Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The
Austin Steam Train Association
( 512-477-8468;
www.austinsteamtrain.org
; adult $30-45, child $20-35,
senior $27-42)
runs seasonal weekend day trips. The
Hill Country Flyer
(six-hour excursion)
and
Bertram Flyer
(three-hour excursion) steam trains go from Cedar Park north of Austin
into the Texas Hill Country, with special themed entertainment runs, such as murder mys-
teries.
For a shorter, cheaper miniature-train ride, check out the Zilker Zephyr (
Click here
) in
Zilker Park.
AUSTIN FOR CHILDREN
Austin is kid friendly, thanks to the casual south-central Texas lifestyle. In addition to the listings below, check
out Zilker Park for outdoor fun and the Texas Memorial Museum on the University of Texas campus.
admission $6.50, child under 12 months free; 10am-5pm Tue-Sat, to 8pm Wed, noon-5pm Sun) Kids can try
their hand at running a ranch, ordering a meal at the Global Diner and hanging upside down beneath a bridge, just
like the real Austin bats. At time of writing, construction had begun on a brand-new facility at 1830 Simond Ave
that will double the exhibit space, so check the website before you visit.
12yr $3/2; 10am-5pm Mon-Fri, to dusk Sat & Sun) Trains on the Zilker Zephyr miniature railroad make the
25-minute, 2-mile ride along Barton Creek and Town Lake year-round. They leave the depot near the playground
every hour on the hour weekdays and every 30 to 40 minutes on weekends.
austin-nature-science-center
; 301 Nature Center Dr; donations requested; 9am-5pm Mon-Sat, noon-5pm Sun)
In the northwestern area of Zilker Park, this center has exhibitions of native Texan mammals, birds, reptiles, am-
phibians and arthropods that have been injured and nursed back to health here. There are also outdoor nature
trails lined with native plants, where you'll see bats, butterflies and birds.
Walking Tours
One of the best deals around are the
Historic Walking Tours
(
866-361-87836, 512-474-5171;
www.austintexas.org
;
9am Tue & Thu-Sat, 11am & 1pm Sun)
of downtown Austin, which
leave from the capitol's south steps. Tours last between 60 and 90 minutes. Make reserva-
tions at least 48 hours in advance either online or by phone through the visitor center.
itors on tours of haunted buildings and streets in areas including the Old Pecan Street Dis-
trict or the Warehouse District. Downtown ghost tours last 90 minutes, usually departing
around 8:30pm from the Moonshine Patio Bar & Grill, on Red River St.
