Family Vacations in Texas: Our Spring Break Experience

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One of our all-time favorite family vacations in Texas was when we visited the Austin area over Spring Break. Located in Central Texas, this region is known for its natural beauty, family-friendly parks, and unique attractions, making it an ideal spot for a memorable family vacation. My sister-in-law is the one who first mentioned going to Texas, and I immediately had a specific vision in my mind: water access from the backyard, kids jumping off a dock, fire pit, kayaks, and fishing.

Texas is a great spring break family destination. The weather tends to be warm, but not too hot. And there are so many outdoor activities to do.

Introduction to Family Spring Break

Spring break is the perfect opportunity for families to reconnect, unwind, and make memories that last a lifetime. With so many destinations and activities to choose from, Texas truly shines as a top pick for a family spring break getaway. Whether your crew loves the beautiful beaches of South Padre Island, the rolling hills of the Texas Hill Country, or the chance to spot wildlife in the great outdoors, there’s something here for everyone.

In this guide, we’ll share our favorite spring break ideas in Texas. from exploring family-friendly attractions to discovering the natural wonders and vibrant communities, you’ll see why the Lone Star State is such a fantastic place for families to explore together.

Best Time to Visit Texas for Spring Break

If you’re planning a family spring break in Texas, aim for late March to early April. During this time, the weather is just right—warm enough for outdoor activities but not yet sweltering. Plus, you’ll find fewer crowds than in the peak summer months. This is the ideal season for hiking, biking, and exploring top attractions like the Texas State Aquarium, Moody Gardens, and the awe-inspiring Natural Bridge Caverns.

Many Texas towns and cities also host special spring break events and festivals. So you’ll have plenty of opportunities for family friendly fun, hands-on exhibits, and outdoor activities that everyone will love.

Family Vacations in Texas: Where We Stayed

I spent HOURS looking through Airbnb and VRBO listings. I wrote out pros, cons and amenities of dozens of different listings (check out my favorite Airbnbs rentals near Austin) before selecting the perfect house.

And then three months later, the dam on the river behind that house broke, and the water was basically drained out. No more jumping off the dock, or even kayaking in the backyard. Back to the drawing board. Thank goodness I had kept all my notes. That all led me to the house we ended up booking, and it fulfilled ALL of my visions.

The house we booked for our Texas family vacation was on the San Marcos River, just outside of Austin. The backyard had a large grass area with a fire pit and storage shed, and a sunbathing deck right on the river. It looked perfect for relaxing and soaking up the sun during our family spring break in Texas. It even had a rope swing! The storage shed was full of inflatables, kayaks, fishing poles, air compressors, life jackets, and anything else we needed to enjoy the backyard.

**Note: The house we stayed at has temporarily been disabled. I reached out to the owner to ask if it will be coming back. She said that she’s hoping it’ll be posted again for 2026. Until then, you can check out the other house rentals that I saved as great options to stay.

If you prefer to stay at a resort, check out the best family resorts near Austin. Or head to one of these family resorts near Dallas, Texas.

What We Did on Our Family Vacation in Austin, Texas

Day 1 – San Marcos River & Rio Vista Park

After spending so much time researching family vacations in Texas, I had a whole list of things I wanted to do. But the kids really just wanted to hang out in the backyard the first day, which is fine by me. We spent the morning kayaking and seeing turtles in the river.

When it warmed up in the afternoon, we packed a few drinks and tubed the short ride down the river. The San Marcos River is a popular spot in Texas for outdoor activities like fishing and relaxing. It’s a great option for families looking for scenic and recreational experiences.

We were just upstream from Rio Vista Park, which is a great watering hole to play in. It even has small rapids to tube down. Then you can get out and walk the short distance back to the house, rather than trying to paddle upstream. The rest of the afternoon was spent playing on the rope swing and having competitions. I even braved it, once I had a couple drinks in me.

Day 2 – Jacob’s Well, Cypress Falls and More Tubing

If you’ve read enough of my blogs, you know that I can’t just sit around forever. And family vacations in Texas have so many opportunities for adventure, especially when it comes to water attractions that are perfect for families.

By day 2, I was ready to explore. We went to Jacob’s Well that morning–about a 35 min drive. Having done research beforehand, I knew we wouldn’t be able to swim there this time of year, but I still wanted to see it. Jacob’s Well is one of the most popular water attractions in the area, drawing families for its unique natural beauty and swimming opportunities. I definitely want to go back when the kids and I can jump in! It was a super easy walk and didn’t take too long to explore.

After that, we went to Cypress Falls Swimming Hole in Wimberley since we had already made the drive to that part of town, however, I don’t know that we’d do this again.

Cypress Falls Swimming Hole

It’s a nice spot if you want to have a drink with a nice view and let the kids play in a safe area but given the location of the house we were staying at, we could have had just as much fun for free back there.

Note: There is an admission fee to hang out here. The kids had fun jumping off of the rocks, though, and it would be a cool place to hang out if you didn’t have water access wherever you are staying. Cypress Falls is another family-friendly water attraction, offering a fun spot for swimming and relaxing by the water. We didn’t stay too long before we left to track down some highly recommended Texas BBQ food at Salt Lick (read more in the Where We Ate section).

Day 2 Continued – Tubing in Texas

Even though we had tubing in our backyard, I really wanted to try out the famous Tube Chute on the Comal River, so I dragged my family to Texas Tubes to start our voyage. We loved how easy access to the river made it simple to get started with our tubing trip—no long walks or complicated shuttles needed.

It was really calm when we were there, however, I have heard this is the place to be during the college’s spring breaks and the hot summer months, so I can assume it is a totally different vibe different times of the year.

Minus the couple of chutes, this was a super calm float down the river, and takes about two hours. Super relaxing, and the water was even warmer than the air temperature when we went late in the day on March 28.

Day 3 – More Relaxing on the River

Because I dragged everyone out the previous day, we spent our last day at the house relaxing on the river again. Personally, I would have loved to go and explore downtown Austin, which is always bustling with visitors during spring break, particularly the Barton Springs Municipal Pool—a favorite spot for visitors looking to cool off and enjoy the outdoors.

In planning future family vacations in Texas, I’d skip Cypress Falls Swimming Hole and swap it out with a bit of time in Austin.

The kids fished and finally caught one! They had more rope swing competitions, kayak adventures, and popsicles around the fire pit. Next, we were off to San Antonio…

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Where We Ate During Our Family Vacation in Texas

Because we had the house with a kitchen, we didn’t need to venture out for every meal, but we couldn’t miss an opportunity to try some true Texas staples.

You can’t go to Texas without trying Whataburger, so that was our first stop the night we arrived. Overall, the menu really enticed us, but our review was eh, so so. It’s a burger. It wasn’t the best burger in the world. The portions are massive though, as everything in Texas is bigger.

All family vacations in Texas need to consist of BBQ food at some point. A local recommended The Salt Lick BBQ, and it did NOT disappoint.

Salt Lick BBQ & Chuy’s Tex-Mex

The venue is absolutely huge, with outside picnic areas and various options for eating inside. There are tasting rooms on site, and you can even bring your own drinks.

I think at one point, it was cash only, but that was not the case when we visited. Thank goodness too, because it is way out there, and no banks near it. We will definitely return!

Finally, we went to dinner at Chuy’s Tex-Mex because, well, why not? It’s kid friendly, reasonably priced, and I love some chips and salsa. However, being from San Diego, we really shouldn’t even bother trying anything remotely close to Mexican food anywhere else. The food was fine. We ate it. Would we venture back?

Eh, probably not. Mostly because there are so many other better places to try. But it made for an easy meal on our last night, and since I’m writing about a Texas family vacation, I had to try a family-friendly chain.

After enjoying some great Texas meals, families can also visit a local museum for a fun and educational outing—many Texas towns have museums featuring local history, art, or unique exhibits that kids will love.

Be sure to check out part two of our vacation–in San Antonio, Texas and read about our stay at the JW Marriott San Antonio Water Park Resort. You can also check out this list of the best family resorts in Texas.

More Family Vacation Ideas for Spring Break in Texas

Nature and Wildlife Encounters in Texas

For families who love the outdoors, Texas is a treasure trove of nature and wildlife experiences. Head to Padre Island National Seashore for a chance to see dolphins, sea turtles, and hundreds of bird species along the pristine Texas coast.

Guadalupe River State Park is another must-visit. It offers kayaking, fishing, swimming, and scenic hiking trails that wind through the rolling hills. Don’t miss a guided tour of the San Antonio Missions. You can learn about history while spotting local wildlife and unique plants.

And if you’re craving a classic Texas Hill Country adventure, saddle up for horseback riding, go birdwatching among wildflowers, or simply soak in the peaceful beauty of the countryside. With so many parks and outdoor spaces to explore, your family will have endless opportunities to connect with nature and each other.

Events and Festivals During Spring Break

Spring break in Texas isn’t just about the great outdoors—it’s also a time for lively events and unforgettable festivals. Kick off your adventure at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. It’s one of the largest rodeos in the world, where you’ll find carnival games, live music, and family friendly fun.

Head to South Padre Island for Sandcastle Days. You can marvel at incredible sand sculptures and join in on beach activities. In San Antonio, Fiesta brings the city to life with colorful parades, delicious food, and cultural celebrations.

For a burst of spring color, visit the Texas Tulip Festival in Pilot Point. Millions of tulips bloom and live music fills the air. And don’t miss the Moody Gardens Spring Break Festival in Galveston, featuring animal encounters, outdoor games, and entertainment in a beautiful garden setting.

No matter where you go, Texas offers extra fun and community events that will make your family spring break truly special.