Beyond the banks of the blue-green river, there’s plenty to see and do in this charming small Texas town.
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Situated an almost equal distance between Austin and San Antonio, Blanco is known far and wide for its beautiful historic courthouse and annual lavender festival.
Still, with just under 2,000 residents per the 2016 census, it’s tempting to see the town as primarily a pass-through community, a dot on the map to Johnson City’s art scene, Wimberley’s shopping district, and either of the two nearby big cities.
But we know better.
Blanco, you see, is worth a closer look. In fact, if you’re craving an authentic small town Hill Country experience, it makes for an ideal day trip.
To start, there’s the beautiful Blanco State Park, of course, with all sorts of outdoorsy things to do (swim, hike, camp, boat, and fish) on and around the gorgeous blue-green waters of the Blanco River. In fact, we dare you to cross over the Hwy 281 bridge on a hot day without wanting to take a quick plunge!
Just a minute or two away from the park—in historic buildings that surround the old-fashioned town square, are businesses worth a browse. Crafty folks will love a look inside the Uptown Blanco Textile Shop while antique aficionados will want to pop into Cranberry’s Antiques. Odds are good the old courthouse will be open, so why not take a walk through the historic space and get better acquainted with the town’s history? Then there’s Herb’s Hat Shop, where you can get your favorite Western hat restored, repaired and reshaped. You can even purchase a new one in the cozy shop and have it shaped before your very eyes!
When it comes time to refresh yourself, we suggest you pop into The Bean and Biscuit, a top-notch coffee shop with a low-key but devoted following for breakfast, lunch and snacks. Salads, sandwiches, and burgers await during the day at Redbud Cafe, with fancier fixins available on Friday and Saturday nights and a hearty Sunday breakfast menu. Craving something meatier? Then tuck into a big ol’ plate of food at Old 300 BBQ and, if you’re lucky, enjoy your meal with a little live music played on-site. Looking for something vegan, vegetarian, or gluten free? Hop on over to Chess Club Cafe.
Moving beyond the town’s center, there’s the Buggy Barn Museum, featuring historic buggies, carriages, and wagons dating from the 1860s to the 1900s—many of them having been used in Hollywood movies. And we’d be remiss without a mention of Real Ale Brewing Company and Andalusia Whiskey Company, both of which represent the Hill Country’s growing, robust adult beverage industry. In fact, Blanco is near enough to several wineries to make it a good starting point for a trip down the Texas Hill Country Wine Trail.
Looking to extend your day trip to a full-on weekend getaway? Check out Riverside Cottages & RV, Blanco Settlement, the cozy Sunday Haus Cottage, or the surprisingly beautiful grounds of the Best Western Plus Blanco Luxury Inn & Suites. The AirBNB.com listings for Blanco have a surprising number of affordable cabins and cottages, too.
Finally, if you’re looking for one more reason to head to Blanco soon, be sure to check out Market Day featuring area vendors on the courthouse grounds. The event is held on the third Saturday of every month, January to November, and on the second Saturday in December
