011: Exploring Austin Texas

Texan Rebecca Darling from R We There Yet Mom? gives us the inside scoop on exploring Austin with kids. She dishes on where to stay, what to do and all the amazing food in Austin. Rebecca gives tips on the best place to view the Congress Avenue bats emerging out from under the bridge at sunset, where to get the best BBQ and how a trash collection can be a fun tourist stop. ON THE PODCAST 0:35 Tamara's girlfriend getaway to Gulf Shores, Alabama 5:00 Where to eat in Gulf Shores, Alabama 9:20 Rebecca Darling from R We There Yet Mom? 11:26 5 week road trip (#Austin2Boston) 12:28 What makes Austin great for families 13:37 A typical Austin itinerary 14:58 Texas State Capit0l 16:15 Zilker Park and Barton Springs Pool 17:40 The Congress Avenue Bats 19:52 Keep Austin Weird 23:35 Where to stay in Austin 26:19 Insider tips 27:40 Where to eat in Austin 34:00 Best place to take a family photo 36:36 Rebecca's favorite travel gear 39:52 App of the Week 41:37 Stay tuned to talk about RV Travel next week!   ABOUT REBECCA DARLING, R WE THERE YET MOM? Rebecca Darling is a freelance travel writer who lives near Austin, Texas. She is a mom of three (15, 13, and 6) who loves to create exceptional memories with her family. Whether that be on the other side of the world or right down the street, her goal is to help families create exceptional memories too. You can find her writing at R We There Yet Mom?, or follow her on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.   VISITING AUSTIN WITH KIDS Austin is known for South by Southwest Interactive in the Spring and Austin City Limits in the fall, but there is so much to offer families from a vibrant Hill Country with hiking and waterskiing, to a ton of history and family attractions. A long weekend is sufficient for exploring the city but ideally families should plan on four to five days. Sometimes families may combine a trip to Austin with a visit to San Antonio.   Texas State Capitol is 131 years old and made of pink granite to create a beautiful building with a whispering gallery, a Texas history museum for kids and memorials. Across the street you will find Bullock Texas State History Museum.   Another must do is to to experience the outdoors at Zilker Park in downtown Austin where you can fly kites and swim in the Barton Springs Pool. Barton Springs Pool is manmade but fed by a natural spring so it is 68 degrees year-round. The springs feed into Town Lake and you can rent kayaks, paddle boards and water bikes. After your water activities, you can ride the Zilker Zephyr, a miniature train with excellent views.   At night, you must see the Congress Avenue bats, which live under the Congress Avenue Bridge from March through October. Every evening at dusk, the bats fly out from under the bridge en masse.   However, don't go to the legendary Sixth Street -- it is for college kids and above. But there are plenty of fun and eclectic shops on South Congress.   Some off-the-beaten path places to visit in Austin: Tom's Coffee Shop with a set up a Tom's shoes and a back yard garden Austin Murals Cathedral of Junk WHERE TO STAY IN AUSTIN Rebecca recommends staying in downtown Austin at the Driskill Hotel on the edge of Fifth and Sixth Street with unique, beautiful rooms. She also likes the Four Seasons by Town Lake and the J.W. Marriott, which are both in great locations to walk to the main sites. WHERE TO EAT IN AUSTIN Rebecca recommends: Franklin BBQ -- great BBQ but really long waits and there are many other options Salt Lick BBQ in Dripping Springs Matt's El Rancho -- Tex-Mex that really caters to the kids with face painting, balloon animals... Home Slice Pizza on South Congress -- NY-style pizza with dough balls for the kids Hopdoddy -- unique burgers BEST PLACE TO TAKE FAMILY PHOTO Greetings from Austin Mural -- on South First and Annie I Love You So Much Mural -- on South Congress on the side of Joe's Coffee house Zilker Park field with downtown Austin and the Congress Avenue bridge in the background Hike up Mount Bonnell and on the northwest side you overlook Lake Austin and the downtown is behind you FAVORITE TRAVEL GEAR Rebecca loves LuLaRoe leggings (just like Kim!) and Tom's shoes because they are comfortable and easy to slip on and off. TIP/APP OF THE WEEK Google Maps is a great app to use when walking around the city to find a walking path to your destination and get voice-guided, turn-by-turn directions. Plus, if you turn it on while you are in WiFi it even works when you have data turned off or if you are out of cell coverage. MENTIONED ON THE PODCAST Planning a girlfriend getaway to Gulf Shores, Alabama  The Beach Club, Gulf Shores Alabama Where to eat in Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, Alabama Things to do in Austin, Texas lTip 5 Tips to See the Austin Bats Austin Water Bikes 10 Tips for Families Visiting Krause Springs Cathedral of Junk   FOLLOW US AND SPREAD THE WORD! If you liked this show, please be sure to subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher, or Google Play and leave us a review! Have a question or comment? Send us an email or leave us a voicemail at +1.641.715.3900, ext. 926035#   You can also follow our travels on Stuffed Suitcase and We3Travel, or follow the Vacation Mavens on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter. Thanks for listening!