highlight: historical interest
Gruene, TX
Graham, TX
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.
La Grange, TX
This might just be the “Best Little Day Trip in Texas.” I’m sure Burt Reynolds and Dolly Parton would agree, as it was the events of La Grange’s famous “Chicken Ranch” that inspired the classic musical “Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.” While the brothel is no longer around (it was moved to Dallas and then burned down), there’s still plenty to do in this town.
For starters, “Czech” out the Texas Czech Heritage and Cultural Center. This museum gives visitors a feel for the culture and early days of Fayette County when thousands of Czech immigrants populated the area. The museum has clothes, relocated homes, and lots of musical instruments. Crank up the Polka Baby! For some reason, the best Czech food is in gas stations. To taste Czech culture and a delicious kolache or klobasniky, head to Weikel’s Bakery in La Grange or head down the road to Hruska’s in Ellinger, TX. To drink like an early Czech, head to the Rohan Meadery, making authentic old-world meads, right here in Texas.
But for a real taste of Texas tradition, look no further than Prause Meat Market right off the square in La Grange. This meat market / BBQ joint has been serving customers since the 1890’s. Today the fourth generation of Prauses are manning the chopping block helping customers stuff their bellies with tradition.
One other must-see stop is the Monument Hill & Kreische Brewery State Historic Site. This park holds two incredible historic sites, one is Monument Hill honoring the Texan heroes who lost their lives in the Dawson Massacre and Mier Expedition, where Texans had to draw beans for their lives. The other stop is the ruins of the Kreische Brewery and the house of the Kreische family.
To experience the natural side of La Grange, set up a paddling trip down the Colorado River with the folks from Camp Lone Star. This short trip is perfect for large groups and anyone hesitant to get in the river.
As ZZ Top would say….”how how how how”
Goliad, TX
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.
Galveston, TX
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.
Llano, TX
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.
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, youll want to visit Downtown Mineral Wells where tucked away in a parking lot, youll 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 youre 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 youre 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, youll 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 youll 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, theres 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 Dees Hometown Diner in Cool, TX. Dees may not be your average small town diner, but it is dee-lish. On the front of the menu, youll 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 thats sure to last you for at least two more, head to Marys Café for the biggest chicken fried steak youve ever seen. Seriously, this steak is the size of Texas, and youll want to be sure to wear some comfy pants to devour this dinner.
Beaumont, TX
Beaumont is Texas city of lost gold Black Gold that is. Its also the melting pot between Texas and Louisiana, meaning you dont have to jump the Sabine to visit Cajun Country. Its right here in Beaumont.
Beaumonts history began to boom in 1901 when the Lucas Gusher blew at Spindletop marking the first major oil discovery in the state of Texas. Stop by the Spindletop Gladys City Boomtown to take a stroll through a recreated boomtown. If you love museums, you should also check out the McFaddin-Ward House sitting inside a historic mansion and the Fire Museum of Texas, which boasts the largest working fire hydrant in the world.
If you need to get outside, head to Village Creek State Park just north of Beaumont to bask on its sandy shores. And if you are really feeling up for an adventure, grab a canoe and take a trip down the Village Creek Paddling Trail. The Piney Woods Outfitters would be happy to set you up.
To have a first-hand experience with some of Beaumonts wildlife, head to Gator Country, a wildlife park dedicated to the alligator. You can see Big-Al (the largest captive gator in Texas) and hold the smaller, baby version.
After all this, youll be hungry I GUAR-UN-TEE. So head to the original Jasons Deli in the Gateway Shopping Center to see the humble roots of Texass best sandwich chain. For Bar-B-Q, check out the buffet at Willie Rays BBQ which is ranked as one of the Top 50 in Texas. And finally, to sample the best cajun cookin in Texas, head to Larrys French Market down the highway in Groves.
