One-Day Itinerary in Austin with Teen Girls: 5 Essential Attractions
After Brandon’s passing, the girls and I were gifted a trip to Boerne, Texas. With the Airbnb paid for and the ability to decide what we wanted to do with the time, I spent some time creating a one-day itinerary in Austin.
The main focus was to find the girls a swimsuit for our time at Guadalupe River State Park and some craft supplies so we could get creative while we were there.
Stop 1 for a One-Day Itinerary in Austin: Round Rock Outlets
Round Rock Premium Outlets is a great starting point for a One-Day Itinerary in Austin, especially if you’re searching for deals on popular brands. As a traditional outlet mall, plenty of stores offer items from last season at discounted prices. While the clothing selection can be hit or miss depending on the season, the savings make it a worthwhile stop, especially if you need to refresh your wardrobe with name brands. When we visited, however, none of the good stores had swimsuits (it was early in the season), so plan accordingly if you want something specific.
The outlet layout is easy to navigate, with plenty of familiar names like Nike, Michael Kors, and Coach. It’s an excellent spot to spend an hour or two if you’re into outlet shopping. Still, you might find that a quick visit is all you need, especially if you’re not looking for something particular. If you’re traveling with kids, you’ll be happy to know they’ve recently added a new play area, so it’s a good option if your little ones need a break.
If you’re looking to grab a coffee, you might be surprised by the slightly higher prices at the Starbucks in the outlet. Instead, we recommend making a quick detour to Summer Moon, a local favorite known for its unique wood-fired coffee and creamy, sweet moon milk. It’s worth driving just a few minutes out of your way for a pick-me-up before continuing your One-Day Itinerary in Austin. You know I firmly believe in experiencing local spots when you’re traveling!
Overall, Round Rock Premium Outlets is best suited for those who enjoy hunting for bargains and don’t mind browsing through last season’s styles. Whether you score a great deal or not, it’s a convenient stop right off I-35 and sets the stage for the rest of your Austin adventure. Afterward, you’ll be ready to head into Austin proper for more local sights and experiences!
Stop 2 for a One-Day Itinerary in Austin: Springdale General & Uroko
Springdale General is an eclectic blend of art, shopping, and good eats, perfect for those looking for something a little off the beaten path in Austin. I originally planned to visit The Paper Craft + Pantry, a charming stationery and craft supply shop. Unfortunately, I didn’t realize they were closed on Mondays—rookie mistake! It was disappointing but didn’t stop us from exploring the area. The Springdale General complex is filled with creative spaces and businesses, so even if your original plans fall through, there’s always something interesting to discover.
After that little letdown, hunger hit, so we decided to check out the food hall across the road. As you’d expect, it offers a variety of dining options, but Uroko caught our eye. Nevaeh, who loves Asian food, thought it looked healthy and refreshing, and I was excited to try temaki for the first time. The atmosphere was casual yet inviting, and the sushi bar experience felt both relaxed and exciting—a perfect fit for our One-Day Itinerary in Austin.
- Nevaeh ordered the flower and veg temaki, which came beautifully garnished with edible flowers and flavored with a light lemon miso dressing—totally her style.
- Breanna went for the ebi tempura, which featured crispy tempura shrimp drizzled with a sweet soy sauce that was simple yet delicious.
- I chose the Philly temaki with smoked salmon, cream cheese, and avocado. It was light, refreshing, and satisfying without being heavy—just what I needed on a day filled with exploration.
One of the best parts? The meal left us feeling full but not stuffed, which meant we still had room for a surprise ice cream trip later in the day. If you’re in Austin for more than just one day, Uroko also offers fun sushi-making classes—something worth checking out if you’re looking for a hands-on culinary experience. Overall, Springdale General and Uroko was a perfect stop on our One-Day Itinerary in Austin, offering a mix of art, food, and local culture.
Stop 3 for a One-Day Itinerary in Austin: Paper Source/ Lush/ Amy’s Ice Cream
Since The Paper Craft + Pantry was closed, I took the girls to Paper Source instead. It’s a spot I hadn’t visited in years—not since the Parks Mall in Dallas had one back in the day. The store offers a broader range of products than a place focusing solely on scrapbooking and paper crafts. We picked up a few items, but if you’re really into traditional crafts, visit a store like Michaels or wait until The Paper Craft + Pantry is open to get your fix.
One major win from this part of the trip was our stop at Lush. I had been hunting for a bath bomb, and this store did not disappoint. The employee we met was terrific—she went above and beyond to make our experience memorable, treating Breanna and me to a luxurious hand treatment and walking us through all the details about the bath bombs we were eyeing. She even shared tips that no other Lush employee had mentioned, like crumbling the bubble bar to use only half or keeping mine in its bag to avoid a messy tub. The attention to detail was incredible, and the visit felt like a treat. If you’re in the area, I highly recommend stopping in for some pampering!
We couldn’t resist heading next door to Amy’s Ice Cream because lunch was so light. It brought back memories of the last time we went to a local ice cream shop in Austin- after an evening at Barton Springs. We had just picked Brandon up from the chop class he was taking.
Amy’s has been a long-standing favorite in Austin, and for good reason—they’ve racked up over twenty-two local awards! The team there undergoes extensive training, not only about the ice cream itself but also on how to make the customer experience memorable. It’s even a place that encourages its employees to pursue entrepreneurship, which gives it a uniquely supportive vibe.
As for the ice cream? It did not disappoint. Nevaeh went with a classic strawberry cone, Breanna chose a campfire s’mores flavor, and I treated myself to their rich coffee ice cream—knowing it would be my daily caffeine fix. The flavor was everything you’d expect from a small-batch artisan shop: bold, creamy, and satisfying. The whole experience, from the quirky Austin ambiance to the occasional ice cream “show” from the staff, made Amy’s a perfect stop to cool down and enjoy a little fun on our One-Day Itinerary in Austin.
Tip: If you have a little extra time, Amy’s production location offers free tours Monday through Friday, so you can get a behind-the-scenes look at how they make their award-winning ice cream!
Wrapping Up Our One-Day Itinerary in Austin
After our stop at Amy’s, we went to a traditional craft store and then headed to New Braunfels for a hike in the park. Then, we drove to our Airbnb and started the next part of our trip in Boerne.
