You’ll find plenty of exciting things for the whole family to do here in Cedar Park, from outdoor adventures to a vintage railway. Take advantage of these five major family attractions in the Hill Country of Texas. Use this handy guide to plan a memorable outing for your family.

Austin Steam Train Association

Go on a fun-for-all-ages adventure with the Austin Steam Train Association. Located on East Whitestone Boulevard, this sensational attraction provides an authentic railroading experience year-round. Here, you can embark on a variety of themed rides that appeal to kids and parents who adore trains.

Give your children the ride of a lifetime featuring a Day Out With Thomas. The kids will love this unique opportunity to meet Thomas, the No. 1 blue engine, and his friends, including Sir Topham Hatt, the Railway Controller. Make crafts with the kiddos, listen to stories, watch videos, or see a magician perform at this event.

This is one awesome spot where your whole family can experience the magic of the holidays like never before. Make new family traditions, and climb aboard The North Pole Flyer. Meet Santa, have a cup of hot cocoa, and celebrate this festive time of year together.

Consider taking the kiddos on the association’s signature ride, the Hill Country Flyer. They’ll get the chance to explore restored vintage train cars, each one with its own fascinating history. This adventure takes passengers on a scenic tour of some of Texas’s most beautiful countryside. Hang on tight as you cross a trestle bridge over the South San Gabriel River, then grab a bite of lunch during your two-hour layover in scenic Burnet.

The Splash Shack

Leave the sunblock at home when you head to this exciting indoor water park on Clover Lane. It’s the only one of its kind in the entire state of Texas. This 10,000-square-foot building features a ginormous 30-foot-tall play structure. Your family will love sailing down any of the eight water slides, frolicking under the spinning water wheels, or taking a turn getting doused beneath the giant dump bucket. There’s also a popular splash pad for smaller kids, like your toddlers, to enjoy.

Have a seat on one of the dozens of colorful Adirondack chairs that line the perimeter. It’s the ideal place for you to keep an eye on the kiddos and relax — or join in on the fun. When the little ones work up a hearty appetite, head over to the concessions counter and grab a prepackaged snack. Spend Sunday afternoons soaking up fun­ and get half off everyone’s ticket. Let the kids go wild at the Splash Shack. Because no matter the weather outside, the conditions are always perfect here.

Champion Park

Is your active family looking for a prehistoric adventure? Then head to Champion Park. This Hill Country gem is bursting at the seams with activities for all ages, including a playscape, a splash pad, and a covered children’s play area. It’s an ideal destination for little explorers with dinosaur eggs, a T. rex skull, and specifically designed boulders for climbing. Grab some hand shovels and dig for hidden treasures in the sandpit. These unearthed “fossils” are replicas, of course, but they still offer an amazing playtime experience.

You’ll love the park’s stunning field of bluebonnets that bloom in spring. Bring a picnic basket, have lunch under the pavilion, and then wander down the paved Brushy Creek Regional Trail that runs along the water. There’s an open space for kite flying or a casual game of soccer with siblings. Bring your fishing poles, drop a line in Brushy Creek, and remember to share photos of your catch on your family’s Instagram.

Lake Travis

Friends jumping off a rock formation into beautiful Lake Travis outside Austin, TX.

Image via Flickr by jrandallc

If your family loves spending time in the great outdoors, take a drive out to Lake Travis. It’s one of the largest lakes in Central Texas, at 63.75 miles long and over 18,929 acres. It’s the area’s most inviting waterway because of its uncommonly clear blue color.

Lake Travis is one of Austin’s most popular freshwater recreational destinations for good reasons. You can go boating, waterskiing, and wakeboarding. Launch your kayak or canoe, or explore the shoreline on a stand-up paddleboard. There are two zip line operators, four fantastic water parks, and more than 20 marinas. These Lake Travis facilities include boat access, water slips, yacht clubs, and fueling docks.

This watery haven has hundreds of access points along its 271 miles of shoreline. If you’re day-tripping, stop at one of the lake’s waterfront parks for picnicking, hiking, and swimming. Windy Point Park or Mansfield Dam Park are highly recommended and may be the perfect spot for your brood to get out and explore.

H-E-B Center

See a show at this world-class arena in Cedar Park. The H-E-B Center sprawls across 31 acres off of Avenue of the Stars. This multipurpose venue hosts more than 150 family-friendly experiences even your teenagers will love, including sporting events, concerts, and family shows.

Catch a Texas Stars hockey game or watch top professional bull riders as they try to tame some of the world’s most unruly bovines. You can get tickets for “Paw Patrol Live! Race to the Rescue.” This action-packed, music-filled production features the heroic stars from the popular animated preschool series “PAW Patrol.”

Head to the Greater Austin Comic Con. This entertainment-filled celebration combines pop culture and family friendly fun over two days. Browse vendor booths, catch a glimpse of TV and movie stars, enter gaming competitions and cosplay contests, then see the superhero-themed car show. All these exciting events and more take place at Cedar Park’s world-class H-E-B Center.

There you have it! These Cedar Park hot spots are ideal places to have a great time. The whole family can make lasting memories at these major, local attractions. What are a few of your favorite destinations? Drop us a line and let us know so we can add them to our list.