Austin area folks-help?

[Dmmetler]

DD12 has a Herpetology conference in Austin at the Renaissance starting next Weds. The night activities tend to be very alcoholic and not particularly appropriate for her (or enjoyable for me, either). Does anyone have any suggestions for pre-teen fun/relaxing evening activities that would be reasonably close (we won't have a car, but could do an Uber for something good)? It is my experience that convention hotels aren't very kid-friendly.

[brehon]

Well, the obvious choice is to watch the bats as they emerge for the night. You'll want to get to Congress bridge. I think there are even special bat tours, though you don't need to take one to see the bats.

 

ETA The bridge you want is the Congress Ave bridge. That's where most of the bats come out from in the evening.

Edited July 4, 2017 by brehon

[Violet Crown]

You want the Free Fun in Austin blog.

https://freefuninaustin.com

 

The Top 10: https://freefuninaustin.com/top-10-things-to-do-in-austin-texas-with-kids/

 

But basically, as Brehon says, that's going to tell you that you want to see the bats.

 

Also - I've never stayed in a hotel in Austin, but in general the city is pretty kid-friendly.

Edited July 4, 2017 by Violet Crown

[Violet Crown]

The Renaissance Hotel is in the Arboretum, which is a good way from the bats, but right next to Amy's Ice Cream, a kid-friendly place, and open until midnight. My high school friends and I used to climb onto the stone cows and eat our ice cream, and go walk around the big pond at the bottom of the hill. (Hey, that was pretty exciting for NW Austin suburbia teenagers.) You'd probably see some bats out there too.

Edited July 4, 2017 by Violet Crown

[FriedClams]

Fun food trucks!

[brehon]

Ah! You're right, VC! I was trying to place the Renaissance and for some reason misremembered where it was. Sorry, OP. Congress Ave bridge is downtown.

 

Fond memories of Amy's here, too.

[Dmmetler]

I'm guessing that in a conference of biologists, we can probably find someone to ride out with and see bats :). A lake is good, as is ice cream.

[littlebug42]

The Renaissance Hotel is in the Arboretum, which is a good way from the bats, but right next to Amy's Ice Cream, a kid-friendly place, and open until midnight. My high school friends and I used to climb onto the stone cows and eat our ice cream, and go walk around the big pond at the bottom of the hill. (Hey, that was pretty exciting for NW Austin suburbia teenagers.) You'd probably see some bats out there too.

 

We did this all of the time when I was in college.  A friend of mine and I would often go there for a little respite.  Had some excellent conversations around that pond. 

[TheReader]

There's also a pool at the hotel, indoors, which is good for a bit of fun, and lots of restaurants, shops, etc., right near the hotel (walking distance)/adjoining parking lot). You should have no problem finding things to do each evening. :)

[Pam in CT]

Well, the obvious choice is to watch the bats as they emerge for the night. You'll want to get to Congress bridge. I think there are even special bat tours, though you don't need to take one to see the bats.

 

ETA The bridge you want is the Congress Ave bridge. That's where most of the bats come out from in the evening.

 

 

This is soooooooo on my bucket list.

[Dmmetler]

I'm hoping some of the attendees bring their families. They did last year in New Orleans, so DD and I could often find families to go to dinner with and the pool with. The year before, at Kansas U, almost no one did.

[Dmmetler]

There is a shuttle to Trinity and Third one night-is that anywhere close to the bats?

[vonfirmath]

Here are some pictures of the pond/cows at the Arboretum: https://freefuninaustin.com/feeding-ducks-at-the-arboretum/

 

There's a movie theater VERY nearby that often has unusual movies.  (I saw Facing the Darkness and Sight and Sound Theater Jonah there recently -- things only on  a few screens in the area..)

 

Regal Arbor 8 @ Great Hills: https://www.regmovies.com/theaters/regal-arbor-8-great-hills/1576

 

 

Edited July 5, 2017 by vonfirmath

[desiree77]

There is a shuttle to Trinity and Third one night-is that anywhere close to the bats?

 

 

Yes, very close. You can walk to the bats from there. 

[vonfirmath]

There is a shuttle to Trinity and Third one night-is that anywhere close to the bats?

 

On the map, that appears to be VERY close to the S Congress Avenue Bridge.  Walk 4 blocks down Trinity to Cesar Chavez, then west to the bridge.  Unfortunately, I do not know what the area feels like at night.

 

Here is a link to some information about the bat bridge: https://www.tripsavvy.com/austins-bat-bridge-a-viewing-guide-254880

[desiree77]

The Liz Carpenter splash pad is within walking distance of the Congress Ave. bridge. It lights up at night. It's not always working though.

[desiree77]

On the map, that appears to be VERY close to the S Congress Avenue Bridge.  Walk 4 blocks down Trinity to Cesar Chavez, then west to the bridge.  Unfortunately, I do not know what the area feels like at night.

 

Here is a link to some information about the bat bridge: https://www.tripsavvy.com/austins-bat-bridge-a-viewing-guide-254880

 

The area is fine on a summer night with all the crowds. I would probably leave right after the bat show. You really don't want to be walking around downtown with kids after 11. People do, but I don't like it. A weekend will be worse than a weekday as far as how many drunk people you see. Also, I would prefer going with at least one other adult. 

[Dmmetler]

Cool! It's listed as a "no host social", which usually means bar hopping, but I'm guessing there will be other folks going to see bats :)

[desiree77]

Cool! It's listed as a "no host social", which usually means bar hopping, but I'm guessing there will be other folks going to see bats :)

 

The bar hoppers will walk north. That's where the infamous 6th street bar district is. The foodies and bat watchers will walk south. If you go early enough, go to Jim Jim's. It's Italian Ice. My husband loves it.