downtown cityscape and Lady Bird Lake."

"Stevie Ray Vaughan Statue is a well-visited tourist attraction. This bronze statue, sculpted by Ralph Helmick, is one of the most iconic sculptures of Austin."

"Mueller Lake Park is centered around, as the name implies, Mueller Lake, a large body of water that is surrounded by 30 acres of green space, trails, and other amenities. The park is centrally located within the Mueller neighborhood, and is part of a green space park system that aims to make sure no one in the neighborhood is ever more than 600 feet from a park. Mueller Lake Park has a fun playground for kids, and directly adjacent to the play area is a huge sculpture of a big blue sea serpent called Nessy."

"Mueller Lake Park is the perfect combo of green space and city amenities. You can easily eat lunch at a local restaurant and then take a short walk over to fresh green grass, tall trees, and the shimmering lake. Visit the open-air amphitheater, one of the many interactive playscapes, or take your pooch to the dog park."

"Located in the Mueller development, near the Dell Children’s Hospital, Mueller Lake Park has over 140 acres of parks, trails and open space. Enjoy the five miles of gorgeous hike and bike paths that are brand-spanking-new. Stop by the nearby food trailer lot for a bite to eat after parkin' it up."

"Next, check out Zilker Park, a 360-acre oasis in the heart of downtown that’s the site of festivals and free music at Zilker Hillside Theater, plus it’s home to Zilker Botanical Garden, Umlauf Sculpture Garden & Museum and Barton Springs Pool, a spring-fed swimming spot with grassy hills for sunbathing. Make it a boozy afternoon and pull up a chair in the taproom of urban winery Infinite Monkey Theorem for a flight of Texas-made wine. Or head to Duchman Family Winery in Driftwood (just a half-hour drive out of Austin), where you can take a tour and sample wines in a lovely Italianate villa, including Duchman’s award-winning Vermentino. Stop in the North Austin warehouse and taproom of Austin Beerworks, where weekend tastings feel more like a backyard barbecue, with live music and bites from local food trucks."

"Barbecue reaches a previously undiscovered level of deliciousness at Austin's First Chinese BBQ, a well-loved offshoot of the Richardson original. Portions are generous, prices are cheap, service is quick and, most importantly, dishes are bursting with serious flavor. Give your taste buds the gift of crave-worthy roast duck, sweet and juicy with a perfectly crisp skin, as well as savory barbecue pork and a side of garlicky sauteed Chinese broccoli; they'll owe you big time."

"What to order: BBQ Pork, Roasted Duck, Seafood Crispy Noodle, Combination Soft Noodle, Eggplant with Szechuan Pork, Sweet & Sour Pork. Another great spot for a family-style meal. Make sure that you come to First Chinese BBQ with at least 2-3 other people to try a lot of things on the menu!"

"10901 N Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78753Details: variety of Chinese dishesWhat to get: Wonton Noodle Soup; barbecue pork, roast pork and roast duck"

"Get two whole 8oz catfish and six fried shrimp with fries and hush puppies for... Capt. Benny’s Seafood has been operating since 1967, which is quite an achievement on its own. It draws crowds for its attractive boat-shaped structure and an open kitchen serving shucked oysters and delicious seafood gumbo."

"Hit Shore Raw Bar & Grille at lunchtime and you’ll find a light, sprightly menu of raw shellfish, tacos, and sandwiches. Stick around for dinner, and that small menu extends into a full-on extravaganza of expertly treated seafood, ranging from the immense Grilled Whole Fish served with mojo de Ajo, pico de gallo, salsa Roja, avocado, cabbage slaw, and garlic rice to the equally spend-worthy Seared Dayboat Scallops served with butternut squash puree, grilled cauliflower, oyster mushrooms, and lemon balm. All ingredients are sustainably sourced, cooked with care, and served with a smile; the wine list, meanwhile, is nothing short of sublime."