My New Herb Lester Maps

My Herb Lester maps have arrived and I LOVE them!  You may recall my recent post about this company's maps and guides; now that I have a few in my hands I can tell you that they are just as charming as they looked on the screen.

I ordered Rome for my husband's stocking (shhh), because that's where he'd like us to go next (hey, I'm game).  We'd also like to go to Amsterdam, so I ordered that one too.  The maps, the little illustrations and the type design are very engaging - I can't wait to try them out in the field.

I ordered the Austin guide just for fun - I live in Austin, and was curious as to what the author would include.  I liked that he included places like Callahan's, a feed store that is not normally considered a tourist-spot, but is fun to visit, especially for a non-Texan.

As I mentioned in my earlier post, these maps are not geared specifically to people traveling with children.  However (at least in these particular guides) the very personable descriptions will give you a pretty good idea of whether a site would be appropriate for your child - and many are entirely appropriate.  The Rome guide identifies a favorite toy shop, for example; both Rome and Amsterdam note excellent art supply shops, and each of the guides I ordered identify pleasant outdoor sites.

Austin, Texas: Seven Old-School, Kid-Friendly Eats

Wherever we go, I like to find places that have a kind of authenticity to them - what you could call “old school,” whatever the local language.   As Austin’s population has exploded over the past decade, bringing with it all kinds of cool new places to eat, these old funky places have become increasingly rare.  So, I present to you, my picks for Old-School Austin Eats - all welcoming to children, naturally.  Visit them while you still can.

As you may notice, the dining establishments listed below are not the most healthful sorts of places - this is just how they rolled back in the good old days in Texas.  Burgers and ice cream figure heavily.  However, they do all have character and that counts for quite a bit in my book!  

Top Notch on Burnet Road

Top Notch
Top Notch is a fully-functional drive-in restaurant that serves burgers, fries, onion rings shakes, etc..  They also serve fried pies, which even my husband is nervous about eating.  Top Notch opened in 1971, and seems to have barely changed; you can get a look at it in Richard Linklater’s 1993 film Dazed and Confused.  

Dirty Martin’s
Another funky old burger place - this one has served the University of Texas community since 1926.  It was originally called Martin’s Kum-Bak place, but the dirt floor - now gone - earned it the nick-name “Dirty’s” or “Dirty Martin’s”. 

Cisco's on East Sixth Street

Cisco's
I will be honest and say that I have never ordered anything other than migas and biscuits while dining at this East Side institution.  I happen to find them divine.  My son adores the biscuits with a bit of honey. The walls are covered with framed news clippings about the owners and other miscellany. There is plenty for kids to gawk at and the service is pretty quick.

Nau's Enfield Drug on West Lynn

Nau's Enfield Drug 
This is a rare and precious thing nowadays - a real old-fashioned neighborhood pharmacy with a small lunch counter (and other seating) in the back.  Nau's serves the basics: grilled cheese, hamburgers, etc.  We usually go for the ice cream sundaes, which are just perfect.  

Sandy's on Barton Springs Road

Sandy's Frozen Custard
Sandy's has been handing out soft-serve custard (also known as ice cream - as well as burgers and other lunch grub) from it's walk-up window since 1946.  Located right in the middle of town on Barton Springs Road, it's still the perfect place to stop by on a ridiculously hot summer day.  Picnic tables are in the back.

Quality Seafood on Airport Boulevard

Quality Seafood
This place is part fish market and part restaurant (a little bar in the center divides the two).  It's my son's favorite restaurant - he is obsessed with their fried calimari.  I like it too - it is super casual, quite tasty, and one of a kind.  Sharks and other sea life hang from the ceiling, and the staff are nice as can be.

Matt's El Rancho on South Lamar

Matt’s El Rancho
Warning: this place is popular.  Go early or you may face a bit of a wait.  Otherwise, it’s your basic tex-mex served in a big, rambling, high-energy (but laid-back) space.  Lots of rooms for wandering through (when baby needs to move around); lots of sympathetic friendly people; a great spot for big groups.

Austin, Texas

There is plenty for young ones to do in Austin, although things get a little trickier during the summer, when you just don’t want to spend a lot of time outdoors.  Really, you don’t.  The good news is, kids are welcome just about everywhere, anytime – this is an extremely casual town.  Relaxing and having fun are big priorities here.  Public transportation is weak; unless you are limiting your visit to downtown, you’ll want a car to get around.

Cathedral of Junk

It’s hard to describe this place – a gradually evolving structure, entirely hand-built, made from and filled to bursting with – well, any piece of old junk you can think of!  You’ll find old toys, metal and plastic parts, steps made from old tires filled with concrete set with tile and other objects – you know what?  Just go – your kids will be amazed, and probably inspired, and so will you.  Call (512) 299-7413 to make a reservation, or just bang the gong at the entrance.  4422 Lareina Drive. 

Austin Science and Nature Center 

The Austin Science and Nature Center is small but great for kids who like a hands-on experience. There is a room filled with bones, shells, and all sorts of natural finds. Walk down the boardwalk to visit dozens of rescued creatures; dip your toes in the creek, and dig up a skeleton in the Dino Pit.  Entrance is on Stratford Avenue, a few yards west of the Mo-Pac overpass (park underneath the overpass).

Barton Springs and Deep Eddy Pool

Everybody will tell you to go to Barton Springs – and you should.  It’s an enormous (and cold!) spring-fed pool in a lovely park setting. On the weekends it can get really crowded, but during the week it is quite relaxed.  There is a large playground, a miniature train that offers rides on the hour, a walk-up snack shop (warning: nothing really healthy here), and a tiny dilapidated visitor’s center.  Deep Eddy (my personal favorite) is another larger spring-fed pool (but with a concrete bottom) on the north side of Lady Bird Lake.  It is typically less crowded and has an enormous shallow end, perfect for kids.  A small playground sits next to the pool complex (just outside the gates). There are also two kid-friendly restaurants within a minute’s walk – Mangia Pizza and Magnolia Café.  Take the first left (into the parking lot) after Veteran’s Drive, heading west on Lake Austin Blvd.

The Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center

The Wildflower Center is relaxing and inspiring for adults (from both an architectural and a natural perspective), and a great place to explore for kids.  There are trails for hiking, demonstration gardens, indoor exhibits, and more.  Kids will love climbing to the top of the tower at the center of the complex.  There are picnic areas as well as a café.  4801 La Crosse Avenue

The Austin Children's Museum

Honestly – unless it is raining or 100 degrees out and you just NEED somewhere to take the kids, skip the Children’s Museum. I include it in this list because it is right there downtown, it's about the only "museum" really geared for kids, and it just feels weird to ignore it.  If there are two adults in tow, make the best of things and take turns leaving the museum for a spot of shopping on 2^nd street or a coffee from Jo’s.  201 Colorado Street

Peter Pan Mini Golf

It’s easy to fit in a few rounds of mini-golf at this very cute miniature golf course.  Parking is limited but a spot can usually be found around the corner on Dawson Road.  1207 Barton Springs Road

Capitol Building and Grounds

The very impressive 19th century Capitol Building is fun to explore; it’s certainly the grandest building around, constructed from lovely pink granite with an enormously high dome. You can peek into the House and Senate Chambers, and inspect the portraits of every Texas governor in the rotunda.  Outdoors, the graciously sloping lawns, criss-crossed by paths and punctuated by statues and monuments, are also really pleasant for a picnic or just for running around.  At the southeast corner of the grounds you’ll find the Visitor’s Center, housed in the restored General Land Office building.  There are a few exhibits inside, as well as a gift shop.  Free parking in lot on San Jacinto between East 12^th and East 13^th Streets.

Alamo Drafthouse Theaters

During the summer, the Alamo Drafthouse theater chain has special (and sometimes free) screenings of classic kids movies.  The best thing is that the Alamo offers a full menu with plenty of kid-friendly options.  Check their website to see if anything fun is happening during your visit.  www.drafthouse.com

The Bats

Austin is home to the largest urban bat colony in the world - about 1.5 million little fellas.  You can view their mass exit from their digs beneath the Congress Avenue bridge between March and November, right around sunset.

Eat

I like all of these places, and so do my kid and husband.

Homeslice A sit-down restaurant with a by-the-slice business right next door

House Pizza Excellent pizza just east of the Hyde Park neighborhood.

Phil’s Burgers, fries and ice cream – each location has a playground

Whole Foods The flagship store in downtown Austin has an enormous food court with something for everybody; there’s also a dining patio with a play structure upstairs. 525 North Lamar Blvd.

Central Market Pick something up from the café, or picnic fixings from this amazing grocery store, and eat on the deck (only at the central location) – the kids can play on the play structures under the oaks.  After lunch you can walk around the pond and visit with the ducks. 4001 North Lamar

Farmer’s Market There are a number of delicious breakfast options at the Saturday market – tamales from the GG, baked goods from Cake & Spoon, or whatever’s on offer at Dai Due.  Grab a coffee or hot chocolate at Texas Coffee Traders. Republic Square, Saturday mornings

Progress Coffee This converted warehouse offers views of downtown, the freeway, train tracks (and the occasional train), and a couple of metal scrap yards – and is still a very pleasant place to sit and have a snack!  500 San Marcos Street

Avenue B Grocery The oldest continuously operated grocery store in Austin, this sweet little store makes deli sandwiches in the back.  Eat at the outdoor picnic tables or stroll a few blocks east to Shipe Park for a picnic.  4403 Avenue B

Quality Seafood A busy but easy-going seafood restaurant and fish market with great fish tacos and colorful ocean-themed décor.  5621 Airport Blvd.

Sandy’s A great and very old school burger and soft serve stand; picnic tables in the back.  603 Barton Springs Road

Big Top Candy Shop Candy, candy, candy!  And more candy.  Also ice cream.  And candy.  1706 South Congress Avenue

Nau’s Enfield Drug Another old Austin landmark – the lunch counter is in the back of this charmingly un-updated neighborhood pharmacy.   1115 West Lynn Street

Fonda San Miguel The dining room is on the fancy side, but if your child is well-behaved, try going early and eating in the atrium in the front.  The atmosphere is lush and a little magical.  Be sure to say hello to the resident parrot.  2330 North Loop

Justine’s Another grown-up place, but children may do fine going early and sitting outdoors.  4710 East 5^th Street

Shops

Toy Joy, just north of the university campus, is a toy store for all ages; it is packed to bursting with an endless variety of entertaining doo-dads; a tiny connected shop sells vegan soft serve and other snacks.  2900 Guadalupe Street

Terra Toys, located farther north, is a more conventional (but still very indie) toy shop that features a few small play areas near the rear of the store.  2438 West Anderson Lane

Wee Modern clothing and cuteness for infants and toddlers.  417 West 2^nd Street

Bookpeople This is a huge independent bookstore with a good-sized children’s department featuring regular story-times.  603 North Lamar Blvd.

Uncommon Objects If your child is gentle with antique merchandise, try taking them them to this vintage/antique shop – it’s an inspiring visual adventure.  1512 South Congress Avenue
Lucy in Disguise Browse animal masks, fake teeth, and any other costume or disguise you can think of - there are thousands here.  1506 South Congress Avenue