Austin, TX

Best Kid-Friendly Hotels and Resorts in Austin

Published

4 months ago

September 15, 2024

Best Kid-Friendly Hotels and Resorts in Austin

Looking for the perfect place to stay in Austin with the whole family? Whether you’re planning a fun-filled adventure exploring the attractions in the state’s capital or a relaxing getaway, finding a kid-friendly hotel or resort is key to a good trip. These Austin hotels and resorts have kid-friendly amenities and good locations, so your family can have a blast while visiting all the Best Things To Do in Austin.

For more to do near Austin, check out our Texas Hill Country with Kids guide.

The pool at the Sonesta Bee Cave. Photo by author Sarah Banks

1. Sonesta Bee Cave $$ – West Austin

Sonesta Bee Cave is a fantastic, kid-friendly spot in the scenic Bee Cave area on the west side of Austin. Its refreshing outdoor pool is ideal for keeping everyone happy, with two shallow areas perfect for little kids. Plus, you’re next door to the Hill Country Galleria, with groceries, dining, and shopping just a short walk away. Austin Zoo, one of the Best Texas Zoos, and Lake Travis, a favorite of the Texas Swimming Lakes, are also in the nearby area. The hotel’s Buzz Around Bee Cave package includes discounts for Lake Travis ziplines and boat hire.

2. Hotel Van Zandt $$$ – Downtown – Zilker Park

Hotel Van Zandt combines cool, contemporary vibes with family-friendly perks like a rooftop pool – ideal for mini mermaids and pirates. Located near Zilker Park, you can easily swap the hotel pool for Barton Springs Pool if you’re feeling adventurous – one of the Best Hill Country Swimming Holes to Keep Kids Cool this Summer.

3. Carpenter Hotel $$ – Downtown – Zilker Park

The Carpenter Hotel is another place to stay with easy access to the miniature train and kayaking opportunities in the beautiful Zilker Park. This hotel echoes the cool vibe of Austin with its 1970s-style décor. The Carpenter also has a pool to dip in when the Texas weather gets hot.

Hotels in Austin

The Driskill in downtown Austin.

4. The Driskill $$$ – Downtown – Congress Avenue

This 100-year-old hotel is renowned for its history, so it’s a beautiful place to rest your head after exploring. This is our only recommendation without a pool, but the grand lobby is so stunning you’ll need a family photo session to capture the attractive setting.

5. Austin Marriott $$$ – Downtown – Congress Avenue

Austin Marriott Downtown is a great choice for families, with a rooftop pool where the kids can cool off. The location means you’re close to attractions like the Thinkery, so your little explorers can get their interactive science fix.

Hotels in Austin

Austin Motel offers access to downtown at a discounted price.

6. Austin Motel $$ – Congress Avenue

This retro motel on the south side of the river has a kidney-shaped pool and offers discounts for Texas residents bookings made more than 14 days in advance. If you want to save some money on your trip to Austin, check out our Fun Budget Weekend Getaways for Houston Families to learn more about free activities in Austin to keep costs down.

7. Kalahari Resorts & Conventions $$$ – Round Rock

Home to one of The Best Indoor Waterparks in Texas, Kalahari Resorts & Conventions is the ultimate vacation playground. From wave pools to lazy rivers, your family will have so much fun splashing around. The resort is 20 miles north of Austin, so you can drop into the city on your stay. Day passes are also available to experience the waterpark while staying downtown.

8. JW Marriott Austin $$$ – Downtown – Lady Bird Lake

JW Marriott Austin offers luxury and family-friendly fun with a rooftop pool. Located close to Lady Bird Lake, its location makes combining city sights with outdoor activities easy. Lady Bird Lake is a great place to watch Austin’s famous bats fly out at sunset.

9. Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa $$$ – West Austin

Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa is a sprawling retreat west of Austin, where kids can enjoy indoor and outdoor pools (heated in the winter). With beautiful Hill Country views, it’s a great spot for relaxing as part of your trip to Austin.

10. The Westin Austin at The Domain $$ – North Austin

The Westin at The Domain is another option for families who enjoy shopping and dining nearby. With pet-friendly rooms and an outdoor pool, it’s a great choice for both the kids and the family pooch. The Domain area includes the Museum of Ice Cream, allowing you to learn, have fun, and enjoy cooling treats at the same time.

All photos courtesy of Visit Austin, unless otherwise noted.

Disclosure: We may earn a small commission if you click through our link and make a purchase. This revenue helps us maintain this site, so thank you for supporting us.

Source link

Austin, TX

Seven arrested in Austin crime spree involving carjackings and burglaries

Published

4 hours ago

January 14, 2025

Press Room

Seven arrested in Austin crime spree involving carjackings and burglaries

In total, there were eight separate incidents over a span of two days.

AUSTIN, Texas — Austin police arrested a group of people accused of going on a crime spree.

According to police, five young people and two 17-year-olds, identified as Javonni McDowell and Rashon Mosee, were involved in a string of auto thefts, violent carjackings and burglaries at several businesses, including a Tiny Pies Bakery location and The Gents Place barbershop in northwest Austin.

Police said one of the carjackings involved an on-duty security guard whose stolen vehicle and equipment was used in two more carjackings.

The crimes happened over two days starting on Jan. 12. In total, there were eight separate incidents:

Stolen vehicle
Security officer carjacking
Vape shop burglary
Failed carjacking
Honda Civic carjacking
Tiny Pies Bakery burglary
The Gents Place burglary
Vehicle pursuits

The suspects were taken into custody around 1:15 a.m. on Jan. 14. Several agencies were involved in the arrest, including Austin police patrol, air, K-9 and robbery units, the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Travis County Sheriff’s Office.

“In doing so, they ended an ongoing violent threat to the Austin community and prevented further victimization of our citizens and visitors,” police said.

The investigation is ongoing and additional charges are expected in the near future, police said.

Source link

Austin, TX

Texas legislative session begins: Both chambers to gavel in, House to elect speaker

Published

11 hours ago

January 14, 2025

Press Room

Texas legislative session begins: Both chambers to gavel in, House to elect speaker

Lawmakers are back at the Texas State Capitol in Downtown Austin to kick off the 89th legislative session.

Source link

Austin, TX

F45 Training, Couch Potatoes: 9 business updates to know in South Central Austin

Published

19 hours ago

January 14, 2025

Press Room

F45 Training, Couch Potatoes: 9 business updates to know in South Central Austin

Here’s the latest on nine South Central Austin businesses.

Now open

Lightspeed Restoration of Austin

The family-owned business serves the Austin, Buda, Driftwood, Kyle and Manchaca areas with water damage restoration, fire restoration, disaster recovery and air duct cleaning. Owner Jonathan Friedman and his family decided to open Lightspeed Restoration of Austin after Texas’ winter storm in 2021.

Coming soon

F45 Training

The training gym will open a new location on South Lamar Boulevard in April. F45 Training studios offer 45-minute functional workouts focusing on cardio, resistance, a cardio-resistance hybrid and recovery. The new studio will also include F45 Recovery, which features cold plunges, infrared saunas and compressions.

Relocations

Advertisement

Texas Radio Live

Austin’s longest-running live music radio program will relocate to a new home for its 14th season. After 13 years at Guero’s Taco Bar on South Congress Avenue, the show will begin broadcasting from Half Step on Rainey Street at the end of January.

In the news

End of an Ear

Advertisement

Local record store End of an Ear is celebrating its 20th anniversary. Owners Dan Plunkett and Blake Carlisle first opened in 2005 off South First Street before moving to its current location in 2016. The store offers vinyl records, CDs and DVDs. In-store performances have included artists such as Band of Horses, Voxtrot, Alex G and Mitski.

Closings

Couch Potatoes

The Austin-based furniture store will close its south location at the end of January. According to a message posted on the business website, the closure is a “strategic decision to adapt to the evolving retail landscape in Austin.” Couch Potatoes’ other stores in north and Central Austin will remain open.

Austin furniture store Couch Potatoes will close its south location at the end of January. (Courtesy Austin’s Couch Potatoes)

Zoe Tong

The Barton Springs Road restaurant closed in late December. Zoé Tong’s owners, chefs Simone Tong and Matthew Hyland, announced the Dec. 31 closure in an email to customers and through social media posts.

Sí Baby-Q

The Asian barbecue truck on Zoé Tong’s patio run by Simone Tong and Terry Black’s BBQ alum Jonathan Lagos had its last day of service at Barton Springs Road in December. According to a social media post, Sí Baby-Q actively searching for a new spot.

Confituras Little Kitchen

The baked goods and locally-made jam business closed its brick-and-mortar location in December, according to a social media post. Customers can find Confituras at the Barton Creek Farmers’ Market on Saturdays.

The Beer Plant

The vegan restaurant closed in the Tarrytown neighborhood in late December. The business owners thanked their customers and staff in a message posted to their website. Opened in 2016, The Beer Plant served plant-based brunch and dinner, beer, wine and cocktails.

“>

Source link