Things To Do In Cedar Park

Take the Kids Out for a Day Trip Near Austin

As my children excitedly count down the days to the start of summer vacation, I feel increasingly nervous about my decision to skip signing up for camps this year. Entertaining five kids full time for three months will either be awesome or… not. Thankfully, there is no shortage of family fun in Austin, and when we need a little break, we can hop in the car to explore Central Texas. There are several tried-and true day trips from Austin that my kids always enjoy. Here are a few of our favorite daycation destinations: San Antonio The San Antonio River Walk is approximately five miles of urban paradise (pictured above). Interlocking walkways along the San Antonio River incorporate artwork, flora, bridges, and waterfalls. Follow the path to discover a hillside theater, parks, and interactive fountains. When you work up an appetite, the riverside restaurant Casa Rio will fill you up with Tex-Mex goodness. If you need to relax for a bit, the Rio San Antonio River Tours provide humorous, touristy fun. More serious tours can be found nearby at The Alamo. The San Antonio Missions National Historical Park also offers free, self-guided tours. If it’s not too hot, the San Antonio Zoo is a great place to spend a few hours, and the neighboring free Japanese Tea Garden is well worth checking out. Waco Waco is home to our favorite zoo and one of our most-loved children’s museums. Cameron Park Zoo is just the right size for small children. It’s an easy visit, which can finish up at a water play area (if you don’t mind wet kids in your car). The Mayborn Museum Complex, on the Baylor University campus, combines a Natural History museum, a Historic Village and a children's discovery center. Kids enjoy the discovery rooms so much, you may have trouble getting to leave one for another. For more air conditioned fun, check out the Dr. Pepper Museum or the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum. Hawaiian Falls Water Park is also a treat (although we are getting one closer to home, in Pflugerville, this year). New Braunfels New Braunfels offers the perfect mix of indoor and outdoor entertainment. McKenna Children’s Museum is always a hit with the preschool and elementary set. The Museum’s unique, multi-level, outdoor climber and enormous water table keep my boys engaged (and drenched) for ages. When you’re ready for a picnic lunch, head to Landa Park for trails, pools, ducks, and playgrounds galore! The park also boasts a miniature train, boat rentals, and mini golf. If you have older, more adventurous children, there are plenty of tubing options along the Comal and Guadalupe Rivers. To keep the adults in your group happy, don’t miss the chance to dine at The Gristmill in nearby Gruene. I use “taking the kids to New Braunfels” as an excuse to eat dinner there. Wimberley Wimberley Lions Market Days, held on the first Saturday of the month, are well worth the scenic pilgrimage to the Hill Country. The gates open at 7 a.m. and it’s advisable to arrive as early as you can manage. Later in the morning, streets become congested and even entering the city becomes a challenge. The sun also comes out in force later in the day. Take your sunscreen, lots of water, and $5 for parking. Nearly 500 vendors line shaded paths and you can shop to your heart’s content. There is plenty for children to buy (or beg you to buy) too. You won’t go home empty-handed! Live music plays, treats are sold around every corner, and the Lions Club makes a mean BBQ lunch that you can purchase onsite. You will leave happy, possibly poor, and glad you made the effort.

Best Places To Go With Your Dog

Austin is a city that loves its furry friends. Luckily there are countless activities around town that are fun for both you and your pup. Here are our favorites. Rainey Street: Several of the bars on this recently popular street are dog friendly. Start at Bar 96, it’s a great place to watch games, and they have a massive patio on all four sides of the bar. After a round or two there, head over to Bunglow, where the atmosphere is always laid back. They have beer, wine, and a cocktail menu that suits all tastes and preferences. Lastly, head on over to Bangers Sausage House, where you'll find over 100 beers on tap, and a sausage menu similar to those of the great beer gardens in Germany. They even have a sausage on the menu made especially for dogs, so you both can enjoy a snack. Moontower Saloon: Consider Moontower one massive playground for adults and dogs. I picture this as the type of place you would see people hanging out on Friday Night Lights or Dazed and Confused (Both filmed in Austin). They have live music, sand volleyball courts, corn hole, washer pits, a massive TV (that's either showing games or is hooked up to an old school Nintendo), food trucks, campfires and plenty of booze. All of this fun, and you can bring your dog along too. It’s a win for everyone. 10212 Manchaca Road Austin, Texas 78748 Red Bud Isle: Red Bud Isle is a little slice of doggie heaven. There's plenty of space for your dog to run off leash as you walk the half-mile trail. Throughout the trail there are numerous places for your dog to access the water, so you can stop and play fetch. Red Bud Isle backs up to Lady Bird Lake, and that part of the lake is pretty calm, normally only a few kayakers around. The island is definitely a doggie haven. 3401 Redbud Trail Austin, Texas 78703 Mozart’s Coffee Roasters: After you've tired your dog out at Red Bud, head over to Mozart’s. It's the type of place where you can spend an entire afternoon without realizing any time has passed. They do coffee, pastries, and small snacks, but what makes them so inviting is the massive desk that overlooks Lake Austin. The patio has plenty of tables, is heavily shaded with trees, and they offer free wifi. It’s a great place to get some work done or to be social and grab a cup of coffee with friends. 3825 Lake Austin Blvd. Austin, Texas 78703 Freddie’s Place: Freddie’s Place feels more like you are hanging out in a backyard than a restaurant. Freddie’s is one of those joints that has been in Austin longer than most of its residents. It’s a super casual hangout, and Thursday through Friday they have live music and a happy hour, Monday through Friday from 4 - 7pm. On weekends they have a self-service Bloody Mary Bar from 11am – 4pm. The atmosphere is great for families as well. 1703 South 1st Street Austin, Texas 78704 Bonus Places: Also, check out Red's Porch, House Wine, Black Sheep Lodge, Dog and Duck Pub, Third Base Sports Bar, Little Woodrow's, Snack Bar, and Crown and Anchor Pub. They're all pet friendly (on their patios at least) as well.

Ways To Beat The Summer Heat

It is hot, hot and there are plenty of ways in Austin for you to try and beat the heat. Jumping into a pool of water is normally the go-to way to cool off but a snocone or concert under the shady trees at Shady Grove can also do the trick. Here are some of the best ways to stay cool. Barton Springs Pool – This spring fed pool remains a constant 68 degree which makes it a refreshing stop during the so called dog days of summer. It attracts all walks of life so don’t be surprised if you see an occasional topless sunbather. A fun Barton Springs fact: Robert Redford learned to swim in this pool. SnoBeach – SnoBeach is the ultimate summer must in Austin. They have been making legendary SnoCones since the early 90’s. SnoBeach makes their own syrup with pure sugar (opposed to corn syrup) right here in East Austin. Their homemade concoction is a home run. The line can get long, so the best time to go is before 2:30 p.m. or after 7:00 p.m. Hamilton Pool – The serene surrounding of Hamilton Pool makes you feel as if you are in a postcard. The water spills over the limestone and creates a waterfall. Once in the park there is a shot ¼ mile hike from the parking area to the pool. The hike includes a series of rock steps descending into the canyon, that being said, choose footwear appropriately! The pool does reach capacity so during the summer months a line a wait of up to two hours can happen during peak times. Deep Eddy Pool – Deep Eddy is the oldest swimming pool in Texas, it is as a historic landmark on the National Register of Historic Places. This swimming pool is located in the heart of Central Austin. Each summer they have a Splash Movie Night series where they bring out the big screen and play a movie at sundown. Butler Park Splash Pad – This hidden gem is easy to miss if you are not looking for it. The splash pad is an area with nozzles that spray water from the ground basically creating a fountain but sans the pool of standing water. It will have you jumping around, splashing and enjoying your inner child. A real treat is to come at night when the splash pad gives you a full on light show with downtown in the background. The lights, water, and downtown make for a magical experience. Don’t forget to walk up to the top of the nearby hill for a panoramic view of downtown. Unplugged At The Grove – Unplugged at the Grove is among the longest running free music series in Austin. Every Thursday Shady Grove has a free concert under their large oak tree. They bring in a wide range of bands throughout the summer. The drink specials, home style cooking Shady Grove offers and live music make it a summer must year after year.

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Austin Spurs

Austin Spurs NBA D-League Basketball Game at Cedar Park Center on February 6 or 7 (Up to 52% Off)

Q&A with Chase Fishback, Sports Training Manager

Take the Kids Out for a Day Trip Near Austin

Best Places To Go With Your Dog

Ways To Beat The Summer Heat

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