Austin is a diverse city with something for people of all ages, and an abundance of activities the entire family can enjoy.  Here are four family-friendly hot spots in Austin.

Texas State History Museum: Just a few blocks from the Capitol building on Congress Avenue, this museum is a must see for Texas residents or anyone who loves the state’s rich history.  Each floor of the museum covers a different aspect of Texas history.  The first floor is about land, the second floor is about identity, and the third floor is about opportunity, specifically how Texans adapted to the land and how oil changed the state.  The museum is home to Austin’s only IMAX Theater.  A Museum Café on the second floor serves sandwiches, soup, and salads and also features a children’s menu.

Austin Zoo and Animal Sanctuary: The Austin Zoo draws over 200,000 visitors every year.  With a primary goal of introducing kids to animals, it’s an excellent place to take the family.  There are a number of exhibits and attractions designed especially for little ones.  This zoo is unique in that it rescues the animals on display.  Its beautiful hill-country setting makes it the perfect place to spend an afternoon with the family.

Zilker Park: Just off Barton Springs Road, the Barton Springs Pool in Zilker Park is one of Austin’s most famous landmarks and a popular destination for families.  Nine-hundred feet in length, the pool was formed when Barton Creek was dammed, so the bottom is natural rock and gravel.  The water temperature averages 68 degrees all year, so wait for a hot Texas day and take the family to cool off in the pool at Zilker Park.

Austin Children’s Museum: The children’s museum is an Austin treasure, and while it’s child-friendly, adults love it too.  It features interactive exhibits, science demonstrations, camps, workshops, and uses play to help children learn and grow.  During the holidays, take the kids to decorate a gingerbread house. The museum is conveniently located in downtown Austin at 201 Colorado Street.

Austin and the surrounding areas are wonderful places to live, work, and raise a family.  If you want to experience all that Texas living has to offer, let Texas Homesites show you available land in Texas.  You can have peace of mind custom building a home in a gated, master planned community in the beautiful Texas Hill Country.  For additional information on the Texas real estate market, find Texas Homesites on Facebook and Twitter today.

Whether you live in San Antonio or love to vacation there, it’s a wonderful place for families.  The city boasts endless places to go and things to see that the whole family can enjoy.  Here are a few suggestions to keep in mind the next time you’re looking for a fun-filled day.

Visit La Villita: Spanish for “little town,” La Villita was one of San Antonio’s original neighborhoods.  Today it’s populated with art galleries, gift shops, and unique eateries.  It’s a wonderful place to visit with the family, shop, dine, and maybe give the kids a history lesson.

Explore Cascade Caverns: Just outside San Antonio, the caverns offer a unique experience the whole family will love.  Visitors can take a peak beneath the surface of Texas Hill Country, plus see a 100 foot underground waterfall.  The temperature in the cavern remains about 68 degrees all year, so there’s never a bad time to bring the family.

See Shamu: SeaWorld in San Antonio is a spectacle you don’t want to miss.  It features marine life shows and displays, adventure camps, rides, and even a water park.  Located at 10500 SeaWorld Boulevard, the park is open March through December.  Onsite dining lets you stay on the premises as long as you want.

Spend a day at the zoo: The San Antonio Zoo is open every day of the year, so whether you’re in town for a week or just passing through, take the family to see over 3,500 animals that call the zoo home.  The animals are housed in naturalistic exhibits, so the kids will be amazed by what they see and probably learn a little something too.  The zoo is open from 9a.m. – 5p.m., but guests are allowed to stay until 6p.m.

If you’re considering relocating to the San Antonio area, Texas Homesites is your source for Texas real estate information.  It’s an excellent time to buy land in Texas, and home sites in the Texas Hill Country are perfect for custom building a home.  Land is available in master planned communities as well as golfing communities in Texas.  For more information, find Texas Homesites on Facebook and Twitter today.

House hunting is an exciting experience for potential homebuyers.  There are so many things to consider when making a decision about your next home, and you don’t want to end up with buyer’s remorse.  Don’t let the sparkling granite countertops blind you to some important issues you should consider, including the following.

Location: It’s the first rule of real estate: location, location, location.  You can paint the walls, change the flooring, and redo the kitchen, but you won’t ever be able to change the location of your home.  Don’t make the mistake of buying a home you love in a location that just doesn’t work for you.

Size: You probably have an idea of the square footage you’re looking for in a home.  Don’t forget that number when you walk through an adorable dollhouse that, while appealing, is too small for your growing family.  Likewise, if you’re retired and it’s just the two of you, you don’t really need a home with four bathrooms. Regardless of what you may love about a home, if the size is wrong, you should keep looking.

Floor plan: Assess how well the square footage is utilized.  Three thousand square feet sounds great, but if the kitchen and family room are large and the four bedrooms are tiny, this is an issue you should not overlook.  Think about who will need regular access to what areas of the home, especially young children you may not want climbing stairs.  Also consider your preferences for open versus closed living spaces.

Storage: When you tour a home, open the closet doors and assess available storage space.  Ask to see the attic, basement, and any other storage areas.  If you know you need a lot of storage space, buy a home that has enough space for you to store everything comfortably.  Older homes tend to have small closets and little storage space, so if you love the charm of older homes, you may have to consider a construction project to add the needed space.

If you’re in the market for a new home, consider all available options.  Custom building a home has many benefits, and Texas Homesites can show you affordable Texas land in some of the most desirable Texas communities.  For more information on Texas real estate, find Texas Homesites on Facebook and Twitter today.

Music in the Gardens: Enjoy a keyboardist on the Loggia every day from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., and don’t miss the Rhett Butler classical duet on the Martin Rutchik Concert Stage, Saturdays from 12 p.m. – 4 p.m. and Sundays from 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.

Cinderella’s Pumpkin Village: Beginning September 17 and running until November 23, the Arboretum is transformed into a fall wonderland. The grounds will be filled with 150,000 blooming fall flowers and foliage plantings, plus more than 50,000 pumpkins, squash, and gourds. A central feature of the village this year is Cinderella’s Carriage. The life-sized carriage is white with gold detailing and measures more than six feet tall and six feet wide. As a final touch, two full-size topiary horses pull the carriage. It’s picture perfect, so don’t forget to snap one of the kids.

Garden Tours: These guided tours begin every Wednesday and Saturday at 11 a.m.

Unique attractions like the Dallas Arboretum are one of the many reasons to live in Texas. If you’re looking for land for sale in Texas, Texas Homesites is your source for Texas real estate information. We can show you how custom building a home in a master planned community can become a reality. Find us on Facebook and Twitter today.

There is no better place to be in the fall than Texas. The leaves are turning, the temps are dropping, and towns are celebrating with some of the best fall festivals anywhere. Here are the details on a few you don’t want to miss.

Iron Horse Fall Fest: Don’t miss the fun in downtown Mineola on Saturday, November 5 from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. There will be a classic car show, bean cook-off (first and second place cash prizes), chili cook-off (first and second place cash prizes), arts and crafts, and food vendors.

Wurstfest: This 10-day salute to sausage in New Braunfels is a Texas Hill Country tradition. From November 4 – November 13, you can sample tasty sausage, strudel, pretzels, potato pancakes, and other German treats with a Texas twist. There will also be live music performed by more than 40 different groups. All the fun can be found at 178 Landa Park Drive.

Heritage Syrup Festival: The sticky event will be held this year on Saturday, November 21 in Henderson. Events will take place from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. in Downtown Henderson and on the grounds of the Depot Museum, 514 N. High Street.

New Braunfels Farm to Market: Open every Saturday, rain or shine, from 9a.m. – 1 p.m. Over 50 local vendors bring locally grown fresh produce, cheeses, meats, jams and jellies, flowers, art, and much, much more! Enjoy live music and on-site chef demonstrations. You can find it all at 148 S. Castell Avenue.

Texas has something for everyone, including beautiful and affordable land for sale. Texas Homesites is an excellent resource for new land buyers. Find us on Facebook and Twitter today for more information about land for sale in Texas.

Moving is often a touchy subject. You’re going to a new place and leaving behind friends, memories, and the familiar. You’re worried about your family’s reaction. Moving is a big change that will affect the whole family. However, as long as you understand and address your family’s concerns, you can make the transition smoother.

Leaving friends: It’s hard to leave the friends you’ve had for a long time, but if you plan ahead you can avoid arguments and tears. One suggestion for helping your family cope with leaving friends is to set up regular visits so your kids are guaranteed to see their friends again. You can also encourage them to video chat, talk on the phone, and send text messages with friends. This might help assuage their sadness about moving.

Give them a say: Your family most likely didn’t have a say about where you were moving. But giving kids some control over the situation could make the move a lot easier. Let them pick out their rooms and decor. Seek their opinion about furnishings and let them take an active role in decorating the house. The more involved they are in organizing their new house, the more they will feel at home there.

Move over the summer: If you have a choice, move over the summer. This will give the kids ample time to adjust before school starts, and it will give you time to scope out the neighborhood and start meeting people. You could also enroll your kids in a summer day camp so that they can get to know kids in their new neighborhood. You can attend block parties, find local hang outs, and work on making friends. Summer is the easiest time to transition because there is more time for socializing.

Stoop to bribery: Your family may still be unhappy after all these steps, so you may have to resort to a little bribery. Give kids some incentive for moving and nurture a good attitude. Although it’s not the ideal way to handle an unhappy family, moving is a big change and it might help you avoid whiny kids.

Moving is a tough transition, but Texas Homesites wants to make it as smooth as possible. We offer the best land in Texas in family-friendly communities near San Antonio, Austin, Houston, Dallas, and New Braunsfels. One of our master-planned communities is sure to help you and your family find your dream home. Contact us today!

You’ve already decided you don’t want to live in a big city. But living on the outskirts of a big city like Dallas can give you all the benefits of the city without the hassles of traffic, crime, or the overall hectic feel. Here are a few reasons why living outside Dallas is ideal.

Close to the largest metropolitan area in Texas: The Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex is Texas’ largest metropolitan area and the fourth largest in the United States. The Metroplex has tons of economic opportunities, two major airports, ideal shopping, and entertainment galore. The benefits of having two major cities close to you are endless.

Reap the rewards of a thriving economy: Dallas’s economy is flourishing despite the nation’s economic climate. Many corporations have headquarters in Dallas or surrounding areas, so there are many job opportunities nearby. Dallas is a major hub for business. You can benefit by commuting on any of the efficient forms of public transportation or by taking quick trips in for meetings.

Home to many universities: Dallas and the surrounding areas have many colleges and universities. If your children are planning to attend college soon, you most likely want them to choose a campus relatively close to home. The Dallas area offers many colleges from which they can choose. From Southern Methodist University, a private university located right off 75, to the University of North Texas, the fourth-largest public university in Texas, and all the campuses in between, your child is sure to find a college that suits his or her educational needs without venturing too far from home.

Less crime: Living on the outskirts of Dallas gives you all the benefits of the city without the high crime rate. Your neighborhood will be community-oriented and family-friendly but you can still visit Dallas to enjoy its educational and cultural opportunities.

Living near Dallas provides you and your family with so many benefits! For more information on communities surrounding Dallas, contact Texas Homesites. We want to help you find the best location for your Dallas-area dream home. With four master-planned communities located near the DFW area, you are sure to find the right spot. We would love to help you find the perfect Texas location!

Texas has so many great lakes that it’s hard to narrow down the fun activities to only a few things each day. Here are the top five activities you and your family can try on a Texas lake!

Go boating: When you think of a lake, you automatically think of boating. Texas has tons of great rental spots that allow you and your family to enjoy a day of boating. Cruising around through pristine, blue waters will help you relax and ease all your worries. Also, boating is fun for all ages, so you and your family can enjoy the sights and excitement.

Try water sports: Water sports and lakes naturally go together. You can water ski, go tubing, or wakeboard for some adventure and an adrenaline rush. Many lakes even offer water ski school for younger children or those apprehensive about partaking in the fun.

Enjoy the park: Most Texas lakes have parks where you and your family can relax, have a picnic, or go for walks. The parks offer a quiet retreat from the big-city hustle and bustle. They’re also a great place to hang out in the shade during the hottest part of the day or to take a break from the boating fun.

Pack a picnic: No trip to the lake is complete without a picnic lunch. You and your family can have fun making your lunches and eating them on the boat or in the park during your visit. Picnics are ideal for lake days because they satisfy everyone. You don’t even have to leave the park to find food.

Go Fishing: Texas lakes are perfect for fishing. People from all over the country visit Texas lakes to fish and enjoy the relaxing lake views. Many Texas lakes have bait and tackle shops adjacent to their marinas for easy access to fishing supplies.

Texas lakes have so many activities, but these are the five best ones! For more information about activities for your lake trip or to find out how to reside near a lake, please contact Texas Homesites. We offer the best land near the best cities in Texas, with many communities near Austin, Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, and San Marcus. We look forward to helping you find your dream home in Texas!

You’ve decided you want a second home but you have no idea where it should be. Texas offers so many different options, but you’re leaning toward living near a lake. Here are some reasons your second home should be on the lake.

Escape the city: You know those weeks when you’ve been so busy you wish you could get away for the weekend? With a lakeside home, you can escape your hectic schedule every weekend if you want! You can take a break and relax, far away from the city and the bustle of life. Whether with your family or a significant other, you can vacation with all the fun and relaxation lakeside life has to offer.

Enjoy the outdoors: The rich, natural resources surrounding the lake can become your own personal playground when you decide to have a second home there. You and your family can hike, play outdoor games, have cookouts, and just hang out without technology’s constant nagging. A lakeside retreat is the perfect place for kids to get outside and play, stretch their legs, and get the Vitamin D they need.

Enjoy the lake: The lake is obviously the selling point for your second home. Close to pristine, blue waters, lakeside homes offer cornucopia of activities, like swimming, boating, water skiing, wakeboarding, jet skiing, fishing, and more. Living on a lake provides the whole family with endless amounts of fun.

Vacation in the comfort of your own home: Sure, you could visit a lake from time to time. But purchasing a second home on the lake gives you the opportunity to take frequent vacations in the comfort of your own home. Your decorations, your food, and your amenities will be right there. You won’t have to worry about extra expenses because you will already be paying for the home. You will love going away to your second home because it will feel like just that: home.

Purchasing a second home is a big decision, but Texas Homesites is here to help. We offer the best land locations in Texas. Any of our lakeside, master-planned communities is the perfect location for your second home. We want to help you find the perfect place for you and your family. Please contact us so we can begin searching for your ideal lakeside homestead!

Whether you’re coming to the Texas Hill Country to live, to visit or for a vacation, we’re happy to have you! There are tons of great things to do in the Texas Hill Country. It’s a relaxing weekend retreat.

The Texas Hill Country has bed and breakfasts and hotels to accommodate your every need. Some of the best attractions in the Texas Hill Country include: touring historical buildings, enjoying the Texas lakes, dining at the best hill country cafes, relaxing at the best spas around, and shopping at the wonderful facilities in Texas Hill Country.

The food in the Texas Hill Country is hard to beat. The area offers a wide variety of choices, including German, Chinese, Italian, and Mexican food, as well as our famous Texas Barbecue.

When you go shopping in the Texas Hill Country you can find some of the best antiques, gifts, clothing, jewelry, and art in all of Texas. The stores are unique and have one-of-a-kind pieces.

Texas is filled with historic homes and museums, but the Texas Hill Country in particular has a lot of historic museums that are fun to tour. The historic homes and museums in the Texas Hill Country are among the oldest in Texas, so bring your camera and enjoy the sightseeing.

Some of the best recreational, outdoor activities are available in the Texas Hill Country. The Texas Hill Country has eight lakes, all fun to explore by boat. If you don’t own a boat or jet ski, you can rent one. While you are out on the boat, you can enjoy fishing in some of the best lakes in all of Texas. Texas Hill Country lakes have a great supply of striped bass, white bass, catfish, and many other types of fish.

No matter what you are doing in the Texas Hill Country, we are sure you will enjoy the beautiful scenery. The Texas Hill Country is truly one of the best places to visit or live.

Vineyard living provides an oasis unrivaled by almost any other community. Texas Homesites would love to help you find your perfect home in our Vintage Oaks community in New Braunfels, located right on the Texas Wine Trail, with all the amenities of a world-class resort. Contact us today so we can assist your search for your dream location.