Austin is one of the most popular, explosive cities in the nation, drawing people in with its booming economy, live music, top universities, and outdoor activities. However, we’re pretty partial to two of its suburbs…and we’re not alone.
The Crossover is located on the border of Cedar Park and Leander, cities that regularly end up on lists of best places to live in the United States.
Leander, which was the fastest-growing city in the nation between 2018 and 2019, landed at No. 5 on Consumer Affairs’ list of best cities to move to in Texas.
When U.S. News & World Report ranked the 15 best small cities to live in and the 250 best places to live in the U.S. in 2025-2026, both of these towns made the cut, due to desirability, quality of life, job markets, and overall value.
Another reason to love the Cedar Park-Leander area is the many attractions, entertainment offerings, and family friendly events. If you reside here or are visiting here, we recommend checking out the 10 spots listed below!
1. The Austin Steam Train Association & Museum recreates the experience of historic steam-era railroading. The locomotive—which offers excursion coach, first class coach, a first class lounge, and an adults-only first class lounge—runs year round, and visitors can also enjoy special events and a museum full of educational pieces.
2. Brushy Creek Lake Park is a 90-acre park boasting amenities such as a playscape, pavilions, grills, restrooms, an exercise station, sand volleyball courts, a canoe/kayak launch, lake activities, a splash pad, and nature trails.
3. Veterans Memorial Park draws in crowds with its amphitheater, community garden, sports fields/courts, large aquatic facility, memorial monument honoring veterans, and five-acre dog park. Cedar Bark Park is a fenced-in area with dog showers, pet waste stations, drinking fountains, and a dog pond.
4. There is a hidden historical landmark in Williamson County…and it’s spectacular. Just north of Austin, in the San Gabriel River in Leander, you can take a short hike down to see real dinosaur tracks! We urge you to Google the directions and see them for yourself.
5. The Cedar Park Public Library first opened on January 17, 1981, in order to support the needs, priorities, and interests of the community, and a new state-of-the-art facility opened its doors on November 1, 2024. The modern building, surrounded by 12 acres of greenspace, features outdoor reading areas, makerspaces for creative projects, a Red Horn coffee shop, and more.
6. Lakeline Mall’s stores range from gift shops like Yankee Candle and children’s apparel and toys at Claire’s to women’s and men’s clothing and accessories at H&M and Dillard’s. There are health and beauty shops, as well, along with restaurants, a children’s play area, and an AMC Theatres.
7. The H-E-B Center at Cedar Park (formerly Cedar Park Center) hosts more than 150 events each year, including sporting events, concerts, and family shows. It is also home to the AHL affiliate of the NHL’s Dallas Stars, the Texas Stars (a hockey team that’s practiced at Ice & Field), and the Austin Spurs, the NBA D-League affiliate of the San Antonio Spurs and a basketball team with corporate offices at The Crossover.
8. Each Saturday, the Texas Farmers’ Market at Bell allows vendors to set up and sell fresh produce, sustainably raised meat, artisan goods, and more. Community members can even enjoy live music from local artists while shopping!
9. Another popular park in the area is Robin Bledsoe Park. Within its 16 acres, guests can find multipurpose synthetic turf fields, a playscape, restrooms, a swimming pool/splash pad, a basketball court, an amphitheater, and a walking trail.
10. The Crossover, located just north of Austin, Texas, offers over 200,000 square feet of sports, wellness, entertainment, and dining options. This state-of-the-art facility has everything needed to compete, train, grow, and have fun, including an outdoor turf field, sand volleyball, pickleball courts, food trucks, and two full-size regulation NHL ice rinks. A vision of developer Eric Perardi, The Crossover offers fun for all, all under one roof. Here, there is something for everyone.
