Vibrant and urban, but manageable and not at all overwhelming, Austin strikes a nice balance that is the perfect, family-friendly antidote to the harried, expensive, and over-scheduled business of modern parenting.

In fact, as I make my list of all the fun things to do in Austin, it occurs to me that many of them are the simple things that classic childhood memories are made of. And many of them are free.

Without spending a dime, you and your children can watch the bats take flight from the Congress Avenue Bridge at dusk, snap a family photo in a field of springtime bluebonnets, and get a glimpse of a stunning Texas sunset from just about anywhere. There are free concerts, free story hours, and free days at the museums. No pressure and no lines. And the knowledge that you can beat a hasty, guilt-free exit if your children get cranky is, as we all know, priceless.

Im not going to pretend that lazy weekends at the Central Market playground on Lamar Avenue, dancing in fairy wings at Eeyore's Birthday celebration in April, or a dip into chilly Barton Springs on a blistering hot Texas day are things Ive discovered. They are some of the many well-known and well-loved events and activities that make Austin a great place for just plain fun. Here, you can treat your family to an old-fashioned, unpretentious, free-wheeling Texas good time for little or nothing and walk away with memories. Doesnt that sound refreshing?

So, lets make a pact. Ill fill you in on the details of upcoming events, let you know about anything new and special, and remind you of those activities, places, and happenings that capture something so essential about Austin that they remain a hoot for visitors and residents alike. Feel free to jump on our boards and share your favorites, insights, and tips, too, knowing that you have a captive audience of interested moms who will value your input. Together we can chat up a festival, concert, or toy store, and when we inevitably run into one another, there will be no need for introductions. With ModernMom.com, one of the biggest small towns in Texas just got a tiny bit smaller. Yall come back and visit again soon!

Amy K. Brown is a seasoned travel writer. She has traveled throughout France with a backpack writing for Lets Go, and took on Paris with her infant daughter in a Baby Bjorn writing for the Rough Guide. Amy is the author of the upcoming Great Destinations Guide: Austin, San Antonio, and the Hill Country; look for it in bookstores in the spring of 2007. She lives in the Austin area with her husband and two children.