highlight: famous attractions

Blanco, TX

Blanco is that little town in the Hill Country that you could drive through in 5 minutes, or spend a week exploring.  Those that are in the know travel here to spend a day or longer diving into the history, blue water, and food.  To download the episode or purchase it on DVD – CLICK HERE.

CULTURE

The first thing most notice when they visit Blanco is the Old Blanco County Courthouse which was built in 1886.  While it looks very official, it only served as the county courthouse for 4 years, because in 1890 the authorities moved the county seat 14 miles up the road to Johnson City.  Today this old building serves as a museum, a gathering place, and a movie set.  If you walk upstairs into the courtroom, you can feel the presence of Rooster Cogburn (aka Jeff Bridges) from the 2010 film “True Grit.”

If you love movie history or just history in general, then you’ll want to head to the Blanco Buggy Barn Museum which showcases over 100 different buggies from around the globe.  Many of the buggies have been used in films such as “Gone With the Wind,” “There Will Be Blood,” and “Abe Lincoln: Vampire Hunter.”  It’s amazing to look at how the technology progressed during the era of horse-drawn transportation.  If you arrange it early, the owners will take you on a buggy ride around town.

Blanco’s biggest modern-day contribution to Texas culture is to the growing Texas craft beer scene.  If you’re into craft beer, then you’ve heard of Real Ale Brewing, or at least Firemans #4, it’s most popular variety.  Many don’t realize that it’s brewed down a dirt road in the heart of Blanco.  They offer great tours of their facilities and brewing processes on weekends but even if you don’t take a tour, you can visit their tasting room and sample one (or more) of their dozen or so brews.  I highly recommend sampling some of their barrel-aged “Mysterium” series, where they let beer sit in wine and whiskey barrels.  It comes out completely different.

If you’re more into Texas wildflowers than Texas beer, then you’ll be happy to know that Blanco is the “Lavender Capital of Texas” and during the summer months, you can visit lavender fields to pick your own puffs of the purple stuff.  I highly recommend Hill Country Lavender.  Not only do they offer a really great picking experience, but they also sell all of their lavender products on site, so you can stock up on sleep-inducing and bug-repelling lotions, creams, and soaps.

Lastly, there’s a hill country tradition that exists ONLY in a number of small German communities across Texas.  It’s 9-pin bowling, and is done in private bowling clubs.  It’s different than traditional 10-pin bowling in that the pins are set up in a diamond and bowlers get extra points if they leave the middle one standing.  It’s very fun but hard for an outsider to experience. UNLESS – you are in Blanco on a Saturday night, when the Blanco Bowling Club is open to the public.  Make sure to call ahead and let them know you are coming, as they’ll need to make sure a pin-setter is on site.  This is such a rare game that there are NO machines to do the work, so high schoolers earn extra cash setting up pins after folks knock ’em down.

FOOD

No trip to Blanco would be complete without a trip to the Redbud Cafe on the square.  This local favorite mixes fresh sandwiches, baked cookies, and craft beer to become the most charming cafe-bakery-bar combo in Texas.  They make perhaps the best reuben sandwich I’ve ever had, and in the winter they make amazing potato chip cookies.  Seriously, try them.

If you’re in the mood for Bar-B-Q, then make your way to Old 300 BBQ.  This is a very Texas kind of joint smoking up brisket, sausage, ribs, pork loin, and more over live oak wood.  You’ll love it.  If you’re in town on a Saturday, you can sample their special “Akaushi” beef brisket made from an amazing flavorful and rare bovine breed.

OUTDOORS

The biggest outdoor attraction of Blanco is definitely the Blanco River where folks do everything from swim to paddle to fish, and just generally relax beside the calming blue water.  The river flows right through the middle of town where you’ll find Blanco State Park – the best place to jump into the Blanco.

Bryan-College Station, TX

If you aren’t an Aggie, you might consider a day trip to Aggieland worse than community service.  But believe it or not, there is more in College Station than just lots and lots of Aggies.  But if you are headed to Aggieland, you might as well make a stop by the campus of Texas A&M University to see Aggie traditions such as the Century Tree, the statue of Sullivan Ross, and Kyle Field.  On the north side of Kyle field, you’ll see the tombs of past Reveillies complete with private score board so that mascots past won’t miss a single touchdown.  While on campus, visit the George Bush Presidential Library.  George Bush 41 wasn’t an Aggie, but loved the Aggie tradition so much that he put his Presidential Library on campus.

And one thing every college town has is great grub.  College kids need to eat, and BCS provides.  Near campus, you might want to grab a burger and beer at the Dixie Chicken, the kind of establishment Aggie legends are made of, complete with full bar, dominos, and rattlesnake cage.  Or check out Laynes Chicken Fingers, a place so passionate about its golden fried chicken fingers that all it serves are chicken finger baskets and chicken finger sandwiches.  I also highly recommend grabbing a Snuffy burger at the Chicken Oil Company in Bryan (order it “Death” style if you want to dance with danger), and Mr. G’s Pizzeria in downtown Bryan serves up a mean calzone.

Lovers of class and other fine things might want to head to the renovated Downtown Bryan for some shopping and food, or to the Messina Hof Winery, one of the most-decorated in the state.

And finally, for outdoor lovers, Lake Bryan is a great place to go swimming, or to mountain bike along its 20 miles and miles of well-kept trails.

Shiner, TX

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 can’t help you here, more beer?)

Smithville, TX

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 it’s 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 Pocket’s Grille has tons of local movie memorabilia.  In town, you’ll 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 Murphy’s Steakhouse.  It isn’t to be missed and often has more customers than the entire community of Winchester has residents.  Folks come for miles to eat at Murphy’s 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, Zimmerhanzel’s 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.  It’s 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, TX

Brenham is more than just Blue Bell.  Don’t believe me?  Check it out for yourself.  However, let’s 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 doesn’t 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 Brenham’s 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.

Waco, TX

To most, Waco is a highway.  Nothing more.  A pass-through, not a destination.  But to those who are willing to look a little deeper, Waco is much, much more.

FOOD

Kick your day off with a caffeine jolt to the mouth at  Common Grounds, a locally-owned coffee shop. Common Grounds has all forms of caffeine to fuel your day trip from classics like cold brewed coffee and espresso to specialties like iced coffees with peanut butter and chocolate.

At Health Camp, they’ve got the three main food groups: Burger, Cheeseburger and Bacon Cheese Burger. If it’s soy burgers and salads you want…you won’t find them here at this 60-year old, ironically-named burger joint on the circle. Just delicious burgers and fries.  And for a definitely-not-healthy dessert, try their frozen custard that comes in amazing flavors like Chocolate Chip Cheesecake, Toasted Marshmallow, Peach and more!

Hit up Tony DeMaria’s Bar-B-Que for some fantastic BBQ…well, if you arrive before they sell out.  If you want pizza and secret hideouts, look no further than Poppa Rollos. You can try one of their specialty pizzas or create your own…and behind a secret door near the phone booth you might just find a bar.

One of my favorite things to do in Waco is grab a cold one and relax at George’s Restaurant. It’s been serving up chicken fried steaks and homecooking since 1930.

OUTDOORS

Other stops in Waco include Cameron Park, which has some of Texas best mountain biking and beautiful views of the Brazos and Bosque Rivers. And while you’re at the park, check out the Cameron Park Zoo to say “hello” to the bears, giraffes and elephants. They even have Komodo Dragons!

Right off I-35 is Texas’s Oldest University, Baylor University. Take a stroll around Baylor’s campus to check out Baylor’s Bear Habitat where they keep the mascots and also stop by the famous Pat Neff Hall.

CULTURE

If a university tour has you in the mood to learn, Waco has museums for every kind of curious tripper.  History buffs should check out the Texas Ranger Museum.  Science junkies should head to the Mayborn Science Museum on the Baylor University Campus.

Sports Fanatics can head to the Texas Sports Hall of Fame.  But everybody should go to the Dr Pepper Museum to learn how the oldest major soft drink on the market was invented in Waco.  And don’t miss the old-fashioned soda fountain at the end where you can enjoy a frosty glass of Dr Pepper or an ice cream float.

Mineral Wells, TX

For years, people have been CRAZY about Mineral Wells and for good reason too. Whether you stop in to drink some of its healing waters or maybe just take in the gallons of history around each corner, this town will have you satisfied by the end of the day.

CULTURE

To really understand the special kind of crazy surrounding this town, you’ll want to visit Downtown Mineral Wells where tucked away in a parking lot, you’ll find the well that started it all. Tired of traveling to other towns for fresh water, James Lynch dug his own well in the 1900s. After drinking from it, he noticed that he felt healthier than he ever had. People traveled from near and far to get a taste of his healing water and so Mineral Wells was built.

Sadly, all of the wells dried up but one. If you’re hoping for a taste of the crazy, you can find it at the Famous Mineral Water Co. The company bottles the water from the remaining well and sales this liquid vitamin in water bottles and sodas.

While you’re in town, you should also check out the hauntingly beautiful Baker Hotel and Crazy Water Hotel. Both were built during the crazy water hay day to accommodate the massive crowds that flooded into town just for a taste of the healing waters. And both, which are still standing today, were abandoned after all the wells dried up.

Just outside of town, you’ll find the Fort Wolters which was the largest base for helicopter pilots during the Vietnam War. You can learn about this well-known base just a little further down the road at the National Vietnam Museum. In the museum, you can see the iconic UH1 (or “Huey”) Helicopters that pilots learned to fly here or pay your respects at the Vietnam Memorial Garden, a half-scale replica of the memorial in Washington D.C.

For some good, clean fun, head over to the Laumdronat Washing Machine Museum to learn about the evolution of the washing machine. You can also do your laundry because it is a full-functioning laundromat as well.

OUTDOORS

If you enjoy climbing, then you’ll definitely want to take a shot at the Penitentiary Hollow in the Lake Mineral Wells State Park. This is one of the most unique places to climb in Texas because instead of climbing up it, you top-rope down the towering sandstone into the crevices beneath. It is fragile when wet, so it is closed when it rains. Legend has it that this hollow was named after the jail kept in its crevices. For an amazing bike trail, check out the Lake Mineral Wells Trailway in the state park, a 20-mile path on an old railway line that used to connect downtown Mineral Wells and Weatherford. Plus, Garner, TX, is a nice pit-stop along the way!

You can frolic in flowers at Clark Gardens, a 35-acre botanical garden with every kind of flower and greenery you can imagine. And for all the train-fanatics, there’s a model train set that includes a mini Mineral Wells and Baker Hotel!

You can time-travel back to the dinosaur days by digging for fossils at Mineral Wells Fossil Park. While you have to supply your own shovels, you can take home any dino bones you find.

FOOD

When the hunger hits, head to Dee’s Hometown Diner in Cool, TX. Dee’s may not be your average small town diner, but it is dee-lish. On the front of the menu, you’ll find the typical cowboy chicken-fried fare, but on the back is a wonderland of Lebanese delights. Dee serves up everything from stuffed grape leaves to falafel.

If you want a meal that’s sure to last you for at least two more, head to Mary’s Café for the biggest chicken fried steak you’ve ever seen. Seriously, this steak is the size of Texas, and you’ll want to be sure to wear some comfy pants to devour this dinner.

Austin, TX – South Side

thatIf there’s a part of Austin that epitomizes the “Keep Austin Weird” slogan, then it’s South Austin. And the funkiest part of this funky town is the South Congress District. It has everything from shopping to costume shops to antiques and candy shops. I recommend stopping by Lucy in Disguise to marvel at the aisles of costumes, Uncommon Objects to marvel at the unique antiques, and Big Top Candy Shop to marvel at imported candies from around the globe and CHOCOLATE-COVERED BACON. Yes, you heard that right. If the bacon isn’t enough to hold you over, head to Hopdoddy Burger Bar for an absolutely killer burger or Homeslice for some killer pizza.
Off of South Congress, I recommend dining at one of the hundreds of trailer parks filling up every empty lot. You can eat everything from Asian to Cajun. For you sweet tooth, don’t miss grabbing a chocolate-covered banana from Bananarchy, maybe a dough-nut from Gordough’s, or some classic frozen custard from Sandy’s. Oh yeah, and you could do a lot worse than a Sno Cone from Sno Beach.
To enjoy the outdoors of South Austin, head to Zilker Park which is Austin’s big grassy playground. And for a dip, jump into Barton Springs. The 68 degree water is refreshing on any day. I also recommend a hike along the Greenbelt.
As the sunsets, live music fills the air. For honky-tonk, look no further than the Broken Spoke. Get your boots ready.

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