Cedar Park is a major suburb of Austin, located just 16 miles north of downtown Austin. Home to almost 80,000 residents, Cedar Park is a bustling suburb that is great for families to settle down without the house prices, traffic, and other cons of living directly in the city.
This neighborhood profile is brought to us by Smart City, which is a totally free, hyper-personalized apartment locating service. You tell them what you want in an apartment, and they’ll give you a custom list of places that tick your boxes. Once you land on that perfect spot, they’ll help you navigate the leasing process and connect you with utility, internet, renter’s insurance, and other services once you move in. Scroll down to find out how Smart City can help you find a new place to live.
And now, here’s everything you need to know about life in Cedar Park.
Eat and Drink:
The Lakeline Mall area in Cedar Park is a great spot for tons of different food. If you’re a fried chicken fan and want to step your game up, check out Donkey Mo’s inside of H Mart Asian Grocery Store for Korean Fried Chicken. Our favorite sauces are the Soy Garlic and Sweet & Spicy. Spice fan? Try the Holy Donkey sauce, but don’t say we didn’t warn you first. Nancy’s Sky Garden is an Asian-fusion restaurant with a focus on vegetarian and gluten-free dishes. The portions are huge and everything is incredibly fresh. Our favorite dishes are the Sweet Potato Noodles and the Poke.
If you’re a ramen fan, we recommend EurAsia Ramen for a laid back dining experience with delicious ramen. Order the Black Tonkatsu, dumplings, and sushi to get a great variety of the different dishes this eatery serves.
Pig out and get your BBQ fix at Cedar Pork Smokeyard and Mexigrill! We love their Carnitas Quesadilla and basically any breakfast taco. But we recommend you get their early as Cedar Pork is known to sell out within about two hours of opening.
Lasagna, pizza, cannolis – all your favorite, hearty Italian dishes in one spot. Niki’s Pizza & Pasta is a casual Italian restaurant offering all your favorite classic foods, with the convenience of a drive-thru. Pro tip – their lunch special is a great deal. $9.99 for an entree, salad, and a drink.
For a sweet treat, head to Scoop & Score, a local ice cream and frozen yogurt joint. All the ingredients are super fresh and this spot was named one of Food Network’s “Top 5 Ice Cream Flavors in America” for their Black Raspberry Chocolate Chip.
If you’re looking for a drink and a snack, Zero Degrees serves bubble tea, coffee, tea, and small snacks. With specialty drinks inspired from Thailand, the Philippines, Mexico, and the Caribbeans, you’ll feel like you’re tasting flavors from around the world. Pair with their Carne Asada Fries and an Elote Cup and you’ve got yourself a great afternoon snack.
Coffee:
Get your morning coffee fix at some of our favorite coffee shops in Cedar Park including Lola Savannah Coffee Lounge, Red Horn Coffee House and Brewing Co., and Summer Moon Coffee Shop.
Breweries and Wineries:
Austin is full of breweries, like practically one on every street corner. But did you know Cedar Park has their own brewery as well? Whitestone Brewery opened with the idea that they wanted a space where people can enjoy quality, craft beer with friends and family, enjoy live music, and be able to bring your dog and sit on a patio. With a large variety of beers, you’re sure to find a brew for your taste. Try out multiple beers with a flight and grab a taco from the taco food truck on site. There’s plenty of space outdoor on their patio so you can bring your pup.
If beer isn’t your drink of choice, check out Bent Oak Winery in Cedar Park. Established in 2015, this local winery and tasting room sources grapes from Texas and California , offering educational tastings, full bottles, and more.
Shopping:
If you’re looking for tons of shopping all in one place, head to the Lakeline Mall. Shop around in their million-square foot indoor shopping center, grab a bite to eat at the food court, and see a movie – all in one spot!
The Parke is Cedar Park’s newest outdoor shopping center featuring a 365 by Whole Foods, a more moderately priced version of Whole Foods. For more outdoor shopping, check out 1890 Ranch for brand-name stores, boutiques, and a movie theater.
Outdoor Activities:
Brushy Creek Lake Park is perfect for all things outside. Enjoy a playscape for the kids, volleyball courts, water playscape, canoe launch, trails, and plenty of green spaces. With 90 acres, there are tons of spots for exercising, picnicking, bird watching, and more. The lake allows fishing and non-motorized boats like canoes and paddle boards.
Check out Sculpture Garden in Cedar Park for an exhibit or sculptures that are on an annual rotating display. While the park is completely free, donations are encouraged to help support public art.
For more parks and green spaces around Cedar Park, we recommend Nelson Ranch Park, Cluck Creek Park, and The Park at Lakeline Oaks.
If you’re seeking a little more thrill, check out Lake Travis Zipline Adventures. Located just about 20 minutes from Cedar Park in Volente, you can zipline, play, swim, and relax. The park offers five zipline courses as well as access to a private beach where you can swim, picnic, play games, or simply relax.
Family Fun:
Splash Shack is an indoor water park for kids (or adults!) that features over 10,000-square feet of interactive water play structures. Whether your kiddos is riding down one of the water slides or splashing around under the water wheels, you can see them wherever they are in the park. While you cannot bring in your own snacks or cooler, Splash Shack has their own snack bar with a variety of pre-packaged snacks and drinks.
For a truly unique experience, check out Austin Steam Train Association. This one-of-a-kind experience will leave your locomotive-obsessed kiddo in awe as they ride on full-size trains. Choose from eight different train excursions featuring different routes and seating sections. Riding on any of these trains is like riding in a museum. Trips range from three to six hours, with layovers to visit local restaurants to grab a bite to eat. Austin Steam Train Association hosts special train ride events like the North Pole Flyer and A Day Out With Thomas. While most train cars allow all ages, there are two lounge cars that are adults only, as well as trips to Burnet’s own Wedding Oak Winery.
Cedar Park is home to the Texas Stars, the feeder hockey team for the Dallas Stars. All games are played at the HEB Center, where there is not a bad seat in the house. Food and beverage options are a plenty, with local, craft beer options. Parking is free and games are very family-friendly. Occasionally, the Stars will host themed nights, like Back to the Future Night and Super Heroes Night. Pro tip: be sure to bring a sweatshirt! Even though it may be 90 degrees outside, the arena is still cold.
Living in Cedar Park:
There are options for those looking to rent an apartment in Cedar Park, but it’s important to establish that rent is not significantly cheaper than Austin Proper despite the distance. Cedar Park’s growth in the past five years has ushered in lots of new apartment complexes with stunning interiors and modern amenities, which tend to come at a premium.
For classic-style apartments with white appliances, carpeted living rooms, and W/D connections, one bedroom units in Cedar Park start at around $1200/mo. There are only a small handful of properties like this, so availability is limited. In contrast, there are plenty of newer apartment complexes that start their one bedrooms at around $1400/mo, and two bedrooms at $1700/mo. These will come with large interiors, in-unit W/D, impressive pool and clubhouse spaces, and modern features like wine racks, mudrooms, and Smart technology in select complexes.
Renting an apartment in Cedar Park means you won’t be more than 5 minutes from essentials, entertainment, and fantastic eats. It’s perfect for those who want accessibility without the buzz and traffic of central Austin. Don’t know where to start? Smart City can find you the perfect apartment in Cedar Park so you don’t have to lift a finger until it’s time to tour and sign a lease. Connect with Smart City today!
Looking for more things to do in Cedar Park? Look here!
Featured photo courtesy of @Cedarparkfun
