(Almost) Free Outdoor Kid Fun in Austin
The temperature is finally starting to fall in Austin, I think. After a mild summer with frequent rain and below average temperatures, we have been slugging through several weeks of above average temperatures with a few "cold fronts" in the mix. As the weather continues to cool, our family spends more and more time outside, especially when the mosquitos are gone. Keeping the kids entertained each weekend is no easy task. Here are some of our favorite activities:
Public transportation journeys: Our kids love riding the bus or riding the train. We love coming up with little adventures that involve one, the other, or both. Having the kids study the bus routes and read the charts for bus times is great fun AND learning. A bus ride downtown to the visit the Capitol, play on the Capital lawn, and grab lunch/dessert is a classic. As the kids get older we have started to pair long walks downtown on the Town Lake trail with a picnic or lunch and then take the bus home. A longer journey the kids really like was biking to the Crestview metro stop and catching the metro train downtown. Then we explored downtown and rode the bikes home. My advice: seek out direct bus routes - nobody wants to be waiting at a bus stop on a busy road with kids waiting for a bus transfer.
Go for a hike: There are plenty of great hikes right in Austin. Barton Creek Greenbelt. McKinney Falls. St Edwards Park. Wild Basin. Shoal Creak. Bull Creek. River Place Nature Trail. Or a simple walk on the Town Lake trail or boardwalk. Pack some water and a snack. Hit the trail.
Get on a bike: We have plenty of great biking trails that are off street, which are great for youngsters new to being on two wheels. Town Lake trail. The Veloway in South Austin. Walnut Creek Trail. Mueller trails. Many of these offer great picnic locations or are close to kid friendly restaurants.
Zilker Park: Once ACL Festival clears out of Zilker Park, it is great place to be in the fall. Have a picnic on the great lawn overlooking the city while playing catch/soccer, fly a kite, check out all the dogs. Hop across the street to the playground at Barton Springs. Ride the Zilker Zephyr train. Check out the botanical gardens, Nature Center, or Umlauf Sculpture Garden.
Mayfield Park: Small nature center with some nice small trails and free range peacocks! Laguna Gloria art museum right next door if a rain shower appears.
There are just a few of our favorites. What do you like to do outdoors in Austin in the fall?
