Touring Texas

It’s no secret that I love getting out on the weekends to explore Austin with my little family. I subscribe to Free Fun in Austin and I have a Pinterest board dedicated to things I’d like to do in Austin. I feel fairly proud of how many fun things we’ve done here and, still, I don’t think we’ve even scratched the surface. I love living somewhere with so much to do, especially when so much of it is free and outdoors.
Having a child has added a whole new array of things to do in the city. A couple of weeks ago, we headed out to explore a part of Zilker Park we’d never visited before.

If you’re not familiar with Austin, Zilker Park is our version of Central Park. It’s 351 acres of green space downtown and there are playgrounds, lakes/rivers, kite festivals, a train, Barton Springs (a warm-water natural springs), free theater in the spring and summer, holiday light displays and just about anything else you can imagine. There’s a sculpture garden and a botanical garden. Any time we go down, it’s filled with families, couples and individuals having picnics, running, playing Frisbee, or swimming. It is, simply, amazing.

Our destination was the Austin Nature and Science Center, which many of my friends have raved about, but I’d never actually been to. Like any good outing, it was free.

We parked along the road, just across from the lake, and walked into the park. Despite the perfect weather (not too hot, not too cold, sandals and short sleeves for everyone), the Center was very quiet and peaceful. There is a lot of greenery when you first enter and, even though you are right downtown, it feels extremely secluded.

 

Once you go through the information/display center (where there are lots of animal furs/bones/teeth/horns to touch and play with), you can go two ways. The first side is the wild animal section. I was under the impression that there were only about five animals, but there were many, many animals. We saw a coyote, a very fat bobcat, fish, turtles, snakes, foxes, raccoons, and then continued into the bird preserve where Ella couldn’t get enough of spotting the owls, vultures and roadrunner. Plus it was mainly shady and there were benches to sit on. What more can you ask?

We circled back and went to the other side, where we walked around the large pond, identified animals on metal plaques (Ella made sure we named every. single. one) and then arrived at the crowning jewel of the Center — the Dino pit! There are three huge sections of sandboxes with native Texas fossil copies buried in each one. The pits are full of shovels, brushes and other tools that you can use to dig them out. Half of it is in the shade, which is wonderful, and Ella had the time of her life digging. We won’t talk about how much sand she had in her hair by the time we left.

 

Bart and I both commented that the next time someone with small children comes to visit, we will certainly return. It’s closer than the zoo and free and just the right size for kids. And when you’re tired of looking at animals, you can dig for dinosaur bones. How often do you get to say THAT?

When we walked back to the car, we crossed over to the lake side, let Ella dip her hands in the water and watched all the people boating on the water. Ella was so entranced that we determined we need to take her boating sometime soon.

And then, because no outing is complete without some food, we drove a couple of miles up to Hyde Park and had lunch at Dolce Vita. The service was ridiculously slow (we waited over half an hour for our sandwiches) but our food was incredible. Bart had a pesto and roasted turkey panini and I had a fresh mozzarella and pesto baguette with balsamic cream and spinach — and our berry split was delicious. While we waited, we popped into the cheese shop next door (where Ella got a sticker) and we petted every dog within a quarter mile radius. It was delightful to try a new place and also to see all the neighborhood people enjoying their weekend (the two blocks have several restaurants, a laundromat and some stores).

Then we all came home and took naps. Because one has to work off three scoops of gelato somehow.
Also, the first thing Ella wanted to talk about when she woke up after her nap was brushing the dinosaur teeth in the fossil pit. I guess it was a hit!

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This sweepstakes runs from 5/1/2012-6/1/2012.
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162 Comments

  1. San Antonio. My parents lived in Amarillo and I've been to Dallas and Austin but never San Antonio and it sounds interesting.

    Reply

    1. I'm an idiot. I forgot to follow directions. I would go to Austin to visit my brother and his family. I miss them!

      Reply

  3. I've often thought that Austin sounds like a great place to visit, and now someone I know has moved there, so I'd love to see it for myself.

    Reply

  4. I've never been to Texas, so pretty much anywhere would be a lot of fun! Austin sounds great though. 🙂

    Reply

  5. My BFF and I have been planning a trip to Austin forever but it keeps getting delayed. I really really want to go!

    LOVE the pics of Ella. She is a doll!

    Reply

  7. I visited Houston as a child, but I've always wanted to see Austin. I've heard lots of good things about Austin.

    mami2jcn at gmail dot com

    Reply

  8. I would love to come visit Austin! Whenever my brother goes on dates with anyone from Texas, I always secretly hope they are from Austin so that if things work out then the reception would be there. So far it has only been fun dates and nothing more, but he is not married yet so it might still happen.

    Reply

  10. My parents just barely moved to the Dallas/Fort Worth area, and I was convinced that they are allowed to live in Texas based largely on how much you love the state. If you weren't so sensible, I might have had reservations, but now, we're pretty thrilled for the chance to visit with them.

    Reply

  11. I'd like to visit Austin again…for obvious reasons 🙂 we'll definitely have to hit up this part of zilker park next time we're there!

    And i love the pictures of Ella. She is such a doll!

    Reply

  12. I love the Nature and Science Center. This reminds me that we haven't been since Kate was born. She would love it!

    I'm still mad we haven't seen any of the art museums in Austin, so that's on my to do list. We went and saw art in San Antonio, but never here at "home."

    Reply

  14. Oh Ella is such a cutie! I had never been to Texas until last fall, when my husband and I went to Fort Worth for a wedding. I LOVED it! But we were only there for a day and a half. So I'd love to go back to Fort Worth – it seemed like it had so much to offer!

    Reply

  15. i would like to visit Austin and check out all the parks and museaums.. 🙂 i totally spelled that wrong OOPS 🙂

    vanitizebaby at yahoo dot com

    Reply

  17. I've been to Texas a few times, but never made it to the Alamo. I think that's kind of a necessary place to visit. I do love going to the Space Center at Houston, though 🙂

    Reply

  20. I would love to visit Austin because I have a cute cousin there that wants to take my kids to brush the dinosaurs teeth!!

    Reply

  22. My answer is obviously Austin so we can see all the cool things that YOU have seen… and to do that hamburger tasting. That still sounds like an awesome idea!

    jj

    Reply

  28. I want to go to any little town in the Hill Country: Fredricksburg, Gruene, Kerrville, etc!

    Reply

  29. I'd love to go to Austin to visit my best friend, a PhD student there. Have heard great things about the food, too 🙂

    Reply

  30. We loved living right outside Houston. One of our favorite (recurring) dates was dinner at the original Ninfa's, getting AMAZING ice cream at The Chocolate Bar, and relaxing at the free symphony at Herman Park.

    But honestly, if I had just one day, I'd head to SCHLITTERBAHN!!!

    Reply

  39. I noticed no one has said Lubbock. Haha. I would love to visit Austin because it sounds like it has everything that Lubbock doesn't (ie trees).

    Reply

  40. I noticed no one has said Lubbock. Haha. I would love to visit Austin because it sounds like it has everything that Lubbock doesn't (ie trees).

    Reply

  41. I noticed no one has said Lubbock. Haha. I would love to visit Austin because it sounds like it has everything that Lubbock doesn't (ie trees).

    Reply

  43. Ella and Nat seriously need to be friends. My child has a serious obsession with both boats (discovered on our trip) and dogs, and Ella is one of the few toddlers who isn't twice his weight. Oh, and speaking of service? We waited three HOURS to finish our dinner in Sydney, and not because we were eating slowly. Australia has many amazing things, but service is not one of them.

    And I'd visit Austin, of course.

    Reply

  44. I love the dinosaur dig! I had no idea where that was. I'd love to visit Galveston again-this time overnight in a beach house. 🙂

    Reply

  47. For a few years now I've been saying that when I move it will be to Austin…but I've never even visited, so that's where I'd go!

    Reply

  48. I've never been to Texas but I'd love to go see the Alamo. I've heard such wonderful things about so many places in Texas that it was hard to narrow it down!

    Reply

  49. I would like to visit Plano and Dallas Area. We might be moving there… so I am very interested in visiting! 🙂

    Reply

  52. Now, I want to come to Austin, too. If everyone who commented contacts you, you are going to be very busy. lol

    Reply

  53. I'd love to visit Austin for the music scene and amazing food.

    –Brandy
    fosterbrandy(at)msn(dot)com

    Reply

  58. Buc Days Rodeo, Festival and Carnival in Corpus Christi sounds like fun. I think my kids would love it.

    Amy [at] utry [dot] it

    Reply

  60. i want to visit san anotonio~ Thanks for a super giveaway!
    My email: anashct1 [at] yahoo [dot] com

    Reply

  62. I have wanted to go to Glen Rose, Texas. Dinosaur Valley State Park is located there (they have actual dinosaur tracks embedded in the rock) and there is a safari park that has lodging on site. My son would think it was the coolest trip ever without leaving the state!

    candyland121 at hotmail dot com

    Reply

  64. By the way, Did you see the Salamader building and Trails House? The Trail House is a nature preschool enrichment program. My daughters attended the preschool and it's amazing. The teachers are wonderful. T

    Reply

  67. I'm dying to take the kids to Big Bend, but now that it's getting hot again Port Aransas looks like a more reasonable destination.

    Reply

  70. I would go to Amarillo, mostly because I'm going there in 4 weeks as apart of our cross country move to North Carolina. I've never been to Texas, so this will be my first experience in the state. Let's hope that it's a good one, even if it's only 14 hours long!

    Reply

  74. I'd go to the texas air and space museum. some of our relatives went last year and it looked awesome!

    Reply

  75. Austin for sure. I am weird, and would love to meet and hang out with my people! 😉

    Reply

  83. I would love to visit Austin for amazing food, great music and a great time!

    pokergrl8 at gmail.com

    Reply

  96. I would love to visit San Antonio! I
    Thanks for a chance to win and have a great day!
    kmassmanATgmailDOTcom

    Reply

  101. My town is the exact opposite; we have very few options for entertainment. Which is why I'd most love to visit your neck of the woods. Austin seems to be so family-friendly, while still rich in culture and foodie fun. It definitely tops my list!

    Reply

  104. I would love to visit Dallas, where a couple of my cousins live! Thanks for the chance to win!

    gina.m.maddox (at) gmail (dot) com

    Reply

  105. tweet-https://twitter.com/#!/CrazyItalian0/status/204958067727663105

    gina.m.maddox (at) gmail (dot) com

    Reply

  106. I'd like to visit fort worth to see the gardens, zoo, and shop. Ella's so adorable o_o Thanks for the giveaway.
    songyueyu at gmail

    Reply

  108. My son did his State project on Texas this year and desperately wants to go to San Antonio to visit the Alamo!

    Reply

  112. I've always wanted to check out the RiverWalk in San Antonio (not very original, I know). I think it would be awesome to go to a UT football game too! (Don't tell my fellow Buckeye fans though!).

    Reply

  113. I'd love to go to the RiverWalk in San Antonio (not very original, I know) but a UT football would be awesome too! (Don't tell my fellow Buckeye fans though!).

    Reply

  115. Austin has always been on my list of places to visit in the U.S., I also have family in Dallas-Fort Worth which is also on my list of places to visit. The park sounds awesome!

    Reply

  119. There are so many places in Texas that I want to visit! Austin is at the top of my list… I'm a big music lover so I'd love to hit up SXSW at some point. I'm also a huge sports fan so I'd love to hit up a Rangers and a Cowboys game. And, as embarrassed as I am to admit this, after seeing Pee Wee's Big Adventure as a kid, I've always wanted to visit The Alamo! 🙂

    Reply

  121. I'd love to visit Austin as we really enjoyed our 3 month stay there a few years back. I'd also love to visit some family who are living in Galveston or friends living in Dallas.

    Reply

  122. I think I had one too many crazy Texan roommates in college that sort of turned me off from the state as a whole. Reading your blog has made me not quite so anti-Texas as I used to be. So in honor of that, I would probably want to visit Austin 🙂

    Reply

  123. For touristy reasons I would love to visit the Alamo. My parents went a few years ago and loved it. For more practical reasons I would love to visit the small town of Vidor. I have cousins there who, evidently, have the funnest house ever. I'd love to finally see it!

    Reply

  124. Definitely Austin. Lived in San Antonio for several years and really enjoyed it. Time to get to Austin and go to SXSW.

    Reply

  125. I want to visit the Palo Duro Canyon in the panhandle. It's the largest canyon in the U.S. after the Grand Canyon.

    Reply

  126. I would go to Austin to visit you. You always come to me, so I would go to you for once. Plus, I've heard Austin is amazing!

    Reply

  131. For me it's a toss up- I would take Austin, so I could visit my friends, check on my rental house, and eat at Pok-e-jos and the Shady Grove. Or I would settle for Port Aransas, which is where we spent every Memorial Day and Labor Day while we were in Texas. We had some great times and made some great memories there. I LOVE TEXAS!

    Reply

  132. I want to go to Schlitterbahn! or however you spell it! 🙂 Your little neck of the woods sounds fantastic too!

    Reply

  135. I'd love to visit Austin or Dallas. I've only ever been to airports in Texas, so anywhere would be fun!

    Reply

  136. Austin! I miss it. Lived there for 9 years. Luckily, we have been back a few times since leaving 2 years ago. Hoping to get out there again this fall. Would love to go to ACL festival again. I wonder how the little girl would do there? She loves music but all the people, etc. Not to sure. Anyway, great giveaway!

    Reply

  139. Austin is so much fun! I'd like to take a weekend and hang out in Fredericksburg. It looks like the perfect place for some relaxation.

    Reply

  140. I would like to visit Houston the biggest city in Texas and visit the 1940 Air Terminal Museum as well as the Bayou Bend Collection of the Fine Arts: 28-room Latin Colonial Structure.

    ctong2[at]gmail[dot]com

    Reply

  142. There are so many places in Texas I'd love to visit – San Antonio, Galveston and of course Houston and Dallas.

    willitara [at] gmail [dot] com

    Reply

  143. The Alamo for sure. My husband is a history-buff and has said for years we have to visit. I'd love to see all the artifacts people have found.
    shel704 at aol dot com

    Reply

  145. Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge was created in 1943 to protect migratory birds! I would love love love to visit as I am an avid birder!!!
    Angie
    14earth at gmail dot com

    Reply

  147. San Antonio (although I've heard wonderful things about Austin!). My husband might get moved there with the military next year so I'd love to check out a place where we might possibly live!

    Reply

  148. I'd like to go back to Austin and visit Zilker Park and the library. Or to Dallas/Ft. Worth and tour around.

    Reply

  149. I would like to visit Houston. My niece lives there and it would be a nice place to start.
    MCantu1019 at aol dot com

    Reply

  151. I'd like to visit Canton, TX. It has one of the largest flea markets in the United States!
    Digicats {at} Sbcglobal {dot} Net

    Reply

  155. I would love to visit the Dallas Fort Worth area and check out a Cowboys game!

    jfong1130 at yahoo dot com

    Reply

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