Things To Do In San Marcos

When it comes to free places to play, Austin has got you covered.  There are parks, splash pads and shady playgrounds galore.  If you want to venture out of your neighborhood and explore someplace new, here are ten local favorites worth checking out. Central: Butler Park - Hike up the spiral path at Doug Sahm Hill, enjoy a view of the Austin skyline, then roll back down to the bottom.  Dust yourself off and head for a splash in the Liz Carpenter Splash pad.  It's operational year round and if you stay past dark, you can enjoy a colorful light show! Whole Foods - Visiting the Whole Foods flagship store is an experience no Austinite should miss.  Create your own lunch from the incredible selection of soup, salad and pasta bars and don't forget a tart or cupcake from the bakery.  Then, head to the rooftop plaza for a casual picnic, while the kids monkey around on the small playground. After lunch, head across the street toBookPeople.  The second floor is a wonderland for children, filled with reading nooks and a tunnel under the storytime arena. Zilker Park - Known as "Austin's most-loved park," Zilker Park offers351 acres to explore.  Start on the massive playground, check out the exhibit in the Sheffield Education Center, hunt for turtles along Barton Creek, dig for dino bones at the Austin Nature & Science Center, and feed the ducks at Lou Neff Point. All for free! If you have a bit to spend, be sure to ride the Zilker Zephyr train, visit the koi at Zilker Botanical Garden, and take a stroll through Umlauf Sculpture Garden. North: The Triangle - Home to theSFC Farmers' Market on Wednesday afternoons year-round, this little park packs a big punch.  After stocking up on fresh veggies, let kids get soaked in the seasonal splash pad and zip down a slide on the new playground.  Bocce balls are also available to borrow from nearby Mandola's Italian Market.  End your outing with a tasty gelato from Mandola's - you'll be glad you did!  Central Market North - Central Market offers the perfect blend of parent and child entertainment.  On Tuesdays after 5, kids eat free with adult purchase from the Central Market Cafe.  Enjoy a glass of wine on the patio while the children burn off steam on the sprawling, outdoor playground.  The patio stage offersfree live music Thursday through Sunday evenings. After relaxing for a while, walk off dinner by the duck pond.  You may even spot a turtle or two. Play for All Abilities Park - With 51,000 square feet of fully-enclosed play area, kids and parents alike love this Round Rock park!  Featuring several unique play areas - or pods - each built to develop specific skill sets in all children, there is plenty of ground to cover. The pods include Retreat Pod, Sensory Pod-Sand Box, Rock Band Pod, Rolling Hill/Performance Lawn, Sensory Pod, All Abilities Playscape, All Ability Swings, and a Brushy Creek Village life skills area. Be sure to bring along a bike or trike for kids to ride on the streets of the village! East: Mueller Lake Park - This park has it all: aSunday farmers' market, anamazing playscape, a lake, and miles of trails.  As an added bonus, Mueller Lake Park is also home to Austin's brand new children's Museum, the Thinkery! The Thinkery has an amazing outdoor playground as well, plus indoor and outdoor water play areas. South: Children's Park - If you're looking for an old school playground, head south to San Marcos.  Children's Park boasts wooden forts, slides, swings, and more.  Kids will have a blast navigating tunnels, hiding in towers, and digging in the sand. Southpark Meadows - Nestled in the middle of a South Austin shopping center, you'll find this shady spot filled with play equipment for all ages.  There is also a stage for the occasional live music performance and seasonal water bubblers to help kids cool off in the summer.  Wrap up your outing with a treat from nearby Amy's Ice Creams. West: Amy's Ice Creams - ManyAmy's Ice Creams locations boast playgrounds and the newest Austinville 78750 location near Anderson Mill is no exception.  Grab a burger at the neighboring Phil's Icehouse, a cup or cone from Amy's, and sit in the shade while the kids enjoy Austinville's shiny, new playscape.

Big Stacy Park | 700 E. Live Oak Street This set of tennis courts is nestled in the Travis Heights neighborhood and is surrounded by giant trees. The location is serene and perfect for an afternoon of tennis. It's just a public park so there are no reservations, you do run the risk of showing up and the courts being occupied. Free to play. South Austin Tennis Center | 1000 Cumberland Road | 512-442-1466  These courts are located about five minutes south of downtown. It’s normally easy to score a court. They always have water and ice out which is great for the summer heat when you just can’t drink enough water. The courts are lighted so you can play after dark. They also have a little pro shop where you can buy balls, get your racket restrung or sign up for lessons or clinics. Court fees are $2.75-$4.00 depending on the time of play. Caswell Tennis Center | 2312 Shoal Creek Blvd. | 512-478-6268 These courts are located near campus off of Lamar, they're one of my favorite places to play. They have eight lit courts so you can play after dark. Like South Austin Tennis Center, they always have ice and water, but be sure to call for a reservation. Also, parking can be a little dicey as it is right near Campus. They also offer lessons and clinics. Court fees are $2.75-$4.00 depending on the time of play. Pharr Tennis Center | 4201 Brookview Road | 512-477-7773 These courts are located in Central Austin just east of I-35. They have eight courts, and it’s normally fairly easy to secure one. The courts are lit so you can play after dark, and parking is easy in that part of town. They have a pro shop and changing area. Court fees are $2.75-$4.00 depending on the time of play. UT Penick-Allison Tennis Center | 1701 Trinity Street | 512-471-4404 While the courts are not open to the public, they are worth mentioning. This is where the University of Texas tennis teams practice, so as you can imagine the facilities are top notch and located right downtown. University of Texas students can play there for free, and community members (general public) can play with a student for free. However, if you're an avid tennis player, you can get a membership for $58.00 a month. This also includes access to other UT facilities such as Gregory Gym and the Recreational Sports Center. Another great place to play is Austin High School, however it's often difficult to score courts.

Kung Fu Saloon - 510 Rio Grande Street Arcade junkies, this is your destination for Sunday Funday. Their vintage arcade games are free all day so you can get lost in Ms. Packman for hours. They also have classics like Street Fighter, Big Buck Hunter and more. Be sure to hit up the Build Your Own Blood Mary Bar, or have a few dollar mimosas if that's more your speed. By Sunday afternoon, it gets pretty rowdy, and surely a few patrons end up calling in sick on Monday. Sundays 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. Tacos & Tequila (TNT) - 507 Pressler Street All-you-can-eat-and-drink can be a dangerous combination. At a cool $18.95, TNT hosts a Sunday Brunch that's well worth the price of admission. It’s almost magical how every time your glass is near empty, you can look away for a moment, and it's filled to the brim again. The buffet style brunch covers everything from house made guacamole to Belgian waffles, so you're sure to find something that's right up your alley.  10:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. The Goodnight - 2700 West Anderson Lane #101 This adult playground offers free bowling and free karaoke all day on Sundays. Come hungry, because they have an extensive brunch menu that is top notch. You can find anything from a simple grilled cheese, to a steak and egg breakfast platter. They have dollar mimosas and 32oz MegaMosas for those who are mega thirsty. Come early and stay late because their dinner menu is just as amazing; add free games to the mix, and what more could you ask for? The Park at The Domain - 11601 Domain Drive The Park at the Domain hosts a solid Sunday Brunch, buffet style ($15) and endless dollar mimosa. What sets them apart from the other dollar mimosa joints in town is that they always have several different flavors of juice for your mimosa to choose from. There's nothing ‘chill’ about Sundays at The Park at the Domain; they have a DJ, and a dance floor that gets hopping after a few rounds of mimosas. They also have plenty of TV’s, and there isn't a bad seat in the house if you're looking to catch a game. Banger’s Sausage and Beer - 79 Rainey Street As if this Rainey Street gem couldn’t be any more enticing, on Sundays they host a Big Band Brunch that's simply amazing. They have a special brunch menu that will make any meat eaters mouth water, and drinks that are dangerously good. Their ManMosa is a liter mug filled with a bottle of champagne; yes, a whole bottle, topped off with a splash of cranberry or OJ. If that's a little too aggressive, you can check out the Build Your Own Bloody Mary bar. There’s live music from noon until 3:00 p.m. and your pup is always welcome to come join the party. 
 Sundays noon – 3:00 p.m. Last words: In the summer, it goes with out saying your Sunday Funday should involve the lake. So buddy up to your friend with that boat, pack a cooler and head on out for the ultimate Sunday Funday. For more ideas, check out our deals for things to do in Austin.