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Check out what's happening: Please call ahead and/or check websites for information, then decide for yourselves to venture or not venture.
DRIVE THE COTA TRACK for a good cause
On Sunday, May 10 from 12 – 5 p.m., Circuit of The Americas is inviting fans take a drive on its world-famous 3.4-mile track to collect donations for Central Texas Food Bank and host a parade of unity, hope, and fun!
Join friends and neighbors safely from inside your own vehicle as you ascend the iconic “Turn 1” hill, weave through the challenging “esses” at Turns 3 and 4, and cruise down the same back stretch as drivers in Formula 1 have done. While you won’t be cruising at top speed at this event — cars won’t exceed 20 miles per hour — you will have the chance to safely take in all the sights from track in this parade. You’re encouraged to decorate your car in support of all the frontline workers with flags and positive window messages.
How to Participate: The goal of this event is to support The Central Texas Food Bank, and your gift of an online monetary donation or canned goods will help ensure the Food Bank’s shelves are stocked so they can respond when needed most. Germania Insurance will match up to $10,000 of donations. In addition, COTA and Austin Bold FC will match Germania’s donation of $10,000 as well!
Online donations are recommended due to the current climate, which you can make now at circuitoftheamericas.com/donate. Did you know that $1 can produce up to four meals?!
If you choose to donate cash or non-perishable items, there will be “touchless” locations available for self drop-off in the COTA garages.
While donations are much appreciated and recommended, they are not required to participate in this once-in-a-lifetime event. All are welcome!
For more info, including FAQs and instructions on where to line up, please visit circuitoftheamericas.com/donate!
FUN & EDUCATION AT LOCAL FARMS
Farms are fun..and provide so many learning experiences, too. Kids can connect with nature and get a better understanding of where our food comes from and the importance of sustainable living. These are local farms that are currently open for visits.
Crowe’s Nest Farm This 100-acre working farm just a short drive to Manor currently offers self-guided tours. At this farm, you’ll find hundreds of domestic farm animals including bison, llamas, cows, donkeys, longhorns, ostrich, pigs, goats and much more. You can opt to take a short hay ride and watch a cow-milking demo while you’re there too.
The farm is open for individuals and families Tuesdays thru Saturdays (weather permitting) from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. The farm is closed on Sundays and Mondays. Admission is $7 for adults, $6 for ages 3-12 & seniors 60+, $3 for 2 year olds, and free for those under age 2. As noted on the Crowe’s Nest Farm website, “We are continuing to take all precautions regarding safety and non-transmission of Covid-19 by extra cleaning, restricting tour sizes, and encouraging wearing of masks and social-distancing. It helps that we are mostly an outdoor facility with plenty of space to spread out for self-guided tours.” For questions, please call (512) 272-4418.
For those who prefer to stay within the safety of their own homes at this time, Crowe’s Nest Farm is offering a virtual farm tour at www.crowesnestfarm.org. They are also very appreciative of online donations to help them keep up with the ongoing care for the animals at this difficult time.
Pioneer Farms Unlike the other farms in this list, Pioneer Farms is more of a living history museum. It gives visitors a chance to experience life in the 1800s. As of May 1, 2020 historic sites, exhibits and nature trails have reopened to small-group, self-guided tours. When you’re there, distancing is encouraged, of course, and you can explore the grounds, peeking into hold farm houses, red barns, and more. Admission is $8 for visitors ages 13 and over, and $6 for children ages 3-12. Children 2 and under are free. They are open Thursdays through Sundays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Last admission daily at 4 p.m.) Visit the Pioneer Farms website for more info.
Sweet Eats Fruit Farm Sweet Eats Fruit Farm is a great way to spend quality time with your family. Located in Georgetown, TX, they have seasonal fruit picking, pony rides, a hay maze and much more! Admission is $12 for ages 2 & up which you can purchase online here. If you are heading out only to pick berries, you do not need to pay admission. You only pay for what you pick (strawberries are $3.25/lb). Now open daily from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Stay up-to-date on all farm activities by visiting their website or Facebook page.
Sweet Berry Farm Take a day trip to Marble Falls to visit this farm where you can pick your own berries in the spring and enjoy a pumpkin patch in the fall. Admission and parking are free. The farm is closed on Wednesdays. The farmers note that it’s important to check the Fresh News page on the Sweet Berry Farm website for up-to-date field and crop conditions before you head out to Marble Falls. You can also visit their Facebook page for lots of helpful updates.
DRIVE-IN THEATERS
Remember drive-in movies? They're making a comeback and bringing back such great family memories. These drive-in Theatres are currently open with precautionary safety measures in place.
Pack up your family and enjoy a classic drive-in experience that’s revamped for the modern age.
Blue Starlite Mini Drive-in Pop-Up, Round Rock The original Blue Starlite in Austin is set to reopen on May 4, and the Round Rock satellite location at Old Settlers Park on the Rockn’ River Waterpark lot is up and running. Starting on May 2, the Round Rock location will be adding in a “Daytime Drive-in” series that offers an early show for families. Click here to buy tickets and view the full schedule.
The Globe Drive-In, Hutto The Globe Drive-In is a 30-car drive-in movie theater that opened in January 2020 at the Brushy Creek Amphitheater in Hutto. You can catch a cult classic or family-friendly favorites on Friday and Saturday nights. For the full schedule, tickets and much more info visit www.theglobedrivein.com.
Doc’s Drive-In Theatre, Buda Doc’s has movies showing five nights of the week! Browse the full schedule and get the low-down on everything happening at Doc’s by visiting www.docsdriveintheatre.com.
DRIVE-THRU ZOOS
A drive-thru safari experience lets you enjoy a wild adventure without leaving your own car. There is travel time but worth it...besides, all we have is time right now.
Exotic Resort Zoo
Location: Johnson City, TX (approximately 1 hour drive)
Hours: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily
See over 80 different species of animals on 137 acres, including some species which were at one time endangered. Please note that you must purchase tickets online ahead of time to help regulate traffic. You will need to stay in your car 100% of the time and public restrooms will be closed to the public. Please plan for this before arrival.
Admission: Adults are $16.95; Seniors (60+) are $15.95; Children (2-12) are $13.95; Large buckets of feed are $10 & small buckets are $6.
Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch
Location: San Antonio, TX (approximately 1 hour drive)
Hours: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Re-opening on May 1, 2020, you can see over 500 animals as you drive through 400 acres of rolling hills, creek bed and live oak trees. Please click here for updates regarding COVID-19 modifications.
Admission: $24.50 for Adults, $15.50 for Kids ages 3-11; $22 for Seniors.
Topsey Exotic Ranch & Drive Thru Safari
Location: Copperas Cove, TX (approximately 1 hour & 30 minutes drive)
Hours: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily (weather permitting)
See more than 50 species of wildlife and hand feed them from your car.
Admission: Adults are $12; Kids ages 3-12 are $10, Kids 2 & under are free. Feed is $1/bag.
Franklin Drive Thru Safari
Location: Franklin, TX (approximately 2 hour drive)
Hours: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. daily (weather permitting)
Take a trip to this 100+ acre drive-thru animal adventure park and interact with exotic animals from all around the world.
Admission: $15 per person, free for children under age 2.
San Antonio Zoo: New Drive-Thru Experience
Location: San Antonio, TX (approximately 1 hour & 30 minutes drive)
Hours: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Want to check out the San Antonio Zoo like never before? Now you can drive through it! Visitors will be able to see most of what the zoo has to offer while maintaining safe social distancing measures. Before you purchase your tickets, be sure to read the Rules of the Road and see their Frequently Asked Questions on this new endeavor.
Admission: $60 per car or $32 for Annual Pass holders & Monthly Members
