Day plan

The Zilker Classic

Photo: Daderot / Wikimedia Commons (CC0)

A day of Austin's greatest hits: gardens, Tex-Mex on Barton Springs Road, then a cold dip or mini golf.

Zilker / South Central
Ages 3–12
$ (mostly cheap; pool and garden fees are small)
Best for: Ages 3–12; spring, summer and fall

Morning · 9–11:30am
Photo: Daderot / Wikimedia Commons (CC0)
Zilker Botanical Garden
Hunt for the dinosaur footprints in the Prehistoric Garden, then walk the Japanese garden's stepping stones.
Zilker Botanical Garden
Cost: Youth 3–17 $3 (Austin residents); 2 and under free. Hours: Daily 9 AM–5 PM (fall/winter); last entry 30 min before close.
See in the guide →
Lunch
Another Believer / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Chuy's (the original, Barton Springs Rd)
This is where Chuy's started in 1982. It's loud and colorful, so little kids fit right in. Check the menu for kids' options.
Chuy's (the original, Barton Springs Rd) · 1728 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78704
Website
Afternoon · 1–4pm
Photo: Downtown Austin / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)
Barton Springs Pool
Swim in the 68–70°F spring-fed pool. Kids who can't swim yet can stay in the shallow edges, with an adult close by.
Barton Springs Pool
Cost: Admission fees spring break–October; free in the off-season. Hours: Daily 5 AM–10 PM; closed Thursdays 9 AM–7 PM for cleaning. Alternative: Peter Pan Mini-Golf. If it's too cold to swim, play 18 holes at this 1940s-era course next to the park.
See in the guide →

Good to know

Barton Springs closes Thursdays 9am–7pm for cleaning.
Zilker parking is free Mon–Fri. It costs $3/hr on weekends and holidays from Mar 1 to Labor Day. Ask the Botanical Garden for its parking pass.

Rainy day backup: Austin Central Library (Children's Area)

Downtown, about 10 minutes away: the kids' floor, a rooftop garden and Café Crème inside. Hours: Mon–Thu 9 AM–8 PM; Fri 9 AM–5 PM; Sat 10 AM–5 PM; Sun noon–5 PM.