Most visitors to Burnet County, in the Highland Lakes area about an hour northwest of Austin, come for the water. Boating, fishing, and swimming are the primary makes use of the string of 7 blue-green Colorado River tanks that wind through this attractive part of theHill Country It’s simple to pass an ideal summertime day sprinkling in the Devil’s Waterhole at Inks Lake State Park, waterskiing on Lake Buchanan (noticable “Buck- cannon” by those in the understand), or searching for bass and catfish on Lake LBJ. Increasingly, nevertheless, there’s plenty to do on land too. A growing variety of wineries, coffee shops, stores, and even the state’s only mtb park with a chairlift all beckon. Between the towns of Burnet (“It’s Burn- it, Durn- it. Lurn- it!,” as the residents will not think twice to advise you) and Marble Falls, which are separated by a simple fifteen-minute drive, there are ample methods to invest a picturesque weekend here, all while preventing the crowds that flock to more touristy areas such as Fredericksburg or Galveston.
Eat + Shop
Overlook Restaurant at Canyon of the Eagles
The perfect location to delight in a bird’s- eye view of the sundown over Lake Buchanan, this high end restaurant has extensive windows and a huge deck. Two standouts were the Kiki fried chicken and the seafood Cobb salad with shaved salmon and shrimp.
Choccolatte’s
This decently sized white-brick shop beckons with screen cases of sweet mixtures, each more alluring than the next. The pecan English toffee is the piece de resistance. Choose from dark, milk, or white chocolate, or take house a decadent container of toffee topping to sprinkle on ice cream. Owners Michele and Steve Parsons are generous with the complimentary samples; there’s likewise a coffee shop and a relaxing seating location. The Parsonses likewise own Third Street Treasures, the airy present store next door, where you can search ceramic tchotchkes, precious jewelry, and so on.
Crazy Gals Cafe
This wacky breakfast-and-lunch location is popular with residents, which is constantly a great indication. The four-egg omelets and the chocolate chip pancakes are magnificent. While you’re consuming, take a minute to appreciate the handmade tabletop styles, that include a bike made from buttons and a guitar buried under acrylic.
Highland Arts Guild and Gallery
This diverse mix of art work is the production of more than sixty regional artists and volunteers. Stroll the screens and select a piece that will advise you of your Highland Lakes vacation. A complete 90 percent of each sale’s earnings goes to the artist, who you might even get to fulfill.
House of Cheese
Open given that last fall, this fromagerie rests on Marble Falls’ center yard and pitches cheeses that are pungent, velvety, and distinct. Stop in for a sample of the Prairie Breeze aged white cheddar (or anything else that fits your taste buds), and you’re most likely to remain for a charcuterie plate and a bottle of red wine.
Sugar Mama Cookies
A bakeshop that commemorates minutes of happiness, this coffee shop is embellished with strung-up images of delighted consumers biting into sweet deals with. The packed cookie– it’s really 2 cookies packed with icing– is as huge as a plate and best for 2.
Taste + Toast
Flat Creek Estate Winery & Vineyard
Under brand-new ownership this year, Flat Creek is broadening and innovating. The eighty-acre estate is beautiful, with a jaw-dropping tasting space and a covered outside location offering sweeping vineyard views. Sit and drink the Super Texan, a mix of sangiovese, montepulciano, primativo, and small syrah, or attempt the aglianico, among the most often asked for white wines. The residential or commercial property is likewise house to a championship-level disc golf course, which is open to the general public.
Perissos Vineyard & Winery
A charming stop with indoor and outside tasting alternatives, Perissos uses a distinct roussanne aged in acacia for 6 to 8 months. It’s the exact same type of wood utilized to develop the tabernacle pointed out in the Bible– thus the beverage’s label, the holy red wine. Visitors return for the viognier and the strongItalian Stallion Even on a hectic weekend, the winery does not feel congested.
Torr Na Lochs Vineyard & Winery
Owners Karen and Blake DeBerry have actually picked Mediterranean varietals that are well adjusted to Texas’s hot, dry environment, such as sangiovese and malbec. The tasting space’s uneven setting (Torr Na Loches equates to “hill over lakes”) uses splendid views. On a hot summertime day, attempt the Afternoon Delight, which the DeBerrys call “sangria without the sugar.” Don’ t leave without tasting the tempranillo, which has a tip of clove that will keep you drinking.
Wedding Oak Winery
The city of Burnet desired a tasting space, and Wedding Oak required. Without needing to eliminate to a vineyard, you can sample the popular Bridal series of sweet white wines, or attempt any of the eleven brand-new white wines– yes, eleven– that debuted in April 2022.
Get Outdoors
Eagle Eye Observatory
City folk will be blown away by the dark sky and the intense constellations at this lookout, which lies at the Canyon of the Eagles resort and has a moving roofing that opens to the paradises. Presentations start at 10 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday, and are a take at $10 per individual. An astronomer will utilize telescopes and computer-enhanced imaging to assist find your zodiac indication and all those constellations you found out about in school.
Inks Lake State Park
Work up a sweat on the 3.4-mile out-and-back Devil’s Backbone Nature Trail, which passes numerous little waterfalls and a wildlife seeing station prior to reaching panoramas of the water. Conclude your walking by taking part a time-honored Texas custom: delving into the Devil’s Waterhole from a precarious rocky perch. (If eight-year-olds can do it, so can you– and swimmers typically cheer one another on.) Take a naturalist-led walk for a possibility to identify the threatened golden-cheeked warbler, which nests specifically in Texas, then lease old-school paddleboats and take a look at the charming Ranger Station shop.
Longhorn Cavern State Park
Descend into this ancient river-carved cavern, where small bats sleep overhead. The lighting makes this walk surreal, as flashlight beams bounce off rocks and highlight each crevice. Your guide will inform you about the history of the cavern, when Depression- period bands when played belowground, and well-dressed guests danced and dined in the biggest part of the cavern. In some locations, you will duck up until your back harms; in others, you’ll strain your neck looking up at towering ceilings.
Spider Mountain Bike Park
The just chairlift-served mtb park in Texas uses paths for all abilities levels. This popular area is a draw for kids and experience hunters. The path names offer you a tip regarding their level of problem, from Itsy Bitsy to Stinger; boat and cabin leasings are likewise available. The views from the lift just improve as you rise the mountain, with Burnet County expanded listed below you.
Vanishing River Cruise
If you do anything on the water, it ought to be this. Hop on this double-decker boat for a relaxing trip on Lake Buchanan and theColorado River This waterway was when dry; now immersed willow trees reach their branch off of the water, looking for sun. Round a corner and gasp as an unforeseen waterfall exposes itself amongst the limestone cliffs. On the eighteen-mile beautiful wilderness cruise, you may see cows and wild hogs grazing on a sandbar where Comanches when pertained to cool down. In the winter season, bald eagles nest on the cliffs.
Stay
Canyon of the Eagles (Burnet)
As you wend your method up Ranch Road 2341, the blue-green waters of Lake Buchanan unexpectedly appear. Your resort is simply ahead, and you’ll be welcomed there with an individual shuttle bus to your cabin. Covered decks with rocking chairs are the best location to settle back. For a more rustic experience, pitch a camping tent in the resort’s primitive camping area or bring up your recreational vehicle.
Container City at Spider Mountain
This recently built residential or commercial property functions delivering containers changed into contemporary cabins, some stacked to accommodate bigger groups. Onsite is Peddler’s Pies, which cranks out tasty wood-fired pizzas with a wide variety of garnishes, and Templeton Tavern, an outside bar with live music, cornhole, and an enjoyable rustic ambiance.
The Verandas Guest House
Sit in a rocking chair on the wraparound deck and do not hesitate to utilize the kitchen area to work up a meal at this visitor home, centrally situated inBurnet Creaky wood floorings, flower wallpaper, gold drapes, antique furnishings, and a clawfoot tub bring appeal to each personal suite, which includes a living-room, big bed room, and restroom. Every remain here consists of a breakfast coupon to utilize at one of numerous regional dining establishments.
