Austin, Texas has been named National Geographic Kids' first-ever Weird But True Town of the Year. This is an honor we proudly accept. It's good to be recognized for the way we celebrate our quirky residents and embrace our city's eclectic small business community. To get the nod from a children's magazine is a nice touch, because Keeping Austin Weird is a family affair!
From the Funky Chicken Coop Tour to the Austin Yard Art Tour, there is no shortage of opportunities throughout the year to introduce our littlest residents to a taste of Austin's distinctive personality. But there are also unconventional local destinations that welcome visitors anytime.
Cathedral of Junk
Housed in the backyard of local yardist, Vince Hannemann, this ever-evolving ode to trash is a whimsical work of art that perfectly captures the unique spirit of our city. If you want a taste of weird, with a side of wonder, the Cathedral of Junk is the place for you.
Vince Hannemann, the self-proclaimed Junk King, has been hard at work on his masterpiece for many years, adding random knick-knacks to his design as they are donated by visiting strangers. A veritable I Spy of odds and ends, the Cathedral encapsulates everything from old school Happy Meal toys to an assortment of colored glass bottles, all seamlessly incorporated into the design.
My children love visiting the Cathedral of Junk and trying to outdo each other with bizarre finds. They run from nook to cranny, calling out their discoveries. “There’s a devil baby in the fridge!” “I found a motorcycle on the second floor!” Hidden treasures make exploring the South Austin yard quite the interactive experience.
Gourdough's Big. Fat. Doughnuts
If you're looking for a weird, yet delectable, treat from a trailer, Gourdough's has got you covered. Kids go crazy for the big, fat doughnuts with toppings ranging from bacon and maple syrup to a fried chicken strip with honey butter. You may slip into a sugar coma after eating one of these fresh fried concoctions, but until then you will feel like you have landed in carnival heaven.
Museum of the Weird
Housed in the back of the Lucky Lizard gift shop on 6th Street, Museum of the Weird is one hole in the wall worth checking out. Reminiscent of the Dime Museums of old, this small tourist attraction houses oddities from around the globe. From mummies, shrunken heads and a genuine Fiji Mermaid to the remains of "freaks of nature" like a two-headed chicken, a cyclops pig, and a calf with three eyes, the cabinets full of curiosities are sure to capture young imaginations.
Older children in particular will enjoy the spooky museum tour, included with the price of admission, where guides spin tales of ghosts and eerie happenings. The tour ends in a room filled with wax figures (soon to be relocated to their new home on South Congress, Busti's Chamber of Wax), where visitors are treated to a live performance of "The Weirdest Show on Earth." The show features a variety of circus sideshow acts, some of which are cringe-worthy (we saw "The Man Who Knows No Pain" snap a mousetrap on his tongue and hammer a nail up his nose), but not inappropriate for young audiences… as long as they don't try the tricks at home.
It's nice to live in a city where we wear our badge of weird with pride and give our children permission to do the same. I just hope that if any of my kids become passionate about acquiring junk or creepy collectibles, it's not until they are living under their own roof.
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Things To Do In San Marcos
Central Texas Speedway
Three Prokart Races for Two, Four, or Six at Central Texas Speedway (Up to 50% Off)
Honda GX270–powered go-karts race up to 65 mph with drivers just 1 inch from the ground
San Marcos
$100 $54
Glass-Bottomed-Boat Tour for Two, Four, or Six at The Meadows Center (Up to Half Off)
The Meadows Center
San Marcos
$18
$9
View Deal
Kayak, Fishing Kayak, or Stand-Up Paddleboard Rental for One or Two from Olympic Outdoor Center (Up to 50% Off)
Olympic Outdoor Center
San Marcos
$40
$20
View Deal
Two Games of Bowling With Shoe Rentals for Two or Four at Sunset Bowling Lanes in San Marcos (Up to 54% Off)
Sunset Bowling Lanes
San Marcos
$26.10
$12
View Deal
Three-Lap Ride-Along or Driving Experience at The Longhorn Racing Academy (Up to 47% Off)
The Longhorn Racing Academy
Harris Hill Raceway
$149
$79
View Deal
$65 for $130 Worth of CrossFit at CenterPoint CrossFit
CenterPoint CrossFit
San Marcos
$130
$65
View Deal
Select Local Merchants
Lost Paintball hits its targets of safety and fun with the varied terrain of its fields, detailed defensive instructions, and an emphasis on less waiting and more playing. Full rental packages include unlimited time in the great outdoors, a protective facemask, a Spyder Xtra paintball marker and barrel cover, unlimited air refills, and 500 Valka and Draxxus paintballs. Before games commence, all players—whether brand-new to the joy of spattering paint or well-versed in the art of stalking human canvases—receive a thorough safety debriefing. Players battle through four different environments, marking and shooting to their hearts' content. Meanwhile, Lost Paintball's cheerful, paint-covered staff stands by ready to assist with questions, directions, and heated squabbles over whether that deer knowingly crossed into enemy territory.
4701 Hilliard Rd
San Marcos,
TX
US
Hogs. Feral hogs everywhere. That's the problem that faces agricultural landowners in Texas right now. Lonestar Helicopter Hunter blossomed from this problem, and its staff of active duty and ex-military personnel began hunting hogs from the passenger seats of their helicopter to help battle the destructive populations. In addition to helping farmers, the group realized how powerful the adrenaline rush was and started teaching other hunters and marksmen the challenging hunting style. Soon they came up with a paintball-based version, which equips adrenaline-seekers with markers, paintballs, and a field of stationary targets to aim at, providing the same kind of excitement as the real hunt. In addition to aerial target practice, Lonestar's expert pilots also license and certify burgeoning helicopter pilots with private, commercial, and certified instructor courses.
121 Center Point Road
San Marcos,
TX
US
On sweltering summer days, the San Marcos River becomes a cooling respite for hundreds of tubers thanks to Don's Fish Camp. The shop rents tubes with coolers and sells supplies such as sunscreen and waterproof cameras for tubers to take onto the water. When not floating with a brew in hand, tubers can barbecue and picnic along the banks flush with trees and shrubbery.
The rec area accommodates those who aren’t ready to go home at the end of day by allowing guests to pitch a tent and camp under the stars to the sound of rushing water and largemouth bass that just won't shut up. To give these visitors a scenic place to tube and party, Don's team cleans up the riverbanks daily and requests guests bring no glass or styrofoam on the premises.
105 Nelle Ln.
Martindale,
TX
US
The minds behind Texas State Tubes know that drifting downriver should only be relaxing. That?s why, through a partnership with the Texas River Alliance, the company conducts daily surface cleans and biweekly deep cleans of the San Marcos River. Those efforts pay off during the journey itself, when guests can opt to paddle across the blue, float in a spacious tube, or levitate just above the water on a raft. Once treks wrap up, the company supplies a free bus ride back to the parking lot. Groups can even park at the river?s end before receiving a complementary lift to the starting point.
2024 North Old Bastrop Rd
San Marcos,
TX
US
Run by Texas State University, The Meadows Center (formerly Aquarena) introduces visitors to the lush diversity of the San Marcos Springs and intricate system of waterways. Glass-bottomed boats set out for guided tours of Spring Lake, gazing at the aquatic life and University midterm papers below. Above the springs that bubble up from the bottom, soft shell turtles and bluegill sunfish swim in the clear waters and songbirds survey the sky. Eight endangered species populate the springs, including beetles and two species of salamander. On land, visitors can explore gardens of native Texan plants or a hall of nature exhibit.
201 San Marcos Springs Dr.
San Marcos,
TX
US
A bright, five-pointed star gleams above the Texas State University campus on select nights. Fixed atop Jackson Hall—a 12-story building that marks the campus's highest point—the star can be seen for miles throughout Hays County, letting fans know that it's time to celebrate a Bobcats victory and take out the pizza they started baking at half-time. Throughout the Bobcats' proud history, the Victory Star has had many occasions for beaming, as the school has won a litany of championships across multiple sports, including NCAA Div. II championships in football and men's golf and NAIA titles in men's basketball and men's tennis.
700 Aquarena Springs Drive
San Marcos,
TX
US
