Cedar Park is a city and a large suburb of Austin, Texas, situated about 16 miles northwest of the center of Austin.
At Cedar Park’s borders are Leander to the north, Round Rock to the east, and Austin to the south.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau of 2019, Cedar Park is the 7th fastest-growing city in the United States, with a population of 79,264.
One of the pluses of Cedar Park’s location is its nearness to the major technological hubs of Austin, where major companies and campuses are located, making it ideal for career and family building.
Cedar Park has a shining reputation as an ideal place to settle, work, and recreate with its family-oriented neighborhoods, stellar school districts, affordable housing options, and proximity to Austin.
Cedar Park has the best of both worlds within its boundaries with the innovation of a growing metropolis and the perks of a cozy community with its natural areas, parks, and welcoming neighborhoods.
This burgeoning city in Central Texas will fill your days with numerous attractions: busy shopping centers, adventurous dining options, lovely outdoor areas, exciting recreations, and more.
To start your explorations, here is a handy list of the best things to do in Cedar Park:
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If you are a big sports fan, be aware that Cedar Park is the home of two professional minor league sports teams.
Watch the Austin Spurs basketball team, an NBA G League affiliate of the top-flight San Antonio Spurs, playing its home games at the H-E-B Center from November through April.
The Austin Spurs have won two G League championships and advanced to the playoffs nine seasons.
Also, cheer on the Texas Stars hockey team, affiliate to the NHL Dallas stars, which plays its home games at the H-E-B Center from October through April.
Larry D. Moore, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The Texas Stars have had seven post-season appearances and over 400 wins through their 11-year tenure in the league.
When it’s not hosting sports events, the H-E-B Center also features over 150 events with wildly popular musical guests and family-oriented entertainment events every year.
Book an event now and catch quality sports and entertainment in the Center for your whole family to enjoy.
Find some of your favorite drinks all in a single spot at Red Horn Coffee House and Brewing Company, which offers freshly roasted coffee and home-brewed craft beer.
Red Horn prides itself on doubling as a brewpub and a coffee roastery, with a place designed to be communal and welcoming to anyone looking for a getaway.
Whether you’re searching for a location to meet socially, for a remote working spot, or for some alone time to nurse a drink, Red Horn has got you covered.
Red Horn also focuses on supporting some local artisans, and here you will find cheeses, kombucha, sodas, wine, locally sourced baked goodies, salads, and sandwiches.
Come and relax in the inviting ambiance of Red Horn: take a seat at the bar, relax on the couches, or listen to live musical performers as you kick back with a drink or more.
If you find yourself wanting to beat the Texas heat in Cedar Park, look no further than Splash Shack.
It is a one-of-a-kind indoor micro waterpark designed for people of all ages and especially geared for the entertainment of young ones.
It hosts a massive 30-foot-tall, 8000-square-foot area that contains six big slides, two smaller slides, a splash pad, and tipping buckets.
Get ready to have a thrilling ride down the slides, jump around water wheels and tipping buckets, cool off on the splash pad, and get drenched by the huge dump buckets!
Splash Shack has a temperature set to 82 degrees so that no matter what the weather is outside, it’s always summer inside and open for year-round fun.
So plan a visit to Splash Shack now, and have some fun even out of the Texas sun.
If you’re a passionate shopper looking to scratch that itch, head on over to The Parke, the newest retail development at Cedar Park.
This navigable shopping center has numerous high-profile department stores, salons, restaurants, fitness centers, and many others.
It contains the latest venture of Whole Foods, 365 by Whole Foods, a more moderately priced version of the original store.
It also has the Austin-centric store Easy Tiger, which features artisan bread, cured meats, craft beers, as well as Juiceland, which features some of the best fresh smoothies and juice in Texas.
You don’t have to travel all the way to Austin for a major shopping trip when The Parke is available for your needs.
There are plenty of shopping options and dining adventures to choose from, and you will never run out of entertaining selections for the whole family.
The Austin Steam Train Association’s mission is to preserve, interpret, and recreate the historic steam-era railroad for the fulfillment and entertainment of families today.
You are in for a long and leisurely ride back in time through the Texas Hill Country, aboard a vintage train built back in the 30s, 40s, and 50s and recreated for today’s comforts.
The train will leave from Cedar Park depot, wind away into the Texas Hill Country, and cross a 300-foot trestle bridge over Short Creek Canyon and the South San Gabriel River.
There is a 2-hour stopover in Burnet, the Bluebonnet Capital of Texas, where you can get your shopping done, see the sights at the town square, and even watch a historical reenactment.
So take a ride on the steam train and enjoy this scenic countryside journey with your friends and family.
Tap, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
If you find yourself longing for open space in Cedar Park’s cozy suburban community, Veteran’s Memorial Park is here to suit your needs.
Cool off at the park’s 8500-foot outdoor aquatic facility with a zero-depth beach area, a water playscape, swim lanes, a dive platform, and a big slide.
Tap, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Take your pet dogs to their five-acre dog park with a pond, showers, water fountains, and a swimming pool.
The park has basketball courts, tennis courts, and sports practice fields to unleash your athletic energy and a community garden for rest after.
Tap, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
And make sure to check out the crowning glory of the park: the Veteran Memorial that honors past, present, and future veterans.
Admire life-size bronze sculptures of soldiers from World Wars 1 and 2, and walk brick pavers leading up to Monument Hill, atop which sits a granite obelisk that commemorates each branch of the military.
Tap, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
While you’re at Cedar Park, come and see a unique and marvelous art collection by talented Texas-based artists.
The Cedar Park Sculpture Garden is a collection of sculptures that complement the winding walking trails in the garden, making for a whimsical experience when you visit.
The artworks differ in medium and are made of bronze, glass, aluminum, wood, steel, iron, and cement.
The display rotates annually, and you can catch and appreciate a different set of sculptures with each visit.
See abstract forms, crisscrossing lines, fanciful human portrayals, swirling colors, textured figures, soaring shapes, dreamy points of view, and others.
Come here if you want to go on a walk or even a date with a loved one and take in the beautiful, sun-touched combination of artwork and landscape.
Cedar Park is a city of enthusiastic craft beer drinkers and supportive community members, so the owners of Whitestone Brewery felt right at home getting their business off the ground.
Owners Ryan and Danielle Anglen opened their brewery to give Cedar Park residents a place to enjoy their top-tier, fastidiously crafted beer while enjoying time together after a long day.
Whitestone’s beer is now found throughout Central Texas, but its home base will always be Whitestone Brewery, where experimentation and innovation on varieties of Texas beer abound.
The brewery is a great spot to go after work, where you can relax and grab a drink, watch an Austin sports event, play bingo or trivia games on the patio, and enjoy the live music playing.
Whitestone also has a passion for supporting good causes, so watch out for its fundraising events that help give back to the community.
Perhaps you want to spice up your evenings at Cedar Park and need a fun-filled outing with your friends.
In that case, Spotlight Karaoke is a lively spot in the suburbs where you can go out for a bit of bit of singing, with an impressive song selection in a vibrant atmosphere.
Book a private karaoke room if you want to let out your inner singer strictly in the company of a boisterous group of pals.
Or, if you’re feeling bolder and don’t mind the spotlight, impress the crowd on the main stage with your tunes and grooves.
Seek offerings on their menus, such as Buffalo chicken sandwiches and Black Angus beef burgers, and accompany them with a hand-crafted cocktail from the bar.
Sing your heart out, refresh yourself with food and drinks, and soak in the Cedar Park nightlife at Spotlight Karaoke.
Smoky Mo’s BBQ is a booming business, having spread out to 16 stores in Central Texas; the original branch is found right in Cedar Park.
It was started by Morris “Mo” Melchior and his wife, Lisa: a family restaurant shaped by 30 years in the barbecue business.
Smoky Mo’s serves many Texas favorites, such as Mo’s signature smoked brisket that stays in the pit for 12 to 14 hours.
Other mainstays on the menu are exceptionally tender ribs, jalapeno sausage with a kick, tempting and tasty turkey, and sides, such as Lisa’s creamed corn and award-winning beans.
What really makes Smoky Mo’s stand out is how they smoke their meats in-house every day with traditional Texas Post Oak wood that keeps the meat flavorful and smoky.
You won’t regret sampling some of the best barbecues in Texas when you drop by Smoky Mo’s BBQ.
Shady Oaks Gun Range is a shooting range, retail pro-shop, and training and education center offering the best indoor facility in the greater Austin area.
It includes an indoor 25-yard pistol range, an indoor 50-yard rifle range, an outdoor archery range, a well-stocked pro-shop, and used and new firearms for sale.
It features group classes and private instruction in rifle, shotgun, and pistol, ranging from beginner to advanced level.
Calm any worries you might have, as the range meets and exceeds security guidelines with rigorous safety and enforcement plan.
Have a competent and educative shooting experience at the range that ensures proficiency for gun owners and reduces shooting inhibitors.
At this range, learn to be a good shooter, try out different firearms, and above all, listen to the staff for safety and skill’s sake, and you are sure to have a worthwhile visit.
The Texas Farmer’s Market, located near Lakeline Mall in Cedar Park, is a year-round, open-air, producer-only market.
Here, farmers at locations within 150 miles of Austin sell products that they have grown in vigorous and nutrient-rich soil.
At the market, they sell seasonal produce that is always at the height of freshness, and eggs, meat, and cheese sourced from humanely and naturally raised animals.
Here, you can directly support the community that grows your food and uplift the local economy.
In addition to farm products, there are almost 130 small businesses.
You may buy artisan foods like empanadas, Nicaragua coffee, Caribbean juices, fresh seafood, Chinese dumplings, baked goods, and much more.
The market also runs a composting program for the sake of a zero-waste community.
So take your family and friends, and discover a fresh and natural lifestyle at the Texas Farmer’s Market.
Brushy Creek Lake Park is among the loveliest lake parks and campsites in this part of the state, with its towering pine trees, picturesque lake, and gorgeous flowerbeds.
It is a sprawling area located on the south end of Lake o’ the Pines containing recreational escapes like hike trails, playscapes, a wildlife observation area, a labyrinth, and a fishing pier.
On those idle days, splash around in the swim beach area, spend a day boating out on the calm waters, and picnic at their tables.
The campgrounds are completely charming, with the shade from the pine trees and the sprawling trails providing a welcome break from the city for a while.
For anyone who expects dryness and aridity when they think of Texas, the freshness and color at Brushy Creek Lake Park will come as a wonderful surprise.
Bent Oak Winery is one of Cedar Park’s best-kept secrets, a serene haven amid a busy city.
At the winery, they meticulously pick, sort, and treat their grapes from locations, such as the East Texas Range, West Texas High Plain, Alexander Valley, and California’s Dry Creek Valley.
These grapes are carefully handled to preserve the essence of the ecosystem from which they were plucked, and from earth to bottle, Bent Oak Wines burst with characteristic taste and balance.
The winery’s mission is to show customers the distinct tastes of the regions from which their grapes were grown, as the root of a Bent Oak Wine.
You will have a soothing experience in the warm and inviting ambiance of the tasting rooms as you sample these delicious and wonderfully-crafted wines: smooth on the palate yet tart with flavor.
The winemakers and the staff are gracious hosts who will make you feel at home in Bent Oak Winery.
You can’t go wrong with Lake Travis Zipline Adventures for a thrilling and memorable ride.
Located 10 minutes away from Cedar Park, this zipline tour is excellent for adventure seekers.
You will find yourself zipping dozens of feet over canyons, inlets, a verdant oak forest, and the blue waters and limestone cliffs of Lake Travis.
In addition, you will have all-day access to the lakefront property, where you can lay back in hammocks, picnic, play games, and swim at the beach.
This is a 3-hour tour with five different zip lines – three of which are the longest and fastest in Texas – and an energetic hike through challenging trails.
The tour’s main showcase is a zipline running 2800 feet on a 20 story high cliff, making it the longest in the state.
You will have a blast at this spirited tour as you chase the rush on a zipline and catch the rare and breathtaking view of Texas from the sky!
There are many reasons why Cedar Park has been cited as one of Texas’s best places to live.
If you’re interested in a visit, check out this list for some of the best things to do there.
Scope out the perks and opportunities that await you in this eventful Texas city and know why it is one of the most popular suburbs around.
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