Austin With Teenagers: What to do, What to see, and Where to eat

Visiting Austin with teenagers? First of all, you deserve a trophy. Traveling with teens can feel like running a marathon—except with more eye-rolls and sudden, intense hunger pangs. But if there’s one city that rises to the challenge of keeping teens entertained and well-fed, it’s Austin, Texas.

We recently spent a few days exploring the Live Music Capital of the World with a crew of teenagers in tow, and it ended up being one of our favorite trips yet. Austin is funky, fast-paced, and filled with things to do that somehow appeal to both teens and parents. From immersive museums and bat-watching cruises to outrageous donuts, kayaking on Lady Bird Lake, and even duckpin bowling, this city delivers one memorable moment after another.

Here’s your ultimate guide to visiting Austin with teenagers: where to stay, what to eat, what to do, and most importantly—how to keep everyone happy.

Where to Stay in Austin With Teenagers

Let’s start with the basics. Where you stay in Austin can make or break your trip—especially with teens who seem to need snacks, A/C, and a change of clothes every 45 minutes. We stayed at the Austin Motel, a retro gem in the heart of South Congress (SoCo). Not only is it packed with character (and photo ops), but it’s connected to Joann’s Fine Foods, which means parents can enjoy a margarita while the teens scroll through their photos from the day.

The motel’s central location made it easy to walk to nearby shops, coffee spots, and restaurants—no need to constantly hop in and out of the car, which let’s be honest, makes everyone’s day better. Check current rates at the Austin Motel.

Best Breakfasts and Donuts in Austin

Let’s get one thing straight—when traveling with teens, you’re basically on a food tour. And that starts with breakfast.

Jo’s Coffee was a unanimous favorite. The lattes here are legendary, with the Pecan Pie Latte and White Sands Latte winning top honors. They’re sweet, strong, and perfect for sipping while snapping a photo in front of the iconic “I love you so much” mural just outside. Eden had the migas breakfast sandwich and it was so good the rest of us regret not getting it.

On another morning, we made a sugary pilgrimage to The Salty Donut. These are no ordinary donuts. Think brown butter and sea salt, maple bacon, and tres leches-style decadence that somehow count as breakfast. My favorite was the horchata donut, so creamy. The donuts make up for the fact that the staff is the rudest in town! Take them to go so you can reduce interaction with them. I recommend Alliance Park, the views are spectacular.

And because you can never have too many donuts, we also hit up Gordough’s, known for its outrageous toppings and deep-fried-to-order creations. The teens were thrilled, and we temporarily forgot we were adults responsible for their well-being. Worth it. I did not realize we could have ordered a smaller version of each, which I recommend because these are loaded!

Snacks and Swing-Set Lunches

Mid-morning caffeine and snacks are essential when exploring Austin’s walkable neighborhoods in the heat.

We made a stop at Loudmouth Pizza, where we discovered the joy of their burrata—yes, burrata not the pizza. It was equal parts creamy and pairs with crispy just the right amount of crunch, with enough flavor to silence even the pickiest eater in our group. That’s saying something. The pizza was good too and the winner of best new pizza place in Austin by the Austin Chronicle. The cruise is pretty thin, FYI. They have a kids’ area outside that my neices thought was super fun and the patio is dog friendly.

For lunch one day, we headed to Freddo ATX, where the food is great but the vibe is even better. Their massive patio is lined picnic tables and even a few swing seats—yes, swings—where teens can eat, scroll, and chill all at once. It’s the kind of unique detail that makes lunch feel more like an experience than a meal. Plus, the patio is dog-friendly. Warning: the meatball sandwich is massive and way to messy for kids to eat.

Guero’s Taco Bar: Late lunch one day turned into the best Mexican food we had in Austin. Their tacos were bold and flavorful, the salsa bar was well-stocked, and the chips were crunchy perfection. Bonus: live music if you hit it at the right time.

Activities That Kept the Teens Off Their Phones (Mostly)

Keeping teens entertained without a screen is a feat, but Austin makes it surprisingly doable. Here’s what kept ours busy:

Pins Mechanical Company

Yes, this is bowling, but make it cool. At Pins Mechanical, we played duckpin bowling—a fun twist on the classic with smaller pins and balls. It’s more social, less competitive, and incredibly entertaining. They also have old-school arcade games, which meant parents could show off their Ms. Pac-Man skills while teens challenged each other to ping-pong battles. They only service drinks but there are two food carts outside where you can grab food and bring it in.

Rowing Dock on Lady Bird Lake

Nothing beats seeing Austin from the water. We rented kayaks at Rowing Dock and paddled along Lady Bird Lake, which is flanked by the city skyline on one side and lush greenery on the other. It was equal parts exercise and relaxation, and gave us all a chance to take in the city’s beauty from a totally different perspective. The best part? You can go at your own pace, which means teens can chill while parents pretend they’re in a workout montage.

Museum of Illusions

Hands down, one of the most engaging museums we visited. The Museum of Illusions offers interactive exhibits, optical tricks, and gravity-defying rooms that are tailor-made for selfies and laughter. Even the teens who normally scoff at museums couldn’t help but get into the spirit here.

Blanton Museum of Art

For a more traditional but still teen-friendly art experience, we visited the Blanton Museum of Art. With its stunning modern architecture, colorful installations, and wide variety of contemporary and classical works, it sparked some real conversations (yes, really) and gave everyone a welcome break from the Texas heat.

Bat-Watching Cruise on Lady Bird Lake

One of the most unforgettable experiences of the trip was the Capital Cruise sunset bat cruise. Each evening from March to October, over a million Mexican free-tailed bats emerge from beneath the Congress Avenue Bridge and fly off into the night sky. We took a guided boat cruise to watch the spectacle from the water, and it was—surprisingly—one of the highlights for everyone. The boat ride alone was peaceful and scenic, and the bats gave us a taste of Austin’s famous weirdness in the best way.

Cathedral of Junk

Another favorite? The Cathedral of Junk. It’s literally a tower made of, well, junk—but teens will find it fascinating and oddly Instagrammable. It’s weird in the best possible way, and a very Austin thing to do.

Texas State Capitol

For a different kind of culture, we also checked out the Texas State Capitol. While teens may not love history class, the grandeur and scale of the building are still impressive in person. Plus, it’s free and gives everyone a breather in the air conditioning.

Barton Springs Pool

If your teens are melting in the Texas sun (and you’re questioning your life choices for visiting Austin in July), there’s one magical place that will restore everyone’s will to live: Barton Springs Pool.

This natural spring-fed pool stays a brisk 68–70 degrees year-round, which means it’s cold—and therefore essential on hot days. It’s massive, surrounded by grassy hills perfect for lounging or people-watching, and has enough space that even your teen can find their own little corner of chill.

Hat Bar at Longhorn Fashions

The most affordable hat bar in town is near campus at Longhorns Fashion. You can customize a cowboy hat, fashion hat, or beach hat.

Ice Cream

Travel tip: any time you sense your teen might spiral into hanger-fueled meltdown, just mention ice cream. We kept this trick up our sleeve and made multiple stops at three standouts:

Amy’s Ice Creams: A longtime Austin favorite with fun flavors and even more fun staff who flip scoops like acrobats.

OMG Squee: A kawaii-inspired dessert shop offering adorable Asian-American treats like ube soft serve and mochi waffles. It’s 100% Instagram bait.

Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams: A more upscale scoop shop with unique, creamy concoctions like Brambleberry Crisp and Gooey Butter Cake. Let’s just say the parents were not sharing.

BBQ Without the Tourist Lines

You haven’t done Austin right until you’ve eaten Texas BBQ—but we didn’t want to wait in line for four hours with hangry teens. So we opted for the East Austin “Locals Know” BBQ Tour, and it turned out to be one of the best decisions of the trip.

This insider experience took us to hidden gems where the food is top-tier and the lines are nonexistent for those on the tour. We met passionate pitmasters, learned the history of Austin barbecue, and tried everything from brisket to ribs to jalapeño sausage. Even the teens admitted it was amazing—and they were too busy eating to complain.

Dinner Winners: Where to Eat With Teenagers in the Evening

Austin’s food scene is the stuff of legend, and thankfully, it doesn’t go to sleep early. We had several standout dinners that even the moodiest among us enjoyed.

Loro was a top pick. This Asian smokehouse fuses Texas BBQ with Southeast Asian flavors, creating dishes that are inventive without being intimidating. The smoked brisket with chili gastrique? Chef’s kiss. The teens devoured everything from sweet corn fritters to crispy potatoes.

Another dinner highlight was Bouldin Acres, where you can eat and play pickleball all in one spot. It’s casual, fun, and the kind of place where parents and teens can relax together without anyone feeling awkward or out of place. Just be prepared—if you challenge your teen to a game, bring your A-game or prepare for days of gloating. For those traveling with kids, there’s a playground on-site as well.

One night we opted for dinner and happy hour at Joann’s Fine Foods, conveniently located next to our motel. The menu balances Texas comfort food with a little retro flair—think enchiladas, grilled shrimp tacos, and spicy queso paired with house margaritas. There’s a great patio, cozy booths, and just the right amount of buzz to feel lively without being chaotic. For happy hour they have $5 margaritas and half-off appetizers like the super yummy hashbrowns nachos!

Exploring South Congress and the Must-Do Spots

South Congress (SoCo) is easily one of Austin’s most entertaining streets for exploring with teenagers. There’s a constant hum of live music, people-watching galore, and more photo-worthy murals than any of us could count.

We browsed through shops like Allen’s Boots, where rows and rows of cowboy boots line the walls, and Lucy in Disguise with Diamonds, an eccentric costume and vintage shop packed with wigs, masks, and glitter everything. Teens will either be fascinated or mildly horrified—either way, they’ll remember it.

We also stopped in at Yard Dog Art Gallery and Tesoros Trading Company, both of which offer a mix of funky local art and global treasures that might actually interest your teen who claims to hate shopping.

Final Thoughts: How to Actually Enjoy Austin With Teenagers

So, what’s the secret to enjoying Austin with teenagers? Here’s what we learned:

• Food is the gateway to cooperation: Plan your day around meals and snacks. If you’re constantly five minutes from your next bite, you’re golden.
• Let them help plan: Giving teens ownership over one activity a day gives them a reason to be invested (and slightly less whiny).
• Balance structure with spontaneity: Build in a few anchor experiences, but leave plenty of room to wander, discover, and be surprised. Except that they may also need an hour or two downtown in the hotel during the day.
• Stay centrally located: So you can walk, cool off, and crash without needing a 30-minute drive.

Austin gave us more than just a good time—it gave us a rare stretch of family togetherness where everyone, somehow, had fun. The city’s playful spirit, phenomenal food scene, and surprising charm make it the perfect destination for traveling with teenagers who may not always want to hang out with you—but will totally thank you later. Probably. Maybe. Eventually.