Mueller Lake Park & Playground

Popular, convenient, and big park in the heart of Mueller District

4550 Mueller Blvd, Austin, TX 78723

Photos

Features

Review

Directions

Website

Photos

Features

Family-Friendly Features

Parking lot

Stroller-friendly path(s)

Easy walks/hikes

Reservable areas

Park Features

Walking/hiking paths

Basketball court

Lap pool

Our overall family-friendliness score:

BABY-FRIENDLY
TODDLER-FRIENDLY
OLDER KID-FRIENDLY
OVERALL FAMILY-FRIENDLY FEATURES
UNIQUE ASPECTS
Average

Star ranking definitions:

: Not for kids

: There are better options

: Not bad, kids had fun

: Worth the trip

: Amazing, a must-do with kids

Rankings segments:

BABY-FRIENDLY: Baby can do more than just sit in a stroller or be carried around

TODDLER-FRIENDLY: Things are toddler level; designed for toddlers

OLDER KID-FRIENDLY: Things are meant for older kids

AMENITIES: General family-friendly features

UNIQUE ASPECTS: Wow factor

Summary

Let’s face it, if you have kids, you probably know about the Mueller neighborhood in Central Austin. The parks and trails alone are reasons enough to visit with your kids and family. Mueller has multiple parks, open space, and trails that interconnect within the community.

Sitting at the center of Mueller is the Mueller Lake Park. Sitting on 30 acres, the park site includes the Mueller Center information, Mueller Lake, amphitheater and stage, picnic tables, loop trails, and of course the interactive playscape. Today’s article will be focused on just the playground.

(*we’ll be publishing multiple articles to cover Mueller so please come back in the future!)

How to get there

Map

Where to Park

You do have several options for parking in close proximity to the playground: parking lot, parking garage, and street parking. However, as the Mueller community continues to grow, it’s getting more difficult to find a spot easily but also depends on when you go.

There is a dedicated parking lot right next to the playground; however, it’s relatively small and fills up quickly. While there is also street parking surrounding the playground, be aware of street signs that are either 1) paid parking spots or 2) reserved for those with a residential pass. There are a few spots through-out Mueller that is still free to park; however, you’ll most likely have to walk a further distance. And if you are in a hurry and don’t mind paying, there’s always the McBee Parking Garage located by the Alamo Drafthouse Movie Theater and the Thinkery Museum.

Playground Area Amenities at Mueller Park

Depending on which direction you’re coming from, you’ll be first greeted by a lovely, mystical statue of Nessie outside the main entrance to the playground. The playground area is entirely gated and there are 3 entrances; however, be mindful that some people don’t close the gate behind them and the gates are sometimes left open – it doesn’t automatically shut. And while there isn’t a large tarp covering the playground area, you’ll find plenty of shade due to multiple trees and the flooring is a mix of mostly mulch and pavement. The playground area overall is big but small enough to keep your eyes on your kids playing even if they are on opposite sides. Other playground features include multiple picnic tables, benches, two playground structures: one built for toddlers and a second one designed for older kids, baby swings, larger swings, a merry-go-round (however, it’s not a traditional merry-go-round and was a little tough to push to get momentum), and a bathroom on-site, water fountains, and trash cans.

Toddler Playground

One of our favorite things about this playground is that it’s very toddler-friendly! Our 2 year old really enjoyed coming here. The very first thing he wanted to try was the larger, circular swings. While not completely unique to this playground, you won’t find this is every playground park.

The toddler-size playground features 1 slide, a set of stairs with interactive activities along the walls, a small hammock-like plastic swing, and a large climbing rope structure. The park does feature 2 baby/toddler swings next to 2 larger swings.

Larger Playground

The larger playground features 2 slides (one is metal – so I would test it before letting your kid slide down – at least if the big Texas sun is blazing while you’re there), a taller staircase with interactive walls, and lots and lots of climbing obstacles (rock wall and rope), and another hammock-like structure. Our 2-year old was a little intimidated to play on the larger playground but did enjoy climbing up and down the stairs and peeking through the holes.

As parents of a small toddler, we noted that the stairs were narrow making it less convenient for parents to follow along and the height of the platform next to the tallest slide was high and there is not much blocking a child from taking a tumble off the edge. Parents of older kids didn’t seem to blink at this but it gave us pause due to an incident where an older cousin pushed our kiddo off of a similar platform.

Restrooms at Mueller Lake Park

There is a separate men’s and women’s restroom close by the playground along with a water fountain.

Bottom Line: Is the playground at Mueller Lake Park a Good Place to Take the Kids?

Yes, yes, and yes! While it may get crowded at times, it’s another trip-worthy playground to take your kids to.

Texas Farmers’ Market at Mueller

Food, drink, and fun right by Mueller Lake

Browning Hangar, 4209 Airport Blvd. Austin, Texas 78722

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Features

Review

Directions

Website

Photos

Features

Family-Friendly Features

Parking lot

Picnic tables

Restrooms

Our overall family-friendliness score:

BABY-FRIENDLY
TODDLER-FRIENDLY
OLDER KID-FRIENDLY
OVERALL FAMILY-FRIENDLY FEATURES
UNIQUE ASPECTS
Average

Star ranking definitions:

: Not for kids

: There are better options

: Not bad, kids had fun

: Worth the trip

: Amazing, a must-do with kids

Rankings segments:

BABY-FRIENDLY: Baby can do more than just sit in a stroller or be carried around

TODDLER-FRIENDLY: Things are toddler level; designed for toddlers

OLDER KID-FRIENDLY: Things are meant for older kids

AMENITIES: General family-friendly features

UNIQUE ASPECTS: Wow factor

About the Texas Farmers’ Market at Mueller

What was once an airport, Mueller is now known as a modern, family-friendly, developed community that has something for everyone. Head over to the Browning Hangar on Sunday mornings or Wednesday evenings and you’ll stumble upon a local gem – the Texas Farmers’ Market at Mueller.

The Texas Farmers’ Market is organized by a non-profit and is a producer-only (vendors can only sell things they produce themselves) market that helps support local farmers and businesses and a great way for local Austinites to shop for the freshest ingredients.

Texas Farmers’ Market – Mueller

Texas Farmers’ Market at Mueller

Open Sundays (Rain or Shine) from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. and Wednesdays from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Address: At the “Browning Hangar” 4209 Airport Blvd., Austin, TX 78722

Website: https://sustainablefoodcenter.org/programs/sfc-farmers-market/sfc-farmers-market-downtown

Parking at the Texas Farmers’ Market Mueller

The Texas Farmers’ Market at Mueller has a great central Austin location with plenty of parking options. The good news is that there is FREE parking available in Mueller, the not-so-good news is that it’s limited and might not be the closest. There is a small parking lot off of Airport by the Hangar and another small parking lot closer to the Mueller Lake Playground that are both free and within walking distance to the Farmers’ Market.

There is also street parking, however, with Mueller rapidly growing, be aware of parking meters (i.e. some might require a residential permit) and when you have to pay. (Sundays are always free.)

However, if you don’t want to search for parking – there is the McBee Parking Garage located by the Thinkery and Alamo Drafthouse that charges $1 an hour and a maximum of $10 for the day.

Parking Map Photo Credit: https://texasfarmersmarket.org/

Things to Do at the Texas Farmers’ Market Mueller

As mentioned in our SFC Farmers’ Market posts, we love to shop at Farmers’ Market because not only are we supporting local farmers, but we’re able to support a sustainable process for our groceries.

What’s especially unique about the Texas Farmers’ Market at Mueller is all the family-friendly things to do surrounding the market. You literally can spend an entire day with the family in Mueller enjoying the playground, the lake, the market, and visit the several shops and restaurants in the area. (Not to mention Mueller is home to Austin’s Children’s Museum – the Thinkery.) It’s one of our favorite ways to spend time with our kids outdoors.

Texas Farmers’ Market – Mueller – Vendors

You can find everything from groceries such as organic, grass-fed meats, organic produce, local honey to non-edible products like lavender, soaps, and candles. You can even find homemade dog treats! And let’s not forget the plethora of local eats. (With options for gluten-free and vegans!) You can find a complete list of market vendors here.

The Most Kid-Friendly Farmers’ Market in Austin

Aside from the location and the proximity to the playground, the Texas Farmers’ Market at Mueller is (in my opinion) the most kid-friendly market in town. Not only do they have dedicated vendors that’ll attract kids, they also have a tent space in the middle of the market just for kids to play (typically large Lego blocks) and also have live music (on Sundays).

When we’ve gone, they also had a face-painting booth, Tiny Tails Petting Zoo, and pony rides.

We’ve also went to the Fermentation Festival – an annual festival they host in October all about fermented foods with workshops, panel discussions, and delicious samples! Check their events page to see what’s coming up.

Other Family Tips

Here are some other tips to consider while you’re visiting the Texas Farmers’ Market in Mueller with your family:

Like other farmers’ markets, the aisles are fairly narrow. You can get away with a small single stroller. Leave the big and double strollers at home.
There are on-site portable toilets with water to wash hands, but it’s still a good idea to bring wipes!

Bottom Line: Is the Texas Farmers’ Market at Mueller a Good Place to Take the Kids?

Yes! I believe it’s a great place for both toddlers and older kids. Not only is there a lot to do, there’s a lot to see, and eat!

Playground at Roy G. Guerrero Colorado River Metro Park

Explore this gem of a neighborhood park nestled in East Austin…

400 Grove Boulevard, Austin, TX 78741

Photos

Features

Review

Directions

Website

Photos

Features

Family-Friendly Features

Parking lot

Stroller-friendly path(s)

Easy walks/hikes

Reservable areas

Park Features

Walking/hiking paths

Basketball court

Lap pool

Our overall family-friendliness score:

BABY-FRIENDLY
TODDLER-FRIENDLY
OLDER KID-FRIENDLY
OVERALL FAMILY-FRIENDLY FEATURES
UNIQUE ASPECTS
Average

Star ranking definitions:

: Not for kids

: There are better options

: Not bad, kids had fun

: Worth the trip

: Amazing, a must-do with kids

Rankings segments:

BABY-FRIENDLY: Baby can do more than just sit in a stroller or be carried around

TODDLER-FRIENDLY: Things are toddler level; designed for toddlers

OLDER KID-FRIENDLY: Things are meant for older kids

AMENITIES: General family-friendly features

UNIQUE ASPECTS: Wow factor

Map

Where to park:

To access the playground, make the first right after you enter the park and take the loop to a parking lot. You will see the playground and a pavilion. Unfortunately, they do not have signs to point you in the right direction.

What is modern day Roy G. Guerrero Colorado River Metro Park was once a dairy farm and was at risk twice of disappearing in favor of reusing the land to develop sports stadiums. Fortunately, parks and neighborhood advocates shut down those chances and it remains as an expansive park that sits on 363 acres of land where you can do just about everything – softball/baseball, volleyball, field sports, disc golf, picnics and grills, biking, walking trails, and our son’s favorite – the playground.

Playground Area Amenities at Roy G. Guerrero Park

While the park is set-up for a lot of outdoor activities and fun, we focused primarily on the awesome playground. The playground area is entirely gated and there are 2 entrances with a top pull latch lock that’s fairly high so you don’t have to worry about your kids running off. Also, it does not have a large tarp or other covering to provide shade over the playground but is surrounded by a lot of trees that depending on the time of day does provide shade. There’s also a bathroom on-site with 2 sets of water fountains and trash cans. There are two playground structures: one smaller built for toddlers and a second one with more obstacles, larger climbing walls, and slides. We started taking my son here when he was one year old and the smaller playground and baby swings were perfect for him.

Toddler Playground

The toddler-size playground features 1 slide, 1 double slide, a climbing tunnel, 2 climbing structures, and one step-up stairway in addition to mini nature and animal-themed features in and under the playground. Next to it are 4 swings suited for babies and toddlers with some other climbing rock features and benches to sit on.

We started taking my son here when he was 1 and he primarily played on this playground; more recently (he’s now 2), he’s played on the larger playground structure but will still primarily stick to the toddler size one and really enjoys the baby swings. I’m guessing because bigger kids will run back and forth on the larger playground and he feels more comfortable on the smaller one.

Larger Playground

The larger playground features 4 slides, bridges, several climbing and obstacle structures (view pictures for reference), 6 swings, balance feature, 2 teacup-like spinners, and nature-themed features through-out and under the playground. This side of the playground also has more faux-rock features, perfect for climbing or hide and seek.

What’s really nice about this playground is that it’s large enough for both big and small kids to play without the constant worry of someone running into one another.

In the center of the playground area has 3 large dragon-fly sculptures with 3 mounds made for climbing (that’s my guess anyway) on squishy pad flooring. However, the playground area itself has mulch.

Restrooms at Roy G. Guerrero Park

There is a separate men’s and women’s restroom close by the playground with a water fountain. Be mindful that this is a city park, so it’s not going to be the cleanest bathroom and does not have hand-soap. While it does have a diaper changing station, there is only one located in the men’s restroom and not an additional one in the women’s restroom. Also, it did have toilet paper stocked, but not paper towels for your hands. (*Tip: Bring your own hand soap or hand sanitizer and paper towels. If you need to change your baby’s diaper, bring your own diaper pad or change your baby in your car like we did)

Roy G. Guerrero Pavilion

Another great feature of this part of the park is the large pavilion that has 5 picnic tables, grill area, and electrical outlets available for rent. It’s a fairly large space and could support a big party.

Other Tips for the Playground at Roy G. Guerrero Park:

Nature Trail:

Adjacent to the playground is a paved nature trail – suitable for bikes, strollers, and wagons. We haven’t walked it in its entirety but check back in the future for updates (i.e. length). We’ve also been told people have taken this trail to get to a “secret” beach along the Colorado River. We’re going to search for it in the future.

Bottom Line: Is the playground at Roy G. Guerrero Park a Good Place to Take the Kids?

Yes, yes, and yes! We regard the Roy G. Guerrero Park playground a south/east Austin gem. It’s a really nice playground with multiple features that don’t get overly crowded and we haven’t even checked out the entire park!

Virtual Tour:

If you’re still curious about this park, here’s virtual tour video done by the Austin Parks Foundation:

https://youtu.be/qdEiSInD6yA

Austin’s Central Library

A public library that’s fun for the whole family

710 W. Cesar Chavez St., Austin, TX 78701

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Features

Review

Directions

Website

Photos

child playing with chess pieces at austin central library

Family-friendly Features

Parking lot

Children’s section

Enclosed kid’s area

Family restroom

Kid-friendly restroom

Changing table

Children’s classes

Electronics check-out

Food / vending machines

Bike parking

Our overall family-friendliness score:

BABY-FRIENDLY
TODDLER-FRIENDLY
OLDER KID-FRIENDLY
OVERALL FAMILY-FRIENDLY FEATURES
UNIQUE ASPECTS
Average

Star ranking definitions:

: Not for kids

: There are better options

: Not bad, kids had fun

: Worth the trip

: Amazing, a must-do with kids

Rankings segments:

BABY-FRIENDLY: Baby can do more than just sit in a stroller or be carried around

TODDLER-FRIENDLY: Things are toddler level; designed for toddlers

OLDER KID-FRIENDLY: Things are meant for older kids

AMENITIES: General family-friendly features

UNIQUE ASPECTS: Wow factor

About the Central Library

Older Austinites remember the “old” central library as the John Henry Faulk Library on Guadalupe, but now Austin has welcomed a new, more modern and technology-focused Central Library on Cesar Chavez that opened in October 2017. It houses more than just books and movies; electronic devices such as Macbooks, Chromebooks, HP tablets and AfterSchool Edge devices are available for check-out, it also offers multiple shared learning rooms that you can reserve, computers for public use, a local seed library, a technology petting zoo, rooftop garden, and an outdoor patio space on the children’s floor. Needless to say, this isn’t your typical library.

Hours

Sunday 12 PM – 6 PM

Monday – Thursday 10 AM – 9 PM

Friday – Saturday 10 AM – 6 PM

Parking at the Central Library – Car and Bike

While the Austin Central Library has 2 levels of underground parking (entrance is on West Avenue), they do NOT validate parking. It is free up to the first hour but then you have to pay the following rates:

Parking Rates

$0.00 0 up to 1 hour
$5.00 Over 1 hour up to 2 hours
$9.00 Over 2 hours up to 4 hours
$11.00 Over 4 hours up to 7 hours
$13.00 Over 7 hours up to 10 hours
$15.00 Over 10 hours up to 12 hours
$30.00 Over 12 hours

If the parking lot is full or you don’t want to pay the garage rates, there is some metered street parking available surrounding the library. However, it can be challenging to find parking since the library is right by the Seaholm District that has shopping, restaurants, and residences. If you’re biking, the Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail and the Lance Armstrong paths connect to the Central Library. Additionally, you’ll find lots of places to park your bike around the library and a bike corral on the lower level. Look for the large metallic silver bike on the outside.

Children’s Floor – Located on the 3rd Floor

After entering the library, you can take the stairs or the elevator to the third floor to reach the children’s books. If you’re exiting the elevator, the room on the left side is dedicated to teens while the larger room on the right is dedicated to young children. We enjoyed the bright, natural light and our toddler really took in the sights and sounds – the large red clock on the wall, the large chess game board outside of the room, and the display of puppets from old Literature Live! shows.

Family Bathrooms at the Central Library

There are bathrooms located right outside the children’s room and there are family bathrooms inside that have a diaper changing station and stepping stools for kids to wash their hands. One thing I wish they would add to the family bathrooms are hooks to hang purses and/or diaper bags.

One note about bathrooms – I found the bathrooms on other floors were not family-friendly. No baby changing station, no hooks for diaper bags, and no stools for reaching the faucets. If you need any of that, make sure you go to the bathrooms on the third floor.

Things to Do with Kids at the Central Library

Our absolute favorite thing about the Central Library is the environment it provides to cuddle with your kids and read books. There’s plenty of places and seating inside but the Central Library boasts a children’s porch that is completely screened in with additional seating that overlooks Town Lake (or Lady Bird Lake, sorry, I just can’t get used to calling it that). You can also check-out binoculars from the Children’s Information desk to look out over the city and the lake.

The outdoor patio off the children’s floor has ample seating, outdoor ceiling fans, and multiple sizes and color wheels for kids to play with.

Kid-Friendly Events and Classes at the Central Library

Austin public libraries have a variety of events suited for babies, toddlers, and older kids – while most of them are storytimes (especially for the younger kids) they also have playtimes with toys, crafts and arts hour, classes, music and dance, and other special events. I also really appreciate the library’s efforts to offer storytime in multiple languages such as Spanish, Japanese, French, and Chinese Mandarin. You can search for them here.

Kid-Oriented Story Times:

For young children, you can find 4 types of storytime for babies up to 5 years old: Books and Babies, Toddler Storytime, Preschool Storytime, and All Ages Storytime. All of them overlap in terms of what they feature with slight program variations based on age. Please note that not all library locations will host all 4 types of storytimes – please refer to the event page link above for upcoming events and locations. Additionally, since these events can get crowded fast, show up early to grab a good spot and some locations require free tickets for admittance.

Books and Babies

One of our favorite things to do with our kids when they were babies was to take them to Books and Babies – which is storytime for babies 0-18 months. They include short stories that sometimes includes songs, rhymes, and playtime for both babies and parents.

Toddler Storytime

Toddler storytime program is designed for toddlers aged 18 months to 3 years – but still have similar story elements as other storytime programs such as songs, fingerplays, and games.

Preschool Storytime

Storytime for preschoolers aged 3-5 and their parents featuring stories, songs, fingerplays, rhymes, and crafts.

All Ages Storytime

The All Ages Storytime is designed for kids age 5 and under – but also features short stories, songs, fingerplays, rhymes, crafts, and/or playtime.

Literature Live!

The Austin library also has Literature Live! – their own puppetry and storytelling troupe. Watch as puppeteers bring stories to life through puppetry, storytelling, song, and movement. The recommended age is 4 and up. Find the next puppet show here. You can also see puppets from previous shows on display on the 3rd floor next to the Children’s room.

Bottom Line: Is the Central Library a Good Place to Take the Kids?

Yes! Even if you go when there’s not an event, it’s a great place for little ones to explore. You can easily spend hours there. I highly recommend packing snacks, drinks, and some coloring utensils and coloring paper if you need to check-out and read some books yourself.

Photo credit: Austin Public Library

Children-related FAQs – Austin Public Library

How old do you have to be to apply for a library card?
1. Austin residences and their kids (under 18) can apply for a Youth Library Card for free as long as a parent or guardian co-signs for the card.
Are strollers allowed at the Central Library?
1. While strollers are allowed, they do have a dedicated stroller parking area outside the children’s main library room for events. However, we have taken our small stroller into the main room during non-events and didn’t have an issue.
Is there a dedicated nursing room for moms who want to breastfeed their babies?
1. I didn’t see one, but there are plenty of quiet places to nurse a baby. I’ve personally nursed my baby in a quiet corner and in a (room that I booked) unoccupied open shared learning room.
Is there a place to buy food and beverages at the Central Library?
1. The Central Library has vending machines located on the 2nd floor in addition to a restaurant and cafe called the Cookbook that’s also on the main floor. Cookbook also operates a coffee cart that has drip coffee and pastries on the rooftop garden located on the 6th floor.

SFC’s Downtown Farmers’ Market in Austin

Find a wide variety of food, drink, and fun

Republic Square, 422 Guadalupe St, Austin, TX, 78701

Photos

Features

Review

Directions

Website

Photos

Shopping at SFC Farmers Market Downtown Austin

Lawn at SFC Farmers Marketg Republic Square Austin

Features

Family-Friendly Features

Parking lot

Picnic tables

Restrooms

Our overall family-friendliness score:

BABY-FRIENDLY
TODDLER-FRIENDLY
OLDER KID-FRIENDLY
OVERALL FAMILY-FRIENDLY FEATURES
UNIQUE ASPECTS
Average

Star ranking definitions:

: Not for kids

: There are better options

: Not bad, kids had fun

: Worth the trip

: Amazing, a must-do with kids

Rankings segments:

BABY-FRIENDLY: Baby can do more than just sit in a stroller or be carried around

TODDLER-FRIENDLY: Things are toddler level; designed for toddlers

OLDER KID-FRIENDLY: Things are meant for older kids

AMENITIES: General family-friendly features

UNIQUE ASPECTS: Wow factor

About the Downtown SFC Farmers’ Market

Something that tops the list of “things to do this weekend” is a trip to the farmers’ market – a mecca for chefs, food and health enthusiasts, artists, and of course families. The sun is shining and you hear the whirring sounds of trucks opening for vendors to unload their recent harvest, meats, honey, desserts, and so on. One by one, tents and tables are being set-up, ready to welcome eager customers who are on the hunt for the freshest and most local produce available.

Serving a well-balanced and healthy meal is a priority for most families and we’re no exception. What better way to get our kids to see where exactly their food comes from than a trip to the farmers’ market (aside from the actual farm of course)?

As a family, we plan on visiting all the farmers’ markets in the greater Austin area and provide a breakdown of general tips, where to park, what’s available, what we love the most, cons (if any), and how family-friendly it is.

The first on our list is probably the most popular farmers’ market in Austin – the SFC Farmers’ Market at Republic Square. (They have 2 locations, one at Republic Square and the second location is at Toney Burger Center in Sunset Valley.)

SFC Farmers’ Market – Republic Square

SFC (Sustainable Food Center) Farmers’ Market

Open Saturdays (Rain or Shine) from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Address: Republic Square, 422 Guadalupe St. Austin, TX 78701

Website: https://sustainablefoodcenter.org/programs/sfc-farmers-market/sfc-farmers-market-downtown

Situated on Republic Square in downtown Austin, the SFC Farmers’ Market has over 100 vendors and you can find everything from grass-fed, pasture-raised meats, local produce, CBD-infused products, cold-pressed juices, and even delicious vegan avocado ice cream. What’s great about the SFC Farmers’ Markets is that they are producer-only, which means that farmers only sell what they grow and other vendors can only sell products that they produce themselves. This allows for customers to support local farmers and get the freshest ingredients to their home and on their plates!

Parking at the SFC Farmers’ Market Downtown

Often, my husband and I will decide whether or not to go somewhere with our kids based on how easy parking is. Fortunately, the SFC Farmers’ Market has a dedicated parking lot that is free and right next to it – show up early and you shouldn’t have a problem finding a spot. We got there around 9:45 a.m. and there were plenty of spots. Also, there is metered street parking that is free until 11:00 a.m., and a garage located on San Antonio St. that costs $7 for parking.

Things to Do at the SFC Farmers’ Market Downtown

Once there, we like to start at the west “entrance” (4th and San Antonio St.) where you’ll find farmers and ranchers selling fresh eggs, meats, and produce. Expect to pay a little bit more on produce and fresh meat than you would at your grocery store (except for Whole Paycheck), but it’s worth it. The most compelling reason is that you’re supporting our local farmers who spend a lot of time and effort in growing and raising wholesome food. It’s one less thing to worry about when you know a) their produce is organic and/or non-gmo and b) the animals were raised in a non-cruel environment.

Additionally, what’s unique about shopping at the farmers’ market is the ability to speak with the farmers directly! You can ask questions about how they grow their produce and/or how they raise their animals that you then turn-around and serve your family. You can also get information on visiting their farm for a tour. We like that our kids are exposed to a variety of foods and flavors – that they might have otherwise not tried.

While we haven’t purchased from every vendor, we’ll highlight the ones we have purchased from.

Can You Taste The Difference Between Farmers’ Markets vs. Grocery Store Products?

We had a quick chat with Kris with Milagro Farm, who sells “solar powered” eggs – which means their farm is 100% powered by the sun. The biggest difference between their eggs and pasteurized eggs you find at the grocery store is that their eggs are never more than 1 week old, whereas the eggs at your grocery store are months old – “you can taste the difference.” You can also find turkey and duck eggs at the farmers’ market.

Tents to Hit-up with the Kids at the SFC Farmers’ Market Downtown

One tent you do not want to miss is “Taste the Place” – where you and the kids can sample a multitude of products from different vendors. They also take it one step further by preparing different foods using products you can find at the market to try. At our most recent trip, our son enjoyed trying pickled okra, gluten-free chocolate chip cookies, and pears.

Another tent that was one of our toddler’s favorites is Julie Myrtille’s French pastries. Their tent is hard to miss as they always have a crowd. They’re generous with their samples and our son loved every single one but ultimately decided on their famous almond croissant – which is seriously one of the best things you’ll ever taste. We also really like that she only uses non-GMO ingredients and sources local ingredients when she can.

And finally, if you’re out and about in Texas heat, what helps make your trip more enjoyable is a refreshing cold juice from Pharm Fresh. We found out they are owned and operated by Peoples RX. Their juices are cold-pressed which maximizes nutrient output and they don’t add sugar. They have samples of all of their juices, but we chose “beauty tonic” – the pairing of the beet and pomegranate was just too good to pass up.

Other Kid Activities at the SFC Farmers’ Market Downtown

Aside from shopping and eating, the downtown location has live music and offers a large lawn area for the kids to run and play. It’s a large enough space to bring outdoor toys like a ball to kick around. You can also check on their website for any upcoming kid-specific activities.

The only downside to just about any farmers’ market is that there is limited walking space between the tents, making it difficult if you have a big stroller to get through with kids. We recommend using a smaller stroller and leaving the double stroller and wagons at home.

Bottom Line: Is the downtown SFC Farmers’ Market a Good Place to Take the Kids?

Yes, especially for older kids who can eat any food. It’s a great way to spend time outside while also educating your family on a variety of topics such as farming, gardening, sustainability and to support local businesses.