Category: Family Fun

Want to get outside and discover new places around Kyle? You can do that by going on a geocaching adventure! It’s fun for the whole family and you may uncover places you never knew existed in your community. Geocaching regulars say they love it because they experience moments of serenity and have stories to tell.

With more than three million geocaches hidden all over the world, you’re bound to find them in your backyard and on your travels.

What Is Geocaching?

Geocaching is a GPS-based treasure hunt game that’s open to everyone all over the world. The purpose is to hide and find hidden geocache with a global positioning system (GPS). It’s a handheld radio-based navigation system. Most people use a phone app for the GPS to look up a location’s longitude and latitude address with coordinates.

Hiders place a container with an object hidden inside. This is called a cache. The hider provides the item’s coordinates. Although it sounds simple, some are harder than others to find. GPS can get you within 40 feet of the hidden cache. The rest is up to the seeker to find. And that’s the fun part.

Some people prefer to hide caches. They want to see how long it takes people to find it. For both hider and seeker, it’s a great way to improve your navigation skills. One tip is to bring a compass in case a phone loses its signal.

If you have a child who is in Scouting, it’s possible to earn a badge. Girl Scouts offers a Geocacher badge. For Cub Scouts, Cub Scout Ideas has a useful geocaching guide. A Geocaching merit badge is available for BSA Scouts.

How to Get Started Geocaching in Kyle

To start geocaching, all you need is a cell phone loaded with the official Geocaching app and a pen. The app is free to use. It does contain premium features, but they’re not required to enjoy geocaching. After you create an account on the app or at www.geocaching.com, you’ll view a map of geocaches near you. The app will help you navigate.

After you spot the geocache, sign and date the logbook. Return the geocache to its hiding spot for others to find. Be sure to share your experience online too.

To help you #ExploreKyle, pick up the passport from the Kyle Chamber of Commerce’s Kyle Texas GeoTour. You’ll use it to log your caches. In the Geocaching app, search for “Kyle Texas GeoTour” and select a geocache to start your search. The first 250 people who reach 25 points are eligible to receive a trackable geocoin.

Good luck in your geocache hunt and enjoy exploring Kyle!

To stay on top of great resources from Kyle, connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Looking to move? Explore the inventory of new homes in Kyle or contact our Crosswinds team.

The restored Kyle Railroad Depot and Heritage Center (100 W. Center St., Kyle, TX 78640) makes it home in a building constructed in 1917. As soon as you walk in, you’ll feel like you’ve traveled back in time to the depot’s heyday.

Inside, you’ll find two waiting rooms with period furnishings and a documentary on the founding of Kyle. The station master’s office contains an audio loop with the sounds of a train station from its golden days.

You’ll also hear announcements and sounds of trains boarding and arriving, calling for passengers, and telegraphs being sent and received.

Take a Trip Through Kyle’s Past

Sadly, many communities have lost their depots. Kyle is grateful to retain this link to its past. The center’s restoration is the result of private donations and grants. Kyle voters also passed a bond to budget $250,000 for the renovation.

The Hays County Historical Commission welcomes visitors to the depot on Saturdays from 10 am to 2 pm or by appointment. Admission is free. Watch the City of Kyle’s website for special events held at the depot.

Walking through the depot, you’ll learn about the economic, social, racial, and logistical impact of the railroad. At some point, it will have a restored caboose added to its collection.

A Photo Is Worth a Thousand Words

Be sure to stop by the Kyle Railroad Depot and Heritage Center Facebook page to see breathtaking photos of trains. One intriguing photo shared shows a train wreck near Lufkin, Texas in 1893. It’s a fascinating photo with two dressed up ladies on the left, a heavily bearded man in the middle, and the reactions of everyone on or beside the train.

It’s clear the train is wrecked. Yet, males and females stand or sit on top of the train. Look closer and you’ll see a dog resting on the train. It turns out staging wrecks was a pastime from the late 1890s until the 1930s according to an Atlas Obscura story.

Do you know the names of the parts of a switch on a railroad? A photo on the Facebook page shows you where the frog point rails are as well as the frog, point of the frog, heal, switch road, and more.

To stay on top of great resources from Kyle, connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Looking to move? Explore the inventory of new homes in Kyle or contact our Crosswinds team.

Running out of ideas of new things to do in Kyle? You’ll find not one but multiple activities at Unchartered Adventures. Formerly known as 512 Rage Room, Unchartered Adventures calls itself untraditional entertainment. It wants to give you a place to relax and unwind with unforgettable experiences.

The cool thing about this place is they recycle many items that would otherwise end up in the landfill. They either use or donate the found items. They recycle construction material for axe throwing. Junk cars and salvaged objects from demolitions jobs will get a new lease on life in the zombie tactical experience or the base at the dog park.

Smash Rooms

Unchartered Adventure offers the only smash room aka rage room experience in the Austin and San Antonio area. It’s your opportunity to destroy random items in a safely controlled environment. Bad day at work? Come smash things. Celebrating graduation? Come smash things. People even hold divorce parties in the rage room.

You’ll be armed with a helmet with a face shield, gloves, and coveralls. Step two is easy. Just smash anything and everything. You can even add a GoPro to record your session. Anyone ages 10 and up can bang around as long as a parent or guardian signs a waiver for minors. The smash rooms also offer splatter paint with no age limitations.

Axe Throwing

What’s more relaxing than throwing an axe at a target in hopes of landing on the bull’s eye? Bring three of your friends and enjoy an hour of axe throwing. You’ll learn how to safely handle and chuck the axe. And then you’ll have an axellent time! This station is for adults only.

Interactive Dog Park

Looking for someplace to take your fur baby? Coming soon is a half-acre dog park. It’ll be a great place to bring your dog, relax, and drink a cold and refreshing brew. You’ll be able to listen to live music and look at the stars. The park will contain immersive stations around the perimeter. It’s a great opportunity to dress your dog up to match the different themed scenes and take pictures.

Keep visiting the website. They plan to add a Zombie Tactical Experience and sand volleyball.

Per the Hays County ordinance starting 06/22/20, all customers and employees must wear masks until the order expires.

To stay on top of great resources from Kyle, connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Looking to move? Explore the inventory of new homes in Kyle or contact our Crosswinds team.

If you’ve been waiting for the right time to browse new homes in Kyle, now’s the time. The hottest time of the year to find a home is during literally the hottest time of the year, which is in the summertime before school starts. Shopping now offers advantages for home shoppers. For one, rates are lower.

Another reason is that you’ll have a large inventory from which to choose. This improves your chance of discovering a home and community that meet your requirements. One you want to add to your list is Crosswinds master-planned community. It captures the area’s natural beauty and it’s just 20 miles south of Austin.

Here are some of the homes available.

Gehan Homes

Although new to the community, Gehan has been building homes for 25 years. They’ve garnered awards for their design, floor plans, and customer service.

277 Spinnaker Loop

• Available now
• Chestnut plan
• 1,760 square feet
• 1 story
• 3 bedrooms
• 2 bathrooms
• $279,990

Check out the floor plan to see what the Chestnut floor plan looks and feels like. Featured options include front extension and master shower.

Pacesetter Homes

QUALICO’s Pacesetter Homes has built homes in the Texas Hill Country since 2007. Builder Magazine has recognized Pacesetter Homes as one of the top 10 fastest growing homebuilding companies in the U.S. Only four homes are available for quick move-in, so check them out before they’re snapped up.

298 Tailwind Dr.

• Available now
• 1,705 square feet
• 3 bedrooms
• 2 bathrooms
• $289,900

A former model show home, this one-story home comes loaded with upgrades beginning with maple wood floors. Because it’s a model home, it has more landscaping to brighten the front. Cream shaker cabinetry in the kitchen with crown molding gives it a bright and clean look that meshes well with the countertops. You’ll also appreciate having an extra-long driveway and enjoy many nights in the backyard pergola.

Highland Homes

Since 1985, Highland Homes has been welcoming Texas families to their beautiful, high-quality homes. The cool thing is that employees own 100% of the company. Everyone you meet there is an owner. This motivates them to make sure you’re very happy with your home.

762 Spinnaker Loop

 

• Available now
• 2,279 square feet
• 4 bedrooms
• 3 bathrooms
• $339,477

Take a virtual tour of this home to experience it for yourself. The entire home contains wood-style floors. No worries about carpet stains. And though it’s one story, it has a three-car garage.

If you’re looking to build, Highland Homes offers a choice of 50-foot lots with 24 floorplans and 60-foot lots with 23 floorplans.

The right home is waiting for you right here in Crosswinds in Kyle, TX. Explore all things Crosswinds by connecting with us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Whoever thought drive-in movies would make a comeback? And it’s right in Kyle! EVO is living up to its tagline of being the EVOlution of entertainment. It has evolved the movie theater by moving it from inside to outside with the EVO Drive-In Experience.

About EVO Drive-in Experience

The drive-in is so popular that tickets sell out quickly. Be sure you sign up to receive an email alert when tickets become available. You have a choice in more than one drive-in. EVO San Marcos is only 10 miles from Kyle. If you’d like to go a little further, Schertz is about 45 minutes away.

If you’d like to enjoy the fresh air, bring lawn chairs. You can sit outside your vehicle as long as you stay within your space and respect social distancing.

The drive-in films take place on the exterior wall of the EVO building. It contains a high-grain white paint to enhance visibility. Movie-goers listen to the sound via the AM/FM radio in their vehicles.

Before You Go

Check the “What’s Playing” page for showtimes and to order your tickets. EVO’s movie selection contains a nice variety that includes comedy, musicals, horror, and action. The movies can be classics or as recent as 2019. They have a late-night side-show in which they run R-rated movies at 11 pm on Fridays and Saturdays.

EVO has thought of everything. If you want to order food and pay for it, just use the mobile app. The entire process is contactless. You won’t have to worry about cash payments. Runners wear masks and nitrile gloves when delivering your order.

EVO shares its relaunch plans, so you know how they’re adapting to the changes to serve you. They’re still providing curbside and home delivery via EVO Market. You can shop for pre-built meal kits for pizza, breakfast, grilling, dessert, or margaritas.

Explore the inventory of new homes in Kyle. You can contact our Crosswinds team or connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Whether you take a staycation or vacation during spring break, you have lots of great options in or near Kyle, Texas. Hays CISD spring break is the week of March 16 to 20. Here are a variety of things to see and do during spring break and other times of the year.

Texas State Presents

Texas State Presents (430 Moon St., San Marcos, Texas 78666) features live entertainment from the College of Fine Arts and Communication at Texas State University in San Marcos. You’ll find a mixture of events from guest artists and the symphony to dance companies and theater. Only a 20-minute drive from Kyle, Texas, it’s an unbeatable option to enjoy the arts at affordable prices. Visit the website to see what’s coming up.

Texas Indie Fest

Held from March 17 through the 21, Texas Indie Fest is a free four-day showcase of budding independent musical artists from all over the world. This year has more than 40 electric and acoustic acts at three venues in Austin. You can also catch the event on Fish Creek Radio. Visit the website for the lineup.

Spring Break Camp with San Marcos Parks and Recreation

San Marcos’ Parks and Recreation Spring Break Camp is for kids ages 5 to 11, They play games, make crafts, and take field trips including one out of town. Field trips include San Marcos Discovery Center, bowling, Starplex Theater, Children’s Playscape, and Inflatable Wonderland in San Antonio. View the itinerary on the website.

Boys and Girls Club Spring Break Camp

Boys and Girls Club of South Central Texas’ Spring Break Camp in San Marcos serves pre-K through sixth grade. Their options include character and leadership, fine arts, academic enrichment, and sports and recreation.

All-Star Sports Spring Break Camp

Kids who love sports may be interested in All-Star Sports Spring Break Camp. Held at SoccerZone in South Austin, it’s about a 20-minute trip from Kyle. They offer half- and full-day options for children ages 5 to 13 with the full-day option serving lunch.

Dinosaur Valley State Park

This is one of those places everyone in Texas should visit at some point in their lives. Dinosaur Valley State Park in Glen Rose is a little over a three-hour drive from Kyle. Just the perfect distance for a weekend getaway or a short spring break vacation. You may just get the chance to put your feet in dinosaur footprints in the Paluxy riverbed. You can also camp, picnic, hike, bike, swim, and fish. Guided tours are available.

Fifteen minutes from the park is Fossil Rim Wildlife Center. It’s an endangered species research and conservation center with more than 1,000 mammals representing 50 species. They offer guided and self-guided tours. It’s a 7.2-mile scenic drive in which you can drive in your own car or ride in their tour vehicles.

Corpus Christi

Drive three hours south and you’ll reach the coastal city of Corpus Christi in South Texas. If beaches, boating, birdwatching, and of fun is your thing, this is the place to be.

Not into beaches? Corpus Christi has unique museums like the U.S.S. Lexington, Texas State Aquarium, and South Texas Botanical Gardens and Nature Center. The Corpus Christi Convention and Visitors Bureau has everything you need to plan a spring break trip based on your interests.

More things to do near Kyle, Texas:

• Places within 30 minutes from Kyle
• The Railhouse
• Things to Do Near Kyle
• Katherine Anne Porter Literary Center

Want more tips for living in Kyle? Connect with Crosswinds on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.