Summer boredom? Meet Round Rock, Texas, an energetic city less than 20 miles from Austin that tackles the doldrums with unexpected fun. Score big points with kids and teens with an escape to this engaging spot, known for its lively attractions and outdoor recreation. From Triple A baseball games and a visit to the actual Round Rock in Brushy Creek that gives the city its name, your list of adventures feels endless. Stay cool in a Safari-themed waterpark resort and scarf down the largest homemade donuts you’ve ever seen. Round Rock’s brand of fun will convert even the crabbiest young’uns into cheerful believers.
Kalahari Resorts & Conventions
Cue the amazement! Designed with an African theme, every inch of the inviting and adventurous Kalahari Resorts & Conventions makes you feel transported. Take a selfie in front of the hippo fountain, check out your spacious room or suite, and then visit America’s Largest Indoor Water Park, the 223,000 square foot onsite attraction that was rated the #1 Best Indoor Water Park in USA TODAY’s 10 Best Readers’ Choice Awards. Here, the weather is always clear, ensuring families can spend as long as they wish enjoying 30 different slides, as well as several different wading and recreational areas. From thrilling slides to chillin’ out on the Lazy River, a wide variety of experiences ensures everyone has a great time. Swim-up bars are a favorite of parents, and you can even rent a cabana with its own hot tub for a private escape.
The water park isn’t the only on-property attraction. Tom Foolery’s Adventure Park is a multi-faceted indoor experience with everything from arcade games to ziplines. Strap into a theme park ride, navigate the ropes course, and throw a strike at the bowling alley that also features a restaurant!
Elsewhere in the resort, families can find many convenient amenities. A luxury spa gives parents some well-earned me time. Numerous restaurants along the interior carousel make dining out a joy. The Great Karoo Marketplace, with its eye-popping breakfast buffet, is a perennial favorite. Enjoy a good night’s sleep in a family-friendly suite, then emerge fully rested for another day of Kalahari adventures.
Round Rock Honey
Round Rock is home to one of the country’s most interesting artisan honey producers, the boutique company, Round Rock Honey. The local business makes pure wildflower honey that’s neither heated nor filtered, preserving its natural flavor and healthful properties. Take a one-hour factory tour and see how the honey is created from field, to hive, to table. It’ll give you a new appreciation for hardworking honeybees! Round Rock Honey also offers honey harvesting and beekeeping classes. Before you leave, stop by the gift shop to pick up a jar to bring home!
Dell Diamond
Are you ready to belt out “Take me Out to the Ballgame” and scarf down some requisite Cracker Jacks? Families will love a chance to root, root, root for the Round Rock Express, beautiful Dell Diamond’s awesome home team and the Triple A affiliate of the Texas Rangers. Experiencing a game here is a great way to soak up America’s Pastime, while also enjoying themed events like Star Wars night and the dog-friendly Bark in the Park, when furry friends can enjoy the game, too. Catch $1 hot dog nights and $2 Taco Tuesdays. Baseball isn’t the only thing happening at Dell Diamond. A variety of concerts, festivals, expos and other events take place here throughout the year.
Round Rock Donuts
You can’t visit Round Rock without a taste of its famous round pastry. The city is home to one of the world’s oldest and most beloved donut shops, Round Rock Donuts. Open since 1926, fresh donuts are still rolled and cut by hand, deep fried, and shellacked with the shop’s proprietary golden-hued glaze. A plain, glazed donut is a must, but don’t miss chocolate, strawberry, maple-iced, sprinkled, and cake donuts, too. Don’t dare leave without ordering a Texas Sized Donut, the 14-inch behemoth that comes glazed, chocolate-iced, or half-and-half. Go ahead and gobble the whole thing up. We won’t judge. This mega-pastry is mega-tasty.
After soaking up Round Rock’s unique brand of fun, recharge your batteries in one of many local accommodations. The city offers just the right hotel or weekend rental to fit your taste and budget. Plan your visit to Round Rock today and make memories your family will cherish for a lifetime.