Central Texas Tourist Traps to Avoid When Family Visits

It’s pretty easy to fall into the tourist trap of going to the overcrowded, overpriced, and overhyped places listed in every tourist guide for Central Texas. However, you're a local now, and it is your responsibility to protect your family from long lines, burnt brisket, and inflated souvenir prices.

Here are a few "must-skip" tourist traps and what you can do instead.

1. The I-35 Buc-ee’s Pit Stop (Temples of Traffic)

I understand—Buc-ee’s is basically Texan royalty. How can you not stop for kolaches and take a photo next to the giant beaver statue? JUST DON'T DO IT! Calling the Buc-ee's on I-35 during a holiday weekend a tourist spot suggests you have no idea what rural hospitality or traffic looks like. The traffic is WILD, the lines are ridiculous, and your aunt will leave with $112 worth of beaver themed windchimes. Please grab a kolache at a local BBQ joint or gas station instead. Central Texas is full of unique, character-driven hidden gems with clean restrooms and absolutely no cult following.

2. The Congress Avenue Bat Bridge.

I know. Crazy right? 1.5 million bats erupting from a bridge sounds epic! Forget about it because your family will be shoulder to shoulder with hundreds of sweaty people, and everyone will be staring at a bridge like it owes them money. Also, you run the risk of a part time bat show since half of the time the bats are late. Skip the bat show, and instead consider a boat tour that allows you to float under the bridge. There will be lots of room to spread out and see those sweet, sweet bats!

3. Sixth Street After Dark

If you're family wants to experience live music and what Texas nights are like, DO NOT go to Sixth Street at night. The last thing you want to do is explain to your Grandma why that guy dressed is like a cowboy dominatrix passed out in a puddle of Lone Star. It is not family friendly. Try South Congress or the Domain for a clean, polished local experience filled with live music, food, and lots of shopping without having any of the relatives scarred for life.

4. Big Chain BBQ Places

Sure, they have billboards every few miles and names you've seen on Food Network channels, but I'm here to tell you not every place in Texas sells BBQ, and not all BBQ is created equal. Tourist chains often serve dry brisket with a side of disappointment. Ask the locals where they go to eat BBQ. Some of the better BBQ is sold out of a trailer behind a feed store.

Help your family see the real Central Texas, and not just the Google search version. Skip the hype traps, avoid the lines, and help them experience something they brag about back home.