Posted: 02/09/2007--25/11/2008 || Rate this Article: 3 || Views|| Sign In || Register ||Hello Guest
While you and your family visit Texas, do not forget to stop by the state capitol, Austin, for a visit. Austin is one of those cities full of extreme opposites that somehow seem to co-exist harmoniously. You can walk into any given restaurant and if you scan the environment you will find liberal and laid-back vegetarians in sandals happily dining with conservative meat-eaters in suits. Travel through downtown and notice the same situation. A theater proudly plays old kung-fu movies and re-runs of 80s movies right across the street from an expensive seafood restaurant and just a few doors down from a swanky art gallery opening. In this city of dichotomies, there is never a loss of attractions for families to visit.
Austin Zoo
One the best reasons to visit the Austin Zoo above and beyond most zoos is because of its mission statement. Rather than buying exotic animals to keep caged and to display for profit, as many city zoos do, the Austin Zoos mission is to assist and care for animals that are in need or that have been rescued from horrible situations. In addition to kids being able to see over one hundred species of animals, they will also be made aware of the necessity to protect and tend to animals in need.
Inner Space Cavern
Just north of Austin in Georgetown, families can visit Inner Space Cavern, a mammoth cave found in 1963 that spans nearly four miles long. Families will be able to wind their way through different passageways of the cave and see the white crystal flowstone that is found on all surfaces of the wall and floor. The kids will be amazed at the soda straws, hollow formations of crystal that hang from the ceiling like icicles. When you have wound your way through the cave, go next door to the Inner Space Mining Company and pan for gold. You will find gemstones as you sift and you can keep what you find.
Austin Nature and Science Center
For a hands-on educational experience on Central Texas natural environment and how it connects to the entire worlds ecosystem, visit Austins Nature and Science Center. On the Eco-Detective trail you can act like investigators as you look for wildlife around the centers pond. If your kids love dinosaurs, take them to the Dino Pit. Here the kids can view actual fossils, dig up replicas of fossils just like real archaeologists and follow tracks of dinosaurs.
Austin Parks n Pizza
Once you have taken the kids around Austin and you want to wind down with some good old-fashioned fun, take them to Austin Parks n Pizza. Here, the entire family can enjoy a pizza buffet and then burn off calories by playing a competitive game of Laser Tag upstairs in the black-lit room. If your kids are more of the outdoors type that like to be challenged, have them try their hand at climbing a rock wall. You can also play miniature golf, ride bumper boats, take a drive on the Go-Kart racing track or relax and play one of many arcade games.
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