“Keep Austin Weird” may be the slogan, but hear me out. There are a lot of really cool things to do in the state capital of Texas, and it’s not all “weird.” (Although, how many cities do you have to wait your turn to play Chicken Sh!t Bingo?) If you’re looking for things to do in Austin with kids, you’re not going to come up short!

Austin is world-renowned for its music scene, hosting festivals such as Austin City Limits Music Festival and boasting over 250 live music venues. However, you’ll find far more to do in Austin than just the live music scene, both indoors and out.

Here are 25 of the best things to do in Austin with kids to help you plan your visit to this eclectic town.

1 Spend a Day In McKinney Falls

Recommended by Lydia | lostwithlydia.com 

McKinney Falls is a wonderful park located just minutes from downtown Austin. This Texas state park has hiking trails and swimming holes, making it a perfect year-round destination for families. 

The state park has an entry fee of $6 per adult and is free for kids under 12. A Texas state park pass may be an excellent investment if you visit multiple state parks throughout the year. McKinney Falls can reach capacity on busy days, so it is best to reserve your entry in advance for weekends and holidays. You can do this on the Texas state parks website.

The best things to do in McKinney Falls include swimming, hiking, camping, fishing, and more. The popular swimming areas are the Upper Falls and Lower Falls. Both of these areas have waterfalls that flow into spacious swimming areas. Whether you swim or not, there are beautiful rock formations to see relaxing turtles.

The Rock Shelter trail is great for kids. The path is less than a mile and will lead you past ‘Old Baldy’: a giant old cypress tree that is 103 feet tall and more than 550 years old. 

The ‘Bouldering Rocks’ area is another great area to visit. Here, you can rock climb without a rope or harness, but you will need a bouldering mat. 

One more interesting trail is the Homestead trail, which gives you the opportunity to see the ruins of a Gristmill.  

McKinney Falls State Park is a wonderful place to visit for those looking for an outdoor experience near Austin. It’s a great place to escape the city without driving too far.

I spent more than a month in Austin and loved hiking in McKinney Falls! It is such a beautiful park, and I really enjoyed the waterfalls and all of the unique rock formations. I highly recommend visiting Austin for families that enjoy exploring the outdoors. 

~ Lydia

2 Visit Inner Space Caverns

Recommended by Michelle | That Texas Couple & Totally Texas Travel

Just outside of Austin on Interstate 35, you will find one of the best things to do in Austin with kids is the Inner Space Caverns. Inner Space Caverns is home to an awesome cave full of beautiful geologic formations and loads of fun activities that kids (and kids at heart) are sure to love, making it a perfect addition to any weekend in Austin itinerary!

Of course, the main attraction is the cavern itself.  Discovered in 1963 by a drilling team, the cavern is now a favorite Texas road trip attraction. Touring the cave allows visitors to see some incredible natural formations, large cavern rooms, and even prehistoric animal bones.  The fact that the cavern remains at a constant 72 degrees year-round only means that it is also a fabulous escape from the Texas heat.

In addition to the cavern, Inner Space offers several other on-site attractions.  Kids will love keeping the treasure they uncover while panning for gemstones in the outdoor mining troughs. When you have had your fill of gemstone mining, be sure to check out The Saber Tooth, a tandem zip ride that has guests soaring through the air at speeds exceeding 30 miles per hour! 

There are several tours and package deals offered at the caverns, so be sure to visit their website for the most up-to-date pricing information and operating hours.

My husband and I make it a point to stop at Inner Space Caverns whenever we visit Austin. The guides are always so knowledgeable and nice and we love how the cavern seems to be ever changing!

~ Michelle

3 Go To A Family Camp

Recommended by Mark Evans | Summer Camp Hub

Austin has amazing outdoor landscapes that make it the perfect place for fun recreational activities. Due to its great outdoors, there are many summer camps and all-year-round camps that take place. 

While the majority of summer camps in the city tend to be exclusive to children, a lot of programs nearby also host family camps. At a family camp, moms, dads, and kids can grow closer together by doing fun activities with other families. This involves anything from camp games, lake activities, overnight camping, singing around the campfire, and much more. 

You have camps like Camp Champions, that’s only an hour away from Austin which hosts popular family camps. They provide fun activities for the whole family while also letting older attendees enjoy some adult beverages. It’s not the only camp, as others in the Texas Hill Country also host family weekends. 

If you’re going on vacation during the summer and need a babysitter for your kid, you can always enroll them in an overnight summer camp as well. The YMCA hosts a lot of adventure camps for kids of varying ages. But creative kids can also attend some of the popular art camps like the Creative Action camp or Austin Creative Arts Center camp. 

As a camp fanatic, family camps in Texas are some of the best ones I’ve enjoyed due to the amazing wonderful outdoors it offers. Since Austin is only one hour away from Texas Hill Country, it’s easily within driving distance of some of the best summer camps in the entire state for kids and families. 

~ Mark

4 Try Your Hand at Chicken Sh!t Bingo

Recommended by Lance and Laura | Travel Addicts.

Austin is known for keepin’ it weird. And nowhere is the weirdness showcased more than at the spectator sport known as Chicken Sh!t Bingo. Despite the blunt description of a biological function, this is definitely a kid-friendly activity.

On Sundays, the Little Longhorn Saloon plays host to an avian battle of prediction and patience. People gather, enjoy a refreshing beverage (either alcoholic or not), listen to a little live music, and wait for the chickens to do their thing.

Around 4 pm, staff sell the bingo tickets, and everyone heads outside to the parking lot. You buy your square on the board, which is the bottom of the chicken cage. Chicken feed is scattered across the board, a live chicken is placed inside, and the timer starts. And everyone waits for the big moment. When the chicken drops a poop, the number on the bottom square wins.

Of course, there’s lots of hootin’ and hollerin’ and encouraging the chicken to your particular square. And the youngsters can get their faces right up to the cage for the big moment.

The whole event is just totally weird and also lots of fun. If you are looking for a little family-friendly fun, head on over to Burnet Road and bingo at the Little Longhorn Saloon.

We loved Chicken Sh!t Bingo because of the novelty of it. We’ve never seen anything else like this in the world and it was amazing to see so many other families enjoying the event.

~ Lance and Laura

5 Hangout at Pinballz Arcade

Recommended by Catherine Xu | Nomadicated

The ultimate entertainment center, Pinballz Arcade, boasts indoor Austin amusement for adults and kids alike. With hundreds of pinball machines and every arcade game you’ve ever heard of and those you haven’t yet, there is something for the whole family at Pinballz Arcade.

The fun continues at the three separate Pinballz locations strewn around Austin, each offering unique activities, like bumper cars, dart frenzy, laser tag, go-karting, laser maze, laser tag, ax-throwing, escape rooms VR, an adventure theatre, and even a bowling alley. Check the calendar to see if any other special events coincide with your visit, like Karaoke or Trivia nights.

Purchase a Pinballz game card and load it up with credits to play. Each attraction is paid for separately and added to your card.

If you get hungry, take a break at the on-site restaurant, as each location offers a full kitchen with different food and drinks.

Having gone with a new group of people, Pinballz arcade was an excellent ice-breaker for our budding friendship. It’s hard not to laugh when darting around chasing each other in laser tag and getting competitive playing air hockey. We spent hours playing games and trying new activities, like the laser maze and promised that one day we would make it back here to try everything we missed the first time around.

~ Catherine

6 Take a Selfie Tour

Austin is bursting with murals and art exhibits. There are plenty of Instagram-able spots in the city, from the famous “Greetings From Austin” mural on South 1st Street to an iconic pink wall at Revival Coffee on 7th Street.

While on your selfie tour, stop at one of Austin’s locally owned and operated coffee shops. The refreshing drink will keep you fueled for your street art quest!

7 Visit Zilker Park

Zilker Park may lack the size and prominence of the historic Central Park in New York City, but it’s just as important to Austin. Located on the southwest side, Zilker sits on over 300 acres of park and provides spectacular city views.

The park is home to iconic music festivals, including Austin City Limits. However, it also hosts many additional events throughout the year, so Zilker Park will likely be showcasing an unforgettable extravaganza regardless of when you visit.

8 Relax in a Natural Spring

Barton Springs is a set of four natural water springs located within Zilker Park. The main draw is Barton Springs Pool, a three-acre pool fed from the underground springs. The water temperature in the pool stays at a consistent 68-70 degrees all year round, which makes it perfect for a dip any time of year.

There are no lifeguards on duty, so swim at your own risk and be sure to keep an eye on the kids.

9 Try Texas BBQ

A visit to Austin, Texas, would be incomplete if you don’t take advantage of the BBQ scene. A variety of local restaurants serve up delicious BBQ Texas Style, and sampling them is one of the top things to do in Austin.

There’s a Black’s BBQ Outpost on Guadalupe Street, Franklin’s BBQ on the historic east side (which also offers cooking classes!), Iron Works Barbecue in the heart of downtown, and so many more.

You can even get some great BBQ with your next fill-up at the gas station since Rudy’s Country Store and Bar-B-Q locations are all over the city!

10 South by Southwest

Held annually in March, the SXSW conference brings celebrities, movers, and shakers from all ends of the entertainment and technology industries. This iconic festival celebrates the convergence of technology, music, and film. From filmmakers to musicians, budding artists of all types will want to score tickets to South by Southwest.

Tickets for the most popular events sell out quickly, so make plans in advance if you plan on attending!

11 Blanton Museum of Art

Feast your eyes on the decadence of historical art with selections ranging from Old Master Paintings to today’s more recent Contemporary Art fixtures at the Blanton Museum of Art. Featuring over 18000 works to admire, the museum is a perfect place for a leisurely stroll and a break from the summer heat.

Thursdays are always free at the Blanton Museum of Art, so it’s a perfect day to visit, especially if you’re looking for a budget-friendly trip.

12 Dig Up Dinosaurs at Austin Nature & Science Center

Become a paleontologist for the day in the Austin Nature & Science Center’s Dino Pit. Embrace your inner child or live vicariously through the kids by discovering your very own fossils! The ANSC brings fun and exciting educational experiences all year round to Austin.

They’re open Monday – Saturday 9:00 am- 5:00pm and Sunday 12:00pm – 5:00pm. You’ll likely dig this experience.

13 Check Out The Austin State Capitol

They say, “Everything is bigger in Texas,” and in this case, that’s true. The Austin State Capitol building is bigger than the United States Capitol building! However, if size doesn’t impress you, the history of Texas just might.

The Austin State Capitol has numerous exhibits, monuments, and historical insight into Texas traditions and legacies that are sure to keep your attention for hours. It also has 22 acres of beautiful grounds where you can enjoy a picnic or just sit under a mighty oak tree contemplating the days of old on these fabled lands.

14 Explore South Congress Street on the Weekends

One of the best things about Austin is that it refuses to be something it is not. The city likes being weird and unpredictable. There’s no better example of this attitude than a weekend visit to the artsy side of South Congress Street.

The street morphs from a dull business district into a Bazaar-like market atmosphere you might find abroad without notice or expectation. Street vendors line the sidewalks next to eclectic shops that sell everything from Stetson cowboy hats to vintage clothing.

Food is, of course, everywhere, so you’ll have a difficult decision deciding whether to grab a slice of pizza, sit down for sushi, or pop for some pulled pork before leaving this magical Brigadoon that seemingly appears out of nowhere.

15 Visit Two Very Different Cathedrals

The Cathedral of Saint Mary is one of the city’s oldest churches. It was built in the 1800s and is a magnificent sight, with gothic architecture and exquisite stained-glass windows. On the other hand, the Cathedral of Junk is the epitome of “keep Austin weird.”

Owner Vince Hannemann has been collecting random items for his Austin cathedral since the 1980s. It’s filled with old television sets, lawn ornaments, and various other junky items that come together to create a fascinating and artistic expression of man’s obsession with stuff.

You need to call ahead to book a tour, and there’s a suggested donation of $10 per group.

16 Lady Bird Lake

Nestled between Zilker Park and downtown, Lady Bird Lake’s 10-mile activity path attracts thousands of visitors and residents each year. It’s the perfect place to seek refuge from the Texas heat or to bask in the shadows of the tall, plentiful trees.

There are numerous trails around the lake for walking, running, or biking, but the best way to enjoy the scenery is on the water. Rent a pontoon boat to spend your day enjoying Lady Bird Lake’s pristine waters. Adventurers may want to rent a kayak instead, but remember that swimming is prohibited here.

17 See The Bat Show!

Have you ever witnessed a million bats taking flight at sunset? This awe-inspiring spectacle takes place underneath the Congress Avenue Bridge every night. The best place to witness this natural marvel is from the water.

Many local boat rental businesses specialize in sunset bat show rentals, but if you are traveling on a budget, you can also gather atop the bridge with the crowd or view the show from afar on one of the many walking paths surrounding the lake.

18 Get Crafty

Austin is the #1 city for beer in Texas, claiming more than 40 of its total 275 breweries in the entire state! That’s a lot of beer! There are many different florals, body styles, and bitterness varieties in the craft breweries throughout the city.

One of the most famous craft breweries near Austin is the Family Business Beer Company. Though just outside the city, this brewery is definitely worth the trip. Jensen Ackles, star of one of the longest-running television shows in history, “Supernatural,” and his wife Danneel own the bar with his partner and brother on the show Jared Padalecki.

The Family Business Beer Company sits on 15 acres just outside Austin in Dripping Springs and is suitable for the whole family.

19 Take A Peek at Mayfield Park

Mayfield Park is one of the few places in the US where you can get up close and personal with Peacocks. While you wander amongst the luscious plant life, koi fish ponds, and bathing turtles, you’ll be greeted by peacocks and peafowl whose bellies are kept sufficiently full by a group of committed volunteers each day.

Please don’t attempt to touch any of these beautiful & colorful creatures, but if you speak to them in a calming and pleasant tone, you can often entice them to come closer. If you’re fortunate, you might even catch the males showing off their glorious tale-feather display in an attempt to charm the nearby ladies.

20 Stroll Through the Edward Marcus Sculpture Park

Built in 1916, this gorgeous recreation of an Italian villa will transport you to a place far away from Texas with its romantic architecture and seemingly endless paradise of three-dimensional objects. When you find the tall, silver man looking up to the sky, take a minute and do the same.

Close your eyes and enjoy the warm Texas sun on your face. What’s great about this sculpture garden is that it’s only a portion of the full & complete museum duo that is “The Contemporary Austin.”

In the heart of downtown Austin (700 Congress Ave), their location houses almost 8,000 square feet of thought-provoking installations, and the Laguna Gloria (3809 W 35th St) hosts the outdoor sculpture garden.

21 Visit Austin’s Many Lakes

Many folks who visit the Austin area for the first time are astounded to find so many lakes, rivers, and tributaries surrounding the city. The Colorado River (though not the same one that created the Grand Canyon) created these spectacular waterways eons ago.

The river created three significant lakeways. Lake Travis is the largest, but Lake Austin and Lady Bird Lake have their charms.

Whether you’re into fishing, water skiing, or floating the day away on a pontoon boat, these lakes offer an abundance of scenic wonders as well as a glimpse into Austin’s rich and famous, who own many of the multi-million-dollar homes dotting the lake’s shores.

22 Hike Mount Bonnell

Mount Bonnell, located in Covert Park, is the city’s highest point. The mountain is 781 feet tall and is a perfect place to get panoramic views of the cityscape below. The Mount Bonnel Trail Hike is short yet invigorating.

The gravel path is not wheelchair accessible and contains a 200-foot steep elevation change, posing a challenge for some hikers. However, the views are well worth the effort, especially at sunset.

23 Zip Lining

Lake Travis Zipline Adventures Boasts the “longest & fastest zip line in Texas!” Test your bravery with five world-class ziplines and see Lake Travis from a whole new perspective.

Those who prefer to keep their feet on solid ground can play games at the lodge or relax in a hammock on the private beach while waiting for their adrenaline-junky friends to return from the zip line.

24 Take a Day Trip to Texas Wine Country

The small town of Fredericksburg in Gillespie County is the perfect place for a day trip or weekend getaway. The epicenter of Texas wine country, the city, has over 50 wineries and tasting rooms to let you sample the sweet nectar produced in the state, and it’s only an hour away from Austin.

There’s far more than wine in this charming locale. Shoppers will enjoy the 150 stores and boutiques throughout the city, while fruit lovers will enjoy picking peaches in one of the many surrounding orchards. The town comes alive at night with a thriving restaurant and music scene.

25 Check Out 6th Street

Rarely do you find an advertised destination that lives up to its hype, but Austin’s downtown 6th Street is the complete package. The city blocks off the street from traffic during the weekends to accommodate the crowds of people converging on the neighborhood.

The West Side has everything from the iconic Voodoo Donuts to Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, but live music is the main attraction. Talented musicians flock to Austin, and you can find shows from nearly any genre on any given weekend. It’s a can’t-miss destination for sure.

Traveling to Austin

Austin is easily accessible by air and by road. Austin International Airport is right outside the city and accepts flights from various major airlines. Interstate 35 runs through the town, and Interstate 10 is directly south of Austin.

Keep Austin Weird!

Visit central Texas and enjoy all the weird and wonderful things to do in Austin with kids! Embrace the city’s motto and keep it weird!

This post originally appeared on Savoteur.