austin monthly escapes

11
66 AUSTIN MONTHL Y september 201 1 San antonio Waco FrederickSburg Wimberley glen roSe Have an obligation-free weekend on your Hands? Pick one of tHese nearby destinations for a cHange of scenery and some r&r. tHe best Part : all you need is a car, one tank of gas and an oPen mind. Great

Upload: nathaniel-janes

Post on 07-Apr-2018

221 views

Category:

Documents


0 download

TRANSCRIPT

Page 1: Austin Monthly Escapes

8/4/2019 Austin Monthly Escapes

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/austin-monthly-escapes 1/10

66 AUSTIN MONTHLY september 201 1

San antonio

Waco

FrederickSburg

Wimberley

glen roSe

Have an obligation-freeweekend on your Hands?Pick one of tHese nearby

destinations for a cHangeof scenery and some r&r.

tHe best Part: all youneed is a car, one tank of

gas and an oPen mind.

Great

Page 2: Austin Monthly Escapes

8/4/2019 Austin Monthly Escapes

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/austin-monthly-escapes 2/10

september 201 1 AUSTIN MONTHLY 67

concan

Work. Cook. Laundry. Sleep.

Repeat. Sometimes you justneed to get away rom your

normal, not-terribly-exciting

routine. There’s no better time

to do it than now, when thetemps are nally starting to

drop and the renzy o summer

has subsided. Luckily, there are

pockets o Texas that are

easily reachable and chock-ullo activities, whether you want

to stay at a luxury hotel, go a

little bit country or spend timeon the water. Here are 10

nearby towns and cities that

are worth a tank o gas and at

least 48 hours to explore.

gonzaleS

port lavaca

maSon

banderaescapes

Page 3: Austin Monthly Escapes

8/4/2019 Austin Monthly Escapes

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/austin-monthly-escapes 3/10

68 AUSTIN MONTHLY september 201 1

 Fredericksburg’s rural sophistication and Old World

atmosphere has attracted attention and acclaim rom

around the world, but it’s all the more charming or

 being just down the road. There’s more to do and see every 

 year in this quaint burg, so start your vacation right away—on

the 75-minute drive there, in act.

Head southwest on Highway 290, or W r 290, as it’s

quickly becoming known, and you’ll fnd 10 wineries ripe or the

sipping. Stop at one or two o them,

simply so you can say you’ve

experienced one o the astest-grow-

ing wine destinations in the country.

Sample European-style wines atb vs while walking 

through three acres o lavender

felds, pretend you’re vacationing in

Tuscany at g c v’s

Italian-inspired tasting area or stop

 by W chs vs to sip

reds, whites and rosés inside a

century-old armhouse with

 breathtaking views.

 Ater you’ve had your fll o vino,

let your designated driver steer you

straight on to Fredericksburg. Take

some time to stroll throughdowntown and explore unique

shops on Main Street and beyond,

such as the aq m f 

Fs , an endlessly 

amazing trove o antique treasures, or modern boutique e,

which sells handcrated jewelry and home decor items. Once

 you’ve worked up an appetite, head to th asä

b rs or d l, where

 you’ll fnd hety portions o authentic German

cuisine, including schnitzels and bratwurst, as

well as Texas-sized beer selections.

I you’re eeling tired and achy ater a long 

day o shopping and sipping beer or wine,

pamper yoursel at Fs H

F’s new, 5,000-square-oot destination

spa. Indulge in one o the signature treat-

ments, like the Enchanted Rock Massage,

complete with heated river rocks strategically 

placed on the body. When you’re ready or

 bed, check in to one o the town’s host o 

charming bed-and-breakasts, such as

Hff Hs, where you’ll fnd the perect

 balance o rustic charm and simple sophisti-

cation—and breakast is delivered right to

 your door each morning. —Ramona Flume

extra credit

Shop to it On the third

weekend o everymonth, Fredericks-

burg Trade Days at

Sunday Farms eatures

more than 350 vendor

booths, where you’ll

nd everything rom

artisan leather saddles

and cowboy spurs to

handmade jewelry and

vintage clothing.

Photo op Spring is the

best time or wildfow-

ers, but in the all

you’ll nd pumpkins,

butterfies and special-

ty oods, such as

salsas and jams, at

Wildseed Farms.

The town’s

picturesque

Main Street

(above);

tasting wines

at BeckerVineyards

FredericksburG80 mileS

Page 4: Austin Monthly Escapes

8/4/2019 Austin Monthly Escapes

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/austin-monthly-escapes 4/10

september 2011 AUSTIN MONTHLY 69

   p   r   e   v   i   o   u   s   s   p   r   e   a   d ,   l   e   f   t   p   a   g   e  :   w   i   m   b   e   r   l   e   y   p   h   o   t   o

   b   y   j   o   d   y   h   o   r   t   o   n .   p   h   o   t   o   s   c   o   u   r   t   e   s   y  :   f   r   e   d   e   r   i   c   k   s   b   u   r   g

 ,   f   r   e   d   e   r   i   c   k   s   b   u   r   g   c   h   a   m   b   e   r   o   f   c   o   m   m   e   r   c   e  ;   g   l   e   n   r   o   s   e ,   c   o   u   n   t   r   y   w   o   o   d   s   i   n   n  ;   w   a   c   o ,   c   a   m   e   r   o   n   p   a   r   k   z   o   o .   s

   a   n   a   n   t   o   n   i   o   i   m   a   g   e   f   r   o   m

   t   h   i   n   k   s   t   o   c   k .   p   r   e   v   i   o   u   s   s   p   r   e   a   d ,   r   i   g   h   t   p   a   g   e  :   p   h   o   t

   o   s   c   o   u   r   t   e   s   y  ;   c   o   n   c   a   n ,   f   u   n   r   i   v   e   r   s .   c   o   m  ;   g   o   n   z   a   l   e   s ,   b   e

   l   l   e   o   a   k   s   i   n   n  ;   m   a   s   o   n ,   m   a   s   o   n   c   o   u   n   t   y   c   h   a   m   b   e   r   o   f   c   o   m   m   e   r   c   e  ;   b   a   n   d   e   r   a ,   d   i   x   i   e   d   u   d   e   r   a   n   c   h  ;   p   o   r   t   l   a   v   a   c   a ,   c   i   t   y   o   f   p   o   r   t   l   a   v   a   c   a .

concan160 mileS

 The down-home hospitality and rustic beauty o this

small town on the shores o the F r has been a

avorite o Texas amilies or generations. But be

warned: A weekend trip to Concan is usually 

the beginning o a lietime vacation tradition.

The scenic drive, just under three hours

southwest on U.S. 90 West, winds through the

heart o the F c and is almost as

 beautiul as the destination itsel. Enjoy the

undulating landscape and, when you can, pull

over at one o several posted scenic view-

points to snap a postcard-perect photo or

enjoy a picnic lunch.

Frio County is a quiet place, but as the old

adage goes, “Where there’s water, there’s lie.”

 You’ll fnd every kind o lie imaginable

gathering on the banks o the clear, blue-green

waters. Charming riverside cabin accommoda-

tions, like the F c rs or n’s

ls, are the perect places to post-up and

watch the laid-back happenings o the river.

 You’ll see parents playing with their kids

 beneath towering cypress trees, y fshermen wading through

the shallows at dawn and college kids sunbathing on smooth

stretches o limestone rocks.

g S p, a seven-mile drive

north o town, is one o the fnest parks in the

state and oers 10 acres o gorgeous riverront

property. Swim, kayak, paddleboat and hike

throughout the park’s extensive nature trail,

or take a leisurely tubing trip downriver.

There are several tube and tour outftters in

the area, or you can rent tubes or set up a trip

at the F c S. Ater the sun goes

down, head to the Hs ps c c or

gourmet Texas cuisine and big-name perormers like Gary P.

Nunn, who plays Sept. 3. —R. Flume

extra credit

Happy meal Neal’s

Dining Room has been

serving up ried

chicken and chicken-

ried steak or 85

years, so you know it

must be good.

Fly away home Seehow the Congress

Avenue bats stack up

against the 10 to 12

million bats that

occupy Frio Cave. The

bats take o around

sunset through

mid-September.

The spring-fed

Frio River is

a refreshing

swimming spot

all year long.

Page 5: Austin Monthly Escapes

8/4/2019 Austin Monthly Escapes

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/austin-monthly-escapes 5/10

70 AUSTIN MONTHLY september 2011

waco100 mileS

Gonzales65 mileS

 With the advantage o 

 being a college town

and the birthplace

o some seriously cool stu (Dr

Pepper, anyone?), Waco is two

parts heritage and one part hip.

Its laid-back eel has deep roots, all the way back to its ounding 

in 1849. In act, many o Waco’s ounding amilies’ descendants

still thrive in this medium-sized city with a small-town vibe.

Maybe that’s why Waco is home to so many museums about

Texas’ history. By ar its most amous landmark, the d p

ms chronicles the history o our nation’s oldest major sot

drink. First created by Charles Alderton at the turn o the 20thcentury right in the heart o downtown, you can treat yoursel to

his original recipe at the museum’s git shop ater touring a

replica bottling plant. For sports enthusiasts, there’s the ts

Ss H f F, home to 35,000 square eet o sports

paraphernalia, including Davey O’Brien’s Heisman Trophy. Or

stop by the ts rs ms, where you can see exhibits

on Bonnie and Clyde and early orensics, all while learning about

our nation’s oldest active state law enorcement agency.

 Gonzales earned its place in Lone Star lore as the spot

“where the fght or Texas liberty began.” The story goes

that settlers reused to return a cannon loaned by the

Mexican government when tensions began to build between the

actions. When soldiers came to collect it, the colonists said,

“Come and take it,” and, a ew weeks later, fred what became

the frst volley in the Texas Revolution. Every October, Gonzales celebrates with a three-

day c t i Fs that eatures

a battle reenactment, parade, barbecue

cook-o and more. The cannon, by the way, is

on permanent display at the gs

m ms ahh,

which has a mural honoring the 18 men who

reused to give up the weapon.

Perhaps there was a lot o civil disobedi-

ence in the town’s history; it’s unclear why 

planners thought they needed a jail to hold

200 prisoners “under riot conditions,” but it’s

now the o J ms, complete with a

reproduction o the original gallows.

To get the most out o nighttime events,

grab a room at one o Gonzales’ inviting lodges. Options

include the S. Js i b & bfs, which has a Texas

Room ull o historical maps, and the Jh Fh gs

c, built in 1869. Or check in at the antique-flled b

os i, which has the eel o an antebellum plantation.

 Antiquing ans should head to ds ah

 aqs, which boasts 140,000 square eet o showroom and

storage space. When your stomach starts grumbling, stop o 

at gs F m, renowned not as a grocery store

 but or mouthwatering barbecue. —lynne maRgolis

Once you’re ready to

head outdoors, spend

the day at l W,

where you can lounge

on the public-access

 beach or fsh o one o 

the popular piers. Would you rather be biking? cp is home to more than 20 miles o shaded hiking and

 biking trails that wind their way along the bs r and

right through downtown. While you’re at the park, be sure to

make time or the c p z. I you call ahead and

are willing to pay a little extra, you can book a z S,

which includes overnight camping, dinner, a behind-the-

scenes tour, an animal presentation, breakast and admission

to the zoo the next day. —Jenny FoRgey 

extra credit

Authentic eats Do as thelocals do and order ajitas a la

Barry at Ninfa’s, the restau-

rant that rst introduced the

amous dish to the general

public in Houston in 1973.

Sleep tight Book a room at

The Cotton Palace, a bed-and-

breakast housed in one o the

historic homes on Austin

Avenue. Your cozy room comes

with a gourmet breakast and

homemade cookies.

extra credit

Step back in time 

Explore the Gonzales

Pioneer Village Living

History Center, eaturing

costumed staers

demonstrating crats

such as blacksmithing

and rope-making.

Take a hike Palmetto

State Park is known or

great bird-watching and

an abundance o fora

and auna. Bring bug

spray and binoculars.

See where

Dr Pepper

was created

The eateryis known

for its

housemade

sausage.

Page 6: Austin Monthly Escapes

8/4/2019 Austin Monthly Escapes

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/austin-monthly-escapes 6/10

september 2011 AUSTIN MONTHLY 71

   r   i   v   e   r   w   a   l   k   p   h   o   t   o   b   y   c   h   r   i   s   t   i   n   a   b .   c   a   s   t   r   o .   t   o   w

   e   r   o   f   t   h   e   a   m   e   r   i   c   a   s   i   m   a   g   e   f   r   o   m   t   h   i   n   k   s   t   o   c   k .

san antonio80 mileS

 The seventh-largest city in the nation is so loaded with

history and top-tier attractions—The Alamo, Sea-

World and Six Flags Fiesta Texas, to name just a

ew—it’s hard to know where to begin. How

about a new twist on a great classic? th

r W expansion has been on thedrawing boards since 1962, but the frst

sections only recently opened. Sure, it’s

ultra-touristy, but join the crowds or a stroll

along the shop-and-restaurant haven beore

hopping aboard a , which will

provide an inormative 35-minute introduc-

tion to the history o the city and all the

changes aoot on the River Walk.

I you’re eeling peckish, bypass the cheesy 

 bars and chain eateries or a refned bite at

b’s, where you can relish Texas bistro

are heavy on seaood and steaks—just make

sure to call ahead or a reservation.

Establish a home base or explorations by 

checking into gorgeous, newly renovated H H. The

National Register o Historic Places property is a masterul

hybrid o Mediterranean Revival and high modern styles

owned by Austin’s own hotelier extraordinaire Liz Lambert.

Have a close look around and marvel at the eortless blend-

ing o dierent epochs and aesthetics.

Get an early start the next morning with Cuban coee rom

Hotel Havana’s oh beore hiking or catching a river

taxi along the beautiul, non-commercial ms rh o the

River Walk. The 1.3-mile stretch o river eatures boutique

shopping, a Culinary Institute o America campus, some o San

 Antonio’s hottest new restaurants and a lively 

fs on Saturday mornings.

Get your Latin American art fx at nearby 

S a ms f a or learn about

South Texas history and natural science at the

W ms beore traipsing through

downtown’s packed cultural attractions

including The Alamo, Market Square, Museo

 Alameda, Spanish Governor’s Palace and San

Fernando Cathedral. End the night with an

elegant dinner at the rotating ch Hs restaurant in the

750-oot-tall tw f h as in HemisFair Park.

While you’re in town, make the eort to take in some o SA’s

 bohemian Southtown area. The frst part o the River Walk

mss rh opened last winter, oering a new way to

explore the historic Mission Trail that consists o fve 18th

century Spanish walled communities and churches. Dine on

some o the best Tex-Mex in town at rs’s and grab a beer

rom the b S bw c . Take a drive through

the grand 19th century residences o the King William Historic

District and imagine how the other hal lives. — Rob Hodges

extra credit

Head underground Visit

the dimly lit, ultra-hip 

Havana Bar or the

smoky mezcal margari-

tas and heavenly

chocolate pot de crème.

Go for a ride San

Antonio B-cycle, the

city’s new bike share

program, allows riders to

rent a bike and drop it

back o at any o 14

convenient stations in

the city center.

River boat tours (left);

Tower of the Americas

Page 7: Austin Monthly Escapes

8/4/2019 Austin Monthly Escapes

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/austin-monthly-escapes 7/10

72 AUSTIN MONTHLY september 201 1

port lavaca150 mileS

 On the Gul Coast between Galveston and Corpus

Christi sits this authentic fshing hamlet and bird-

watcher’s paradise along the shores o Matagorda Bay.

The beautiul, less-than-three-hour drive rom Austin winds

down out o the rolling mesquite-and-pasture Hill Country 

into the coastal crop-country lowlands o the Gul Coast

region. An easy shot down Highway 183 to 87, stop just short

o plunging into the bay and you’re in historic downtown Port

Lavaca. While the downtown area certainly deserves a stroll

(be sure to check out the m S th and the curio

shops), this is a port town and the shoreline beckons.

Head over to the Fs

Ws Ww lhhsbh, just minutes outside

downtown. Don’t orget your

 binoculars, as the hal-mile-long 

walkway circles a wetland bird

sanctuary with some o the best

 birding on the coast, especially in

the late-year migratory season. It is

a peaceul trek over the boards, water lapping at clam-encrusted

support beams, the diversity o the bird lie making or a

delightul mix o cheeps, sot coos and squawks.

When you’ve had your fll o watching our eathered

riends, head down to m and i (one strip o 

coast, two beaches), and bring fshing poles or kayaks i you

have them. Camping is ree on these beaches, but keep in

mind this is no white-sand cabana getaway. Here you drive

 your truck right up to the water o the sand-and-shell beach,

set up your chair and look out at the clouds o gulls circling 

the shrimp boats in the distance. There are also kayaks or

rent right there on the beach. For olks who preer

sleeping in beds to camping on the beach, thlhhs Ss is a small, holistic, natural

oods bed-and-breakast.

I you didn’t catch your dinner, head over to bs

Sf or ts Wf b & g or a bite.

Locals will tell you Bayside has the edge strictly in

terms o ood, but Tropics is right on the water and

oers a ull bar. Choose based on your mood, which,

either way, will certainly be lited on your visit to this

little corner o the coast. — natHaniel Janes

Sunshine and sand are the

biggest draws in Port L, though

Main Street Theatre puts on

excellent productions.

extra credit

Save the date Check out

the Port Lavaca Flip Flop

Festival on Sept. 3, where

you’ll nd a beer garden,

horseshoes and washers

tournaments, live music

and much more.

Mark the spots Take a

driving tour of the town’s

historical markers, rom

the Civil War bombard-

ment site o Port Lavaca

to the grave o Angelina

Peyton Eberly, a hero inthe Texas Archives War.

Page 8: Austin Monthly Escapes

8/4/2019 Austin Monthly Escapes

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/austin-monthly-escapes 8/10

september 201 1 AUSTIN MONTHLY 73

   o   p   p   o   s   i   t   e   p   a   g   e  :   m   a   i   n   s   t   r   e   e   t   t   h   e   a   t   r   e   p   h   o   t   o   b   y

   p   h   i   l   i   p   t   h   o   m   a   l .   w   a   t   e   r   p   h   o   t   o   s   c   o   u   r   t   e   s   y   m   a   g   n   o   l   i   a

   b   e   a   c   h .   t   h   i   s   p   a   g   e  :

   p   h   o   t   o   s   c   o   u   r   t   e   s   y  :   h   o   r   s   e   a   n   d   s   i   g   n ,   d   i   x   i   e   d   u   d   e

   r   a   n   c   h  ;   a   r   k   e   y   b   l   u   e   ’   s   s   i   l   v   e   r   d   o   l   l   a   r   s   a   l   o   o   n ,   a   r   k   e   y

   b   l   u   e   ’   s .

bandera120 mileS

 Here’s a history lesson or you: Ater the Civil War,Bandera, the sel-proclaimed Cowboy Capital o 

the World, became a staging area or cattle that

were being driven up the Great Western Trail to market in

Kansas. “That brought a lot o olks into the area,” says

Bandera Convention and Visitors Bureau Director Patricia

Moore. “Personally, I eel that the cattle-drive olks were

our very frst tourists, and we’ve continued to welcome

people ever since.” These days, you’re still greeted with a

gregarious “Howdy!” and the Western vibe is apparent at

every turn. Hitching posts still stand downtown, honky-tonks

like a b’s S d S keep the country 

tunes and cold beer owing and historic dude ranches abound

in the surrounding hills.

“Bandera is not a city o major attractions in the standard

sense,” Moore says. “It’s a place or people to come and put

the brakes on.” But there is one attraction everyone should

put on his or her must-see list. Built in 1933, the F

ts ms contains a bewildering assortment o 

curiosities and all things Western. Check out the exhibits,

then live the cowboy dream by staying at a real-live working 

ranch, such as the d d rh, where you can enjoy 

trail rides, hiking, fshing and swimming. I you’d like the

activity level raised (and the authenticity bar somewhat

lowered) F l gs rh oers similar amenities, plus

an 18-hole gol course, mini-gol and a water park.

Step away rom the creature

comorts, and an array o outdoor

activities await. The m

r skirts Bandera and

provides paddling and tubing 

opportunities, while boating and jet ski rentals are available at

nearby m l. The undeveloped H c S

n a is southwest o town, eaturing camping and

about 40 miles o multiuse trails. Make the 30-mile drive to

ls ms S n a or swimming and hiking 

 year-round and brilliant oliage in the all—just be prepared or

the crowds who are also there to take a peek.

When you’ve worked up an appetite, eed your body and soul

at eateries and music venues in town. b f m oers tasty 

Tex-Mex with a view rom its spacious deck, while p’s p

rs takes a arm-to-table approach with its sophisti-

cated New American cuisine. Country musicians perorm in

many o the restaurants and bars, with live music occurring 

somewhere almost nightly. In act, i the Live Music Capital o 

the World claim were made on a per-capita basis, tiny Bandera

(pop. 1,000) just might be the winner. —R. Hodges

From left: Make like a

cowboy; Arkey Blue’s;

Dixie Dude Ranch

extra credit

Party on The town

honors its Western

heritage each Labor Day

weekend with Celebrate

Bandera. The our-day

estival eatures a Wild

West show, cattle drive,

parade and more.

Orange crush Families

will get a kick out o the

Great Hill Country

Pumpkin Patch. Every

October in neighboring

Medina, children can go

on hayrides and pony

rides, build scarecrows

and, o course, buy and

paint pumpkins.

Page 9: Austin Monthly Escapes

8/4/2019 Austin Monthly Escapes

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/austin-monthly-escapes 9/10

74 AUSTIN MONTHLY september 2011

Glen rose160 mileS

 This sleepy town is most amous or

 being home to dinosaurs more than

100 million years ago. About three

hours rom the capital city, Glen Rose

 boasts ds W, a huge sculpture

park in ds v S p that

has lie-size replicas o the ancient reptiles

made o steel, fberglass and concrete. You

can’t miss it on Farm Road 20—there’s a

giant T-Rex standing guard at the entrance.

The dinosaur obsession isn’t just a random quirk o the town;

the adjacent p r has three-toed ootprints that are

 bona fde dino tracks discovered in the early 1930s. Depres-sion-era residents were quick to make a ew bucks o o selling 

dinosaur ossils to travelers and tourists. Not to be outdone by 

evolutionary scientists, the town also houses the c

e ms right down the road rom the park.

Founded by Dr. Carl Baugh in 1984, the museum claims to

provide scientifc evidence to backup the young-Earth theory 

and even prove cohabitation between humans and dinosaurs.

While those attractions bring tourists with divisive opinions

 year-round, the town also puts on an annual grandiose play during the weekends o September and October. The Promise,

which is a musical retelling o the lie o Jesus Christ, eatures

real elephants and 200

members in the cast and

crew. Nearly 20,000 people

travel here in the all to fll up

almost all o the 3,200 seats

in the ts ahh,

the largest permanent

outdoor theater in the state.

To make a weekend out o 

 being an amateur paleon-

tologist, book yoursel acabin at the c Ws

i, which is owned by Glen

Rose’s ormer Mayor and

County Commissioner Helen

Kerwin. The Inn is situated

on a lush 40 acres next to

the Paluxy, and Kerwin

recently converted the barn

into a breakast nook so guests can nosh on

pancakes while the horses poke their heads

in and eat with them. For a more luxurious

experience, stay at the sprawling rh

c l, which mixes the uptown,

chi-chi eel o Dallas with the down-home

activities o fshing and hunting. Even i you

don’t book a room, be sure to splurge at the

upscale restaurant, which has been consis-

tently lauded by  b appé and Cé n

trr or its exquisite Southern are.

End the night with a leisurely promenade

through the town square, and be sure to

admire the courthouse’s Romanesque Revival

architecture. Then breathe in the country air,

which can only be ound in the rose o 

Somervell County. —Kimya KaveHKaR

extra credit

Animal planet Take a 9

1/2-mile wildlie drive at

Fossil Rim Wildlife

Center, where you can

see rare and endan-

gered species and even

eed them rom your car.

Art and soul See the

beautiul and historicalBarnard’s Mill and Art

Museum, which was built

by Glen Rose’s ounder,

Charles Barnard. Ater

exploring the mill, be sure

to check out the collec-

tion o ne Texan art.

Kids and

adults are

fascinated

by Dinosaur

World.

Where else can

you stay at an

inn owned by a

former mayor?

Page 10: Austin Monthly Escapes

8/4/2019 Austin Monthly Escapes

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/austin-monthly-escapes 10/10

september 2011 AUSTIN MONTHLY 75

   o   d   e   o   n   t   h   e   a   t   r   e   p   h   o   t   o   b   y   r   o   b   b   y   v   i   n   u   s .   p   o   o   l   p

   h   o   t   o   c   o   u   r   t   e   s   y   b   l   a   i   r   h   o   u   s   e   i   n   n   &   c   o   o   k   i   n   g   s   c   h   o   o   l .

wimberley40 mileS

 Sure, tons o musicians play in the Live Music Capital o the

World, but many o our city’s most renowned perormers,

including Alejandro Escovedo, Slaid Cleaves and Eliza

Gilkyson, preer to live in the cozy artist’s enclave o Wimberley.

They love the Hill Country burg’s pastoral scenery, small-town

charm and creative community and share the bumper-sticker

sentiment: “I you’re in a hurry, you’re in the wrong town.”

The heart o Wimberley is its  sq,

which is actually more like a Y plus an oval. It’s

flled with art galleries, curio and collectible

shops, antique emporiums and eateries. Retro

lawn chairs oer landing spots or enjoying ice

cream or other treats. For a ull meal, head tocss c cfé or i’ bw & chw ,

 both o which have outdoor stages.

Bastrop artist Lloyd Burns’ whimsical wood

and metal creatures stalk much o the outdoor

space around Mayor Steve Kleper’s o m

S, including the courtyard beside g 

h Sq, which contains woodwork,

paintings and jewelry, much o it made by local

artisans. Husband-and-wie metalsmiths Kathy 

and Gary Arnold, who sell their jewelry in the

Old Mill and their own m d as

 , tend the courtyard garden. They also donate a portion

o their profts to support b H, a spring-ed swimming hole saved rom development and turned into a 126-acre regional

park. Wimberley also has a well-regarded, and cleverly named,

gol course, Qs W.

Book a room at ch i, which serves as a gallery or

local artists. Or, check in at b Hs i & c Sh 

or a special culinary experience; usa t rated it one o 

 America’s top 10 cooking schools. — l. maRgolis

extra credit

Free for all On the rst

Saturday o each month

rom March to December,

the city holds its amedMarket Days. Hear live

music, sample local oods

and shop or hunting

equipment, yard art and

more rom 475 vendors.

Soar through the sky 

Get a rush at Wimberley

Zipline Adventures,

which eatures eight

ziplines installed on the

Four Winn’s Ranch.

mason110 mileS

 There are a trio o good reasons to

 visit this tiny town in Central Texas.

First o, it’s the only place in the

state to mine or , ironically the

ofcial gem o Texas despite its scarcity.

Then there’s F ms, the Civil War–era

ort atop a scenic overlook that stationed

amous Conederate war heroes including 

Robert E. Lee. Last but not least, Mason is the birthplace o Old

Yeller h F gs, enabling the town to strike a

chord in the hearts o dog-lovers everywhere.

Most visitors engage in the obligatory walk around the town’s

historic square and courthouse while window shopping or

antiques, but to get a real sense o Mason values today, head

south on Highway 87 to the immaculate and splendierous

ph d—the heart and soul o Mason. Synthetic grass

felds be damned, this place is the real deal, complete with resh

grass and wood-covered stadium seating. It’s where you can fnd

nearly the entire town on all Friday nights.

th o th, one o the oldest operating in Texas, is

another town landmark. It has changed ownership dozens o 

times since its establishment

in 1926 but continues to draw

weekend crowds to its

showings o semi-new flms.

For dinner, check out Ww c cf on the square or a

meal that, according to server Ann Sue, is “all resh, all good and

all made here.” The ormer grocery-store-turned-restaurant

 boasts juicy hamburgers and all-American apple pie and a dining 

area supervised by more than 30 mounted woodland critters.

ms Sq b bfs is an excellent home base

or travelers. Its New Orleans–style balcony overlooks the square

and becomes an unexpected prime spot or viewing the town’s

night lie and plenty o twinkling stars. — Kelsey Robinson 

extra credit

Man’s best friend Make

time to visit the Old

Yeller statue, appropri-

ately situated in ront o

the public library.

Feel the music Drinks

and dancing are

abundant at The Old

Peanut Mill Steakhouse

and Ft. McKavitt Social

Club, which hosts DJsand bands weekly.

The Odeon

has one screen

and tons of

character.

The view at Blair

House Inn &

Cooking School