what to do with the inlaws? (San Antonio, Austin: school, living in, restaurant) - Texas (TX) - City-Data Forum

traceyr13 · 02-10-2008, 08:46 AM

Hey all - my inlaws are coming in next weekend from Rhode Island and staying for 5 days . They'll arrive around lunchtime on Saturday afternoon, and dh and I were thinking we'd do Zilker Park and get some ice cream later that afternoon.

I need ideas for what to do on Sunday. We'll have our 3 kids with us - ages 8, 5 and 3, so it needs to be child-friendly. When they came last year, they already went to the Children's Museum and the Zoo with the kids, as well as a UT tour and the Capitol. The rest of the week will be a regular work-week/school week for us, so it's just Sunday that we have no idea for. They are traveling themselves to visit San Antonio on Tue/Wed, so they're not interested in going there.

Any ideas? They don't like Mexican food and they're not particularly active.

gigi927 · 02-10-2008, 09:07 AM

Central Market at lunchtime. They can hang out and listen to live music and get a decent meal, and the kids can play on the playscape.

jimmyjack · 02-10-2008, 10:15 AM

If you want to make a day of it, head on down to San Marcos. Stop of in Buda at JimmyJack heaven AKA Cabela's then continue on down to the Aquarena. Run some the spunk out of the kids, take everybody on the glass bottom boat, have a moment of silence for Ralph the Diving Pig. If yall are tuckered after this, have yourself a real No frills real Texas BBQ at Fushak's. If yall want a little more, head on over to Lockhart for BBQ at Black's, Kreuz's or Smitty's.

jwb123 · 02-10-2008, 11:13 AM

What about heading down to Gruene? That's an interesting little trip.

Rae' · 02-10-2008, 01:11 PM

fyi...the austin marathon is Sunday...not sure if you want to watch and cheer, or avoid the crowd!

traceyr13 · 02-10-2008, 01:47 PM

Thanks guys. And thank you for the FYI on the marathon!

I'm definitely looking into traveling to the south and doing something between Austin and San Antonio. I did see Aquarena - is that worth it? It's really hard to tell from websites whether something is worth doing or not. For example, we hadn't been to the Austin zoo before but sent them (the inlaws) off with the kids last year when they were here while we worked, and they were NOT impressed...in their defense, they are used to the Roger Williams Zoo in Providence which is really nice.

Another place I saw is Wonder World in San Marcos? Better or worse than Aquarena?

Jenbar - is there anything to DO in Gruene or is just sort of a quaint town? I've got the 3 kids to keep amused, so I'm trying to find something that will keep them engaged.

Thanks all!

chickenfry · 02-10-2008, 02:20 PM

I would guess that the grandfolks are really here to see the family. so i would skip all the travel and stay local.
I would grab the austin chronicle when it comes out thurs. and look at their events page, actually this weeks addition probably has listings for next weekend as well.
I think the jugglefest is happening next weekend. it is at the school for the deaf, it has tons of hands-on activities and great jugglers to see as well. It all moves pretty quickly, perfect for young ones. check it out first, i think their website is jugglefest.org?
or maybe just pack a nice picnic and hit one of the many beautiful parks locally. there are so many, each with it's own character. make a little treasure map/hide some cheap junk around the park, take a frisbee, ball and bat, football/soccer ball. your kids will burn some energy, your stress level will go way down, and everyone might just make some great austin memories. or combine jugglefest with the picnic..
have fun!

AGA · 02-10-2008, 03:17 PM

What about Fredricksberg? Antiqueing, walking the streets, eating.

When are the weinerdog races in BUDA? Thats always good for a laugh!

traceyr13 · 02-10-2008, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chickenfry

I would guess that the grandfolks are really here to see the family. so i would skip all the travel and stay local.
I would grab the austin chronicle when it comes out thurs. and look at their events page, actually this weeks addition probably has listings for next weekend as well.
I think the jugglefest is happening next weekend. it is at the school for the deaf, it has tons of hands-on activities and great jugglers to see as well. It all moves pretty quickly, perfect for young ones. check it out first, i think their website is jugglefest.org?
or maybe just pack a nice picnic and hit one of the many beautiful parks locally. there are so many, each with it's own character. make a little treasure map/hide some cheap junk around the park, take a frisbee, ball and bat, football/soccer ball. your kids will burn some energy, your stress level will go way down, and everyone might just make some great austin memories. or combine jugglefest with the picnic..
have fun!

Yeah...not quite on "just coming to see the family". My fil has asked my husband several times if he has made the "list" yet of activities to do to keep them entertained.

It's been made clear to us that they are spending their "vacation" coming out to see us instead of going to Florida. Can you tell that we are the black sheep for (gasp!) leaving the state of Rhode Island?

It's hard, because I LOVE living in Austin, but it's not quite the tourist destination of some of the other Texas cities, and I think they (the inlaws) are frustrated that they travel all this way to "hang out" in Austin with us. Hence, them spending 2 days in San Antonio by themselves on Tue-Wed. They will come back on Wed evening for dinner since that is my 8 year old's birthday. sigh.

Thanks for the suggestions, keep them coming! My husband mentioned Fredericksburg, but I didn't know what we could really do with the kids there? (never been there).

jwb123 · 02-10-2008, 03:23 PM

Yeah, Gruene is not an all day trip - but perfect if you go a few hours before dinner, or lunch... there are interesting shops that my kids liked to look around in, and historic buildings, etc. Then you can eat at the GristMill, which is an old cotton gin. It over looks the Guadalupe River....

I took kids aged 7-3 and all had a good time. All there is to see and do is in a small area too, so it's walkable for your inlaws (since you said they weren't active).

If you want something to do that is a day trip - you could go to the Waco Zoo (which I am told is really nice) or visit the Dr. Pepper museum in Waco... or drive out to Brenham to go to the Bluebell Ice Cream Factory.... I have been on that trip, and it's pretty interesting.

You could also drive out to Fredericksburg....