Family Fun in Austin Texas

Earlier this November, my family and I embarked on an exciting adventure to Austin, Texas. It was a journey filled with anticipation, marking the very first time my daughters and I had set foot in the Lone Star State! This comprehensive post details our unforgettable family trip to Austin, Texas, offering insights into the vibrant culture, captivating sights, and of course, the incredible culinary experiences we savored. Fair warning: I confess, a significant part of my motivation for this trip revolved around exploring Austin’s renowned food scene.

Hello, wonderful friends! I trust you all had a truly amazing Thanksgiving weekend, perhaps even creating some delicious memories with my recipes? Today, I’m thrilled to whisk you away on a virtual journey, sharing the delightful details of our family getaway to Austin, Texas, which took place just a couple of weeks ago.

We are immensely grateful for the opportunities we’ve had to travel together as a family this year. Exploring new places has always been a core goal for us, and this year, those dreams truly began to materialize. Our Austin adventure follows in the footsteps of a memorable family trip to Nashville, Tennessee, and a sun-soaked family vacation at Lake Havasu, Arizona. Each journey has enriched our lives, creating a tapestry of shared experiences and cherished memories that we’ll hold onto forever.

Planning Our Austin Family Adventure

For me, the excitement of a trip often begins long before we pack our bags, with the meticulous planning process. I thrive on extensive online research, delving deep into every facet of our destination. For our Austin family trip, I dedicated countless hours to exploring websites, blogs, and travel forums. My primary focus was twofold: uncovering the most engaging activities suitable for my daughters, spanning various age groups, and identifying Austin’s culinary gems – the must-try restaurants that promised an authentic taste of the city.

To deepen my understanding of Austin’s vibrant scene, I immersed myself in multimedia content. I watched numerous YouTube videos, specifically those titled “where to eat in Austin,” hoping to unearth local favorites and hidden treasures. I even enjoyed an episode of the popular Netflix show, “Somebody Feed Phil,” which featured Austin’s diverse restaurant landscape. This preliminary research painted a fascinating picture of a city brimming with possibilities.

Here are some key insights I gathered during my extensive planning phase:

• The Thinkery (Austin Children’s Museum) is a Must-Visit for Families: This attraction consistently appeared at the top of every recommendation list for families with children. So many online resources, including fellow travel bloggers and local guides, lauded the Thinkery as an absolute must-do. Even a dear friend, Michelle, texted me specifically to urge us to take the kids there, reinforcing its reputation as a premier destination for young explorers. Its interactive exhibits and engaging environment promised hours of educational fun.
• Austin’s Diverse and Challenging Restaurant Scene: One of the most striking observations was the sheer abundance of high-quality restaurants in Austin. Unlike planning our Nashville trip, where a few specific restaurants frequently recurred across different recommendations, Austin’s food scene offered an almost overwhelming array of choices. The YouTube videos I watched, for example, each recommended a completely different set of establishments, with very little overlap. This made narrowing down our dining options incredibly difficult. In the end, faced with so many tempting possibilities, I decided to trust my instincts and select restaurants that truly resonated with our family’s preferences and my own culinary curiosities. This challenge, while initially daunting, also highlighted Austin’s incredible gastronomic diversity.

Beyond restaurants and museums, my planning also touched upon practical aspects such as family-friendly accommodations, transportation options within the city, and understanding the general layout of Austin to maximize our time. We aimed for a blend of structured activities and spontaneous exploration, ensuring everyone in the family, from the youngest to the oldest, would find something to love.

First Impressions of Austin: A Welcoming Vibe

Our arrival at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport on a tranquil Sunday afternoon was met with an immediate sense of warmth and familiarity. As we navigated through the airport, one of our very first observations was the noticeable diversity of the population – we saw many people who resembled us, contributing to a feeling of being welcomed and at ease in this new city. This initial impression immediately set a positive tone for our family trip to Austin.

From the airport, I took the wheel, driving us to our hotel, and I must share a particular relief: driving in Austin is remarkably calmer than the often-frenetic pace of California roads. The drivers here seemed less aggressive, more patient, and generally more considerate, making the transition from a bustling airport to the city streets a surprisingly serene experience. This laid-back driving culture contributed significantly to our initial sense of Austin as a relaxed and pleasant place to be.

In essence, our collective first thoughts painted a picture of Texas, and Austin in particular, as calm, homey, and remarkably familiar. It wasn’t the overwhelming shock of a completely foreign environment, but rather a comforting blend of the new with an unexpected sense of belonging. This initial feeling of ease and familiarity was a truly wonderful start to our Austin family vacation, fostering an immediate connection with the city and its welcoming atmosphere.

A Culinary Journey: The Best Restaurants We Tried in Austin

As a passionate food blogger, exploring the local cuisine is undeniably one of the highlights of any trip for me. It’s more than just eating; it’s an immersive experience that fuels my work, inspires new recipes, and continuously expands my culinary knowledge. Austin, with its legendary food scene, promised an exceptional gastronomic adventure. Here’s a detailed look at the remarkable restaurants that captured our taste buds during our family trip to Austin:

• Green Mesquite BBQ: You simply cannot visit Texas without indulging in authentic barbecue, so starting our culinary tour here was non-negotiable. We conveniently ordered from Green Mesquite BBQ via Uber Eats, bringing the smoky flavors directly to us. Their Pork Ribs were tender and flavorful, the Smoked Turkey moist, and the Brisket perfectly rendered. What truly elevated the meal, however, were their exceptional side dishes. The cornbread tasted wonderfully homemade, with a comforting, rustic sweetness, and my kids absolutely devoured their creamy, rich mac and cheese, declaring it some of the best they’d ever had. Green Mesquite delivered an authentic and satisfying Texas BBQ experience.
• Whataburger: A trip to Texas wouldn’t be complete without experiencing this iconic fast-food chain. Whataburger is a true Texas institution, and I was eager to understand its widespread appeal. I opted for their sweet and salty burger, a colossal creation that was incredibly satisfying and packed with flavor. The White Chocolate Raspberry Shake, a limited-time offering, was a decadent masterpiece – thick, creamy, sweet, and bursting with vibrant raspberry notes, it was everything you could desire in a luxurious shake. My husband thoroughly enjoyed his fresh cobb salad, and the kids were delighted with their carefully portioned and tasty children’s meals. While fast food wasn’t initially high on my list, trying Whataburger was a fantastic cultural experience, cementing its place as a hallmark of Texas fast-food culture.
• Colleen’s Kitchen: Without a doubt, Colleen’s Kitchen emerged as my absolute favorite restaurant of the entire trip. Have you ever walked into a restaurant and felt an overwhelming desire to order every single item on the menu? That was precisely my experience here. Every dish listed seemed to call my name, each promising a unique and delicious culinary journey. After much deliberation, I managed to narrow down my choices to the comforting Chicken Pot Pie, the exquisite Shrimp and Grits, fluffy Biscuits, vibrant Collard Greens, a perfectly baked Skillet Cornbread, and, of course, their Mac and Cheese. The Chicken Pot Pie was a revelation, finally satisfying a long-standing craving with its rich, savory filling and flaky crust. And for the first time in a restaurant, I encountered biscuits that genuinely tasted like my own homemade buttermilk biscuits – a true testament to their quality. Colleen’s Kitchen offered an unparalleled Southern comfort food experience with an upscale twist.
• 18th Over Austin: Perched on the 18th floor of the Hilton Garden Inn hotel, 18th Over Austin offered not only delicious food but also stunning views of the city. We indulged in their melt-in-your-mouth beef short ribs served over creamy polenta, which was an absolute delight – a true “yum!” moment. The pork chops with caramelized onions were equally impressive, offering a perfect balance of sweet and savory, and their tacos were expertly crafted. The polenta, in particular, brought back fond memories of corn fufu, a familiar and comforting taste. While every dish was undeniably delicious, we did note that the portions were somewhat modest, leading us to devour our meals rather quickly! Despite the portion sizes, the quality and flavors were exceptional.
• The Peached Tortilla: Our final Austin culinary delight came from The Peached Tortilla, which we ordered from at the Austin airport on our way back home. Their brisket tacos were truly outstanding – the tender, flavorful brisket paired perfectly with fresh toppings, creating a memorable taste that has already inspired how I plan to approach our weekly Taco Tuesdays. They also featured a tempting array of different lunch bowls that looked incredibly appetizing, and I’ve made a mental note to try one of those on a future visit. It was a perfect last taste of Austin’s innovative and delicious food scene.

Although we made significant inroads into Austin’s culinary landscape, our limited time meant we couldn’t try every establishment on my extensive research list. Here are some of the other fantastic restaurants and eateries I eagerly wanted to experience and will be saving for our next Austin family trip:

• Lady T Kitchen African Restaurant (for diverse international flavors)
• Torchy’s Tacos (a local favorite for creative tacos)
• Julie’s Noodles (for authentic Asian cuisine)
• Franklin’s BBQ (the legendary BBQ joint, known for its long lines and incredible brisket)
• Zed’s Real Fruit Ice Cream (for refreshing, natural desserts)
• Quality Seafood Market (for fresh, local seafood)
• The Rolling Rooster (for more Southern comfort food)
• Pinthouse Pizza (for craft beer and delicious pizza)
• Bird Bird Biscuit (for unique biscuit sandwiches)
• Louie Mueller BBQ (another highly-rated BBQ institution)

This tantalizing list is already earmarked for my next visit to Austin! What other incredible restaurant suggestions should I add to it? I’m always open to new culinary discoveries!

Family Fun: Austin Activities for Kids

Keeping the children entertained and engaged is paramount for any successful family trip, and Austin certainly delivered. The city offers a plethora of activities designed to spark curiosity and create lasting memories for kids of all ages. Here’s how my girls made the most of our Austin adventure:

• Exploring the Austin Central Library: Our family shares a deep love for libraries, so visiting the Austin Central Library was an absolute highlight. This architectural marvel is simply massive, boasting six floors and an impressive 200,000 square feet of space, making it the largest library we have ever visited. The older girls were enchanted, spending hours perusing the vast collection of books, discovering new authors, and delving into fascinating topics. Meanwhile, the younger girls found immense joy in the dedicated children’s section, which was brimming with engaging toys and interactive play areas. Beyond its sheer size and offerings, we particularly appreciated that access to this incredible resource was entirely free – truly “free 99!” as we like to say! It was a peaceful yet stimulating environment for everyone.

• Discovering the Thinkery (Austin Children’s Museum): Since our move from Minnesota, we hadn’t had the chance to visit a children’s museum, and we truly missed the wonderful experiences we had at the Children’s Museum in Minnesota. So, stepping into the Thinkery in Austin was a joyous return to a beloved pastime. It evoked wonderful, nostalgic memories for my older girls, reminding them of past adventures, while simultaneously providing a thrilling new experience for the younger ones. My girls played for hours on end, completely engrossed in the myriad of activities offered at Thinkery! From the hands-on practical science exhibits that made learning fun and tangible, to the immersive farmer’s market role-play area, there was an endless array of engaging opportunities that catered to their boundless energy and curiosity. The Thinkery perfectly blended education with entertainment, making it a stellar attraction for families in Austin.
• A Road Trip to Houston: We dedicated one day of our Austin trip to a special road trip from Austin to Houston. The primary goal was a much-anticipated reunion with my dear friend, Meggy. It had been approximately nine years since Meggy and I had last seen each other, making this reunion incredibly meaningful. The three-hour drive itself was an adventure, especially for the kids, who found great delight in having lunch from Whataburger en route. It added an authentic Texan flavor to our journey and kept spirits high. In Houston, we shared laughter, caught up on years of stories, and simply enjoyed the invaluable experience of reconnecting with cherished friends, creating another layer of beautiful memories during our Texas visit.

While our Austin itinerary was packed with wonderful activities, there were a couple of attractions we simply ran out of time to experience. One such place was Mt Playmore, which boasts the title of Austin’s largest indoor playground. Given its reputation, we were certain the girls would have absolutely loved the expansive play structures and vibrant atmosphere. We certainly hope to visit it on a future Austin trip!

Additionally, Austin is famously known as the “Live Music Capital of the World,” a title it proudly wears due to its vibrant music scene. While we heard snippets and felt the city’s musical pulse, we didn’t have the opportunity to immerse ourselves in a live music performance. Experiencing some of Austin’s legendary music venues and catching a show would undoubtedly be a fantastic addition to our next visit, offering another dimension to the city’s unique charm.

Beyond the Itinerary: Austin’s Unseen Charm

Our four days in Texas, though brief, were profoundly impactful. Beyond the structured activities and delicious meals, it was the overall atmosphere of Austin that truly resonated with us. The city effortlessly blends a laid-back Southern charm with a vibrant, innovative spirit. We noticed a tangible sense of community, a relaxed pace of life, and an undeniable appreciation for local culture, whether it was through its food, music, or welcoming residents. It was refreshing to step away from our daily routines, to slow down and truly be present, making memories that feel rich and enduring.

The ease of navigating Austin, the genuine friendliness of the people we encountered, and the sheer abundance of family-friendly options made this trip exceptional. It wasn’t just a vacation; it was an experience that reinforced the importance of family togetherness and the joy of discovering new places hand-in-hand.

Planning Your Own Austin Getaway

If you’re considering a family trip to Austin, Texas, I wholeheartedly recommend it. The city offers a unique blend of adventure, culture, and culinary delights that caters to every member of the family. From the interactive wonders of the Thinkery to the peaceful exploration of the Central Library, and from the smoky flavors of Texas BBQ to the comforting embrace of Southern cuisine, Austin is a destination that truly delivers. Don’t forget to factor in time for those spontaneous moments and perhaps even catch some live music if your schedule allows!

If you’ve journeyed with me through this entire post, THANK YOU so much for reading about our unforgettable family trip to Austin, Texas. I truly hope you enjoyed reliving our adventures and perhaps even found some inspiration for your own travels. I invite you to stick around and explore the many delicious recipes I share here – there’s always something new to savor!