Doxa Coffee and playground

The Best Coffee Shops In Austin With Playgrounds

By Kelsey Kennedy | September 5, 2025

I can’t count how many play dates I’ve done at coffee shops in Austin! They’re great spots to meet up with a fellow mom friend, let the toddlers play, and enjoy a caffeinated catch-up session. Here are a few of my favorite Austin coffee shops with play areas.  Full disclosure: I’m a coffee snob. I…

Austin restaurants with playgrounds | Whole Foods

The Best Austin Restaurants With Playgrounds, According to a Local Mom

By Kelsey Kennedy | September 4, 2025

As a mom of two young boys, I’ve learned that the easiest way to enjoy a family meal in Austin is to choose a restaurant with a playground. When the kids have a place to run and play, my husband and I actually get to relax and enjoy dinner. Luckily, Austin has no shortage of…

Indigo Play

Cool Indoor Play Places In Austin For Toddlers + Big Kids

By Kelsey Kennedy | June 6, 2025

When it’s way too hot or way too rainy or you just want a new indoor play place to explore, here are some good ones.

JABS burger in Austin

These Are The Best New Restaurants in Austin

By Kelsey Kennedy | June 5, 2025

It’s hard to keep up with all the new restaurants opening in Austin! Use this guide + map to find something new to try near you.

Barton springs Pool

The Perfect Day In Austin, *SUMMER* Edition! 

By Kelsey Kennedy | June 5, 2025

When I get asked what it’s like to live in Austin, I always start with the truth: it’s HOT.  And not like, hot sauce and BBQ and spicy tacos hot…I mean sweaty, sunny, I-need-to-jump-in-a-pool hot.  So if you’re visiting Austin this summer and you need a full day of fun stuff to do, this guide…

Central Machine Works

The Ultimate Patio Guide To Austin, TX

By Kelsey Kennedy | April 16, 2025

When the weather is absolutely freaking gorgeous, everyone in Austin is going to want to drink or dine on a beautiful outdoor patio. Honestly, it’s almost easier to list places without patios than with, because nearly every restaurant and bar in Austin has outdoor seating. But where are the best patios in Austin? Use the…

Elizabeth Street Cafe

10 Best South Austin Restaurants

By Kelsey Kennedy | April 16, 2025

South Austin restaurants have never been better. Just when you think you’ve hit up all of the great places to eat and drink in south Austin, another great restaurant opens.  And this restaurant scene is quite different from the new restaurants that are opening in downtown Austin, which are often multi-million dollar build outs at…

Cuantos Taco

20 Best Tacos In Austin That I Always Recommend To My Friends

By Kelsey Kennedy | April 15, 2025

There’s a wide variety in this city, so here are the 20 best tacos in Austin, including everything from cheap street tacos to James Beard Award-Winning fancy tacos.

Elementary brunch

The Best Brunch Spots In Austin Texas

By Kelsey Kennedy | April 15, 2025

Austin is a brunch city, and here’s a map of all the best brunch spots you need to check out.

Best South First Street Restaurants

Where To Eat On South First Street

By Kelsey Kennedy | April 14, 2025

South First Street is a powerhouse of amazing restaurants in Austin. It runs parallel to the popular South Congress Ave, but unlike the tourist destination that SOCO has become, South First is mostly full of locals who have found their favorite neighborhood restaurant or bar. After years of living walking distance to these restaurants, I’m…

Buenos Aires Cafe

Hidden Gem Restaurants In Austin (Tourists Need To Visit These!)

By Kelsey Kennedy | March 11, 2025

In the age of Google My Business a “hidden gem restaurant” doesn’t really exist anymore…but sometimes I still like to bring attention to some lesser-known Austin gems. While most people visit Austin and get the same 8-10 recommendations (MICHELIN-rated, the 30 all-time best restaurants in Austin, and then tourist-y spots like Salt Lick and Torchy’s),…

FREE in Austin: 9th Street BMX Trail

By Kelsey Kennedy | March 7, 2025

Tucked into the heart of downtown Austin is an unassuming park of dirt mounds and hills. You might drive by it a few times without noticing it (especially if it’s empty), but if you head to 9th Street and North Lamar on a weekend, dozens of BMX bikers of all ages and skill levels will…

Mum Foods pastrami

Here Are The Best Sandwiches In Austin

By Kelsey Kennedy | March 6, 2025

Sandwiches in Austin (unfairly) don’t have the same hype that they get in a lot of other cities. I mean, it’s not like we have the same claim to fame as NYC deli markets or the New Orleans po’boy scene. (Granted, we totally own the market on tacos and barbecue.) But I’m on a mission to showcase…

The Best Happy Hours In Austin For Cheap Eats + Drinks

By Kelsey Kennedy | February 25, 2025

Austin is known for its food scene, but those restaurant tabs can add up pretty quickly  The solution? Austin happy hours! You can often try the same amazing menu items at a fraction of the cost. Plus, happy hour is just…happy.  PS: weekend-specific happy hours in Austin are here. powered by Proxi ABOUT THE AUTHOR Kelsey…

Ling Wu Asian Restaurant | best west Austin restaurants

Best Restaurants In West Austin

By Kelsey Kennedy | February 24, 2025

Sure, downtown Austin and east Austin are probably where you’ll find the biggest clusters of award-winning Austin restaurants. But the sprawling area of west Austin (from Westlake to Lakeway to Bee Caves, and even closer to the city like Tarrytown and Rollingwood) has lots of residents. So where are all the west Austin restaurants?? Actually,…

How Many Days Do You Need in Austin With Kids? (My Perfect 4-Day Itinerary)

By Kelsey Kennedy | October 2, 2025
Austin with kids

I live in Austin and have tried pretty much all of the “kid-friendly things to do in Austin.” If you’re planning a family vacation here, you might be wondering: how many days in Austin do you really need with kids? Long story short: 4 days (a long weekend) is the perfect amount of time. Here’s…

Best Pumpkin Patches In Austin (2025)

By Kelsey Kennedy | September 27, 2025
Dripping Springs Pumpkin Fest

A quick guide + map to the best pumpkin patches in Austin this year.

Kid-Friendly Halloween Events Near Austin (2025 Edition)

By Kelsey Kennedy | September 25, 2025
Tim Burton's Nightmare Before Christmas

Fall is back, the air is crisping up (kinda…), and Austin is full of festive events perfect for kids and families. Not gonna lie – Halloween and fall events in Austin have gotten EXPENSIVE! If you’re going with a family of 4, expect to spend $100 on admission alone. Here are a few of my personal…

Easy Family Hikes Near Austin (Kid-Tested Trails!)

By Kelsey Kennedy | September 23, 2025
hiking at Walnut Creek Park

Looking for an easy family hike near Austin? I get it! I love being outdoors with my kids, but I don’t always want to commit to a long trek with steep climbs, tons of stairs, or rocky terrain. The good news is there are plenty of kid-friendly hikes near Austin that I’ve explored with my…

Where To Eat Near ACL Fest 2025

By Kelsey Kennedy | September 22, 2025
Sandy's Hamburgers

From pre-fest coffee to post-fest drinks + carbs, here’s where to eat close to ACL Festival.

27 Fun Things To Do With Kids In Austin (That Locals Actually Love)

By Kelsey Kennedy | September 22, 2025
Goat Farm at Jester King Austin

Whether you’re a local or you’re visiting with kids, here are some of my favorite really fun things to do in Austin with kids.

Do You Need A Car When You Visit Austin? A Mom’s Honest Take

By Kelsey Kennedy | September 19, 2025
Downtown Austin skyline at night

Wondering if you need a car when you visit Austin? Ok, hi! Sure! I’ll answer that. As a local Austin resident and someone who is constantly hopping around ATX to eat and explore, I have a feel for where to stay when you visit Austin and how you should plan to get around. ABOUT THE…

21 Cool Hotels Near Austin City Limits Festival

By Kelsey Kennedy | September 18, 2025
21 Best Hotels Near Austin City Limits Music Festival

Because why stay somewhere boring when you could stay somewhere awesome? Here are the best hotels near ACL Fest.

The Thinkery In Austin: Is The Children’s Museum Worth It?

By Kelsey Kennedy | September 18, 2025
The Thinkery

The Thinkery is our awesome little kids museum here in Austin. It’s located in the family-friendly east Austin neighborhood of Mueller, and it’s on pretty much every “best things to do in Austin” guide. If you’re wondering if it’s worth it to visit, I’ll go ahead cut to the chase: YES! I’ve been to this…

10 Fun and Kid-Friendly Hotels in Austin for Your Next Trip

By Kelsey Kennedy | September 17, 2025
Origin Hotel in Austin

When you’re visiting a city, the most important thing to do first is book your hotel! Once that’s taken care of, everything else-restaurants, museums, concerts, and other fun activities-falls into place. I’ve written before about the best places to stay in Austin with kids, and I still stand by what I said: a vacation rental…

12 Best Playgrounds In Austin (Ranked By My Kids)

By Kelsey Kennedy | September 17, 2025
Skyline Park

Austin has some of the best playgrounds in Texas, and lately the city has been busy giving a few of them major upgrades. The Parks Department has poured millions of dollars into places like Pease Park, Walnut Creek, and Circle C Park. We’re talking bigger play structures, more shaded areas, and safer play spots in…

What To Wear To Austin City Limits Music Festival

By Kelsey Kennedy | September 17, 2025
What To Wear To ACL Festival

There’s a formula to this! Hot tip: no rompers because PORTA-POTTIES.

The Best Breakfast Spots In Austin With Kids

By Kelsey Kennedy | September 15, 2025
breakfast in Austin with kids

You know where Austin really shines? Casual breakfast spots! My kids love going out on Saturday mornings for a big stack of pancakes, and luckily, Austin has plenty of options. If you’re looking for where to eat breakfast in Austin with kids, here are a few of our favorite spots – personally approved by my…

Where To Stay In Austin With Kids

By Kelsey Kennedy | September 11, 2025
where to stay in Austin with kids

When a friend tells me she’s visiting Austin with her little ones and wants to know where to stay in Austin with kids, this is exactly what I tell her: An awesome airbnb, centrally located. And yes, plan on renting a car! Texas doesn’t have reliable public transportation. I’ve lived in Austin forever and I’m…

10 Best Restaurants on South Congress (From a Local Who Eats Here Weekly)

By Kelsey Kennedy | September 5, 2025
Jo's Coffee

I know it’s a bit of an unpopular opinion, but as a local, I think South Congress is still incredible. Sure, it’s not the hippie mecca it used to be, and yes, a few big corporate stores have moved in-but the vibe is alive, the streets are fun, and the food? Absolutely worth it. Here…

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