Fun things to do in and around Austin – Animal Edition
Do your kids love hanging out with animals? And do they want to get hands-on with a favorite furry or scaly friend? See below for my Top 10 suggestions of where to take them in and around Austin as a family:
1) Sweet Eats Farm
Location: 14400 E State Hwy. 29, Georgetown, TX 78626
Animal Activities: Farm & Petting Zoo, Pony Rides, Pig Races (3x/day), also has seasonal activities such as “hand bottle-feeding baby animals”
Cost: General Admission – $18.95 online/$23.95 at the gate, Special Events will require tickets (and may cost extra)
Details: Located in Georgetown but so family-friendly with jump pads, mazes, swing, slides and my kids’ personal favorite: apple cannons.
2) Two Hives Honey Tour
Location: 7617 Nez Perce Trce, Manor, TX 78653
Animal Activities: Bee Hive Tours, Honey Harvests, Intro to Bees & Beekeeping
Cost: Prices vary – but Kids Hive tours start at $35
Details: Located in Manor. Dress up as a beekeeper and learn all about these busy bees.
3) Volunteer at the Austin Humane Society
Location: 124 W Anderson Ln., Austin, TX 78752
Animal Activities: So many options – check their site for details – but can include being a pen pal to a cat or dog, reading to rescue animals and learning about dog training.
Cost: Free, but registration is required
Details: Check age requirements – some are for 5 and younger and some are for 6 and older
4) Bird Watching at Commons Ford Ranch
Location: 614 N Commons Ford Rd, Austin, TX 78733
Animal Activities: Bird watching and fishing
Cost: Free
Details: This 215 acre lakefront park is great for bird walks in all seasons. Don’t forget your sunscreen, water and bug spray!
5) Book a Trail Ride
Location: Book with Tri-Star Farms (Coupland, TX) – seen above, Texas Trail Rides (Austin), or Maverick Horseback Riding (Austin)
Animal Activities: Horseback trail riding
Cost: Varies by location, starting prices from $95/person – $150/person
Details: Remember to wear close-toed shoes and long pants.
Tri-Star Farms (Coupland, TX)
Texas Trail Rides (Austin)
Maverick Horseback Riding (Austin)
6) Visit the Goats at Jester King Brewery
Location: 13187 Fitzhugh Rd, Austin, TX 78736
Animal Activities: Learn about, feed and pet their herd of Nigerian Dwarf Goats
Cost: Buy tickets on-site (price not currently listed on their website – but we paid $12/person when we went last Spring)
Details: They also offer Brewery Tours. And keep an eye on their events page for Goat Yoga.
7) Take a kitten or puppy yoga class
Location: Various locations such as Oak + Lotus, Austin Humane Society and Austin Pets Alive
Animal Activities: Usually a 45-minute yoga class with time for playing with puppies and kittens through out
Cost: Prices vary from $5 (AHS), $35 (APA) to $49/person (O+L)
Details: Dress for yoga and don’t forget to take fun photos!
8) Visit the Purrfecto Cat Lounge
Location: 2300 S Lamar Blvd unit 104, Austin, TX 78704
Animal Activities: You can book a 30 minute or 70 minute Catx-perience to pet and possibly adopt your next cat
Cost: $15 plus tax (30 minutes) or $30 plus tax (70 minutes)
Details: They also have various events like “Trivia & Toe Beans, Stretch & Snuggle (Yoga) and Wine & Whiskers”
Note: Minimum age is 6 years old.
9) Visit the Peacocks at Mayfield Park
Location: 3505 W 35th St, Austin, TX 78703
Animal Activities: Watch (but don’t touch) the Peafowl that live at Mayfield Park. You can also search for turtles and fish in their ponds.
Cost: Free
Details: Information on the almost two dozen Peafowl that live at the park HERE.
10) Central Texas Pig Rescue
Location: Smithville, Texas
Animal Activities: They offer volunteer workdays, public tours and seasonal events
Cost: Varies – but volunteer events are $10/person and public tours are $25/person
Details: Tours are two hours long and involve lots of walking. “You’ll get to get up close and personal with our residents to give lots of belly rubs, hear rescue stories, learn about how we care for over 200 pig residents as a volunteer team, and you’ll learn about the intelligence and joy of pigs!”
Note: Children must be at least 10 years old to attend a Volunteer Workday.
Know of other Austin animal friendly outings to recommend? Please contact me with your suggestions!
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