Austin and Central Texas… where “Bluebonnet” is (rightfully) a season. Austin is the capital of Texas with stunning scenery, rich Texas history, and a lively nightlife. Just West of Austin, the Central Texas Lakes region has lakeside activities within an hour of the Texas state capital. The drive between the two is worth it – think sprawling ranches, scattered wildflowers, and even the occasional longhorn (hook ’em)!
Top 13 Best Austin Area Places to Stay with Kids
1. Hyatt Regency Lost Pines – Bastrop / Austin, Texas
The Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort and Spa feels the most “remote” of the Texas Family Resorts despite being just a 45-minute drive from Austin. This beautiful resort is surrounded by a nature preserve so big you’ll feel like you’re in a state park that provides ample outdoor activities like nature trails and horseback riding.
On our family vacations to the Hyatt Regency Lost Pines, we love to grab some lounge chairs under a shady pecan tree on the lazy river with poolside service. The 1,000-foot lazy river at the Hyatt Lost Pines connects all the pools and slides together. It even connects to a fun beachfront pool and riverside swim-up bar so you quite literally never have to get out of the lazy river. There are heated outdoor swimming pools during the chillier months, but the lazy river is not heated.
Cell phone service is the spottiest at this resort (see: remote) but we’ve found Verizon to be the best.
We love ending the day here in rocking chairs with a drink in hand around the fire pit, and whatever you do – don’t forget to look up at the stars!
What we love most about it:
- Pool lounging under a shady pecan tree. Ahh…
- Relaxing in a rocking chair while our kids play lawn games
- Floating away in the lazy river – more Best Texas Lazy Rivers
Read our full resort review here: Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort and Spa
📍Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort and Spa – 575 Hyatt Lost Pines Rd, Cedar Creek, TX 78612
2. Lakeway Resort and Spa – Austin, Texas
The Lakeway Resort and Spa is the perfect combination of Central Texas and lakeside with close proximity to downtown Austin. I grew up taking camping family vacations to go waterskiing on Lake Travis so it always has a special place in my heart.
The adult-only three-tiered infinity pools at the Lakeway Resort and Spa are a perfect way to cool off with a lake view and bonus points for a swim-up bar! Your kids will love the family-friendly pool with a water slide, splash fountains, graded entry, and a waterfall, or check out the activity pool with water volleyball ready to enjoy. You really can’t go wrong!
What we love most about it:
- Family-friendly pool with zero-grade entry, a water slide, cascading waterfalls, and fountains
- A three-tiered infinity pool with those Lake Travis views
- Watching the sunset on Lake Travis from a rocking chair at The Back Porch Lobby Bar
Read our full resort review here: Lakeway Resort and Spa. If you love lake resorts, check out our list of the Top 8 Lake Resorts in Texas.
📍Lakeway Resort and Spa – 101 Lakeway Dr, Lakeway, TX 78734
3. Kalahari Resorts and Conference Center – Round Rock, Texas
Kalahari Resort is located in Rock Rock, Texas. This super family friendly resort has an indoor water park with multiple slides, pools, a lazy river, and a swim up bar.
What we love most about it:
- Enjoying the lazy river – duh! check out more of the best lazy rivers in Texas
📍Kalahari Resorts and Convention Center –3001 Kalahari Boulevard
Round Rock, TX 78665
4. Omni Barton Creek Resort and Spa – Austin, Texas
The Omni Barton Creek Resort and Spa is located in the beautiful hills of west Austin. This resort was recently renovated and has the perfect “modern hill country” vibe that feels remote while still being easily accessible from downtown Austin.
Your kids will love to spend the day at the multiple pools, splash pad, or mini golf course on the property. There is also a cute little nature hike through the woods with a bingo card you can turn in at the front desk for a treasure chest prize. After a day on the golf course, enjoy a cocktail from the infinity pool overlooking the 18th hole or take in a sunset from the fire pit in a rocking chair.
Either way, you’ll love the relaxation that comes from a family vacation to the Omni Barton Creek Resort and Spa. Be sure to pick up a cinnamon roll at the cute little coffee shop in the lobby, Velvet Joe’s, and sip your morning coffee on the back porch overlooking the west Austin hills. You won’t regret it!
What we love most about it:
- Enjoying the Hill Country sunset next to a fire pit on the back deck
- Family fun on the property scavenger hunt or playing mini golf
- Multiple resort pools and a kids splash pad make it easy to keep cool!
Read our full resort review here: Omni Barton Creek Resort and Spa
📍Omni Barton Creek Resort and Spa – 8212 Barton Club Dr, Austin, TX 78735
5. Horseshoe Bay Resort – Austin, Texas
If you’re looking for a lake resort with water sports close to Austin, look no further than the Horseshoe Bay Resort on Lake LBJ. The variety of accommodations available makes planning the perfect getaway a breeze – whether it’s for couples, families, or reunions.
While the Horseshoe Bay Resort does not have a lazy river… the lakeside beach and lake access more than make up for that. The childcare options are great at this resort so it’s easy to enjoy some adults-only time on the lake (or at the spa).
Our favorite time to visit Horseshoe Bay Resort is during bluebonnet season (March-April) when the drive out to Lake LBJ from Austin is in a word… stunning!
What we love most about it:
- Soaking up the Texas sun while kayaking on Lake LBJ
- Playing one of many world-class golf courses surrounded by fields of bluebonnets
- The fun kids care activities – best in Texas!
Read our full resort review here: Horseshoe Bay Resort.
And if you love lake resorts, check out our list of the Top 8 Lake Resorts in Texas.
📍Horseshoe Bay Resort – 200 Hi Cir N, Horseshoe Bay, TX 78657
6. Fairmont Austin – Austin, Texas
The Fairmont Austin is located right in the heart of downtown Austin. With quick access to fun areas like Rainey Street, Lady Bird Lake, this hotel is in an ideal spot for families to explore Austin. There is a rooftop pool with stunning city views and impressive onsite dining.
What we love most about it:
- Rooftop pool views
- Location, location, location!
📍Fairmont Austin – 101 Red River St, Austin, TX 78701
7. Firefly Resort – Fredericksburg, Texas
The Firefly Resort is an upscale RV resort located in Fredericksburg, Texas. Don’t worry, you don’t have to have an RV to stay here. They have the most adorable tiny houses for rent!
What we love most about it:
- Two-tiered infinity pool
- covered playground
📍Firefly Resorts – Fredericksburg – 5386 Farm to Market 1376, Fredericksburg, TX 78624
8. Lone Star Court – Austin, Texas
Lone Star Court has a modern motor hotel vibe located in the Domain in north Austin. The Domain is an outdoor shopping area with restaurants, entertainment, and shopping. Enjoy cooling off in the pool.
What we love most about it:
- Close proximity to the family-friendly activities in the Domain
- Nice pool on a hot Texas day
📍Lone Star Court – 10901 Domain Dr, Austin, TX 78758
9. Log Country Cove– Lake LBJ, Texas
The Log Country Cove is a community of private homes and cabins for rent on Lake LBJ. Choose the cabin that’s right for your family with a choice of between 1 through 5 bedroom with a rustic log cabin vibe.
There’s also a common area with amenities such as a water trampoline, beach volleyball, a rope swing, and rentals of boats, canoes, kayaks, paddle boards. The majority of the home are waterfront, most have lawn games and some have hot tubs available as well.
What we love most about it: water trampoline and rope swing!
10. Camp Fimfo Waco – Waco, Texas
Camp Fimfo Waco is a second location of the retro, family summer camp-vibey RV Resort in Texas. Their Camp Fimfo Texas Hill Country location is actually number 1 on our list of Best Elevated RV Resorts in Texas. Located close to all things Waco – the Magnolia Silos, Baylor University, and the Cameron Park Zoo. Along with RV Sites (back in and pull through) and tent camping sites, there are private cabin rentals available that accommodate 8, 10, or 12 people with full kitchens and private baths. Monthly cabin rentals are available as well. RV Resort amenities include a resort-style pool, swim up bar, a jumping pillow (like an inflatable trampoline), a water playground and regular playground, sport courts, mini golf, and yard games. Camp Fimfo also provides bathroom facilities, a tavern, general store, and golf cart rentals. Like we said about the Camp Fimfo Texas Hill Country, it’s a vibe and you want to check it out!
What we love most about it:
- Interactive water playground…. and swim up bar (duh).
11. Sonesta Bee Cave – Bee Cave, Texas
The Sonesta Bee Cave hotel is located at the Hill Country Galleria in Bee Cave, Texas. Guests with your families will enjoy the pool, hill country views, and being within walking distance to kid-friendly dining options, shopping, and green spaces designed with families in mind at the Hill Country Galleria.
What we love most about it:
- Exploring activities and dining options at the Hill Country Galleria
- The Hill Country views can’t be beat – especially during bluebonnet season!
📍Sonesta Bee Cave – 12525 Bee Cave Pkwy, Bee Cave, TX 78738
12. Volente Beach Bungalows – Volente, Texas
The Volente Beach Bungalows are located at Volente Beach on Lake Travis just outside of Austin. There are 8 bungalows or a larger lake house to rent. Families will love spending time at Volente Beach park with 4 water slides, multiple pools, a kid’s pirate pool, a sandy beach on the shores of Lake Travis*, and easy access to a marina. The bungalows have window AC units, running water, and electricity but are a way to enjoy glamping on Lake Travis!
*Lake Travis is not a constant-level lake. The lake level can vary with environmental changes like droughts or floods. As of publication, the lake is below 40% full and the beach is still there but not actually touching the water. Those who know and love Lake Travis know that it will be back, just check before booking!
What we love most about it:
- Quick access to Volente Beach Water Park
- Lake Travis views
📍Volente Beach Bungalows – 16000 Farm to Market Rd 2769, Volente, TX 78641
13. Moon River Ranch – Satin, Texas
The Moon River Ranch in Satin, Texas outside of Waco offers guests a variety of themes in private cabins in addition to two larger lodges with hotel suites. Some examples of cabins available include the yellow hotel cabin, the farmhouse, cabin, gate house cabin, and the magnolia cabin that channels the local Chip and Joanna vibes we all know and love in the Waco area. The Moon River Ranch also has a plethora of exotic animals like zebras, longhorn, and wildebeests that you can spot during a photo safari on the property.
What we love most about it: photo safari on the ranch
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