Author: Marcy

“South by Southwest (SXSW) is here, and maybe you’re not too thrilled about it. You’ve bid your friends good luck going downtown for the next week, and you’ve resigned yourself to stay inside until it’s safe to return to the inner city. What do you do now?… Catch a play at the Georgetown Palace Theatre” Read the entire article here>>

Jessica Bell of Miles From Missouri made a trip with her family to Georgetown and recently shared her blog about their stay! She writes about the Georgetown food scene and where to play in Georgetown, and made sure to share some great photos that just might make you want to get over here for your next meal! Read Jessica’s blog and get started on your own list of places to visit in Georgetown, Texas>>

Only In Your State writes, “One of the best Christmas towns in Texas, Georgetown truly looks like a scene from a painting during the holiday season. Between the quaint shops and restaurants in the town square all decked out with lights and decorations to the numerous festivities, Christmas cheer is in no short supply here.” Read the whole jolly article here>>

Houstonia Magazine writes, “Winter vacation is one of the best times to travel in Texas. Cool enough for sweaters and hot cocoa but still warm enough to get outside and go on an adventure… Located 25 miles north of Austin, Georgetown combines just the right amount of small-town charm with outdoor recreation, making it a great getaway destination this winter. Read the complete article>>

“Georgetown has a little bit of an Austin vibe…some of the quirky weirdness has migrated north and joined with the historic buildings, tranquil parks, and small-town charm to form something entirely new. You’ll know you’re in Texas because people will smile at you on the street and stop and chat with you.” See her recommendations for places to eat, shop and things to do while in Georgetown>>

Texas Wanderers is a non-native Texan who has fallen in love with Texas! The Texas Wanderers family travels the state and blogs about their favorite towns and locations. Read Texas Wanderers’ Georgetown blog: 8 Fabulous Things To Do In Georgetown, complete with great photos>>

As the sun wanes, the lights twinkle to life on the Most Beautiful Town Square in Texas. Located a short drive from Austin, the City of Georgetown is the big city’s delightfully hip neighbor. Home to Southwestern University, the oldest university in Texas and nationally recognized as a Main Street City, the community blends small town charm with eclectic vibes for an experience that is perfectly weekend ready. So, as you head into the holiday season, we invite you to shop, dine and unwind with us.

A Few of Our Favorite Holiday Things
It’s the most wonderful time of the year and whether you’re ready to rock around the Christmas tree or not, we want to help you get into the spirit. If you need a day to shop for gifts or an overnight getaway, we’ve pulled together some ideas to help you and yours enjoy a few festive favorites on the Square and off.

Holiday Shopping
No need to check your list twice—we bet everyone on your list has been nice! With a bevy of shopping options, including antiques, apparel, jewelry, toys, home décor and more, you’ll have no problem finding the perfect gift for even the hardest to shop for friend. Each boutique downtown has carefully curated a winter shopping experience that is merry and bright.

Seasonal Dining
Looking to grab-and-stroll with a hot cocoa or prefer to savor some farm-to-fork fare? Georgetown has a plethora of dining options to choose from. You can settle into pet-friendly patios with Fido, dig into pie (of the pizza or pumpkin variety) and even celebrate the merry hours with a pint or a flute all season long. Enjoy some time to break bread with your nearest and dearest or catch up with old friends before the holiday frenzy begins!

Something for Everyone
The holiday season in Georgetown has something to offer for the young, and the young at heart. Whether you prefer, “tradition” or a “twist,” you’ll find them both in eclectic Georgetown where there’s something for everyone.

The annual “Lighting of the Square“ on November 25, kicks off the 2022 Holiday season which will be sure to delight children of all ages. We will celebrate our “41st Annual Christmas Stroll” happening on December 2 & 3. Bring the family for pictures with Santa, “Groovin with the Grinch,” fantastic vendors and more!

All that shopping and you still haven’t found gifts for everyone? How about tickets to a play?  It’s a wonderful gift that also supports your local theater company, and you can bring the whole family too.  For those that prefer merry music with a Christmas message, be sure to catch a live performance of “Holiday Inn” at the fabulous Palace Theater.  For those who love to laugh, tickets to see the holiday comedy, “A Tuna Christmas,” at the Palace Playhouse are sure to please.

Festive Staying
Put a twist on tradition this year in eclectic Georgetown and gift your family a holiday staycation. Enjoy a well-appointed room and gather around the fire to toast s’mores at the beautiful Sheraton Austin Georgetown Texas Hotel & Conference Center.  Local B&B’s or historic guest houses offer options for those who prefer to stay rooted in the holiday traditions of yesteryear. Don’t worry Santa will find you either way!

Whether you’re creating new traditions or keeping the old, Georgetown Texas beckons to all who desire the warm and fuzzy feelings brought on by sharing holidays with the ones we love.  With something for everyone, the city with the Most Beautiful Town Square in Texas will dazzle and delight friends and family alike.

Longer days and abundant sunshine are all hallmarks of summers here in the Lone Star State, making it the perfect season to travel. If you’re looking for your next getaway to the Texas Hill Country, find your way to Georgetown. Located just north of Austin, this lively town offers a multitude of unique ways to savor the season with your friends or family. Take it easy at a swimming hole, explore a breathtaking cavern, sip locally made craft beers, and indulge in delicious ice cream sandwiches and milkshakes. No matter what your perfect summer vacation looks like, Georgetown has it all. Read on to see how, then plan your visit here.

Swim in Pristine Waters

Crystal-clear waters shadowed by towering limestone bluffs, all surrounded by stately oaks. Here in the Texas Hill Country, it doesn’t get any more inviting than this, especially in the summer. When the weather heats up, find your way to Blue Hole Park. Set around a scenic lagoon, the park is just the place to soak up the sun as you swim in the San Gabriel River or enjoy a picnic on the riverbank. As welcoming as the oasis is, you might think you’d have to travel far to get here. Yet the park is just a few minutes from Downtown Georgetown, so visiting couldn’t be any easier. Just make sure to get here early, as Blue Hole Park is one of the Hill Country’s top swimming holes.

Fish, Kayak, and Hike at Lake Georgetown

Bathed in the bright Texas summer sun, Lake Georgetown is an easy-to-reach getaway for when you want a day out on the water. Set just a short drive from the downtown area, the 1,200-acre lake offers a multitude of ways to savor the outdoors. If you have a boat in tow, take advantage of Cedar Breaks Park and Jim Hogg Park’s boat ramps to access the water. You can also rent a kayak from San Gabriel Paddlesports or Ducks on the Pond Kayak Rental to embark on your own paddling adventure.

For you anglers out there, Lake Georgetown is a fantastic place to hook bass and catfish. While there’s plenty of fun on the water to be had, the lake is also surrounded by 16 miles of hiking trails that serve up an abundance of spectacular views. As with everything else here in Texas in the summer, you’ll want to get an early start to get the most out of your time at Lake Georgetown.

Savor Local Craft Brews

Is there anything better than a bright and citrusy IPA or a refreshing pilsner on a hot summer day? Only if the beer you’re drinking is locally made, of course. Georgetown has two craft breweries that produce some of the highest quality ales and lagers around. Choose from a full-bodied weizenbock or a rich and malty IPA and find a spot under the shade of a massive oak tree at Rentsch Brewery. The kind of spot you could hang out at all day, the brewery has a full complement of brews light and dark, including year-round brews and a rotating array of seasonal beers. When your appetite hits, get something delicious from one of the local food trucks that are on site.

Meanwhile, Barking Armadillo Brewing pours a delicious array of pilsners, IPAs, and even a Belgian strong dark ale, as well as a house-made blackberry mead and a selection of guest beers and wines, and non-alcoholic drinks. Hanging out on the back patio is a great way to pass the time, and if you stay for long enough you’ll catch one of the live music performances that the brewery frequently hosts. You won’t need to go far for dinner, either, as Barking Armadillo Brewing also hosts a variety of food trucks.

Sometimes, a pint of your favorite kind of brew is just what the doctor ordered. Enjoy some of the best the Hill Country has to offer right here in Georgetown.

Beat the Heat Underground

When the swelter of a Texas summer sets in, descend into the otherworldly subterranean wonderland of Inner Space Cavern. Explore palatial rooms adorned with stunning formations, all while savoring the ambient 72-degree temperature that provides a nice break from the daytime heat. Discovered in the early 1960’s, the cavern has been a popular attraction for more than 50 years.

Today, you can experience this underground oasis on one of three guided tours. For a quick exploration along a well-lit trail through the cavern, the Adventure Tour is an accessible way to see some of the top sights. Looking for the kind of thrilling experience you won’t have every day? Choose either the Hidden Passages Tour or the Wild Cave Tour. The former takes you off the beaten path to a newly opened section of the cave, while the latter is a nearly four-hour excursion through a complex network of passages and chambers.

Inner Space Cavern is one of Texas’ most beautiful show caves, and you don’t need to go that far to get here. The cavern is less than three miles from Downtown Georgetown, making it as easy as can be to visit while you’re here.

Dig Into Delicious Local Fare

Whether you’re swimming in Blue Hole Park or exploring Inner Space Cavern’s awe-inspiring depths, your appetite is bound to catch up to you at some point. Fortunately, Georgetown has a seemingly endless array of restaurants you can choose from. Savor an authentic taste of Texas at 2020 Market Scratch Kitchen & Bar, where the menu is full of dishes made with ingredients from local farmer’s markets and Gulf Coast fishing boats. Dig into a soup, salad, sandwich, or a delightful entrée like Texas ribeye or coastal seafood enchiladas that are delicious when paired with something from the wide-ranging wine list.

Meanwhile, District Six combines the inviting appeal of your neighborhood sports-friendly spot with an upscale vibe and dishes like Nashville hot quail legs and a Texas wagyu smashburger. Play some arcade games, hang out on the spacious patio, watch a game on the 21 TVs, and tip back a craft cocktail or your choice of 40 beers and wines on draft. If you’re craving the meat sweats, Tejas Meat Company can’t be beaten. Both a butcher shop and restaurant, Tejas serves up sandwiches like a club with herb and tahini roasted turkey and the Georgetown Melt, a delicious combination of house-smoked brisket, bacon, mild cheddar, smoked gouda, pepper jack, gruyere, and provolone. Get your fill, then choose from a multitude of cuts of beef and pork or wild game, including axis, elk, and red stag to cook later at home.

These restaurants have plenty to offer, but we’re just scratching the surface of your dining options in Georgetown. See all the destination’s other eateries here.

Shop The Daytripper Headquarters

If you’ve ever traveled in Texas, you may have heard about (or even been inspired) by The Daytripper. This popular Emmy-award-winning TV show showcases some of Texas’ coolest places, and you can experience the Lone Star State when you stop by The Daytripper Headquarters. Browse a collection of goodies made right here in Texas, along with exclusive The Daytripper merchandise and other souvenirs, at this shop right on Georgetown’s downtown square. All the while, sip on a free beer from the in-store taps. Whether you’re a fan of the show or you want to find amazing souvenirs to take home with you, a stop by The Daytripper Headquarters is a must.

Indulge in Sugary Sweets

There’s nothing sweeter than an ice-cold milkshake on a hot summer day, and Georgetown has plenty of places to treat yourself. Colorful, creative, and flowing out of the top of a mason jar, the eye-catching confections at The Yard Milkshake Bar are second to none. Imagine scoops of ice cream topped with a slice of lemon ice box pie, an entire chocolate chip cookie, a brownie, and a Texas-sized serving of whipped cream. There are many shakes to choose from, including the Greetings From Georgetown with cookies and cream ice cream with red marshmallow and chocolate drizzle all rolled in crushed Oreos and topped with a candy red poppy.

When you want to satisfy any kind of sugar craving, Scoops is the place to be. Not only does this shop have Beth Marie’s Old Fashioned Ice Cream, but it also offers uniquely Georgetown sundaes and more than 400 kinds of candy. Of course, we can’t talk about desserts without mentioning The Baked Bear. In three steps, you can make your very own decadent ice cream sandwich with your choice of more than 10 cookies, ice cream flavors like espresso bean and old-fashioned vanilla, and toppings like hot caramel, Nutella, and brownie bits. You can even get your sandwich warmed up so everything is that perfect amount of gooey.

A spectacular swimming hole? Check. Kayaking and swimming in a picturesque lake? You bet. Delicious local cuisine and one-of-a-kind sugary sweets? It’s all here in Georgetown, the perfect summer getaway in the Texas Hill Country.

Celebrated annually the first full week in May, National Travel and Tourism Week(NTTW) was created by Congress in 1983 to elevate the economic power of travel in the U.S. The 38th annual NTTW (May 2-8) arrives at an opportune moment to recognize the importance to
the U.S. economy of initiating a post-pandemic travel recovery.

“NTTW takes on a special significance this year as the travel industry looks to rebound quickly from the pandemic and accelerate recovery efforts,” said U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Roger Dow. “The past year was incredibly challenging, but we saw the full power of the travel industry on display in the way we united and supported one another through this crisis.”

“Before the pandemic, travel generated $2.6 trillion in economic output, supported 17 million American jobs and delivered a $51 billion trade surplus to the U.S.—evidence of the outsized role the industry will play in America’s
broader economic recovery,” said Dow.

Georgetown Convention and Visitors Bureau is saluting the power of travel by showcasing a few of the many FACES OF GEORGETOWN TOURISM. Follow us on Visit Georgetown, Texas Facebook as we feature our tourism partners throughout NTTW.

Please visit ustravel.org/NTTW to learn more about National Travel and Tourism Week.

“Drive thirty minutes away from Austin and you’ll transition from skyscrapers to a town square that feels like you’ve truly taken a step back in time. With a population just shy of 60,000, Georgetown is a much-needed change of pace in today’s busy and noisy world.” Ciara is a source of inspiration and information for millenials. See the photos and read her great blog on Georgetown: heyciara.com/blog/georgetowntexasdaytripguide

Jesse Coulter is a travel writer who enjoys exploring with her three young children. Read what her Top 5 Outdoor Activities are, complete with links and the cutest photos: jessecoulter.net/2020/11/top-5-outdoor-activities-in-georgetown 

For a list of all Georgetown Kid-Friendly Attractions, go to: visit.georgetown.org/kid-friendly/