Texas summers are undeniably hot. For students, they also seem incredibly short. With some school districts breaking just over two months, the “we should do that this summer” quickly turns into “will try again next summer.” Don’t let summer slip by unenjoyed. You don’t need a big budget to get out and grab some quality family time. Check out our list of some fun Hill Country activities for the family.
Epic Day Drive
Get away from the traffic cones and take a drive just for the sake of driving. Farm Road 337 lies near the southern end of the area and winds from Medina to Leaky, offering stellar views of the Texas Hill Country. A few minutes from Leaky is arguably the most beautiful river in Texas, the Frio, so pack a cooler and spend time soaking in the sites. Or better yet, pack a towel and soak in the water as well. Garner State Park offers easy access to the river, covered pavilions, and grills.
Take a Hike
Right in the heart of Austin lies the Barton Creek Greenbelt Trail. It’s proximity to major roads goes, and hikers can feel miles away from the city. It’s an “out and back” trail that stretches almost 14 miles. It’s pet-friendly and perfect for new hikers. Make sure you see the trail’s waterfall and see if you can spot local rock climbing enthusiast scaling some of the short cliff sections.
Visit the Austin Zoo
The 20-acre Austin zoo offers visitors up-close access to over 300 animals spread across 100 species. Get a glimpse of a tiger at this highly-rated non-profit zoo. They also provide a range of summer camps for kids ages five to twelve. More info at https://austinzoo.org
Get Creative
Located in Austin is Thinkery, a hands-on children’s museum that spans over 40,000 square feet. General admission is just $12 and exhibits like Spark Shop, Light Lab, and Inventor’s Workshop will keep kids entertained for hours. The most notable point for Thinkery – it’s airconditioned, so spending time with your kids in August is entirely cool.
See Hamilton Pool
Operated by the Travis County Parks Department, the Hamilton Pool Nature Preserve offers visitors incredible scenery thousands of years in the making. Visitors can enjoy tall cypress trees, hiking trails, picnic tables and a swim in the exposed portion of an underground river. Visit https://parks.traviscountytx.gov/parks/hamilton-pool-preserve for reservations and more information.
The Texas Hill Country is home to hundreds of attractions. From caves to swimming holes, the area offers near limitless opportunities to explore and enjoy the world around you.
