Visiting Austin
Zilker Park - walkable to/from Barton Springs Pool
Austin's oldest park - 350 acres of greenery, also where Barton Springs Pool is located! Zilker Park has tons to do for kids and families. There’s the Zilker Zephyr train ride (a kids train ride/tour around the park), a big playground area with swings and climbing structures, huge open fields for running around, and easy walkable access to Barton Springs pool, if you want to cool off after the park! It’s all walkable, super relaxed, and right in the middle of Austin.
Barton Springs Pool - this is a must for a fun family pool day downtown Austin!
**free of charge until spring 2026** will provide any updates here. A giant pool fed from underground springs with an average temperature of 68-70 degrees, perfect for year round swimming! PRICING: Children under 1 year - FREE Child (1-11 years) - $4 Junior (12-17 years) - $5 Buy tickets online You can buy tickets through the online portal or by using the ATXSwims app. (you will need to sign up for an account). Present your ticket to the cashier to get into the pool. Tickets are valid until the end of the day! Warning: you are not allowed to bring coolers or alcohol (be smart and fill a jug). I recommend bringing a bag (ex: tote bag) for snacks, towels, jug/thermos, etc. Buy tickets online https://pard.flowbirdhub.com/
Austin's original food truck park - The Picnic
Here in Austin, we don’t look for food trucks… we find them! Some of Austin’s best known foods are run out of trailers and you can find a couple of those at The Picnic, Austin’s oldest food truck park right downtown. Food truck lineup includes: 🌮 Have a Taco 🥢 Coat & Thai 🇻🇪 Arepa World 🍤 Pete’s Cajun 🍕 iPanini 🍔 Black Bear Burgers 🌯 Habibi ATX 🍪 Midnight Cravingz 🥒 Fickle Pickle
Cidercade - unlimited arcade games for $12/day
Cidercade is perfect for parents and kids, right on Lady Bird Lake with an outdoor patio along the trail and unlimited arcade games. Everyone’s happy, everyone’s entertained. Admission price is $12 for unlimited play on all games. No tokens or quarters needed. Food & drink: Ciders and beers: The bar has dozens of beverages on tap, including hard ciders from Bishop Cider and craft beers from Wild Acre Brewing. Unlimited fountain sodas are available for $4. Food: pizzas & smoked wings
Bat Bridge - easy, free, iconic Austin experience seeing millions of bats flying over the river
Every sunset, thousands of bats who live under the Congress Avenue Bridge, take off over Lady Bird Lake. It’s an easy, iconic Austin experience to see the bridge bats! Get there about 30-45 minutes before sunset (around 7:30pm CST) and head to the east side of the bridge or the grassy area below it. Both spots give you a clear view of the bats flying out at dusk. PRICING: Free :)
Peter Pan Mini-Golf - Austin landmark
an Austin landmark, two 18 hole mini golf courses, best to get dropped off (Uber, Lyft), no reservations needed to play mini golf. Just come in! They stop selling tickets 45 minutes before closing (closing time is 10pm CST). They are BYOB (Bring Your Own Beer) coolers are welcome but no glass! PRICING: 18 holes per adult or child six and older: $11 18 holes per child five and younger: $8 36 holes per adult and child six and over: $17 36 holes per child five and younger: $14 additional 18 holes while on site: $6