The Texas Hill Country has a quiet superpower: it is one of the best regions in the country to be a kid. Between the exotic wildlife roaming rolling ranch land, the spring-fed rivers made for wading, and a world-class children's museum tucked into East Austin, a day out from Woodline Ranch can feel like an entire expedition.
Whether you are traveling with curious toddlers, energetic grade-schoolers, or a teenager who wants to get outdoors, here is how to build the perfect day or weekend for families staying at the ranch.
The Anchor Experience: Exotic Resort Zoo in Johnson City
If you only do one thing with the kids, make it Exotic Resort Zoo in Johnson City, about 45 minutes west of the ranch on Highway 290.
This is not a conventional walk-through zoo. It is a drive-through safari park, and that makes all the difference. You pile into your own vehicle, roll down every window, and spend an hour creeping through 137 acres of open ranchland while over 500 animals representing more than 50 species wander up to greet you on their own terms.
What to Expect
Pull up to the entrance, buy a bag (or several bags) of feed pellets, and set off. The animals at Exotic Resort Zoo are accustomed to visitors and eager to say hello. Within the first few minutes, you are likely to have a giraffe leaning its long neck through your sunroof, a camel nudging your window for a treat, and a waterbuck staring you down from ten feet away.
- The Animals: The roster includes zebras, wildebeest, ostrich, cape buffalo, pygmy hippos, spider monkeys, and dozens of antelope and deer species from Africa, Asia, and the Americas.
- Feed Pellets: Buy extra. You will run out faster than you think, and the disappointment on a child's face when the giraffe nuzzles an empty hand is real.
- Walking Area: Beyond the drive-through, there is a walking section where you can see smaller exotic animals and native Texas wildlife up close.
- Open Daily: The zoo is open every day from 9am to 5pm. Arrive early on weekends to avoid the midday rush along the safari loop.
Why Kids Love It
There is no glass, no fence, and no buffer. A five-year-old handing a pellet to a towering giraffe is not just watching an animal, they are connecting with one. That is something a screen cannot replicate, and it is the kind of experience that sticks.
The drive takes 45 minutes to an hour at a leisurely pace, but most families find themselves doubling back to visit favorite animals again. Budget two hours total.
Indoor Option: The Thinkery, Austin's Premier Children's Museum
When Texas heat peaks in July and August, or if a summer storm rolls through, The Thinkery in Austin is the best indoor destination for kids in the region. It is about a 40-minute drive east of the ranch, near Mueller Lake Park.
The Thinkery is an education-focused children's museum built around the philosophy that learning should feel like play. Every exhibit is interactive, discovery-driven, and designed to spark curiosity rather than just pressing a button to watch a lights display.
Highlights Inside
- The Workshop: Kids build, tinker, and problem-solve with real tools and materials. For any kid who loves taking things apart, this is paradise.
- Light and Color Studio: A hands-on exploration of how light, shadow, and color work together.
- Currents Water Feature: An outdoor water play area with pumps, channels, and sprinklers. Plan to get wet and bring a change of clothes.
- Little Sprouts (Ages 0–3): A dedicated space for toddlers and infants with soft climbing structures and sensory play.
- Special Exhibitions: The Thinkery rotates visiting exhibits throughout the year focused on topics like ecology, astronomy, and engineering. Check their website before your visit.
Practical Notes
- Hours: Typically 10am–5pm Tuesday through Sunday. Closed Mondays.
- Memberships: If you are Austin-area locals or plan to visit more than once, a membership pays for itself quickly. The Thinkery is a founding member of the Association of Children's Museums, providing reciprocal access at hundreds of other museums nationwide.
- Parking: Free street parking surrounds the museum, and the Mueller neighborhood itself is worth a stroll with wide sidewalks and a great lake park nearby.
Hill Country Add-Ons: Build Your Own Adventure
The beauty of basing at Woodline Ranch is that the day is yours to build. Here are a few more stops that pair well with either the Exotic Resort Zoo or the Thinkery depending on your direction.
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center (South Austin)
A short detour from the Thinkery, the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center features a nature play space designed for kids to run, climb, and explore in a native Texas landscape. The meadows and garden paths give kids plenty of space to burn energy while parents enjoy the scenery.
Pedernales Falls State Park (Direct from the Ranch)
If the day calls for wide open spaces and cool water, Pedernales Falls State Park is just 20 minutes from the ranch. The limestone pools below the falls are perfect for wading on hot days, though swimming near the actual falls is prohibited for safety reasons. The hiking trails are well-marked and accessible, and kids love exploring the dramatic rock formations. Bring water shoes and sunscreen.
Hamilton Pool Preserve (30 Minutes from the Ranch)
Hamilton Pool is one of the most visually stunning natural swimming holes in Texas, featuring a collapsed grotto with a 50-foot waterfall feeding a jade-green pool ringed by overhanging limestone ledges covered in ferns. It requires reservations (book well in advance during summer), but if you secure a spot, it is an unforgettable trip.
Timing Your Day
Here is one way to stack it all together:
| Time |
Activity |
| 8:30 AM |
Depart Woodline Ranch |
| 9:00 AM |
Arrive at Exotic Resort Zoo (first through the safari loop) |
| 11:30 AM |
Drive east toward Austin |
| 12:30 PM |
Lunch at Torchy's Tacos in Mueller (steps from the Thinkery) |
| 1:30 PM |
Explore the Thinkery |
| 4:30 PM |
Head back west via Highway 71 |
| 6:00 PM |
Return to the ranch for a simple dinner on the deck |
This itinerary covers a lot of ground. For younger kids or families who move at a slower pace, pick one anchor destination and supplement with a riverside wander at Pedernales Falls or a swim at the ranch.
Coming Back to the Ranch
One thing parents mention about Woodline Ranch is how much the property itself entertains the kids. The tree canopy, the deer that wander the edge of the clearing at dusk, and the sounds of the Hill Country at night all provide a constant backdrop of relaxation.
After a big day out, there is something deeply restorative about returning to a quiet, comfortable space in the woods. Kids decompress, parents exhale, and the day's adventures get retold around the table.
Ready to plan your family's Hill Country escape? View cabin availability at Woodline Ranch and find the right space for your crew.
