Before the beer, there was the town. The town that made the beer. Shiner, TX. Home of the folks that have been brewing Shiner Beer for over 100 years. And, yes, they will let you move here. The main event in town is to take a tour of the famous Spoetzl Brewery. The tour is free and ends with free samples in the hospitality suite. But they are just tastings so for a full pint, visit Howards, a gas station with a secret beer garten.
Since you came down here for the day, you probably want to eat. For lunch, head to
. (I cant help you here, more beer?)
We all Remember the Alamo but so few Remember Goliad, a town that was just as important in securing a Texan victory during the Texas Revolution. Check out why its worth remembering.
The major historical sites in Goliad make this town worth remembering and well worth visiting. Start at Presidio La Bahia, a spanish fort that became the location of the Goliad Massacre when Colonel Fannin and 341 other Texian men were executed within and surrounding the forts walls. While in the area, also check out the Zaragoza House which was the birthplace of the Mexican hero of Cinco de Mayo. And dont miss Mission Espiritu Santo residing just down the road inside of Goliad State Park. The mission will give you a history lesson on why Goliad is considered the Birthplace of Texas Ranching.
When you get hungry, I highly recommend stopping by Blue Quail Deli for a sandwich on homemade bread and a cup of their famous and award-winning Cream of Jalapeno Soup. For home-cooking and a piece of pie, head to The Empresario Restaurant. And for traditional and tasty Tex-Mex, dine at La Bahia Restaurant and Cantina just beyond the Presidio La Bahia.
To explore the great outdoors surrounding Goliad, take a trip down the Goliad Paddling Trail, a 6.6 mile stretch of the San Antonio River starting underneath Highway 59 and finishing up at Goliad State Park. Youll find one of the best rope swings in Texas underneath the iron railroad bridge.
If you thought this beautiful island town only existed for a couple weeks in March during Spring Break think again. To download this episode or purchase it on DVD – CLICK HERE.
This beach community makes for one heck of a day trip (even longer if youve got the time). Yes, there are lots of condos, beach shops, and bars to keep the college kids busy, but the rest of the year, South Padre Island is a relaxing oasis that rivals the best beach towns in America. So, heres what to do.
Sun and sand lovers have lots of options. I would start by taking a sand castle lesson from Dennis Barrett, the Sand Slave himself. CLICK HERE to set up a lesson. On the beach side of S. Padre, I also recommend a surf lesson from South Padre Surf Company. Turns out you dont have to go to Cali to catch some waves. On the bay side, take a snorkeling trip on the Southern Wave Catamaran. Youll be amazed how clear the water is, and you might even see a stingray. If you prefer the wildlife above the water, check out the South Padre Birding and Nature Center.
When hungry, head to Pier 19 for breakfast. Their shrimp omelette is one of the greatest breakfasts Ive ever put in my mouth. A more traditional, yet still delicious breakfast is at Teds. For fried seafood, look no further than the island stalwart Dirty Als. And when you need some food, drinks, and relaxation on the beach, Claytons is the place and boasts the biggest beach bar in Texas.
As the nightfalls, if you have an strength (and courage) left, head to the Gravity Adventure Park which bungee jumping, go-carts for adults and kids, as well as my favorite the REVERSE bungee. You gotta try it to believe it.
HOTELS OF CHOICE Claytons Resort for a vintage beach front hotel and Inverness for a beach-front, family friendly condo with kitchen and lots of sleeping room.
Galveston is the the most historic island in Texas and makes for an epic day trip adventure.
When you cross over the Galveston Bay, whether by car or ferry, you’re sure to be hungry when you get here. My favorite spots on the island are Shrimp & Stuff for a mean shrimp po-boy and Benno’s on the Beach for a casual but top-notch cajun seafood experience with a great view of the Gulf of Mexico.
To experience the history of the island, there are many options. I recommend a tour of Bishop’s Palace and a the Tall Ship Elissa.
For outdoor fun, just grab a towel and stop along the beach. Don’t be scared of the seaweed or seagulls, but if you are, then head to Schlitterbahn or Moody Gardens for a visit to their watermark. Moody Gardens also has one of the best aquariums in Texas and a rainforest pyramid not to be missed.
Other outdoor attractions on the island include Galveston State Park and taking a Dolphin Cruise of Galveston Bay.
Lots of things float in Smithville. Hope, Smoke, and YOU on a road bike when you visit Smithville.
Smithville is a picturesque and quintessential small town which is why its been the setting for tons of motion pictures. However, none made Smithville more famous than 1998’s Hope Floats starring Sandra Bullock and Harry Connick Jr. Sights from Hope Floats, Tree of Life, and many others lie all around town. The Smithville Chamber of Commerce can point you in the right direction for a self-guided tour. And Pockets Grille has tons of local movie memorabilia. In town, youll also want to see Smitty who was once the largest gingerbread man in the world. He sits at the end of Main St. and is often dressed for the seasonal holiday and weather.
Outside of town in the nearby community of Winchester is a delicious steakhouse and post office called Murphys Steakhouse. It isnt to be missed and often has more customers than the entire community of Winchester has residents. Folks come for miles to eat at Murphys and you should too. After dinner, wash it down with a scoop of Blue Bell from the Winchester Depot and a ride on an old carousel ride just outside the door. Sadly, Zimmerhanzels Bar-B-Que where we ate in the episode is shut down.
Also not to be missed is the Central Texas Museum of Automotive History in the town of Rosanky. This unexpected car museum has over 100 antique and collectible automobiles. Its incredible.
And finally, if you want to spend some time outdoors, head to Buescher State Park. You can also bike to Buescher via Bastrop State Park.
Brenham is more than just Blue Bell. Dont believe me? Check it out for yourself. However, lets not pretend. Brenham IS Blue Bell too. And to explore the sweetest side of Brenham, head to the Blue Bell Creamery for a tour and a scoop to learn how the little creamery in Brenham got its start and went from producing 2 gallons a day to thousands.
For something more substantial in your stomach, how about a $100 hamburger? Sound delicious? For a hundred bucks, it better. Well the good news is that the burger doesnt actually cost $100 it is only worth $100 to folks who are willing to fly to the Brenham Municipal Airport just to eat it and who have voted it the Best $100 hamburger in the USA. Try it for yourself at the Southern Flyer Diner a 50’s themed diner complete with poodle skirts, jukebox, and homemade cookin. More good news they have a parking lot, so you can leave your private jet at home (if you want).
While in town, check out Brenhams Historic Downtown, with shopping and good casual eateries like Must Be Heaven for soup, sandwiches, homemade pies, and (of course) Blue Bell. You might also want to make a stop by the Pleasant Hill Winery to sip on a glass, or for something a bit odd, the Monastery of St. Clair, operated by nuns who raise miniature ponies. NOTE: the Monastery will close at the end of May 2011. So, go quick if you want to check this out.
Bastrop is a city tucked away along the winding Colorado River and lost within the Lost Pines.
To appreciate Bastrop, it is mandatory to exit Highway 71. Or else youd miss the three crown jewels of Bastrop: (1) the Colorado River, (2) Bastrops historic downtown, and (3) the Lost Pines.
For a first stop, Id head straight downtown. Grab a giant Chicken Fried Steak and sip sweet tea from a mason jar at Maxine’s on Main. Then head over to Lock Drugs, a old pharmacy , and wash it all down with a hand-dipped Blue Bell milkshake from their old-fashioned soda fountain. Downtown is also a great place to do some shopping, antiquing, and maybe grab an old-fashioned shave from John’s Barber Shop. Also, dont miss the chance to spit off the bridge. Be sure to ask a local for details on this one. For the best food outside of downtown, hit up Roadhouse where I highly recommend diving into a Jalapeno-Cream-Cheeseburger. You wont regret it.
If you seek the natural side of Bastrop, take a trip down the Colorado River along the El Camino Real Paddling Trail, a six mile trail winding around the city and finishing up at the Lost Pines Recreational Trails. Rising Phoenix Adventures would be happy to set you up with a kayak or canoe. You can also head to Bastrop State Park to see the famous Lost Pines a group of Loblolly Pine trees that got separated from East Texas during the ice age and are now permanent residents of Bastrop.
Spicewood is a Texas town nestled along Lake Travis and the home of Country Music Legend Willie Nelson. Need I say more
You will undoubtedly want to kickstart your day with a cup of coffee from Cuvee Coffee, one of the most respected specialty roasters in America that is hidden behind a metal gate marked inconspicuously with a C. If you find it, then you can join them for a cupping and get a tour from the guys roasting the beans. If you like wine more than coffee, then head to Spicewood Vineyards for a tour and tasting. Unfortunately Willies Luck, Texas ranch isnt open to the public, just you can still crank up the tunes as you cruise around town.
To indulge in the adventurous side of Spicewood, cruise through the air on a Zipline tour at Cypress Valley Canopy Tours or hit the trails at Muleshoe Bend Recreation Area on the banks of Lake Travis. If the weather is right, take a dip in Krause Springs, a hidden-oasis swimming hole complete with rope swing, sunbathing rocks, waterfalls, and a hidden grotto.
After a day like this, you will be starving. So indulge in the spicy BBQ (or any BBQ) from Opies Barbecue. The sweet and spicy ribs are killer, as is the brisket, sausage, chicken, banana pudding, spicy creamed corn
you get the picture
.everything. To cap off your day with some live music, or to eat one of the best burgers in Texas, head to Poodies Hilltop Roadhouse. Poodie was Willie Nelsons longtime stage manager and, before passing, was the proprietor behind one of the best burgers in Texas. Enjoy a burger, a cold one, and an incredible view at Poodies.
Part Texas. Part Mars. All Marfa. This West Texas town is a unique blossom of art and creativity in the desert. To see what I mean, head to the Chinati Foundation to see some of the most famous and interesting installation art pieces in the world.
When hungry, head to Food Shark for Mediterranean food in the Texas desert, Padre’s for cajun food, or Squeeze Marfa for swiss food. I told you this place was interesting.
Your next stop should be to the top of the Presidio County Courthouse for a 360 degree view of town. And if you want to get even higher, head to the airport to take a glider ride with trainer Burt Compton of Glide Marfa.
And when the sun sets, the fun really begins, so head to see the mystery Marfa Lights.
Ah Bavaria! Its beautiful, its German, and its about 5,000 miles away. Lucky for us, settlers brought Germany to Texas and named it Fredericksburg.
Fredericksburg, TX is a culture clash between boots and lederhosen. It isnt uncommon to see trailers full of cows traveling through downtown and being hauled by German-speaking man wearing a cowboy hat. Seriously! Go see for yourself.
Downtown Fredericksburg is a collection of shops offering just about everything you can imagine. From lady-friendly candles (Circle E Candles) and home accessories, to man-friendly beer and brats (Fredericksburg Brewing Company) and brats. If you are looking for the full German food experience, look no further than The Auslander, an authentic German restaurant in the heart of town.
One thing you cant miss when visiting is the National Museum of the Pacific War. Believe it or not, the national museum commemorating the Pacific combat of WWII is in Fredericksburg. The museum has complete war machines, like a B-12 bomber, tanks, and a Japanese pygmy submarines.
For outdoor-minded folks, head north of town to Enchanted Rock, a stunning pink granite dome rising out of the Texas hill country.
Llano is the little hill country town that rocks
literally. Check it out!
This charming little Texas town sits on the Llano River. Its the the county seat of Llano County. And sits atop the Llano Uplift. See a theme here?
The Llano Uplift is a peculiar rock formation created when granite pushed its way to the surface exposing rocks all around Llano. The most impressive example is Enchanted Rock in South Llano County. The uplift also kicked up tons of rare earth minerals that are scattered all over the county. There is even a type of granite called Llanite that can only be found in Llano County. To learn more about Llanos rock culture and be pointed in the right direction for your own rock hunt, check out Enchanted Rocks and Jewelry on Llanos square.
For the historic side of Llano, drive across Roy Inks Bridge and take a tour of the old Red Top Jail, built in 1895 with its original hanging gallows still inside. Also check out the Dabs Hotel (a stop for Bonnie & Clyde), the Llano Courthouse, the Historic Railyard District, and the LanTex Theater, a classic theater still showing current movies. For something creepy, you can always head to Baby Head Cemetery up Highway 16 from Llano.
All this touring will surely stir up an appetite. For what many consider the best BB-Q in Texas, head to Coopers Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que and choose your meat straight from the outdoor pit. Dont miss the house pecan cobbler. Another great BBQ spot is Inmans Kitchen serving its famous and one-of-a-kind turkey sausage. For lighter fare and a cup of joe, head to Fuel Coffee House, a nonprofit coffeehouse that also serves up free burgers on Sunday evenings.
If you are around town in the winter, you might also get a chance to see wild Bald Eagles that migrate to Llano in the winter to build nests and have babies. For the past couple years, the nest has been just off Highway 29 between Burnet and Llano. Look for the TXDOT pull-off.
You can read my column about Llano from Texas Highways HERE.
For information about Lake Buchanan visit our Burnet, TX page CLICK HERE.
Burnet is a town that sits within spitting distance to two perfect hill country lakes. Need we say more
Thats right, Inks Lake and Lake Buchanan are two great reasons to make a trip to Burnet. But they arent the only reasons. While in Burnet, check out Fort Croghan for some frontier history and the Highland Lakes Squadron of the Commemorative Air Force for some aviation history and to hop aboard their beautifully restored antique planes. If you are looking for a bite to eat, I highly recommend picking up some homemade Tex-Mex and a backrub from The Maxican or BB-Q at Burnet Feed Store BBQ located inside an old feed store. (Unfortunately, Bertram BB-Q featured in the episode closed its doors.)
Now for the lakes! To explore Inks Lake, head to Inks Lake State Park with miles of hiking trails and plenty of ways to get in the water. If you are feeling risky, I recommend cliff jumping in at the Devils Waterhole. But if you are more vampire than swimmer, then go underground at Longhorn Cavern State Park to caves that have been everything from a tribal council room to a 1920’s speakeasy.
To see Lake Buchanan, hop aboard a Vanishing Texas River Cruise taking visitors upstream to experience the wild side of Texas. In the winter you might even get the chance to spot bald eagles that spend the winter around the lake. But whether you see eagles or not, you can see the beautiful 25 foot Fall Creek waterfalls, a stunning and unexpected surprise in the Texas Hill Country. To ride through the falls or just around the lake, rent a kayak or canoe from Buchanan Adventure Tours based out of the LCRAs beautiful Canyon of the Eagles nature park. Which is an excellent place to stop and have dinner over the lake or spend the weekend.
