New to Austin? Here’s what locals actually love to do. No tourist traps, promise.
With record-breaking weather and more triple digits temps in the future, Austin is officially scorching. If you want to make it through the summer (and have fun doing it), plan on visiting one of these awesome hotel pools in Austin. Whether you’re visiting and looking for the best Austin hotels with pools, or you’re a…
I kind of have to cringe any time I use the word “Austin” and “speakeasy” in the same sentence. There are so many speakeasy cocktail bars, and let’s be honest: they’re not secret. (There’s lots of cocktail bar competition! Everyone wants business!) But this new taco speakeasy in Austin, while not super secret, actually is a…
There’s just nothing like a staycation at a swanky hotel in your own city! I feel very called to share these amazing experiences for hotel staycations in Austin with you because 1) everyone Austinite should do a staycation every now and then, and 2) HOLY MOLY there are some fun hotels in Austin right now! …
It’s SUMMER!! I’m ready for the most epic summer yet with my kids, and I’ve made a massive Austin summer bucket list of all the fun things we’re going to do this year. In my typical type-A fashion, I scheduled out the entire summer with detailed plans, lists, and spreadsheets so I can make sure…
The amazing swimming holes in Austin are what make summers bearable here! Although this is a landlocked city, there are some really fun places to explore on the hottest days of the year. One of the best parts about these swimming holes is that lots of them are spring-fed, so they stay ice-cold all summer…
You’re planning a trip to Austin, and you’re thinking about all the free time in your schedule at the beginning of August. It’s just before everyone goes back to school and a new semester begins, and it just so happens to be a great time to squeeze in one more trip at the end of…
Wondering where you should plan your next date night? Good news: I’m sharing my favorite date night restaurants in Austin with you! (Be sure to use the map below to find one near you.) After more than a decade of going out on dates in Austin, my husband and I have ventured to pretty much…
One of the most luxurious treats in life is settling into an adorable coffee shop with a beautifully-made latte and an absolutely perfect pastry to start your day. This trio (coffee shop, excellent coffee, beautiful pastry) feels like a little “treat yoself” moment no matter if you do it once a year or 5 days…
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Kelsey Kennedy is a native Texan and a local Austin author, photographer, and blogger with a serious obsession for all things Austin. As the creator of four Texas-focused travel websites, her work has reached over 12 million readers in 38 countries, all searching for the coolest things to do in the hottest…
You really never have to worry about running out of things to do with kids in Austin because as soon as you’ve exhausted the list, you can just drive over to the next small Texas town! Sure, our state is MASSIVE and you can’t drive to a different state in a single afternoon (like our friends…
Did you know that Georgetown, Texas is known for its red poppies? They’re a beautiful flower that’s not seen very often in Texas, so it’s a very cool thing that GTX has so many of them every spring. The red flowers are so famous that Georgetown even launched their very own Red Poppy Festival every…
You just want a good drink, some delicious bites, and a fun Austin patio to hang out on. Oh, and you want it all at a discounted price because you’re showing up at 5 pm instead of normal dinner evening hours. Is that so much to ask? No, no it’s not. And so here are…
Buda is a family town! It’s an absolutely flourishing city just a little bit south of Austin that has grown very popular for its proximity to Austin, its historic downtown Buda shopping and dining district, and the family-friendliness of all of it. So it’s no surprise that there are several wonderful kid-friendly restaurants in Buda.…
You’re looking at your weather app and it’s going to be a high of 106 degrees today…for the 10th day in a row. You’re starting to run out of ideas of things to do in Austin when it’s hot outside because let’s face it: those Austin patios stop being fun when the weather gets above…
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…
A quick guide + map to the best pumpkin patches in Austin this year.
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…
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…
From pre-fest coffee to post-fest drinks + carbs, here’s where to eat close to ACL Festival.
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.
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…
Because why stay somewhere boring when you could stay somewhere awesome? Here are the best hotels near ACL Fest.
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…
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…
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…
There’s a formula to this! Hot tip: no rompers because PORTA-POTTIES.
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…
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…
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…
