Touring with teenagers could be tough—you want actions cool sufficient for them however not so chaotic that you just lose your thoughts within the course of. Fortunately, Austin delivers on all fronts. From bizarre museums to wild donuts, pickleball, paddleboarding, and artwork installations, there’s no scarcity of issues to do with youngsters within the Reside Music Capital of the World.
Right here’s a go-to record of the perfect teen-approved issues to do in Austin, Texas—together with all the things we’ve personally examined and liked. In the event you want much more try our Austin With Youngsters: What to do, What to see, and The place to eat.
1. Museum of Illusions
Handle: 110 E 2nd St, Austin, TX 78701
This mind-bending museum gives interactive reveals, optical illusions, and immersive rooms that’ll have your teen’s digicam roll stuffed earlier than you even hit lunch.
2. Barton Springs Pool
Handle: 2131 William Barton Dr, Austin, TX 78746
A pure spring-fed pool that stays cool year-round. It’s the last word approach to escape the Texas warmth and an excellent intro to Austin’s laid-back out of doors scene.
3. Cathedral of Junk
Handle: 4422 Lareina Dr, Austin, TX 78745
This yard artwork set up is as bizarre as Austin will get. Constructed totally out of discarded objects, it’s a unusual photograph op your teenagers will truly love.
4. Texas State Capitol
Handle: 1100 Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78701
Even when your youngsters fake to hate historical past, the grandeur of the Capitol is spectacular. Take a free guided tour and see what number of instances you may spot the Texas star.
5. Zilker Park
Handle: 2207 Lou Neff Rd, Austin, TX 78746
An enormous inexperienced area excellent for lounging, kite flying, or beginning your day earlier than hitting Barton Springs or kayaking on Girl Chook Lake.
6. Kayaking or Paddleboarding on Girl Chook Lake
Handle: 2101 Andrew Zilker Rd, Austin, TX 78746 (Zilker Park Boat Leases)
It’s low-key journey with skyline views. You’ll really feel outdoorsy with out truly having to camp.
7. Austin Nature & Science Middle
Handle: 2389 Stratford Dr, Austin, TX 78746
Good for curious minds. Free admission and hands-on reveals make this an underrated gem for teenagers into wildlife, geology, or simply cool rocks.
8. The Up to date Austin – Jones Middle
Handle: 700 Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78701
This contemporary artwork museum has rotating reveals which might be thought-provoking with out being too stuffy. Bonus: it’s proper in the midst of downtown.
9. Holey Moley Golf Membership
Handle: 807 E 4th St, Austin, TX 78702
Mini golf such as you’ve by no means seen it earlier than. Wild, wacky holes, vibrant neon décor, and a enjoyable vibe that doesn’t really feel like a “kiddie” exercise.
10. Upstairs Circus
Handle: 234 W 2nd St, Austin, TX 78701
A DIY workshop meets cocktail bar. Teenagers 15+ (with a mother or father) can create all the things from leather-based keychains to wall artwork whereas sipping mocktails. Sure, actually.
11. Butler Pitch & Putt
Handle: 201 Lee Barton Dr, Austin, TX 78704
An old-school 9-hole golf course that’s quick, informal, and walkable. It’s a relaxed approach to let teenagers follow their swings with out the strain of a full sport.
12. Punch Bowl Social
Handle: 11310 Area Dr, Austin, TX 78758
Bowling, arcade video games, karaoke, and nice meals—mainly all the things your teen needs in a single spot. It’s situated at The Area, so procuring is close by too.
13. Bouldin Acres
Handle: 2027 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704
Meals, drinks, and pickleball. It’s teen-friendly, dog-friendly, and probably the one place the place you’ll have enjoyable competing in opposition to your teen with out shedding horribly.
14. Jo’s Espresso & the “I Love You So A lot” Mural
Handle: 1300 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704
Nice lattes for fogeys and iconic murals for selfies. Attempt the Pecan Pie Latte or the White Sands Latte for one thing unforgettable.
15. Pins Mechanical
Handle: 4323 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78745
This place is certainly one of our favourite issues to do in all of Austin. They’ve duckpin bowling, ping-pong, and a ton of different video games you may play. They solely serve drinks however there are meals carts you may seize meals from.
16. Loudmouth Pizza
Handle: 3503 Webberville Rd, Austin, TX 78702
Big, tacky slices and scrumptious burrata make this a best choice for pizza lovers. Fast, informal, and surprisingly elevated.
17. Guero’s Taco Bar
Handle: 1412 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704
Presumably the perfect Mexican meals in Austin. Guero’s is full of life, genuine, and nice for late lunch or dinner when everyone seems to be ravenous.
18. Loro Asian Smokehouse & Bar
Handle: 2115 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704
This Asian-Texas fusion spot delivers artistic flavors with a chill ambiance. Teenagers will rave in regards to the smoked brisket and crispy potatoes.
19. Gordough’s Large Fats Donuts
Handle: 1503 S 1st St, Austin, TX 78704
Donuts greater than your face and topped with all the things from bacon to brownies. They’re messy, outrageous, and an absolute should.
20. East Austin “Locals Know” BBQ Tour
Handle: Tour beginning factors range (test supplier information, e.g., Austin Detours or native guides)
Skip the lengthy traces and dive straight into smoked brisket heaven with a locals-only BBQ tour. Teenagers will love sampling ribs, sausage, and sides whereas studying the surprisingly cool historical past behind Texas BBQ tradition. Bonus: you get to appear like a genius for avoiding Franklin’s notorious 4-hour wait.
21. Bat Watching Tour at Congress Avenue Bridge
Handle: 305 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704
Each night from March by October, about 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats emerge from below the Congress Avenue Bridge. Hop on a bat-watching boat tour or stake out a spot by the bridge at sundown for a completely distinctive—and kinda magical—expertise teenagers will truly discuss later.
22. Peter Pan Mini-Golf
Handle: 1207 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78704
This old-school mini golf spot has kitschy statues, neon lights, and 18 holes of quirky enjoyable that teenagers truly love as a result of it’s so unapologetically retro. Bonus: It’s BYOB for fogeys.
23. Alamo Drafthouse Cinema
Handle: A number of places
Not only a movie show—this can be a full dinner-and-a-movie expertise with quirky pre-show leisure, themed occasions, and a zero tolerance coverage on telephones (cue parental completely happy dance).
24. iFly Indoor Skydiving
Handle: 13265 US-183 Hwy Suite A, Austin, TX 78750
For the adrenaline-junkie teen who isn’t fairly prepared to leap out of a aircraft, iFly simulates the joys of free-fall in a vertical wind tunnel. It’s unforgettable and surprisingly beginner-friendly.
25. Unchartered Adventures Smash Rooms
Handle: 3950 Jonestown Rd, Leander, TX 78641 (simply exterior Austin)
Smash TVs, dishes, and electronics in a protected, managed room. Sure, teenagers can legally break issues right here. Therapeutic? Possibly. Enjoyable? Completely.
26. Austin Bouldering Challenge
Handle: 979 Springdale Rd #150, Austin, TX 78702
An enormous indoor mountaineering health club that gives bouldering (climbing with out ropes) in a cool, industrial area with chill vibes and enjoyable challenges for all ranges.
27. Pinballz Arcade
Handle: 8940 Analysis Blvd, Austin, TX 78758
A retro arcade stuffed with pinball machines, VR video games, laser tag, go-karts, and even axe throwing. It’s overstimulation in the easiest way attainable.
28. The Escape Sport Austin
Handle: 405 Purple River St, Austin, TX 78701
Put your teen’s puzzle-solving expertise to the check with immersive escape rooms that includes themes like jail break, gold rush, and secret missions. Surprisingly good teamwork-building, too.
29. Blue Starlite Mini City Drive-In
Handle: 2103 E M. Franklin Ave, Austin, TX 78723
See cult classics and new releases at Austin’s beloved boutique drive-in. Teenagers love the retro vibe and privateness of watching from the automotive (or truck mattress with blankets).
30. Boardwalk Path at Girl Chook Lake
Entry Level: 1820 S Lakeshore Blvd, Austin, TX 78741
A scenic, simple stroll that winds over the lake and gives skyline views. Nice for chill mornings or snapping a couple of Instagram-worthy pictures.
31. Purchasing at The Area or South Congress
Addresses:
- The Area: 11410 Century Oaks Terrace, Austin, TX 78758
- South Congress: S Congress Ave between W Riverside Dr and Oltorf St
Whether or not they need funky classic finds or upscale manufacturers, Austin has one thing for each fashion. Allow them to browse, attempt on, and snap mirror selfies to their coronary heart’s content material.
Professional Tip: In the event you’re visiting Austin in the summertime, plan your out of doors adventures for the morning or night and save the museums and ice cream spots for noon when the warmth peaks. Hydration and tacos are key to maintaining the peace.
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