Suggestions for this weekend? (San Antonio, Austin: coupons, rent, house)

[traceyr13]

I know I can count on y'all for some suggestions! My friend is here from NC for the weekend, but my husband is also out of town back in Rhode Island, so anything we do, we're dragging my 3 kids with us (ages 7, 4 and almost 3).

What do you suggest we do this weekend that will give her a flavor of Austin but is also child friendly and not too stressful for me to drag the kids along? I was thinking about going to either Central Market or Whole Foods for lunch on Sunday, since the kids could play and she would appreciate seeing and hanging out at that type of place. But other than that...eh. Maybe see the bluebonnets somewhere? Hit Zilker Park? I'm unsure.

Any suggestions welcome!

[Trainwreck20]

Zilker park with the Zilker Zephyr train ride was always a hit when my nieces and nephews were young. The ducks and geese can be fed from the shore, or if you are adventurous, rent a canoe. There is a 'rent a canoe for an hour, get another canoe (or hour) free' coupon somewhere on the internet. Think it only applied before noon, though.

The weather is supposed to be a bit cooler this weekend...highs ~70 with some wind. Think the rain should be through by tomorrow.

It might be a little cool for outdoor dinning at night, but Shady Grove along Barton Springs always seems very 'Austiny' to me and might be good for lunch. Or try the new Waterloo Ice House on Escarpment and Slaughter...it has a GREAT kids playscape.

[traceyr13]

Thanks Trainwreck! My kids love the Zilker train...maybe we'll go there in the morning on Sunday and then do lunch downtown (love Shady Grove also).

Anyone else? We are open pretty much all day on Sunday, and on Sat afternoon (have swim lessons Sat morning)

[gigi927]

Since you're from up north, you can check out Phil's Ice house/Amy's Ice cream on Burnet, which also has a playscape (but there is a slight opening in the fenced area out to parking lot, so you have to be careful.

Or, do Waterloo Ice House at 360/2222 which has a huge outdoor eating area with shade, trees, tons of picnic tables, a large sandbox and playscape. We have started going there once a week to eat a meal without having to hover over our kids.

Or do the Austin Children's Museum if the weather gets crappy.

[Austin97]

Originally Posted by traceyr13

Thanks Trainwreck! My kids love the Zilker train...maybe we'll go there in the morning on Sunday and then do lunch downtown (love Shady Grove also).

Anyone else? We are open pretty much all day on Sunday, and on Sat afternoon (have swim lessons Sat morning)

If it is warm I would go to lake austin and rent canoes and paddle around.

If you dont mind spending money, the duck tours are moderately entertaining (you can find coupons all over)

Maybe visit the animals at the town lake animal shelter

Fly a kite at zilker - have a picnic

There is the austin childrens museum, I have never been but it has good reviews

There are a number of color-me-mine type stores where you can paint pottery

Watching the bats (of course)

Austin fine arts festival is in republic square this weekend
There is also some kind of military show with f-16 flyovers

Here is a general events site:
http://www.austintexas.org/visitors/events.php?s=1&begin%5Bmonth%5D=03&begin%5Bday%5D= 01&begin%5Byear%5D=2007&end%5Bmonth%5D=05&end%5Bda y%5D=31&end%5Byear%5D=2007&use_date=t&category=222 4 (broken link)

Here is a website with events for kids:

http://www.mrjohnny.com/kidevents/

[Christopher_Watters]

If you goto Zilker Park, I would def. also go check out the Austin Children's Musuem, it's not very far from Zilker Park. I went there awhile back and it was alot of fun, educational for kids too. Also, you might want to check out the Bob Bullock Musuem. They have an IMAX theather there as well. The musuem is also a short drive from the Childrens Musuem or Zilker Park. Hope you enjoy your stay down here!

[jennyb315]

Volente Beach Park is free on Saturday, 11-6, but the weather is going to be cooler (we're still going anyhow )

[traceyr13]

Thanks everyone!!

We have been to the Children's Museum a few times (very cute!) but I'm thinking that would be more "just" for the kids, and wouldn't be as fun for my visitor.

I did think of the Bob Bullock museum, but wasn't sure how that would be for my younger 2? (ages almost 3 and 4) I think my 7 year old would enjoy it, but I was worried about the younger two being bored?

Great suggestion on that Amy's on Burnet - I was thinking of getting some Amy's ice cream (neat flavors that we don't see on the East Coast where I'm from) but I didn't know that one had a playscape.

Renting canoes on the lake sounds very fun - not sure I'm up for it without my husband to help with the 3 kids... lol

I will look into the Volente Beach suggestion, we've never been there!

Thanks everyone!

[jwb123]

You could drive down to San Antonio and check out the Alamo! Fun for our kids when we went a few weeks ago... I have a 3 yr old, who was 2 at the time... he really enjoyed the boat trip down the Riverwalk...

We left in the afternoon, after lunch on a Sat... it was about an hour and change, drive... and then did the alamo, had dinner and did the riverwalk thing...