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25 Days of 2009 Summer Fun!
There are so many things to do in Austin during the summer time, it is hard to
pick my top favorites, but since the summer vacation doesn't last forever, I
have to prioritize those that I think they boys would enjoy the most.
If
you'd like to check out the many, many other things to do in Austin, here is a
link to my list of all things fun in Austin.
Over 100 places for Austin
Fun
I'd
*still* really like to get the boys into letterboxing this summer. So maybe
this year we will have a little more time! I have included any letterbox
sites for every place I picked.
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Austin Symphony's Children's Day Art Park
Day 1 - Experience the magic of
the arts at Children's Day Art Park. This exciting summer program features local
musicians, dancers, storytellers, magicians, mimes and crafts people. Youngsters
can visit the Instrument Petting Zoo (where they can see, touch and try to play
the instruments), talk to symphony musicians and hear them play their
instruments
I took the kids last year, and
they seemed to enjoy this. I might try it again.
Link to Children's Day Art Park
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Austin Nature and Science Center
Day 2 - Located on the western edge of Zilker Park, the Austin Nature &
Science Center is dedicated to the exploration of the the natural world. The
Center includes a Dino Pit for digging up fossil recreations, wildlife exhibits
with rescue animals, a pond for fish feeding and many paths to explore.
We haven't been since the fall, and this is one of our favorite places to go!
We will plan for early summer, as this place gets *hot* in the sun.
The kids and I will bring items for the Naturalist Trade Counter and quarters to feed the fish.
After exploring the dino pit and little wonders, eat a picnic lunch, and then
hit the back woods for a hike and search for some letterboxes!
The
Trade Counter is open from 10am to 1pm Wednesday - Friday.
Free
but donations are accepted
Letterboxes:
U.S.A. Flag 2
Letterbox
The Scenic Overlook
Zilker-Hike and Bike
Mr. Secretary - Texas Governor Series
City Streets - Quilt Block Series
Jo
Beth
Link to
Austin Nature and Science Center
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Peter Pan Mini Golf and Butler Park -
Visited July 8th
The fountains at Butler Park
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Day 3 - Peter Pan mini golf has been open since 1948, with two different courses
and lots of old style mini golf holes. It is located very close to the new
Butler Park, with fountains for getting wet, and a hill just made for rolling
down!
Another early summer event, as mini golf in hundred degree heat is NO FUN!
However, we really want to visit the fountains at Butler park behind Palmer Events Center
to cool off after a hot game. Last year we went in the evening, and waited
for the light show. We waited for it to get dark (pretty alte in the
summer), and still no light show. I am not sure what time they come on.
I'll try and figure that out for this year!
18
holes: $6 adult, $5 child
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Zilker Park
Day
4 - Zilker Park has a wonderful large playground, complete with a fire engine to
climb on. It also has the Zilker Zephyr, a mini train that takes tours
around the park. Located on the premise is Barton Springs Pool, some of
the coldest water in Texas! Also in the park is the Austin Nature Center
Splash exhibit, with a quick walk-though hands on demonstration about the
Edwards Aquifer.
Last
year we did this, and the kids still wanted to ride the Zephyr. I know
that one year soon they will be too big. Hopefully it won't be this year!
The boys also seem to love playing in the water's edge outside Barton Creek Pool
instead of actual within the pool, I don't know why!
Zephyr: $2.75 adults, $1.75 children Pool: Adults: $3,
Children: $1
Letterbox:
Endangered Species of Texas: Barton Springs Salamander
Zilker-Hike and Bike
Link to Zilker Metropolitan Park
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Hamilton Pool -
Visited May 30th, 2009
Day
5 - Hamilton Pool Preserve is a historic swimming hole located 3/4 mile upstream
from the Pedernales River. Hamilton Creek spills out over limestone outcroppings
to create a 50 foot waterfall as it plunges into the head of a steep box canyon.
The waterfall never completely dries up, but in dry times it does slow to a
trickle. However, the pool's water level stays pretty constant, even during
periods of drought. Note: this pool is not recommended for young children due to
the long walk, slippery sides and steep sides
Call
264-2740 before going, as the bacteria level in the pool sometimes gets to
high and they have to close the pool. $8
per carload
 
Link to
Hamilton Pool
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The Music Man - Zilker
Hillside Theater
Day 6 - Thursdays - Sunday, July
3rd - August 15th. Located just across from Barton Springs Pool in
beautiful Zilker Park, the natural amphitheater is nestled among a grove of
giant 100 year old Pecan trees and is home to numerous locally produced musical
and dance oriented events.
We didn't make this last year, but
with them doing the Music Man this year, I'd say it is a can't miss!
Link to Zilker Hillside Theater
●●● Krause
Springs
Day 7 - Krause Springs is a
well-known camping & swimming site located in Spicewood, Texas approximately 30
miles west of Austin. There are 32 springs on the property, and several feed the
manmade pool and the natural pool which flows into Lake Travis.
We haven't been in two years, and
I think the kids would enjoy going back.
Link to Krause Springs
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Berry Farms
Day 8 - Enjoy family fun by
picking your own fresh blackberries at this farm just outside Marble Falls.
Mid-June is the best time for the blackberries, but you can come as early as
May. There will be a spring hay-field maze in May and June while the
blackberries are at their peak. The location also has goats and horses for
petting.
We
will probably head out early, pick blackberries, feed the horses, eat the
home-made ice cream.
Link to Sweet Berry Farms
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Longhorn Cavern
Day 9 - Located in Burnet, this
park features Longhorn Cavern, a Texas Hill Country wonder created over
thousands of years by the dissolving and cutting action of water on the
limestone bedrock of the area. Fossil remains show that many Ice Age animals
once occupied the cave.
I have wanted to go
here for a long
time. It is pretty far away, and expensive, so this is good for a special day trip!
Link to Longhorn Caverns
$13
per adult, $8 per child
Letterbox:
Quarter of a Letterbox
The Early Bird
A bunch of Grapes
Let's Go Fishing
Queen's Watchdog Letterbox
St. Patrick's Day Trail
Longhorn Cavern State Park
Irish Cheetah
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Camp Ben
McCulloch
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Day 10 - Located near Driftwood in
Hays County, this privately owned campground hosts a prime swimming hole with a
rope swing. After a rainy season, the river flows pretty quickly, so
bring a raft and play by the river. The camp also has a nice playscape and
tables for a picnic lunch
Entrance is free
Link to Camp Ben
McColloch
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Southpark Meadows Park -
Visited May 31st, 2009
Day
11 - Primarily a shopping mall, this park have a very nice shaded playground in
the center, complete with small fountains for the children to play in.
Many of the small restaurants in the mall open to the playground, allowing
adults to sit and eat while the children play.
Free
Link to Southpark
Meadow
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Blazer Tag -
Visited June 30th, 2009
Day 12 - Laser tag
is a high tech form of hide-and-go-seek and tag for everyone from age 7 to 97.
Players wear a light-weight vest and carry a futuristic phaser to "tag"
opponents with a visible laser light beam and score points. At the end of the
game, each player gets a computer-generated scorecard that shows his or her
score, hit-to-shot ratio, rank and winning team.
Dylan had his
birthday party here, and he has been begging to go back ever since. I
figure I'll gather up my two for one coupons and spend one hot afternoon letting
the boys blast each other.
Link to Blazer Tag
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Austin Children's Museum -
Visited June 5th, 2009
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Day
13 - Austin Children's Museum provides innovative, participatory exhibits,
programs, and resources which encourage curiosity, creativity, appreciation, and
learning for children. Your child will run from the moment he/she arrives until
you finally pull him\'her from the museum, all the while participating in
educational values.
A
nice outing for the heat of the summer, as the museum is cool and air
conditioned... as compared to many of the other places we want to go! Follow
with lunch at
Spaghetti Warehouse
Adults and Children: $5.50, Parking: $5
Link to Austin Children's Museum
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Texas Memorial Museum and Bowling
Day
14 - the Memorial Museum is almost a museum piece itself: dim, cool, hushed,
with four floors from basement dinosaurs to the glowing gem room.
Check out the dinosaurs, rocks, and digging area, followed by bowling at the UT
Union. Another good summer activity, as both the Texas Memorial Museum and
the Union are nice and air conditioned!
Museum: free; Bowling: $2.50 Shoes: $1.50 Parking: $7
Letterbox:
San Jacinto Hall
Hook 'Em
Link to Texas Memorial Museum
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Aquarena
Center in San Marcos
Day
15 - The Aquarium with an Endangered Species Exhibit, the floating Wetlands
Walkway, Glass Bottom Boat tours and Hillside Nature Trails combine to give
visitors a unique experience of the San Marcos Springs and the diversity which
it creates.
I
have been wanting to do this for years, and have never made it. Maybe this
year is the year! Along the way, we may check out Cabelas before or
afterwards, which has a fun small aquarium, small shooting range, and rooms full
of cool stuff!
Boat
Tour: $8 adults, $6 children
Letterbox:
San Marcos Salamander
Letterbox
Link to Aquarena Center
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Ice Cream Tour
Day
16 - There are two places to tour ice cream factories her in Austin. The
first is Austin's local Amy's Ice Cream, Tours can be set up ahead of time
for their Lamar locations. The tour is $1.50 per child, and includes a
trial scoop of ice cream. Children can play on the nice playscape
afterwards. However, you can also tour the Blue Bell plant in Brenham for
a larger scale operation.
Link to Blue Bell tour
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UT Tower Tour -
Visited June 27th, 2009
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Austin Summer Musical for Children
Day 18 -
Pinocchio - August 1 - 2 and August 8 - 9
- The cast features a talented, costumed amateur group, performing stories and
music that children are sure to enjoy. Ten free public performances, produced
for children ages 3-10, will allow 1500 children in Central Texas to have the
chance to experience live musical theatre.
Link to Austin Summer Musical
A
great and inexpensive way to introduce children to musicals. We missed
last years, but the year before the kids really enjoyed this. I'd like to
make it this year!
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Take a Hike
Day
19 - There are so many wonderful places to hike in Austin. Below are a few
favorites:
Bull
Creek - in Central Austin is a dog friendly park, take a walk along the stream
and enjoy
McKinney Falls State Park in Southeast Austin- camp, hike, mountain bike, swim
in Onion Creek, and enjoy being outside.
Mt
Bonnell - in Central Austin is a popular tourist area that offers views of
downtown, Town Lake, and 360 Bridge.
Visited April 19th, 2009
Pedernales Falls in Johnson City stretches along both banks of the Pedernales
River for 6 miles and for an additional 3 miles along the south side of a rugged
and picturesque gorge known as the Pedernales Falls.
Red
Bud Isle - an off leash dog park on a small Town Lake island, just below Tom
Miller Dam. There are numerous open play areas, lots of shade and plenty of
paths to the water where dogs can access the lake to swim. Strolls through the
woods are common, along with dogs running, people kayaking and fishing.
Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve - 3
miles of hiking trails through woodland, grassland, and streamside habitats.
Wild Basin also hosts a variety of family events, concerts, adult workshops,
children's and school programs.
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Brushy Creek Lake
Park
Day
20 - Brushy Creek Lake Park is a 90-acre park located in Cedar Park that offers
active and natural resource-based recreational opportunities. Facilities include
a playground and water playscape, hike and bike trail and a 38-acre lake.
One
day this summer we will pack up the bathing suits and bikes and head down to the Brushy Creek Sprinkler Park and let the kids splash around.
Letterboxes:
The Doggie Box (Buttercup Creek)
Link to Cedar Park
Water Playscape
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Go to the Beach
Day 21 - While the Gulf is
probably too far a drive to visit for the day, there are a couple of lake
beaches in Austin. While they tend more toward gravel or mud then sand,
they still are perfect for a hot day!
Westlake Beach
This
privately owned park has a shaded picnic area, marina, concession stand, diving
platform, playground, showers, and beach and water volleyball.
Link
Lake
Georgetown Beach - Russell Park on the lake has a washed pebble beach with ten
shelters. The lake also has hiking trails, group shelters and camping.
Link
Emma
Long Beach - located 6.2 miles off FM 2222 on City Park Road. The park is on the
shores of Lake Austin, and consists of a total of 1150 acres, 70 of which are
developed. Emma Long Park has a designated swimming area in Lake Austin and has
a large sandy beach. A nice hike begins right outside the park alongside Turkey
Creek. Link
Volente Beach - A water park that is great for children, it is smaller than
Schlitterbahn, but also considerably closer. The park includes several large
water rides, a children's activity pool, picnic area, and a sandy beach on the
lake. Link
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Visit the
Zoo
Day 22 - There are plenty of zoos in and around Austin. There is the
Austin Zoo and Animal Sanctuary, and the Capitol of Texas Zoo in Bastrop which
are both fairly short drives. Slightly longer drives will bring you to the
San Antonio Zoo and the Cameron Park Zoo in Waco.
Letterboxes:
GO SPURS GO! (San Antonio Zoo)
Cameron Park Zoo (Waco)
Link to Austin Zoo
Link to Capital of Texas Zoo
Link to Cameron Park Zoo
Link to San Antonio Zoo
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Austin Rock Gym
Day 23 - Austin's only indoor
rock-climbing facility has up to 30 foot-tall textured climbing walls featuring
fun, thought-provoking routes for every ability. With almost 10,000 sq./feet of
climbing, a large lead climbing area and a huge bouldering cave. There is plenty
of climbing for all ages and all experience levels.
Link to Austin Rock Gym
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New Braunfels
Day
24 - Visit the McKenna Children's
Museum and put your child on the road to discovery at the McKenna Children’s
Museum and watch the transformation begin. Exhibits include: Lend-A-Hand Ranch,
the Grocery Store, Outside the Lines Art Studio, the Tot Spot, Destination Space
and many more.
Landa Park offers picnic facilities under the shade of giant, ancient oak trees
a miniature train that chugs around the 196-acre park, paddle boats on the
Comal Springs and Landa Lake, miniature golf, a playground, Panther Canyon
Nature Trail and a walking arboretum tour with over 70 species of trees!
Museum: $5.50 per person, Train: $2.25 per person, paddle boat:
Boat: $3 per person per 30 minutes,
Letterbox:
Picnic in the Park
Ein
Prosit!
Guided Oak
Schlitterbahn
Link to McKenna Children's Museum
Link to Landa Park
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Regal Cinema Free Family Film Festival
Day 25 - When school's out, kids
around the country come to selected Regal Entertainment Group theatres for our
Free Family Film Festival. It's a fun-filled nine weeks of movies for kids and
their parents.
There are a couple of movies that
the boys might enjoy watching... If we have a hot Tuesday or Wednesday with
nothing to do, cooling in the theater watching a free movie might be a nice
break.
Link to
Regal Free Family Movies
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Dive into a
Pool
Day
26 - Pick one from the many awesome public pools in and around Austin:
Barton Springs Pool - Three acres in size, the pool is fed from under ground
springs and is on average 68 degrees year round. Moss makes the bottom a bit
slippery for young children and non-swimmers.
Link
Deep
Eddy Pool - The huge shallow end, cool water, and massive cottonwood trees make
this place a family favorite. Lap swimmers have their own pool, so the kids can
frolic to their heart's content without getting in the way of the serious
swimmers. Evening in Summer they show a movie for a fun experience!
Link
Garrison Pool - Includes a shallow area for young children, a 12 foot diving
board and lanes for lap swimming.
Link
Lakeway Pool - the city of Lakeway has a nice pool with a large water slide,
lily pad crossing and shallow area for young children
Mentzer Pool in Pflugerville -The pool features a slide and other interactive
water features. Other amenities at the park include a hike and bike trail,
basketball court, bocce ball court, sand volleyball court, picnic shelter, barn,
pond and nature trail, and an orchard.
Link
Micki Krebsbach Pool in Round Rock - a perfect pool for young children with a
huge mushroom waterfall, animals that squirt water, and a cement beach. For
older children, there is a water slide and an obstacle type course.
Link
Stacy Pool - This is the place to swim during cold weather. Heated by a natural
warm spring, this pool has been around since it was built by the Works Progress
Administration in the 1930s.
Link
Rock
n River Aquatic Pool in Round Rock - A new pool in Round Rock, this swim center
includes a fun water plascape, two large slides (for those over 48 inces), a
baby area and a lazy river with tubes. Most areas are are less than 4 feet, so
this is a great place for younger children!
Link
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Schlitterbahn -
Visited May 31st, 2009
Day 27 - In New Braunfels; 65
acres of slides, pools, inner tube floats, an uphill coaster, kiddie parks, and
high-tech water rides, all located on the banks of the spring-fed Comal River.
Voted America's Number One water park for three years straight
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Check out the Library Program
Day 28 - Every year, the Austin
Public Library has a great summer program, full of puppet shows, story times,
mad science and more.
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Dinosaur Park in Bastrop
Day
29 - Travel back in time as you walk along twelve life-size dinosaur replicas on
display throughout nature trails. These statues range in size from the 6-foot
long Velociraptor to the 40-foot long T-Rex; with additional Dinos to come in
the future!
The
visit to the park only takes an hour or so, so we will probably follow it with a Swim and Picnic Lunch at
Lake Bastrop South Shore
$5
per person
Letterboxes at South Shore:
TX Chainsaw
Massacre
Cool Dog
GWP Series: Pancho Villa
Pinch! Pinch!
Just 'in Case
My little knife
A Texas Roadside Treasure
Oedipus Tex
Shoot Low, Sheriff!
Along the Bluebonnet Trail
Hummer
The Mail Box
Link to Dinosaur Park in Bastrop
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Chapparal Ice Skating
Day 30 - visit one of the few
(maybe only) ice skating rinks in Austin Texas. Chapparal Ice is a
family-owned business that seeks to share their passion for ice-skating with the
Austin community.
Link to Chapparal Ice Skating
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Exotic Zoo Ranch in Johnson City
A one of a kind preserve where
several endangered species of animals have a chance to increase their numbers
and at the same time allowing people to enjoy their beauty and company. More
than 1/2 of the wild animals in the park at one time or another were listed on
the endangered animal lists and nearing extinction.
40
miles from Oak Hill, so a bit of a haul -- but it seems like a fun trip!
Maybe combine with a trip to Pedernales Falls...
$10.95 for adults, $8.95 for 12 and under for the tour and petting zoo
Link to Exotic Zoo Ranch
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Pioneer Farms
We
checked this out last year, and it was really fun. It was also,
unfortunately, 100 degrees. I'd love to go again - only when it is not so
hot. Summer may not be the best time for this event. I may move this
to a fall event instead.
$8
per adult, $6 per child
Link to Pioneer Farms
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Veloway
Take the kids bike riding at
the Veloway, and maybe check out Wildflower Center afterwards.
Letterbox:
Mellow
Velo
Butterfly Block - Quilt Block Series
Free
Ceramic Bayou
Austin Park n Pizza
Texas Sate Capital
Wild Connections Butterfly Farm
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
Zilker Botanical Garden
Peach Picking
Inflatable (Going Bananas, Hopping House, etc.)
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