Austin in the spring is a beautiful thing — with bluebonnets bursting and with parks budding with green. With warm weather here to stay, there are plenty of fun things to do in the area with family, friends, and loved ones. Take a look at some of our favorite activities that you can take advantage of.
Austin Aquarium
All aquariums have fish but how many have mermaids and lemurs? The Austin Aquarium has thousands of species of cold-water fish, tropical fish, a stingray touch tank, and sharks on display. To make your visit extra special, you can also take a selfie with a mermaid and meet ring-tailed or red-ruffed lemurs.
Austin Zoo
Take a walk on the wild side at the Austin Zoo. This rescue zoo features more than 300 animals, including tigers, lions, and bears — oh my!
Bluebonnet Festival
The state flower is celebrated in all of its glory each April at the Bluebonnet Festival in Burnet. The celebration is slated to take place April 11-13 and features live music, a carnival, food, races, and vendor stalls.
Barton Springs
Austin is famous for its spring-fed swimming holes and luckily, spring is the perfect time to take a trip and take a dip. The 3-acre pool is located in Zilker Park and boasts a large grassy area that is perfect for picnics and sunbathing all afternoon.
BookPeople
Got a bookworm in the family? Make their day with a trip to BookPeople — the largest independent bookstore in Texas. Hungry? While you’re there, check out the BookPeople Café which offers coffee and snacks including gluten-free and vegan options, too.
Lady Bird Lake
Created by the building of the Longhorn Dam on the Colorado River, Lady Bird Lake is one of the best places to enjoy the outdoors in Austin. Travel along the 10-mile Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail, stroll the boardwalk, and visit the Auditorium Shores Dog Park. You can also kayak, paddleboard, and more.
Peter Pan Mini Golf
No family trip to Austin is complete without a stop at this quirky mini-golf course. Peter Pan Mini Golf features two 18-hole courses with a colorful cast of characters set atop its challenging obstacles. The question is: are you up for the challenge?
Thinkery
Austin’s children’s museum, Thinkery, offers delightful opportunities for kids to play as they explore exhibits that teach them about nutrition, kinetics, light, and more. They’ll be chatting about their new findings from the moment you arrive to the moment you’re back home.
Zilker Park
Austin’s crown jewel is Zilker Park — a vast 350-acre park housing Lady Bird Lake, Barton Springs, the Zilker Botanical Garden, picnic facilities, bike and canoe rentals, a disc golf course, a playground, the Zilker Zephyr train, and the Austin Nature and Science Center. Don’t miss the annual ABC Kite Fest taking place.
What are you getting up to in Austin this spring? For more inspiration on what to do, check out other attractions Texas has to offer. When the time comes, be sure to share your adventures with us on Instagram, @Empire_Texas.
Images courtesy of: Amber M. Kani (Aquarium), Texas Hill Country (Bluebonnets), Rove.Me (Barton Springs), Lake Homes (Lady Bird Lake), Do 512 (Peter Pan Mini Golf), Visit Austin (Thinkery), Business Wire (Zilker Park).