TCB Posted February 12, 2013 Share Posted February 12, 2013 We have the opportunity to spend a few days in Austin, Tx at the end of February. I would appreciate any ideas for fun, not too expensive things to do. My dds are 12 and 9. Also, is there a homeschooling store there, or a good used book store? Thanks, I appreciate any information you can give me. Trenna Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vonfirmath Posted February 12, 2013 Share Posted February 12, 2013 I haven't gotten there yet, but the big independent Book store I hear about here is bookpeople http://www.bookpeople.com/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freckles Posted February 12, 2013 Share Posted February 12, 2013 Zilker Park, Japanese Gardens, Walk around UT's beautiful campus, picnic at Barton Springs natural pool, watch the bats come out from under the Congress Ave bridge. I love Austin!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orthodox6 Posted February 12, 2013 Share Posted February 12, 2013 Mt. Bonnell. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clear Creek Posted February 12, 2013 Share Posted February 12, 2013 LBJ Presidential Library and Museum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TCB Posted February 12, 2013 Author Share Posted February 12, 2013 Thanks for the suggestions!! We're looking forward to it and it's good to have some recommendations for things to see and do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Violet Crown Posted February 12, 2013 Share Posted February 12, 2013 Half Price is the mega-used book store. The main store is the one on North Lamar. Excellent suggestions so far. The freefuninaustin.com website has local cheap or free family events. If you go to Mt. Bonnell (note: actually a hill with steps going up it), pay a visit to nearby Mayfield Park and see the peacocks, and/or the Laguna Gloria grounds. Zilker is indeed awesome, with a huge playscape, fun botanical gardens (including a prehistoric section), the Nature Science Center, and canoe rental, all right there. Pay to park on weekends, but very cheap. Also free is the Texas Memorial Museum on the UT campus, full of natural science wonders and heaps of fossils, including the Shoal Creek Plesiosaur (found by a young boy fossil-hunting with his dad). Parking is easy and free on weekends, but impossible during the week. If your crew likes hiking, see the Greenbelt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freckles Posted February 12, 2013 Share Posted February 12, 2013 I don't know if the flowers will be in bloom yet, but Lady Bird Johnson's wildflower center is really neat too. I could go on and on about the fun things to do in Austin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Violet Crown Posted February 12, 2013 Share Posted February 12, 2013 Careful, Freckles73; we don't want to persuade anyone else to move here. Just come and spend tourist money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orthodox6 Posted February 12, 2013 Share Posted February 12, 2013 I don't remember after so many years. Does the Elisabet Hey museum charge much? Also, the Perry Castaneda Library is Awesome! Visit the maps collection. See if the Harry Ransome Center has any good exhibits then. That is Elisabet NEY. Cellphone spell check is demented. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JuanitaL Posted February 12, 2013 Share Posted February 12, 2013 LBJ Presidential Library and Museum. We liked this. Our favorite thing to do in that area (just barely south of Austin) was to go to the Goodwill clearance center. The Blue Hanger (?). We found that to be really cheap family fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freckles Posted February 12, 2013 Share Posted February 12, 2013 Careful, Freckles73; we don't want to persuade anyone else to move here. Just come and spend tourist money. Haha! I know. I graduated from UT, and dh and I were married at the beautiful chapel at Austin Presbyterian Seminary. Don't get me started on the food!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orthodox6 Posted February 12, 2013 Share Posted February 12, 2013 Nobody has mentioned restaurants yet?! Mother's Cafe on Duval St. ! ! ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Violet Crown Posted February 12, 2013 Share Posted February 12, 2013 Threadgill's on Riverside. The Salt Lick (barbecue). Hyde Park Bar and Grill (what will be on the giant fork?) Amy's Ice Cream - any of them, though the best was the one in the Arboretum, on account of the stone cows. Anything sold out of a trailer. Really. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TCB Posted February 12, 2013 Author Share Posted February 12, 2013 Wow! Now I'm really looking forward to it! Thanks again for all the ideas. It's OK searching on the internet but personal recommendations are much better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orthodox6 Posted February 12, 2013 Share Posted February 12, 2013 Pecan Street Cafe. They made our wedding cake, and people still talk about how fabulous it was. (Fresh strawberry -- and I do not mean something blah, stained red with juice. Overflowing with fat, bursting with flavor, fresh strawberries!) Kerbey Lane Cafe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orthodox6 Posted February 12, 2013 Share Posted February 12, 2013 LOL over here. Mt. Bonnell may be "a hill with steps going up it"; however, that never was how I experienced it. I always went to the "wrong side", the steep side -- (undoubtedly laying myself open for a fine of some sort) -- and scrambled down it on feet/hands/knees (as needed), then climbed back up the same way. We LOVED doing this to blow off steam! If you go to Mt. Bonnell (note: actually a hill with steps going up it), Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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