7. Play with a Kinkajou at the Austin Aquarium

You can see lots of animals at the Austin Aquarium, but if you want to make your kids’ day really special, you can use tokens to meet some of them! The Austin Aquarium is one of the only places you can play with exotic animals like kinkajous or feed red-ruffed lemurs.

Key Information: Adult admission is $19.95, child admission is $14.95 – Tokens cost $3 but are cheaper when bought in multiples – Food onsite.  

Gowhee’s Tip: On weekends, you can watch for the mermaid swimming through some of the exhibits!

8. Play Vintage Arcade Games at the Texas Toy Museum

The Texas Toy Museum is a passion project for kids of all ages. Adults will be whisked back to their childhoods, while kids will learn about old school cool. Admission includes unlimited free play on all of the vintage arcade machines. 

Key Information: Admission is $9 for adults and $6 for kids – No food onsite, but plenty nearby – Best for kids who are old enough to play games!

Gowhee’s Tip: The exhibits and dioramas are always changing, so this could be a fun repeat visit.

>>> Find tons of museums near you, here.

9. Experience an Old Fashioned Soda Fountain & Candy Shop

At the Big Top Candy Shop, you can sample vintage candies and old-fashioned sodas from the antique soda fountain. This is the perfect place to stop for an ice cream treat on a hot Texas day.

Key Information: Sodas start at $1.77 – No public restroom – Lots of allergen-friendly options.

Gowhee’s Tip: The store has fairly narrow aisles, so if it’s crowded you’ll want to fold up the stroller and leave it by the door.

7. Discover Nature & Wild Animals at Night

Every weekend, the Audubon park holds a Nature At Night event… exclusively for kids! Kids ages 6-12 can enjoy an up-close animal encounter, pizza party, and a flashlight tour of the zoo.

Key Information: $50 per child – events take place from 6-9 PM – adults do not attend with their children 

Good To Know: Each weekend has a different theme, so look at the schedule to see when your kiddos’ favorite animal is coming up!

8. Cool Off in a Lazy River

There is only one water park in New Orleans, and it is in the zoo! The cool zone at the Audubon Zoo is a water park that includes the popular Gator Run, a lazy river that’s perfect for beating the heat.

Key Information: $10 plus zoo admission – must have appropriate swimwear – children who aren’t potty trained must wear swim diapers.

Good To Know: The park provides free life jackets.

>>> Find tons of Water parks near you here.

9. Discover the Train Garden

Tucked away in a corner of the botanical garden at City Park, the Train Garden is an enchanting model of New Orleans during the early 19th century. 1300 feet of track carry streetcars and trains like those that traveled the city at the turn of the 19th century, and buildings in the style of New Orleans homes and businesses can be seen at 1/22 of their full size.

Key Information: FREE with Botanical Garden admission – restrooms onsite – food nearby.

Good To Know: The train garden is always open for viewing during park hours, but the trains only run on the weekends and during certain festivals.