The 2015 Summer Fun Guide was produced by Orange Wall Collective. Next year’s guide will be published in June 2016. For advertising inquiries, please contact: Catherine Prystup, Publisher OrangeWallCollective.com Email: [email protected] Cell: 512-587-3177 Thanks to our partners: FreeFuninAustin.com, AustinMomsBlog.com, LiveMom.com, RWeThereYetMom.com, RoundtheRockTx.com and 365ThingsAustin.com. Dates, times, admission prices and other information will not be updated through- out the summer. Please use the links provided to confirm such information before attending. Orange Wall Collective and partners are not responsible for canceled events, closed businesses or changed information. All rights reserved, 2015. Summer Fun Guide Things To Do ate your own masterpiece. There is plenty of room to spread out in the studio, too! Unique group Alamo Drafthouse projects are available: tie-dye, fused glass, canvas Various locations painting, jewelry making, mosaics and paint-your- Programmed specifically for families, Summer Kids own-pottery. The Art Garage also offers scheduled Camp 2015 is affordable fun for all with a mix of Storytime Art, Workshops, Art Camps and Special new favorites and classic kid-friendly films. New for Events. this year is a “choose-your-own-ticket-price” model ranging from $1 to $3 per person—you choose the Ashley’s Playhouse amount! This model not only allows for tickets to be 13343 N. Hwy. 183, Ste. 200, Austin purchased online—in advance with reserved seat- ing—but also 100% of ticket sales will be donated to local nonprofits helping families. Now, families can have summer fun while also helping their commu- nities. Check your local Drafthouse for showtimes, and keep an eye out for special Kids Camp menu discounts. Kids Camp screenings are open to ages 3 and up. Please, no infants (parents, check out Baby Day screenings instead). All children must be accompanied by an adult. Our regular “No Talking” policy is still in effect, so noisy families might be asked to leave. The Art Garage 11190 Circle Dr., Ste. 202, Austin Ashley’s Playhouse is a drop-in childcare center for The Art Garage is a walk-in art studio offering children ages 6 weeks to 12 years old. At Ashley’s more than 250 items for paint-your-own-pottery, Playhouse, we believe that childhood is a unique clay projects, mo- and magical stage of life. We believe that chil- saics, fused glass, dren learn best by doing what they love—playing! and fire and fill Through purposeful play, children develop intellec- candles. You can tually, socially, physically and emotionally. As such, always walk-in and we have filled our center with activities that en- create anytime, gage the child’s imagination, encourage teamwork, with no previous and stimulate their natural curiosity to understand experience and and explore the world around them. without attending any of our sched- Austin-Area Public Libraries uled classes or Austin Lake Travis workshops! Choose Cedar Park Wells Branch from thousands of Pflugerville Laura’s Library art projects, and Round Rock Georgetown knowledgeable Buda Leander staff will teach you Kyle all the tricks of Follow the links above to find storytimes and more the trade to cre- summer fun at your local library. Austin Aquarium Hill Country zoo where visitors from around the 13530 N. Hwy. 183, Austin world can come to learn about animals close-up, spend some time outdoors getting exercise and have fun. There are currently over 350 animals, representing 100 different species set in 15 acres of land. Outside food and drinks permitted. Barnes & Noble Various locations Barnes and Noble offers storytimes several days each week including Friday nights, Saturdays and The Austin Aquarium welcomes families to enjoy weekdays as well. an immersive interactive experience in a family- friendly environment! Sea to believe as we connect Bartholomew Pool children and families to the planet, ranging from 1800 E. 51st St., Austin our rainforests and deserts to the exotic species of The newly rebuilt Bartholomew Pool opened last the ocean. Family activities include hand-feeding summer to a delighted crowd of eager Austinites. sharks, stingrays, birds and tropical animals. Fun With water slides, lily pad separate kid-friendly children activities include feeding and touching swimming pools, lap lanes for serious swimmers, crocodiles, holding slithering snakes or even taking picnic benches, shade and plenty of space even a selfie with one of our exotic large-breed birds. during the crowded summer months, this is a great Watch jellyfish gently float and glow or admire pool to cool off at on a hot summer day. The Bar- families of seahorses playing and our Giant Pacific tholomew Splash Pad is located close by at 5200 Octopus snack on crawfish—fed by guests! The Berkman Drive. Aquarium offers multiple educational programs and activities for kids. A favorite children’s activity Barton Creek Greenbelt 3755 S. Capital of Texas Hwy., Austin is our Morning Rounds for aspiring aquarists, or for those who just love animals. Barton Creek Greenbelt is an urban oasis. Its trails provide opportunity for biking, running, rock Austin Nature and Science Center climbing, swimming and hiking. There are multiple 2389 Stratford Dr., Austin access points. The ANSC provides hands-on educational exhibits and recreational activities that increase aware- Barton Springs Pool 2201 Barton Springs Rd., Austin ness and appreciation of the natural environment. Located on the western edge of Zilker Park, the Within Zilker Park’s 358 acres lies one of the crown Austin Nature and Science Center is dedicated to jewels of Austin: Barton Springs Pool. The pool itself the exploration of the natural world. measures 3 acres in size, and is fed from under- ground springs with an average temperature of Austin Zoo 68 to 70 degrees, ideal for year-round swimming. 10808 Rawhide Tr., Austin Barton Springs attracts a diverse crowd of people Located on the southwest edge of Austin off of and has seen record-setting numbers of visitors Highway 290 West and Circle Drive, Austin Zoo, nearing 800,000 in recent years. The Springs whose mission is to assist animals in need through serves as home to the endangered Barton Springs rescue, rehabilitation and education, is a pleasant Salamander, and is listed as a federally protected habitat. The pool is closed to the public from 9 a.m. Bullock Texas State to 7 p.m. every Thursday to allow for the vigorous History Museum and methodical cleaning methods required to help 1800 Congress Ave., maintain the pool area for wildlife and guests alike. Austin Depths of the pool range from 0 to 18 feet with sur- The Bullock Texas rounding grassy areas for patrons to lounge upon. State History Museum Adjacent to the pool bathhouse is Splash!, an edu- in downtown Austin cational exhibit where patrons can learn about the includes three floors history and biology of Barton Springs. of exhibits, an IMAX Bats theater, 4D special- Ann Richards Congress Avenue Bridge, Austin effects theater, café, museum store and Every summer night, hundreds of people gather to convenient on-site see the world’s largest urban bat colony emerge parking. During 100 from under the Congress Avenue Bridge in down- Days of Stories this town Austin. With up to 1.5 million bats spiraling into summer, the museum the summer skies, this population is considered the will feature exhibits, largest urban bat colony in North America. Call the films, events and Bat Hotline for emergence times: (512) 327-9721, x 3. hands-on programs Blanton Museum of Art perfect for everyone 200 E. Martin Luther King Dr., Austin in your family. The Blanton Museum of Art at The University of Cabela’s Texas at Austin is one of the foremost university art 15570 S. IH 35, Buda museums in the country and has the largest and Cabela’s is the world’s most comprehensive collection of art in Central foremost outfitter for Texas. The Blanton’s permanent collection of more your family’s hunting, than 17,000 works is recognized for its European fishing, camping and paintings, an encyclopedic collection of prints and outdoor needs. What- drawings and modern and contemporary American ever your outdoors and Latin American art. passion is, Cabela’s Boardwalk at Lady Bird Lake knowledgeable outfit- See Austin from a different perspective with a walk ters can help you find on the Boardwalk. The options are endless: snap pics the gear you need to of downtown, look for turtles, ride your bike, rent make it the experi- a canoe, have a churro, search for song lyrics on ence of a lifetime. bronze belts or take your pooch on a leisurely stroll. Cabela’s also has free educational seminars BookPeople for all ages every Sat- 603 N. Lamar Blvd., Austin urday and Sunday and during the whole summer BookPeople is one of the largest independent book- will have free kayak rides in the big water tank out- stores in America. With a full calendar of events side from noon–2 p.m. on Saturdays. A full schedule including author book signings, weekly storytimes of activities is available at www.cabelas.com/buda. and more, there is something for everyone at this gem of a store. There’s a huge space in the Chil- Capital Metro MetroRail dren’s Department with tunnels and nice spaces for Capital MetroRail offers comfortable service Mon- the kids to read their books. BookPeople also has a day through Saturday between Leander and down- nice cafe on the first level with a wide selection of town Austin and from Lakeline to downtown on drinks and snacks. Saturday. With a total of nine stations and a variety of times, a fun family ride makes for a perfect out- Bowling Alleys ing.