Culture
Cochran Blair & Potts
Step back in time at Texas’s oldest department store that’s been opened since 1869, and is still selling all kinds of goods. Upstairs, is a museum about Cochran Blair & Potts history with all kinds of artifacts and pictures from the store’s early days.
Bell County Museum
Learn more about town at the Bell County Museum in the historic 1905 Carnegie Library building. This museum has everything from the necklace found in Santa Anna’s pocket when he was arrested and an epic mustache cup collection numbering over 250! There’s also an exhibit on the nearby Gault Site which holds evidence of the very first people on this continent!
University of Mary Hardin-Baylor
Don’t forget to stop by one of the oldest universities in Texas — UMHB! It was built in 1845 as the women’s campus for Baylor, and it’s grown into its own university with a campus full of history!
Belton Dam
You can’t miss the towering Belton Dam outside of town. It’s one of the only dams you can still drive across, so hop in your car and cruise it for an incredible view of Lake Belton and the surrounding area!
Food
Miller's Smokehouse
Let the smell of tantalizing smoked meats lead you to Miller’s Smokehouse for some of the best barbecue in the state. While you can’t go wrong with anything here, at Miller’s it’s all about the house-made sausage trifecta — including the original, jalapeno cheese and hotlinks. Add in Mama Miller’s homemade desserts, and you’ve hit the barbecue-jackpot.
The Gin at Nolan Creek
Located in a renovated 1930’s cotton gin, this upscale eatery serves all things Texas and delicious — from juicy ribeyes and crispy chicken fried steak to monster burgers! It’s the perfect place to end a day of trippin’ out on the patio with a great view of folks splashing around Nolan Creek.
Muscovy Coffee Roasters
Right in downtown Belton, Muscovy Coffee Roasters is the kind of place that makes a coffee stop worth the detour. They’re roasting specialty coffee, pulling great espresso, and serving up fresh baked goods in a space that feels perfectly at home in Central Texas. Whether you’re starting the day or just slowing it down, Muscovy is a mighty good excuse to hang around downtown Belton a little longer.
Outdoors
Miller Springs Park
On the other side of Belton Dam, the water from the Leon River collects into this park, making it a pretty peaceful place to fish, kayak or just take in the Hill Country beauty.
Belton Lake
BLORA is just a really fun name for the Belton Lake Outdoor Recreational Authority, which is inside the Fort Hood Military Base — but don’t worry, civilians are allowed to enjoy too! For a small fee, you get access to some of the best swimming and mountain biking in Texas…as well as to some pretty awesome views of Lake Belton.
