Just under an hour from Austin,Georgetown is known for its lovely main street, cool restaurants and bars and fun local shopping. Pick any weekend to get away and enjoy the slower pace without sacrificing great food and good fun.
Shopping
The Georgetown Town Square is dubbed "The Most Beautiful Town Square in Texas", so it's only fitting that you spend time floating in and out of local shops, restaurants and bars. Stop in at the stunningGeorgetown Art Center, home to a rotation of exhibitions, education events and artist studios.Looking for that next good read? Independent and woman-owned book storeLark & Owl Booksellersfeatures a variety of genres for book lovers of all types. More beloved Georgetown shopsinclude6 Whiskey Co., Mesquite Creek Outfitters,The DayTripper World Headquarters and a wealth of antique stores.
Attractions
Outdoorsy types should plan to visit Lake Georgetown, a 1200 acre lake where visitors can fish, ski, hikeand camp or spend a day splashing around Blue Hole, a lagoon bordered by towering limestone bluffs. Inner Space Cavern is one of the best-preserved caves in Texas. The cave tour is truly remarkable with thousands of stalactites and stalagmites. Athletic folks who have a penchant for extreme sports should book some time on the Challenge Course, a program that incorporates wall climbing, ropes, rappelling and more that’s great for a group or a team. Southwestern University is the oldest college in Texas, so it's worth adding a stop in your schedule to see a play or some art or just stroll the beautiful campus.After dinner, spend an evening at the historicGeorgetown Palace Theatre, which hosts regular performances for audiences of all ages.
Restaurants
Eat your way around Georgetown starting withSweet Lemon Kitchen. Fan favorites from the cottagecafe are their from-scratch cinnamon rolls, avocado toast, and honey cream latte. Or, stop in for dinneron Friday andSaturday nights for delicious food and live music.You’d be remiss if you skipped out on lunch at the famous Monument Cafe. Comfort food at its finest, this grandma-approved throwback cafe is worth the trip alone. Split a chicken fried steak and thank us later. Barbecue lovers should check out Hello Sweetie! BBQ. Ribs, pulled pork, brisket, smoky sausage, and all the fixin's are on the menu here, and they have a nicepatio to enjoy some sunshine. For a sweet stop, there’s only one place to go, and that’s Hula Cowgirl Shaved Ice and given that we have such a long warm season in Texas, you’ll likely want something cool. They have tons of creative toppings and offer ice cream, as well. For something casual to end the day, consider 600 Degrees Pizzeria & Draft House, an award-winning pizza spot with inventive toppings and a wide selection of taps. Family-owned Fuego Latino Gastropub is another amazing option. Their menu is pan-Latin and features everything from Argentine empanadas to ribs in chile verde, pastor tacos to Costa Rican coffee. And then there’s the heavy hitter, the long-time Georgetown “fancy” place with log burning grills and smoke-infused everything, Wildfire. The menu is surf-and-turf heavy with an emphasis on game including elk, duck, lamb, and even ostrich. It’s housed in a beautiful historic building and is swank without being snobby. Definitely consider it for date night.
Bars & Nightlife
One of the best things to do on a nice day is find yourself a watering hole (or two) in Georgetown. Wine aficionados will appreciate that there are several options to choose from. Indulge in some vino at Kork Wine Bar, perfectly paired with their light Italian fare, or belly up to the long wooden bar at Barons Creek Wine Room.The Golden Rule is a trendy spotwith a fancy co*cktail menu, a cool vibe, and a deep selection of high-end liquor, which can be enjoyed on their charming patio. If you have kids in tow who need to get the wiggles out, try Rentsch Brewery. It’s dog- and kid-friendly with a great outdoor setup specializing in old world German and new world American style beers.
Events
The square is where you'll find some of Georgetown's most iconic andevents, such asthe Red Poppy Festival, an annual event that is well-known all over Central Texas. The festival features a parade with bands, floats, a classic car show, art displays, fun stuff for the kids, artisan marketand more. The Square also hosts the Christmas Stroll. Twinkly lights make it seem like a winter wonderland and there’s no end to the amusem*nts—a train ride, visits with Santa, bungee jump, a bounce house, mechanical reindeer, an obstacle course and even a human snow globe.
For more information, visit visit.georgtown.org.
