Where to Stay & What to do in Central Texas While Your Kid’s At Camp

Here is some helpful information for our out-of-town parents/families bringing their child to camp. (If you would like to send your child alone to camp and need airport transportation for pickup just email us for service cost.)

Where do I stay?
We get parents from out of town as well as out of state who want to stay in the area even for Overnight sessions in order to have a vacation for themselves in one of the most popular places to visit in the country – the Texas Hill Country.

STAYING NEAR THE SHUTTLE STOP
If you want to be close to the bus pick up /drop off spot at Cedar Park High School, we
think
that one of the best areas to stay is in the Northwest side of Austin,  near US Hwy 183, TX-183A  (Toll Road) and Ranch Road (RR) 620.   As well,  near Ranch Road (RR)1431 (also known as Whitestone Blvd)  and TX-183A in the Cedar Park/Leander communities.
These areas  have exploded with restaurant, shopping,  theater and hotel development.  The whole area is a very good place to stay in that you’re halfway between Iron Horse Country Ranch and the city of Austin and Lake Travis – in the middle of everything.   Shopping includes premium stores at 1890 Ranch and The Parke as well as the more traditional indoor Lakeline Mall.   All those areas have hotels among the retail businesses. There is also lightrail service running from downtown Austin to stations in both Cedar Park and Leander – you can park your car and hop the train for a relaxing ride to see the sites of Austin.
We are located 25 minutes north of this area,  if you want to plan actually driving your camper to us.  Lake Travis is 20 minutes away and downtown Austin is about 25 minutes as well.  Austin has much to see, do and taste! To name a few: the  Bob Bullock History Museum and Imax Theater, The University of Texas’ Natural History Museum,  the LBJ Library,  the entire UT campus itself,  Ladybird Lake, South Congress Street (“SoCo”), Zilker Park, bike/scooter/kayak rentals, tons of great restaurants…it’s endless.

Helpful Links:
Dine Shop Golf Events | Cedar Park | Stay for More (visitcedarparktexas.com)
Austin Hotels & Lodging | Resorts, B&Bs, Rentals & Motels (austintexas.org)

UPSCALE
Depending on your budget and tastes,  The Domain might just be the perfect spot to stay.  Set in a beautiful park-like environment in north Austin, this multi-purpose development features upscale and mainstream retail stores, restaurants, bars, hotels, residences and office space.  It’s very active and has easy access to downtown Austin as well as US Hwy 183 to the Ranch.  See links below for more details.
Helpful Links
Welcome To The Domain® – A Shopping Center In Austin, TX – A Simon Property
Domain NORTHSIDE – The Best Shopping, Dining, and Entertainment in Austin, Texas

RENTALS
Another thought, based on actual parent feedback, is staying in an AirBnB or VRBO rental home near the Ranch, like in Burnet, Bertram, Lampasas, Georgetown or Liberty Hill, all of which are anywhere from a 5 to 20 minute drive to the Ranch.  One parent stayed several years in a guest house rented through AirBnB that had a pool.  Another has stayed in one minutes down the road from us. Burnet County has its own attractions nearby including Inks Lake State Park, Lake Buchanan and Damn, Longhorn Cavern State Park, Canyon of the Eagles Nature Park, antique shopping and Hill Country Motorheads, a motorcycle museum for heaven’s sake!  Who knew!

We are also a hop, skip and jump away from Marble Falls, Texas where there is more shopping and restaurants (including the beloved Bluebonnet Cafe), wineries, Lake Marble Falls, Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge and nice shops and restaurants.
Helpful Links:
Texas Parks & Wildlife Department
Welcome To Burnet County – Burnet County Texas (highlandlakesofburnetcounty.com)

RV’ing
We’ve had quite a few families over the years delivering their camper via RV, once with a horse trailer in tow!  If RV’ing or camping is your style, nearby Inks Lake has both kinds of spots – plan early!  Inks Lake is just outside Burnet, Texas which is only 20 minutes from the Ranch. Click on the link for Texas Parks & Wildlife above for details on Inks Lake and all Texas parks.  Additional link: Campgrounds Near Me | Find RV Parks Near Me | Book Online (roverpass.com)

 

 

 

The Motorcycle Summer Camp for Kids

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