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BARTON SPRINGS DISTRICT. Sort of a combination museum, zoo and park, the Austin Nature and Science Center is a must-see. Located at the edge of Zilker Park, the center features several native Texas animals such as porcupines, coyotes, snakes and owls; science labs where kids can learn more about the natural world; and a fun "eco-detective" trail. But the center's crowning glory is its unique Dino Pit exhibit, a fantastic hands-on exhibit where kids can dig for fossils (reproductions of actual fossils found in Texas) and compare dino trackways.
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Austin Zoo
10807 Rawhide Tr, Austin, TX 78736 · 512-288-1490
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WEST AUSTIN. The Austin Zoo is a private, non-profit "rescue zoo" – about 90% of their animals have come from circuses, roadside zoos, research labs and private owners who could no longer care for their wild "pets." There's nothing fancy about the place – the paths are unpaved and you won't find any shows or elaborate gift shops – but the animals are well cared for and there's a nice variety. Among the residents are parrots, Bengal tigers, lions, brown bears, lemurs and other monkeys, several reptiles and prairie dogs. There is also a petting zoo with goats and other farm animals, and a fun train ride that kids will enjoy.
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WEST AUSTIN. This mall overlooking downtown Austin is the city's largest, so if your time's limited, it's a good bet for finding most everything you need. Inside, wood, leather, and tile impart a sense of permanence, a perfect complement to the quality goods you'll encounter at places like Eddie Bauer, Sephora, Crabtree & Evelyn, Williams-Sonoma, Coach, Sigrid Olsen, and Talbots. Plenty of sit-down and quick-serve eateries pepper the mall, and anchors include Dillard's, Sears, JCPenney, Macy's, and Nordstrom.
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Barton Springs Pool
2101 Barton Springs Rd, Zilker Metropolitan Park, Austin, TX 78704 · 512-476-9044
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BARTON SPRINGS DISTRICT. This huge, spring-fed swimming hole is surrounded by lovely gardens and pecan trees. The pool is fed by spring waters that maintain a year-round temperature of about 68 degrees, and bubble up at the rate of 27 million gallons a day. Trivia note: Robert Redford, at the tender age of five, learned to swim at Barton Springs. Schedules vary, but usually there are lifeguards on duty between 9am-6pm. The pool closes for two weeks in early March for spring cleaning.
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Bastrop State Park
Texas Hwy 21, 1½ miles east of Bastrop, Bastrop, TX 78602 · 512-321-2101
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BASTROP. Home to the "Lost Pines," a forest of pine trees that would seem more at home in East Texas, this park offers twelve log cabins, camping facilities, a swimming pool, a ten-acre lake, hiking, golfing, and more for the entire family to enjoy. For camping reservations, call 512-389-8900.
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DOWNTOWN. Between March and November, more than a million-and-a-half free-tail bats spend their summer days under this prominent bridge (whose structure facilitates their habitats) and come out in the darkness to catch and eat thousands of pounds of insects nightly. It's quite an awe-inspiring spectacle to behold and can take all the bats more than a half-hour to take flight at times of heaviest concentration. The best time to catch sight is around 8:30pm.
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Main Event
13301 N US Hwy 183, Austin, TX 78750 · 512-401-0000
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CEDAR PARK. Regularly voted the best entertainment center in town, Main Event has something for everyone. The huge space (75,000 square feet!) is packed with bowling, pool, laser tag, rock climbing, a glow in the dark mini-golf course, and a vast arcade full of all the latest games. A café serving pub grub and a full bar take care of any cravings. A fun family spot until about 9pm – after that, it's a great bar scene!
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EAST AUSTIN. So what do you do in Austin when it's raining, or 110 degrees in the shade? You could go to the mall, but this place is way better. In a previous life, it was a shopping center, but today it has a great collection of entertainment options for kids, from preschoolers to teenagers. There's an indoor playground, a six-lane bowling center, a 12,800 square foot skate rink, movie theater, an arcade full of cool games and a snack bar. Prices are quite affordable, especially family nights – call for the schedule!
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LAKE TRAVIS. Located on the shores of Lake Travis, Volente Beach is perfect for hot summer days. A series of pools, slides and kid-sized water features, plus a sandy beach all add up to a great place to cool off. Although there is a restaurant, picnics are permitted, so load up the cooler (no alcohol or glass containers) and plan to spend the entire day!
When school winds down, whether it's for summer, winter, or spring break, we yearn for an escape from the daily grind. We need to relax, yet we also want to create lasting family memories – let's face it, our lives are busier than ever and when we finally take time to get away, we want to make the most of it. Finding the perfect family vacation is a challenge. But our suggestions have appeal for both children and their parents, from amusement parks and historic sites to fine dining restaurants and upscale shopping neighborhoods. Cities do attract their fair share of the tourist trade, but you can still find less crowded spots and create family- and budget-friendly vacations.
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