Spring Break: Austin Day Trips
Spring break is almost here, and with the weather warming up, everyone is getting excited to have some time off and get outside! There are a lot of options for activities in the city – outdoor adventures like hiking or swimming, or indoor fun like Science fairs and museum exhibits.
I’m sure the kids will be bouncing off the walls and looking for things to do. If you need some ideas for some Spring Break activities, you might want to check out our list of places and activities for a perfect family trip!
Farms, Zoos, and Aquariums
Dust off your boots and plan a day centered around animals and fresh air—whether it’s exploring a history-filled local farm or getting up close with wildlife at a zoo or aquarium, it’s the perfect way to make the most of spring break.
Pioneer Farms
10621 Pioneer Farms Dr, Austin, Texas, 78754
Pioneer farms are a unique way to experience the history and culture of the Lone Star State. The farms offer an authentic living-history experience that includes engaging programs, signature activities, and unique classes in the Texas Folk Arts School.
Pioneer farms are living museums that preserve and interpret the state’s storied history and diverse cultures during the 19th century. Visit Pioneer farms and relive that western heritage with your family.
Austin Aquarium
13530 US-183 Hwy #101, Austin, TX 78750
Experience thousands of species and interactive exhibits, all under one roof. Austin Aquarium offers an exciting environment where you can connect with nature, learn about animals in their natural habitats, and have fun!
Austin Aquarium is a fun, family-friendly destination for all ages, with a wide variety of animals from amphibians to tropical fish, and also with the newest additions to the family, Ring Tail Lemurs and Capybara!
Blue Hills Ranch & Giraffe Sanctuary
2032 Blue Cut Rd. N. McGregor, TX 76657
Dining with giraffes at Blue Hill Ranch & Giraffe Sanctuary looks like a good idea for a spring break experience! The Sanctuary offers a memorable animal encounter and more. They also offer themed accommodations such as animal and pirate cabins for a complete wild adventure!
Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch
26515 Natural Bridge Caverns Rd. San Antonio, TX 78266
Get up close and personal with animals in the comfort of your car, in a safari shuttle, or in rovers. Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch offers many options for you to experience these wonderful creatures! Have an unforgettable spring break trip for the whole family!
Museums and Interactive Spaces
Many fun museums around the city offer special events and spring break programs, along with plenty of interactive spaces to explore. Spend the day diving into hands-on exhibits, creative workshops, immersive installations, and live demonstrations where learning feels more like play.
The Thinkery
1830 Simond Ave, Austin, TX 78723
If you’re looking for an amazing place to bring your kids to Austin, look no further than The Thinkery. There are lots of hands-on activities about science and the world around us that make sense for children.
The Thinkery also offers Spring Break Thinkery Camp on March 16 – 20 for currently enrolled in K-1 & Grades 2-3 to experience enjoyable science discoveries.
Ice cream Museum
11506 Century Oaks Terrace, #128, Austin, TX 78758
The Museum of Ice Cream is a fun, family-friendly space where adults and children can explore the irresistible world of ice cream. The museum features an interactive exhibit and installations, including the famous sprinkles pool and a tunnel of over a thousand bananas, while having UNLIMITED ice cream with toppings of your choice.
Bullock Museum
1800 Congress Ave. Austin, TX 78701
The Bullock Museum is a world-class cultural destination in Austin, Texas. The Museum grew out of a passion for history and a desire for education about Texas. It is home to exhibits and programs of artifacts about Texas’ rich history.
This March, the museum will host the Youth Art Month and will also have programs for Spring Break on March 14 – 17.
Texas Toy Museum
314 1/2 Congress Ave. Austin, TX 78701
The Texas Toy Museum has a wide array of vintage toys, old video games, and comic books from all over the world. It’s home to over 20,000 toys and features an arcade room that is open for use. You can take a walk down memory lane and buy some collectibles in the gift shop. The Museum also hosts educational classes on toy restoration and more.
Blanton Museum of Art
200 E Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Austin, TX 78712
Spring Break is a wonderful opportunity to spark creativity, and the Blanton provides inspiring exhibits for all ages. From contemporary installations to timeless masterpieces, the museum often hosts family-friendly programming during school holidays, making art exploration both engaging and accessible.
Umlauf Sculpture Garden & Museum
605 Azie Morton Rd, Austin, TX 78704
Enjoy the best of spring weather while wandering through this outdoor sculpture garden. Surrounded by greenery and open skies, it’s a calm yet creative space to explore at your own pace. It’s an easygoing addition to a Spring Break afternoon that blends culture and fresh air beautifully.
405 Red River St, Austin, TX 78701
The Escape Game Austin offers immersive, story-driven adventures that test teamwork and problem-solving skills. It’s a great way to mix indoor excitement into your Spring Break plans.
Nature and Science
Spring break is the perfect time to spend some time with your children at an event where they will be learning something new and interesting about nature and science. It’s a win-win all around!
Austin Nature & Science Center
301 Nature Center Dr., Austin, TX
The Austin Nature & Science Center is an educational facility that offers nature-based exploration to all ages. With an extensive exhibit and fun programs for children and adults, the place has become a destination for families around spring break season.
Science Mill
101 S Lady Bird Ln, Johnson City, TX 78636
The Science Mill offers an exciting array of interactive exhibits that will engage students of all ages while they learn about science, technology, engineering, and math.
Explore and learn all about robots at the Science Mill this Spring Break. Experience Battle Bots and coding Robot demos! There will also be 50+ interactive exhibitions inside the museum and more outside at Science and Art Park!
4200 S I-35 Frontage Rd, Georgetown, TX 78626
Take Spring Break underground with a guided tour through this fascinating cave system. Towering rock formations and winding passages make for an educational yet adventurous experience. It’s a cool (literally!) escape that adds a unique twist to your week off.
Festival and Rodeos
Spring break is here, and you know what that means: it’s time for festivals and rodeos! Enjoy all the fun of a big festival and see some great performances from local artists.
Rodeo Austin
9100 Decker Lake Rd, Austin, TX 78724
Rodeo Austin is home to some of the best celebrations of Texas heritage and culture. The annual event features roping, riding, cattle, and rodeo events—all on display in an exciting atmosphere that’s suitable for everyone!
Enjoy the carnival, food, shows, attractions, rodeo, concerts, and more this March 13-28 with their event! Bring the whole family for some rodeo fun!
Parks and Outdoors
Get some exercise, explore our local parks and nature trails with your friends or family. You can hike, bike, or have a picnic —the choice is yours!
McKinney Falls State Park
5808 McKinney Falls Pkwy Austin, TX 78744
McKinney Falls State Park is the perfect spot for outdoor recreation. Located just 13 miles southeast of downtown, McKinney Falls offers 726 acres of hiking and cycling trails, playgrounds, picnic areas, a campground, and Onion Creek for wading and rock skipping. This park is a great place to visit with family or friends on a beautiful spring day!
Dinosaur Park
893 Union Chapel Rd Cedar Creek, TX 78612
Dinosaur Park is an awesome and educational place to visit with your family or friends. It features a unique outdoor museum setting where you can see realistic life-size dinosaur replicas ranging from 2 feet long to 123 feet in size, situated behind trees and bushes as if they were alive and going through their natural environment.
The park includes a fossil-dig activity for kids as well as a playground for young children. There’s also a picnic area where you can relax and have snacks before heading to a wonderful Dinosaur Store stocked with gifts sure to please any dinosaur fan!
Zilker Park
2100 Barton Springs Rd. Austin, TX 78704
The 351-acre Zilker Metropolitan Park is considered “Austin’s most-loved park.” This park is home to a variety of recreation activities, amenities and special events for everyone.
Some of the parks main attractions are Barton Springs, the Zilker Eagle, a large play area, and four hundred acres of fields and woodlands, Zilker Park is a perfect place for the spring break!
- Botanical Garden – a unique oasis in the heart of Austin. It offers 26 fenced areas that showcase different plants and styles, including the famous Hartman Prehistoric Garden.
- Barton Springs Pool – a place where people can swim, sunbathe and cool off. It makes you feel relaxed and it’s fun for the whole family. It offers something for everyone, whatever their swimming ability. It is set within the beautiful Zilker Park and is well worth a visit or two!
Mayfield Park and Nature Preserve
3505 W 35th St, Austin, TX 78703
Stroll through blooming gardens, spot the park’s colorful peacocks roaming freely, and explore shaded trails overlooking Lake Austin. Pack a picnic, bring a camera, and enjoy a peaceful afternoon surrounded by fresh spring air.
Mount Bonnell
3800 Mt Bonnell Rd, Austin, TX 78731
Looking for an easy Spring Break adventure with a big reward? A quick climb up Mount Bonnell leads to sweeping hill country views that feel especially stunning in the crisp spring light. It’s ideal for family photos, morning exploration, or winding down the day with a golden sunset view.
Congress Avenue Bridge
Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704.
As the weather warms up, thousands of bats emerge from beneath the bridge in a fascinating natural display. It’s an evening experience that sparks curiosity and makes for a memorable downtown outing.
Mini Golfs
Spring vacation is a great time to get out of the house! Enjoy some fun in the sun and play some mini golf!
Peter Pan Mini Golf
1207 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78704
Featuring two 18 hole mini golf courses, Peter pan Mini Golf is a quirky place for the family. With different bizarre characters on every whole, it’s a must visit Austin landmark!
Monster Mini Golf
3916 Gattis School Rd #112, Round Rock, TX 78664
Monster Mini Golf offers a unique glow-in-the-dark mini golf experience with animated monsters on every corner of a comical, pop culture spot in the city!
The large playscape is perfect for groups of friends and family. They also have a variety of games for all ages: awesome laser tag, gaming arcade, bowling and much more!
Water Tours and Sports
Spring break is the perfect time to try out some water tours and sports. Enjoy the sun and try some boat rides or canoes with friends and family!
Lady Bird Lake
200 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704, USA
Lady Bird Lake is a popular recreation destination in Austin. The lake hosts a variety of outdoor activities that test your skill and stamina. It's known for its water activities, such as canoeing and kayaking, which are best around spring break season. It’s also an ideal place for families to enjoy boating together.
24300 Hamilton Pool Rd, Dripping Springs, TX 78620
This natural grotto, complete with a waterfall and emerald swimming hole, feels like a hidden oasis. Reservations are required, but the scenic hike and breathtaking views make it well worth adding to your break itinerary.
Austin Duck Adventures
602 E 4th St. Austin, TX 78701
Austin Duck Adventures offers an informative combined land and water tour from Downtown Austin to Lady Bird Lake. This historical tour includes 75 minutes of sightseeing, riding a bus that turns into a boat as it proceeds to the lake! Now that’s a duck experience!
Kalahari Resorts & Conventions Round Rock
3001 Kalahari Blvd, Round Rock, TX 78665
Home to one of the largest indoor waterparks in America. It’s perfect for unpredictable spring weather. With thrilling slides, wave pools, and plenty of dining options, it’s an all-in-one destination that feels like a Spring Break getaway without leaving the area.
Spring break is all about having fun! Hoping these amazing places and activities create wonderful memories with family and friends!
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