We live in Austin, Texas. We have a 4, 5 and 10 year old. I would love to hear about great places to take kids this summer...places that are reasonable priced, fun etc....Are there any good cabins to rent nearby? What about good deal cruises? Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.
San Antonio is one of my favorites. Besides the Alamo, there is the Southwest Cultural Center and many museums. The riverwalk is very fun also.
If you like the beach, try Surfside, near Freeport.
Schlitterbahn Water Park in New Braunfels is a BLAST! Our family rents a cabin on site and stays for a 4 days. Sundays and Wednesdays are their slowest days, so we will usually go Sun through Wed. you are encouraged to bring coolers with food and sodas, juice, etc. Just get one locker to lock up all valuables (keys, wallets, cell phones), and the keep everything else at a picnic table or two. Very safe and so much fun!
vacationstogo.com had the best prices on cruises from Galveston. If your 10 year old can miss school, there is a Disney Magic cruise from Sept-Dec which would be so fun.
san antonio has lot of fun places http://visitsanantonio.com/index.aspx
Bastrop State park, you will feel like Gildilocks and the 3 bears,
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/bastrop/
Emma Long Park, You could actually camp out there with a tent.
I agree about Schlitterbahn, It is the #1 Water Park in the country in Bastrop.
Don't forget about all of the fun free/mostly things that go on in Austin each summer.
Zilker Park Musical
Movies at the pools
Reading Programs at the Public libraries
http://gocitykids.parentsconnect.com/region/austin-tx-usa
Have you all been on the Austin Duck Adventures Tour here in Austin?
Bats at the Congress Avenue Bridge
Tons of Fireworks around the Austin Area close to 4th of July
ots of Neighborhood Parades for 4th of July anyone can join in.
There are lots of things to do in the DFW area, and Galveston isn't too far either. Have fun, whatever you decide!
The National Park Service has several Texas locations -- close to Austin are the San Antonio Missions and LBJ; further out you have Big Bend (cabins available to rent) and the Guadalupe Mountains. Enchanted Rock. There are several caves too--Natural Bridge, Longhorn, and Space Caves. Not my thing, but the Animal World & Snake Farm outside of New Braunfels. Schlitterbaun in New Braunfels is great, as previously mentioned. Tubing down the Comal/Guadalupe.
Kansas City has a lot to offer at very reasonable prices. Great shopping, amusement park, Great Wolf Lodge, the Negro Baseball Hall of Fame, KC BBQ, T Rex Cafe, and Legacy outlet shopping.
St. Louis is great too. The Jefferson National Expansion Memorial (The Arch) & Courthouse, Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site, The Magic House, Busch Gardens, Six Flags, St. Charles shopping, to name a few.
Western South Dakota -- Mount Rushmore, Jewel Cave, Wind Cave, Minuteman Missile, Custer State Park, Wall Drug, Crazy Horse, The Corn Palace, Lead & Deadwood... fairly close drive to Devils Tower in WY
Minneapolis/St. Paul -- Mall of America can be a vacation in and of itself!
If you opt for National Park Service sites, be sure to get an America The Beautiful pass! Check out www.nps.gov
