Travel to the Austin, Tx Area?

We like to go to the Hyatt Lost Pines. It is located in Bastrop, Tx-about 20min. outside of Austin. Very lovely family resort w/all kinds of amenities for the kids-lazy river, water slide, horse back riding, kayaking etc...

I am born and raised in Austin, live in Florida for the past two years:(.

Barton Springs is COLD, but very refreshing in the intense heat. Rarely, does any women go topless anymore and I've been going there for over 45 years. The pool is found in a wonderful city park called Zilker Park. Besides the pool, you and the family can enjoy a ride on the Zilker Zephyr, it's a small train that takes you through the park. There is a wonderfully big play area with all kinds of bridges, ladders, slides and a old fire truck(it's been there since I was a kid) for the kids to play on. Don't miss the ice cream at the concession stand, it's one of the best tasting in the city!

Phil's Ice House & Amy's Ice Cream(connected) is a great place for the family to eat and play.

Austin is a very friendly city for your family to visit!

Not sure what your price range is, but I really like Embassy Suites. They are more per room than other places, but when you factor in what you are getting for the price, and take advantage of it all, it can work out to be less than other places that are not as nice. I have stayed at the one that is on I-35 just north of downtown (about 5 miles). It's like being in a small apartment, so a family can get one suite. The suites have coffee makers, small refrigerators and microwaves, so you can bring food and save on snacks and meals. They also had free breakfast when I was there, and it was a full breakfast, so you can save there too.

Love Barton Springs and love Zilker Park! Have only been to Barton Springs a couple of times, but saw no topless women.

Haha, so funny - topless? Barton Springs is hugely family friendly, and it's part of a city park so ladies, keep your strings tied. LOL. We've been there and had fun. Very cold, even in the hottest sun. Wear water shoes because there's tons of moss and algae on the rock bottom that's slimmy and slippery. They have a really nice shower/changing area that's from the 60's or 70's. Pretty neat. The Holiday Inn off Mopac in the Arboretum is actually pretty nice and I think we got it for around $50 on priceline. It can be hard to get there from the interstate - you drive past it before exiting and then drive through a residential area to get there but if you're expecting this beforehand and get yourself a yahoo map it's' worth it. I'd stay there again.

Some women do go topless there so it is true. It's not every day and it's not multiple women... usually. I used to go there 3-4 times a week to swim laps and I would see a topless woman at least 1x a week.

My ex took our kids there a couple of weekends ago and was shocked to learn that tops are "optional" for women. While they did not see anyone going topless while they were there, it is obviously a possibility, so just keep that in mind.

I have only been to Barton Springs once and never again. It is dirty and gross. The water smells. It is crowded and on one side people let their dogs swim in it and it smells like urine. I could not get myself and my kids out of there fast enough to come home and scrub all that gunk off of us.

I've only been to Barton Springs once or twice, but others love it. We took our kids, and it was just too cold for us! As far as the topless sunbathing, I have no idea, sorry. We live north of Austin, and frankly, stay out of the city if we can. Just our personal preference.

If you have young kids, there is a new "splash pad" that has opened up just north of Austin, in Round Rock.... it is in the Williamson County Regional Park, just off 1431.

http://www.kxan.com/dpp/news/local/pile-of-rocks-becomes-...

Google "quarry splash pad" to find more info about it. We just took our 3 yr old grandson there, and he had a ball! There is a large sand pit, so bring sand toys. There are water cannons to play with, a short slide, a waterfall, and water jets all over. There are several different play areas. The slopes surrounding the splash pad are covered in astroturf, which, frankly, is hotter than the concrete sidewalks. You can bring a picnic lunch right into the splash pad area. It just opened 2 weeks ago, and is $1 per person. There is a concession stand there, also.

i was just there 2 weeks ago, no topless women, although i wouldnt have really cared. It was very cold, the water is a spring and it 68 degrees in the intense heat of the texas summer and you still had to adjust to the water. We went to barton springs, then canoed a few feet down, then visited deep eddys the next day.

id recommend it, id also recommend you get baby sitter to party on 6th street, shop on congress st. and eat at mothers cafe.

but ive only been once, ill be looking for more suggestions on here because i will visit again soon.