Take away anything water related, and biking/hiking and what is there to do? (Austin: movies, store)

[bgrn198]

Some other cool places to check out next time your in San Antonio is Market Square or the redeveloped Pearl Brewery with shopping and dinning San Antonio also has a few nice Museums like the Witte Museum and Mc Nay. Other things to do in Austin are Main Event out of 183 or Austin's Park off I35. The Backyard out in Bee Cave usually has some big acts I think I heard on the radio Huey Lewis and Joe Cocker are going to be playing out there this month sometime. You might also see who's going to be at Bass Concert Hall or One World Theater.

City of San Antonio | Official Web Site - Historic Market Square

Pearl Brewery : San Antonio, Texas

Welcome to the Witte Museum in San Antonio, Texas

McNay Art Museum

Austin

Austin's Park

Austin Bowling, Laser Tag, Billiards, Rock Climbing, Glow Golf, Laser Tag, Gravity Ropes and more!

The Backyard at Bee Cave, Austin, Texas

Austin Concerts & Shows, Austin Live Music

Texas Performing Arts

[CptnRn]

Calendar - Recommended Events - The Austin Chronicle has a comprehensive listing of events that are coming up.

[OpenD]

At the Visitor's Center Austin, TX | Austin Hotels, Events, Attractions, Things To Do & More | AustinTexas.org you can pick up information on all kinds of interesting family-oriented things to do... many of them free... and they've got not just info on local stuff, but day-trips and longer for the whole state. It's a phenomenal resource.

Among many other things, there are maps and printed details for self-guided walking tours of the State Capitol, and of a number of historic neighborhoods, such as Hyde Park.

And there are many small to medium sized museums in the area which are well worth a visit... there are about 30 listed as members of the Austin Museum partnership: Austin Museum Partnership

Some of those I like most...

Elizabet Ney Museum Elisabet Ney Museum | AustinTexas.gov - The Official Website of the City of Austin

Harry Ransom Center at UT Harry Ransom Center Current exhibit on the King James Bible closing soon!

Umlauf Sculpture Garden Umlauf Sculpture Garden & Museum: You can touch the sculptures in the garden!

LBJ Library & Museum, look for its reopening LBJ Library & Museum Americana

Texas Natural Science Center at UT Texas Natural Science Center - Austin, Texas Real dinosaur tracks!

Capital Center Visitor's Center The Texas Capitol Visitors Center From the 1850s. O. Henry once worked there, before he was O. Henry.

Zilker Botanical Garden Zilker Botanical Garden :: the Jewel in the Heart of Austin Beautiful flowers and gardens

One thing I would caution you against... holding up amusement parks like 6 Flags as your family's standard for "things to do." Not only are attractions of that kind expensive, but they're a bit like crack for kids. The over-amped excitement they offer is kind of addictive, and can dull them to the quieter, more educational charms of the kinds of activities I've listed above. They should be an occasional treat, not the "go-to" plan for a weekend. And don't forget to leave room for the annual Texas State Fair.

Have fun!

[FalconheadWest]

What about things like roller skating, painting with a twist, art attack, things inside with air conditioning. There are those trampoline places and the 18 year old might not like it, but the 14 year old definitely would.

[achtungpv]

They're teens. Let them find their own activities.

[TexasHorseLady]

It's too late this year, but next year you could try the Star of Texas Fair and Rodeo. Complete with country music.

[TexasHorseLady]

You and the girls could also volunteer at one of the therapeutic riding programs in the area. There's nothing for a troubled girl like a horse, except possibly for being able to help others. R.O.C.K. in Georgetown is one; there are several others, might be one close to you.

Or, if you're not interested in therapeutic riding, try horseback riding lessons together. Bear Creek Stables in Manchaca has riding lessons and guided trail rides, or there are a lot of other stables all around the area.

Or, if horses aren't their thing, there are lots of other volunteering possibilities in Austin.

[tfresca]

Lots of all ages concerts and events in town. Pick up the chronicle and look at the calendar section every week, always something going on. While there isn't chain amusement parks or other "attractions" there's still a lot to do. I got a kick out of the LBJ museum. Free concerts at Central Market, ice skating at Whole Foods. Movies in the park downtown. If you are bored you aint trying.

[mark311]

Originally Posted by tfresca

Lots of all ages concerts and events in town. Pick up the chronicle and look at the calendar section every week, always something going on. While there isn't chain amusement parks or other "attractions" there's still a lot to do. I got a kick out of the LBJ museum. Free concerts at Central Market, ice skating at Whole Foods. Movies in the park downtown. If you are bored you aint trying.

Good suggestion, but if you do pick up a Chronicle, rip out and throw away the last 3 or 4 pages before the kids see it. You should probably do a "parental guidance" scan of the rest of it first as well. It's great as a free entertainment guide, but it has a good amount of content that isn't kid friendly. It comes out every Thursday.

[another_hot-day]

Go hiking out at Perdernales State Park, Hamilton Pool, St. Edwards Park. The hikes aren't very long but in this heat make sure to pack water.
If you feel like driving abit further away there are lots of other parks you can vist to hike/bike and camp out at.

Brazos Bend State Park has lots of easy biking trails and a bonus (for us) was there is tons of wildlife including alligators. We had alligators walking not 4 feet from us on one trail. They really aren't aggressive as long as you don't bother them.