National Tourism Week: Top 5 Family Things To Do Around Austin

Our Chief Experience Office, Elizabeth Alderson, chimes in on National Tourism Week to share her favorite kid-friendly activities around Austin. Being the mother of three, she knows the best spots to keep the kids (and parents) entertained.
 
  1. Texas State Capitol – My kids loved have always loved going here, from when they were younger to now. From going at night and running down the halls (security guards were cool but maybe don’t say that to the whooollleee world), to making the speech in the echo chamber, to staring up at the big star…it’s all grandiose and beautiful! And of course the huge yard is magical to run, throw a frisbee, and have a picnic.
  2. Botanical Garden – We love this place. Lots of fun little spots for kids to check out. Pretty year round but in the fall and spring the flowers look amazing! It’s also right next to Zilker Park and Barton Springs, more ways to enjoy the great outdoors Austin has to offer.
  3. Cidercade or Pinballz – Kids love this place, and it’s a lot cheaper than Dave + Busters.
  4. Food trucks + funky shops – In a city with endless street food and fun shops, this could be a whole day out on its own! My kids love using some of “their own” money to go thrifting for treasures.
  5. Home Slice + Big Top – Obviously, the best pizza in town followed by the best candy shop in Texas.  A South Congress stroll is always a perfect way for the whole family to do something fun.
  • BONUS / FAV THING TO DO (OUTSIDE OF AUSTIN): I’d do beekeeping classes at Two Hives Honey. Tara and her staff are amazing, and it is SUCH a unique experience!
Enjoy!
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5 Family Things to Do in Austin this Spring Break

With SXSW in full swing, Austin can turn into a madhouse. To add to the chaos, Spring Break directly overlaps with the 9-day festival, with ZERO chance of going anywhere near downtown. So what’s a parent to do? Here are our top five picks during Spring Break that you can take the family this Spring. Enjoy!

Museum of Illusions Austin

Mesmerize the senses in this world of illusions. Packed with edutainment, this multi-exhibit interactive museum is over 6,000 square feet of puzzles, holograms, and more.  Fun fact: Austin’s own Amy Cook, artist of South Congress’ “I love you so much” mural, collaborated with the museum on “Building Illusion,” an exhibit that will have one of the biggest mirrors in the United States.

Opens March 11. Tickets are $24 for adults, $20 for kids

Spring Break Activities – Bob Bullock Museum

Brave the fringes of downtown (but we promise they have ample parking) at The Bob Bullock Museum for their Spring Break at the Bullock events. Check their calendar for mural making, art classes, and throwback movies like Homeward Bound (#TeamSassy).

March 11-14, prices vary | https://www.thestoryoftexas.com/visit/programs-events

Zilker Botanical Gardens Free Day

Zilker Botanical Gardens, a gorgeous and lush sanctuary in the heart of Zilker Park, offers sprawling grounds, gardens, water fountains, dinosaur sculptures, a coffee cart, and a relaxing space for the whole family. March 14 marks one of their free days that you can stop by for, but donations are still encouraged. Enjoy!

March 14, free | https://zilkergarden.org/

Thinkery

Mueller’s museum for kids is the perfect place for them to build, create, explore, and learn. Enjoy multi-levels of exhibits and a vast outdoor playscape that will be sure to be hours of fun. When you’re wrapped up, head down the sidewalk to Lick Ice Cream for a treat or feed the ducks at Mueller Lake Park.

Kids 0-24 months are free, $14 for 24 months + | https://thinkeryaustin.org/

The Contemporary Austin: Laguna Gloria Second Saturdays are for families

Head over to Laguna Gloria for their free event: Collaborative cylinders, curls, and connections. Join artist Carol Bove for an artistic endeavor that will elicit teamwork. Taking inspirations from her sculpture, From the Sun to Zurich, she’ll show the ropes on how to create unique sculpture and shapes through collaboration.

March 11, free | https://thecontemporaryaustin.org/event/second-saturday-are-for-families-collaborative-cylindars-curls-and-connections/

 

Looking for more things to do? We can customize family friendly events, from birthday parties to family reunions. Ask us about our nature hikes or InstaGLAM wig parties. Cheers!

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Best Ways to Celebrate the Holiday Season in Austin

Danielle Houtkooper, our Experience Manager, tells us the best places to get in the holiday spirit around Austin!

A Night on the Town

Miracle on 5th Street at The Eleanor – Relax in this explosion of Christmas cheer! Grab a Christmas themed cocktail in this bar lined wall to wall with Christmas decor. We count down the days until this fun and festive pop up returns. Be sure to get your tickets early so you don’t miss out. Have a group larger than 10? Make a reservation for guaranteed seating!

 

Lala’s Little Nugget – Here it’s Christmas all year round! Originally founded in 1972, Lala’s has been a staple of the Austin bar scene, enduring all the changes the city has undergone. The halls are decked with Christmas decor, and there’s even a newly formed patio to expand the cheer. Check out the elves dancing above the bar when the restroom doors are opened and closed, throw down on one of the pool tables with a new friend, and countdown to Christmas with one of the friendliest staff in town. Lala’s is connected to Brooklyn Pie Co, so come hungry!

 

A Drag Queen Christmas – Fans of RuPaul’s Drag Race will revel in this Christmas themed drag show! Hosted by season 11’s Miss Congeniality, Nina West, and Season 9 contestant and Season 4 All-Star winner Trinity the Tuck, this night of big personalities and even bigger hair is not to be missed. A Drag Queen Christmas is happening at ACL Live on Wednesday, December 14th. Meet and greet tickets and VIP tickets are still available, but going fast!

 

Tinseltown at Wanderlust Wine Co – Our good friends over at Wanderlust Wine Co are putting on the incredible Christmas pop up, Tinseltown! Spend the holidays with Wanderlust at their I-35 and 6th street location. The all-encompassing Christmas-themed pop-up will be fulfilling all your festive wishes. Expect Santa, elves, presents, and more. Tickets include the price of admission and a drink upon arrival. There’s even dedicated family friendly time if you can’t get a babysitter. Christmas for all!

 

A Die Hard Christmas at Little Drinks Lounge – Nestled into the Davis on SoCo apartments, Little Drinks is the little sister bar to Drinks Lounge on Cesar Chavez. If you’re looking for a cute dive bar to relax in, you’ve found it. The perfect place to celebrate a low-key Christmas, Little Drinks is decked out in Die Hard themed Christmas decorations. Sip on Die Hard themed cocktails, enjoy the curated beer list, and take a picture with a cutout of John McClane himself. 

 

Sippin’ Santa at Nickel City – Santa started sippin’ a little early this year, and Nickel City’s Christmas pop up is now live! Check out the Tiki inspired Christmas themed bar located in East Austin. The Tiki drinks come in great themed glasses you can purchase, and if you’re lucky you can catch the bartenders lighting drinks on fire with some Tiki flare. Regular bar service is first come, first served, but if you have groups of 6-12 it’s best to make a reservation. 

 

Get Lit at Kitty Cohens – Representation is important, and Kitty Cohens is here to deliver! Enjoy “Get Lit” the Hanukkah pop up happening at Kitty Cohens now throughout the Hanukkah season. Shiny blue and white streamers hang on the walls, blow up dreidels and menorahs line the patio, and a themed cocktail menu will get you in the mood with the Oy Fashioned, Bubbe’s Hot Buttered Whiskey, and more. A portion of proceeds from the drink specials benefit the Jewish Community Center, drink for a cause!

 

Family Time

North Pole Flyer – Departing from the historic Bertram train depot, the North Pole Flyer is a two-hour train ride full of magic. Fill up on hot chocolate and Christmas cookies while Santa makes his way through the cabin to say hi to all the kids on board. Santa not only poses for pictures, but gives out small gifts to everyone aboard! The North Pole Flyer is running every weekend through December 18th. 

 

Holiday Movie Party at Alamo Drafthouse – Cozy up in Alamo Drafthouse’s comfy chairs and get ready for a movie party! All Alamo movie parties include props, quoting along, dancing along and more. Check out your favorite holiday movies including Elf, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, Gremlins, Die Hard, Love Actually and more! 

 

Mozart’s Light Show – One of Austin’s most famous holiday themed attractions, the light show at Mozart’s is not to be missed. Mozart’s is located on Lady Bird lake, and it’s a great place to bring the whole family. This year check out a brand-new dance floor and silent disco to get you up on your feet and moving. Most of the tables at Mozart’s are standing room only, so get your tickets now if you would like to be seated. Want to get the most out of your visit? Add food and drink to your ticket at check out and enjoy fresh hot cocoa and cookies!  

 

Trail of Lights – The Trail of Lights is a cherished Austin experience. Now in its 58th year, this longest running holiday tradition is a great one to enjoy with the whole family. The Trail now features more than 2 million lights illuminating the park, 90 lighted holiday trees and more than 70 other holiday displays and lighted tunnels. Be sure to check out their special events like the Fun Run and the Night Lights preview party. General admission tickets are just $5, but remember to purchase either a parking pass or shuttle pass before you arrive.

 

Santa’s Ranch – Out in picturesque New Braunfels is Santa’s Ranch, a vibrant ranch full of lights! You’ll wind through Texas back roads and see animated Christmas displays sprinkled in through a full light show. Pull into the concession stand before you head out for delicious kettle corn and hot chocolate. Tickets are available on site, and Santa’s Ranch runs through January 1st. 

 

Shopping!

Blue Genie Art Bazaar – The market for makers, Blue Genie has it all. ​​Established in 2001, the Bazaar features the handmade, unique work of over 200 artists, who are selected from a talented pool of more than 400 applicants each year. You’ll find everything from fine art to body care, clothing to home decor. You can shop in store, or online for extra convenience. 

 

Armadillo Christmas Bazaar – The Armadillo Christmas Bazaar is celebrating nearly five decades of holiday shopping in Austin. They are known for our curated collection of art, gifts and live music in a festive, family friendly, entertaining atmosphere. Featuring 200 touring and local artists, you can learn more about the pieces in the Bazaar from the makers themselves. Love live music? You can catch a variety of musical acts on stage throughout the market. 

 

Lonestar Holiday Farmer’s Market – Sunday, December 11th and December 18th you can catch the Lonestar Holiday Farmer’s Market at the Hill Country Galleria. You can get unique gifts, see some live music, and check out local wineries and breweries all in one convenient location. 

 

There’s so much fun to be had this holiday season! Looking for the perfect gift? Consider an experience with Austin Detours. You can gift your loved one fun this year! Email us at howdy@austindetours.com for a gift card to Austin Detours today.

 

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5 Ways To Add Holiday Cheer To Your Workplace, Austin Style

With the holidays on the horizon, glimmering like a beacon of hope, with promise of time off and minimal worries about work, it can be hard to keep morale up in the office when everyone’s minds are set on family festivities. That’s why incorporating fun team building activities as well as holiday work outings into the daily grind can stave off pre-holiday workplace ennui. Plus, Austin has plenty of fun and festive things to do – so get your team together and indulge in some holiday cheer this season! The following are some ideas of how to get the holiday spirit resonating in your office:

Organize an Ugly Christmas Sweater Making Party
Image courtesy of PopSugar.

Image courtesy of PopSugar.

Nothing says office bonding like a mind melding over the creation of ugly holiday sweaters. Get some sweaters from Goodwill and various holiday-themed craft supplies, and spend some quality time with your workplace peers. Throw a few adult beverages into the mix and it’s a party! You can even model this activity after Project Runway and have each team present their ugly holiday sweaters to a panel of judges, detailing their creative prowess and why they decided to use a quart of glitter on only one sleeve.

Volunteer or Donate Goods to a Local Charity or Nonprofit.
Image courtesy of The Business Journals.

Image courtesy of The Business Journals.

Organizing an office canned food drive or clothing donation drive is the perfect low pressure way to get your office inspired in this season of giving. If your team is eager to get more involved this holiday season, Austin has an ample list of volunteer opportunities. This comprehensive list is a great starting point for researching local food pantries with volunteer opportunities, such as Central Texas Food Bank and Caritas of Austin.

Take Your Coworkers to the Trail of Lights or Armadillo Bazaar
Image courtesy of Keep Austin Fun.

Image courtesy of Keep Austin Fun.

As Austinites, it is important to experience legendary holiday institutions such as the Trail of Lights at Zilker Park and the Armadillo Bazaar, held annually at the Palmer Events Center. Both events are open for weeks leading up to Christmas and are very close to downtown Austin. Perfect for an after work stop, Trail of Lights is a great little festive jaunt to take with coworkers before heading down the road to Uncle Billy’s for some beer and BBQ. The Armadillo Bazaar is a great way to bond with your team while getting a bit of holiday shopping in, plus you’ll be supporting small businesses and artisans!

Bring On the Holiday Baked Goods
Image courtesy of sfstation.com

Image courtesy of sfstation.com

Nothing warms the heart of someone you work with more than offering up baked goods, especially during the holidays. After all, having the privilege of eating a warm piece of banana bread or sugar cookie at the desk is temporary escapism and reminds coworkers that yes, not too much longer now before all you’ll be doing is feasting on baked breads and pies and cookies. Not. Too. Much. Longer. If you have a few baking addicts in the office, setting up a rotating weekly cycle of baked contributions is the perfect way to always have tasty treats at your fingertips which subsequently will make you and your coworkers feel more connected with the spirit of the holidays.

Take The Office Holiday Party Out Of The Office
Image courtesy of Austin Detours.

Image courtesy of Austin Detours.

Every office has some version of a holiday party or outing. While it can be fun and almost an out-of-body experience to drink heavily right next to the computer you work at day in and day out, what might be more of a success is to take the holiday party outside of the office. Austin is buzzing with amazing restaurants, breweries and things to see. You might be thinking, “but it’s daunting to try to plan an office outing! I don’t have time to organize something like that on top of Christmas shopping, work and daydreaming at work about my impending Christmas break!” That’s where Austin Detours comes in! We can help you plan a corporate holiday outing, no problem. It’s our job to create fun and plan everything for you, so let us know if we can help you out this holiday season!

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Want more ideas on spreading holiday cheer through well-crafted holiday parties? Check out this post from our friends at Love Lucia’s Parties!

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