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travel guide: lake austin
Planning a family trip to Austin? Consider this your go-to guide for where to stay, eat, play, and what to pack — filled with a few of our favorite ways to experience the city we love.
Because in Austin, the best days start on the lake … and usually end with queso, pizza, or barbecue.
where to stay in austin with kids
Whether you want to be right in the middle of the city or have a little more room to slow down, these are some of our favorite home bases for an Austin weekend.
- Four Seasons Hotel Austin Right on Lady Bird Lake with plenty of outdoor space and easy access to downtown. A great option for families who want to be close to everything while still having room for little ones to play.
- Austin Proper Hotel Design-forward and downtown with a rooftop pool and an easy location for exploring the city.
- Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa A little outside downtown with more of a resort feel. Think pools, outdoor activities, plenty of space, and a slower pace after a busy day exploring Austin.
- Commodore Perry Estate A beautiful, tucked-away Austin stay for families looking for something quieter and especially charming. It feels like a getaway without actually leaving the city.
where to eat in austin with kids
If there's one thing Austin does well, it's casual meals that somehow become the highlight of the day.
- Matt's El Rancho An Austin classic. Order the Bob Armstrong dip, get the fajitas, and settle in for a true Tex-Mex night.
- Ski Shores Cafe One of our favorite stops on a Lake Austin boat day. Pull up for burgers, tacos, and lunch by the water — the ultimate Austin afternoon.
- Home Slice Pizza Grab a slice on South Congress before or after walking the shops. Easy, casual, and always a hit with kids. Plus they give pizza dough for them to play with.
- Terry Black's Barbecue You can't come to Austin without having Texas barbecue. Load up a tray with brisket, ribs, sides, and plenty of napkins.
what to do in austin with kids
The little eight version of Austin is all about getting outside, getting on the water, and leaving plenty of room in the day for something spontaneous.
- Boat day on Lake Austin Pack the swimsuits, sunscreen, towels, and snacks and spend the day on the water. Make Ski Shores your lunch stop before heading back out for an afternoon of swimming and cruising the lake.
- Spend the afternoon on South Congress Walk South Congress, pop into the shops, take a few pictures, and stop at Home Slice for pizza. It's the perfect way to spend an easy afternoon exploring one of Austin's most iconic areas.
- Swim at Barton Springs One of the most classic ways to cool off in Austin. Pack the swimsuits and spend the afternoon swimming before heading out for an early dinner.
- Catch a Texas Longhorns game No matter the season, cheering on the Longhorns is one of the most fun ways to experience Austin as a family. Head to a football game at DKR in the fall, catch basketball at Moody Center, or spend a spring afternoon at a Texas baseball game. Put on your burnt orange, grab a snack, and soak up the game-day energy — it's guaranteed fun for the whole family.
what to pack for austin with kids
Austin days can take you from the lake to lunch to dinner without much downtime, so pack pieces that can keep up.
- Swimsuits for lake and pool days
- Easy terry sets to throw on after swimming
- Lightweight tees, polos, and dresses
- Sneakers or sandals for exploring
- A hat + plenty of sunscreen
- One easy, slightly elevated outfit for dinner
Our philosophy: comfortable enough for a boat day, cute enough for lunch, and easy enough that getting everyone dressed never slows down the fun.
your austin packing list
when to visit austin
Austin is fun year-round, but spring and fall are hard to beat.
- Spring Warm, sunny, and perfect for being outside, lake days, and Texas baseball.
- Summer Hot — but prime time for boat days, pools, and swimming.
- Fall One of our favorites for patios, cooler weather, and Texas football.
- Winter Mild compared with much of the country and an easy time for a weekend getaway.
the little eight way to do austin
the best austin days are the ones you don't rush.
austin is about ...
a morning on the lake, lunch at ski shores, and an afternoon wandering south congress.
pack for all of it.
comfortable enough for a boat day, cute enough for lunch, easy enough to never slow down the fun.
leave room in the schedule.
bring the swimsuits. let the kids get messy. stay out on the boat a little longer.
