Budget Friendly Activities in Austin, Tx

Whether you have a large or small family, money is always a factor when you go on vacation. It is always helpful to know some free places to go wherever you are visiting so you don't have to worry about how much having fun is going to cost. If you find your vacation plans bringing you to Austin, here are some suggestions for some cheap and/or free places to go have a good time

Zilker Park-located near downtown Austin, this park is the most loved park in the Austin area. Not only do they have a playground for your children to enjoy they also have other natural attractions such as a botanical garden, which has fun hands-on activities and wonderful science and nature trails to explore. It boasts 351 acres so there is a lot of space to explore and even have a picnic for lunch. Now Zilker does charge a parking fee of $3 per car for weekends and special events so if you don't want to pay that try going during the week where it may also be less crowded.

Splash Parks-there are many splash parks located around the Austin area, two of the most popular ones being Brushy Creek (located in Cedar Park which is roughly a thirty minute drive from Austin) and Butler Park. What's great about parks like this is that if you have little ones who can't quite swim (whether or not they think they can) is they can still cool off and have a good time splashing in the water. Fountains in the sidewalks come up and squirt the little ones (though never high enough to be scary or hurtful) and kids can run in and out of it having a good time. Plus if you have a fear of germs in public pools, the kids aren't emerged in the water here so you don't have to worry about anything nasty getting passed along in the water. I think this is best for toddlers or families with a lot of young children under the age of 5 because everyone can have fun without worrying about one of the little ones wandering off or going too far away from the parents.

Capitol Building Tours-you can either guide yourself or get a tour that will range from 30-45 minutes with your family. They will take you around the capitol building and tell you the history of the building and Austin itself. This is a good idea because it will give your children a history lesson and you may find yourself learning something new too. A perk besides being free is that it is inside so you can get cool in the Texas heat. You can't have food or drinks during the tour but you are more than welcome to eat in the cafeteria or picnic on the lawn. I recommend this one myself because it is an interesting tour and you will enjoy yourself.

Book People-our biggest independent book store, Book People always has fun activities for the whole family to enjoy. They have weekly story time (that usually involves some kind of craft) as well as book signings and meetings for adults and the books they read. What's fun about this is that Book People is huge; you could enjoy yourself just walking around the store and browsing all the books. The story time for children takes place in a stadium like area with seats set up to look like bleachers so there is plenty of room for kids and you usually don't have to worry about the kids not being able to see the pictures. Plus it is an independent book store so should you choose to buy something (although there is no pressure unless you go to a book signing and want the author to sign your book; then they do ask that you buy the copy there) you will be contributing right to Austin and not some corporation. I enjoy Book People because they always look to have fun with the children especially with past activities like a birthday party for The Very Hungry Caterpillar.

As you can see there is much to do in Austin if you are on a budget. But I can guarantee if you try any of these activities you will enjoy yourself.