101 Family Day Trips and Staycation Ideas Around from Austin
Remember, it's always best to follow each link to get details about your visit directly from your destination, since some places operate seasonally or by reservation, as well as to check each venue's COVID requirements (masks, limits, social distancing).
Free activities and splurges that are worth it. The coolest stuff for a staycation in town and road trips for less than a tank of gas from Austin. Kids Out And About has tons of ideas for family travel, with places to explore, learn, and have fun!
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Explore Gardens & Sculpture Gardens
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Bee Cave Sculpture Park |
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UMLAUF Sculpture Garden & Museum |
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Hill Country Lavender Farm |
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Luling Lavender Fields |
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Chappell Hill Lavender Farm |
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Zilker Botanical Gardens |
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Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center |
Get Wild on a Hike 
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Shoal Creek Trail |
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Barton Creek Greenbelt Trail |
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The Trails at Enchanted Rock |
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Walnut Creek Trail |
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Onion Creek and Homestead Trail Loop |
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Spicewood Valley Trail |
Time Travel Today 
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Pioneer Farms |
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The Alamo |
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Austin African American Cultural District |
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Charles S. Cock House and Cottage Kitchen |
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Dr. Pound Historical Farmstead |
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Frio Pioneer Jail Museum |
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San Antonio Missions |
Make Life a Beach 
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McKinney Falls State Park |
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Hamilton Pool Preserve |
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West Lake Beach |
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Emma Long Park |
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Lake Pflugerville Park |
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Reimers Ranch Park |
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Canyon Lake |
Splash into Some Water Fun 
Spend the Day at a Museum 
Explore These Cities 
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Fredericksburg |
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San Antonio |
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New Braunfels |
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Round Rock |
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Blanco |
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Grapevine |
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Corpus Christie |
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Houston |
All Aboard Planes, Trains, and Automobiles (and Boats!) 
Grow Some Fun at the Farm 
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Boggy Creek Farm |
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Green Gate Farm |
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Johnson's Backyard Garden |
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Eden East |
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Sauer-Beckmann Farm |
Play Ball! 
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Freestyle Sports |
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Texas Stars |
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Austin Rowing Sports |
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Capitol Area Tennis Association |
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Round Rock Express |
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Austin Spurs |
Treat Yo' Self 
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Sweet Ritual Vegan Ice Cream |
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Cool Haus |
| Cow Tipping Creamery | |
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Teo Gelato |
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Lick |
| Spun Ice Cream |
Connect with Nature 
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Lake Travis Zipline Adventures |
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Cyprus Valley Canopy Tours |
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Zip Lost Pines |
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Scuba Diving at Mansfield Dam Park |
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TX Climbing Adventures |
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Wonder World Park |
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Blue Hole Park, Wimberly |
Amuse Yourself at These Amusement Parks 
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Six Flags Fiesta |
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Six Flags Over Texas |
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SeaWorld San Antonio |
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Kemah Boardwalk |
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Morgans Wonderland |
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ZDT's Amusement Park |
Talk to the Animals 
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Austin Zoo |
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Austin Aquarium |
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Crow's Nest Farm |
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Fry's Fun Farm |
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Fort Worth Zoo |
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Cameron Park Zoo |
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Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch |
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San Antonio Zoo |
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Texas State Aquarium |
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Sea Life |
Explore the Globe Close to Home 
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Mexic Arte Museum |
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Asian American Resource Center |
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Chinatown Center |
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Austin Dragon Boat Festival |
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Alliance Francaise d'Austin |
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Austin Celtic Calendar |
Get Active Indoors
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Rock About Climbing Adventures |
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Altitude Trampoline Park |
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Chaparral Ice |
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Mt. Playmore |
Challenge Yourself 
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Cathedral of Junk |
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Check out some of Austin's most popular murals |
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Mindspark Escape Games |
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Climb the stairs at Mt. Bonnell |
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Austin Sailboat Rentals |
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Epic SUP (stand up paddle board) |
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Texas Trail Ride |
Shop Your Heart Out 
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Toy Joy |
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Monkey See, Monkey DO |
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BookPeople |
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Over the Rainbow |
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Anna's Toy Depot |
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Terra Toys |
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Lions and Tigers and Toys |
Explore Some Caves
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Inner Space Cavern |
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Longhorn Cavern State Park |
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Natural Bridges Caverns |
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Cave Without a Name |
Most of these destinations are within an hour from Austin. For those that are a bit farther away:
= Less than 1 hour away
= 1 to 2 hours away
= 2 to 3 hours away
= Just over 3 hours away