Summer is officially here which means so is our BCS Summer Bucket List.

 If you are like me, you are probably in panic mode. Summer snuck on me like no other. One minute it was Spring Break and five seconds later summer decided to come and all I can think of is…. What. Are. We. Going. To. Do?

I feel like last summer Katy and I did a pretty good job of crossing things off our Summer Bucket List so in hopes that I will be inspired to have an amazing, fun-filled summer (where does one find the energy for this?), we are creating bucket lists again! Yay. I mean…if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

While Katy handled our local bucket list, I figured we should branch out to our surrounding cities for some summer fun. I am constantly making day trips to Austin and Houston for family dinners, quick trips to see friends, or even just to shop but I normally don’t make the drive for kid’s activities. I guess that makes me selfish, or maybe smart…. Because who really likes a car trip with two little kids?

I believe in myself and I am 100% confident that Katy has some crazy road trips planned to Louisiana or the Brown’s farm or some far off location so she can have a #royallyhotmessroadtrip.

Let’s get this party started….

Towards Austin….

Austin is less than 2 hours away from College Station and has so much to offer in way of restaurants, shops, activities, and events. It is home to Austin City Music Festival, large shopping areas, great lakes, and the University-Aggies-Don’t-Talk-About. Basically there’s a lot Austin has to offer.

• Lake Trip: Visit one of Austin’s pretty lakes (Lake Travis, Lake Austin, Lady Byrd Lake, & Walter E. Long).
• Play for All Abilities Park: You all know how excited we are about the Fun For All Playground coming to B/CS, so why not visit the Austin version this summer? This park features a large sand area, an interactive music area and a covered playscape making it perfect for kids of any age.
• The Dinosaur Park in the Bastrop is a must visit for the dinosaur fanatics. The park features things like a  dinosaur trail, activities, and even a “Dino dig”.
• If you’re kids are adventurous and get frustrated with rides they are too small for, check out Kiddie Acres! This amusement park is specifically designed for children under 10. You’ll find ponies, a ferris wheel and a classic ferris wheel.
• Catch a Round Rock Express baseball game.
• It seems like there is a zoo in every city, check out the Austin Zoo and complete the Scavenger Patch Hunt.  Lions, tigers, bears…oh my!
• The Thinkery is calling your kid’s name and the cocktails at nearby VOX Table are calling your name.
• On August 16, head to Austin with the family and enjoy the Ice Cream Festival.
• Float the river. This is better done without kids but yes, do this.
• If you can’t stand the heat, head over to the indoor playscape at Mt. Playmore.
• You can’t visit Austin without a trip to the Barton Springs Pool.
• Pick blueberries at Kingsbury Blueberry Farm  or take a tour at Royalty Pecan in Caldwell, TX.

Towards Houston…

Houston is a huge city so you might want to plan out your day before trying to cram some of these in this summer. Apple Maps is your friend.

• Spend the day shopping for summer steals and deals at the Houston Premium Outlet. If the kids have been good, stop at the Disney Store, often times there’s even organized activities.
• The Children’s Museum of Houston is a kid favorite. There is always lots going on, fun events and even better exhibits.

  May 26- June 8-     Agent Under Cover
  Now-June 30th-   Science Experiments
  June 11-   Ninja Turtles
  June 25-    Supermans Birthday
  July 16-    Star Wars Appearances
  August 6-    Spiderman

• If the weather is great, head over to the Houston Zoo. Feed the giraffes, check out the gorillas, take a back of the house tour or visit their new-ish splash pad.
• Squeeze in a lunch at the Downtown Aquarium. Think of this place as an elevated Lupe Tortilla- a restaurant with built in entertainment. It’s a win. They even have a ferris wheel.
• Dairy Ashford Roller Rink has Toddler Skate mornings on Fridays or you can schedule a private toddler skating party.
• Typhoon Texas is Houston’s largest waterpark expected to open May 28th and located in Katy. Head down Highway 6, fly down 290 and jump on 99. Easy peasy.
• Butterflies, dinosaurs, jewels and more. Houston Museum of Natural Science makes a nice stop.
• Drive through Houston and down to Galveston, Moody Gardens awaits you.
• If Moody Gardens isn’t your thing, the beach is only a few minutes away. Check out Houston Mom’s Blog for some tips & tricks for a day trip to Galveston.
• Houston Sports: Get tickets to an Astros, Dynamo or Sugarland Skeeters game.
• There’s an indoor playground in Sugarland. Save it for a rainy day.
• Visit a trampoline park like Sky Zone Trampoline Park or Sky High Sports.
• Spend a Toddler Tuesday or STEM Saturday at Discovery Green.
• Schlitterbahn Galveston has slides, rides and pools galore. During American Hero Week (May 30- Jun3 5th), hereos get in FREE.
• Have lunch in The Woodlands, ride on the ferris wheel at the mall, and visit the waterway.
• If you aren’t ready to head into Downtown, check out The Woodland’s Children’s Museum.
• The Space Center is a must visit for all Texans. There is just no excuse not to visit the Space Center.
• Word on the street is that La Toretta and The Woodland’s Resort are pretty cool places to go. Think pools, a lazy river and a lake view.
• Lake Trip: Lake Conroe is close, offers dining with a  view, boat rentals and even a public “beach”.
• Pick veggies at Jollisant Farm in Plantersville and use your Cook N Grow skills to whip up a meal with the kids.
• Blue Bell Creamery Tour. Wear the cute hats.

Towards Waco…

• Cameron Park Zoo: Like I said, it seems like everyone except us has a zoo. Catch up B/CS.
• We’ve heard that Hawaiian Falls Waterpark is the best…the very, very best. I will be forcing my friends to go. I can’t wait till they read this.
• Magnolia Market: While I am not into Chip & Joanna, I know a lot of people love them. So swing on by but be prepared for a crowd because you aren’t their only fan ;).
• If you have older children a trip to BSR Cable Park might be extreme. I mean… check out their Royal Flush Slide.
• Not sure if Franklin is technically toward Waco, but whatever, we aren’t geographers. Franklin Safari Drive Thru is a non-negotiable. You must go no matter how old your kids are!

So my list for our BCS Summer Bucket List “Day Tripping” might not be as manageable. I am just an “inclusive” person, what can I say? Gotta spread the love and give you guys options this summer!

Don’t forget to #bcssummerbucketlist your social media posts!